Ian J. White

EGF stimulates annexin 1-dependent inward vesiculation in a multivesicular endosome subpopulation

Here we show that EGF and EGF receptor (EGFR) are trafficked through a subpopulation of multivesicular endosomes/bodies (MVBs) that are distinct from morphologically identical vacuoles that label for the late endosomal marker lyso‐bisphosphatidic acid (LBPA). EGF stimulation increases both MVB biogenesis and inward vesiculation within EGFR‐containing MVBs. Deletion of annexin 1, a substrate of EGFR tyrosine kinase, abolishes the effect of EGF stimulation on inward vesiculation. This phenotype is reversible by transfection with wild‐type but not Y21F phosphorylation mutant annexin 1. Deletion of annexin 1 has no effect on EGF‐stimulated MVB biogenesis, suggesting that MVB biogenesis and inward vesiculation within MVB are mediated by separate mechanisms. Loss or depletion of annexin 1 has no effect on EGF degradation and causes only a small delay in EGFR degradation, indicating that annexin 1 operates downstream of Hrs‐ and ESCRT‐mediated sorting and is required solely for EGF‐stimulated inward vesiculation. Annexin 1 accumulates on internal vesicles of MVB after EGF‐stimulated inward vesiculation, suggesting that it may be required for a late stage in inward vesiculation.

Membrane contacts between endosomes and ER provide sites for PTP1B–epidermal growth factor receptor interaction

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a critical determinator of cell fate. Signalling from this receptor tyrosine kinase is spatially regulated by progression through the endocytic pathway, governing receptor half-life and accessibility to signalling proteins and phosphatases. Endocytosis of EGFR is required for interaction with the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B (ref. 1), which localizes to the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), raising the question of how PTP1B comes into contact with endosomal EGFR. We show that EGFR–PTP1B interaction occurs by means of direct membrane contacts between the perimeter membrane of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and the ER. The population of EGFR interacting with PTP1B is the same population that undergo ESCRT-mediated (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) sorting within MVBs, and PTP1B activity promotes the sequestration of EGFR on to MVB internal vesicles. Membrane contacts between endosomes and the ER form in both the presence and absence of stimulation by EGF. Thus membrane contacts between endosomes and the ER may represent a global mechanism for direct interaction between proteins on these two organelles.

Annexins and Endocytosis

Annexins are calcium‐ and phospholipid‐binding proteins that have been proposed to have multiple roles in membrane traffic. Historically, this has been based on the in vitro properties of annexins and their localization to specific membrane compartments. However, recent functional evidence supports a role for annexins in specific membrane traffic steps, although the requirement for annexins may be highly dependent on the cellular context. Here we review the roles of annexins in traffic within the endocytic pathway, focusing on clathrin‐dependent internalization from the plasma membrane, multivesicular endosome/body (MVB) biogenesis and MVB–lysosome fusion.

Actomyosin II contractility expels von Willebrand factor from Weibel–Palade bodies during exocytosis

High-resolution microscopy reveals how discrete actin cytoskeletal functions inhibit or promote specific exocytic steps during regulated secretion.

Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the endosomal recycling compartment.

Rab11‐FIP3 is an endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) protein that is implicated in the process of membrane delivery from the ERC to sites of membrane insertion during cell division. Here we report that Rab11‐FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the ERC during interphase. We demonstrate that knockdown of Rab11‐FIP3 and expression of a mutant of Rab11‐FIP3 that is Rab11‐binding deficient cause loss of all ERC‐marker protein staining from the pericentrosomal region of A431 cells. Furthermore, we find that fluorophore‐labelled transferrin cannot access the pericentrosomal region of cells in which Rab11‐FIP3 function has been perturbed. We find that this Rab11‐FIP3 function appears to be specific because expression of the equivalent Rab11‐binding deficient mutant of Rab‐coupling protein does not perturb ERC morphology. In addition, we find that other organelles such as sorting and late endosomes are unaffected by loss of Rab11‐FIP3 function. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of an extensive coiled‐coil region between residues 463 and 692 of Rab11‐FIP3, which exists as a dimer in solution and is critical to support its function on the ERC. Together, these data indicate that Rab11‐FIP3 is necessary for the structural integrity of the pericentrosomal ERC.

Down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor signalling within multivesicular bodies

Activated EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) undergoes ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport)-mediated sorting on to the intraluminal vesicles of MVBs (multivesicular bodies) before degradation in the lysosome. Sorting of endocytosed EGFR on to the intraluminal vesicles of MVBs removes the catalytic domain of the EGFR from the cytoplasm, resulting in termination of receptor signalling. The formation of intraluminal vesicles that contain EGFR is promoted by EGF stimulation in a mechanism that depends on the EGFR substrate, annexin 1. Signalling from endocytosed EGFR is also subject to down-regulation through receptor dephosphorylation by PTPs (protein tyrosine phosphatases), such as PTP1B, an enzyme thought to reside on the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). In the present paper, we review how the phosphorylation state of components of the MVB sorting machinery, as well as the EGFR, may play a critical role in regulating EGFR sorting and signalling.

The role of ubiquitination in lysosomal trafficking of δ-opioid receptors

The δ-opioid receptor (DOR) undergoes ligand-induced downregulation by endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent endocytic trafficking to lysosomes. In contrast to a number of other signaling receptors, the DOR can downregulate effectively when its ubiquitination is prevented. We explored the membrane trafficking basis of this behavior. First, we show that internalized DORs traverse the canonical multivesicular body (MVB) pathway and localize to intralumenal vesicles (ILVs). Second, we show that DOR ubiquitination stimulates, but is not essential for, receptor transfer to ILVs and proteolysis of the receptor endodomain. Third, we show that receptor ubiquitination plays no detectable role in the early sorting of internalized DORs out of the recycling pathway. Finally, we show that DORs undergo extensive proteolytic fragmentation in the ectodomain, even when receptor ubiquitination is prevented or ILV formation itself is blocked. Together, these results are sufficient to explain why DORs downregulate effectively in the absence of ubiquitination, and they place a discrete molecular sorting operation in the MVB pathway effectively upstream of the ESCRT. More generally, these findings support the hypothesis that mammalian cells can control the cytoplasmic accessibility of internalized signaling receptors independently from their ultimate trafficking fate.

Differential control of presynaptic efficacy by postsynaptic N-cadherin and [beta]-catenin

N-cadherin is a homophilic adhesion protein that remains expressed at mature excitatory synapses beyond its developmental role in synapse formation. We investigated the trans-synaptic activity of N-cadherin in regulating synapse function in rodent cultured hippocampal neurons using optical methods and electrophysiology. Interfering with N-cadherin in postsynaptic neurons reduced basal release probability (pr) at inputs to the neuron, and this trans-synaptic impairment of release accompanied impaired vesicle endocytosis. Moreover, loss of the GluA2 AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit, which decreased pr by itself, occluded the interference with postsynaptic N-cadherin. The loss of postsynaptic N-cadherin activity, however, did not affect the compensatory upregulation of pr induced by chronic activity silencing, whereas postsynaptic β-catenin deletion blocked this presynaptic homeostatic adaptation. Our findings suggest that postsynaptic N-cadherin helps link basal pre- and postsynaptic strengths to control the pr offset, whereas the pr gain adjustment requires a distinct trans-synaptic pathway involving β-catenin.

VPS33B regulates protein sorting into and maturation of α-granule progenitor organelles in mouse megakaryocytes.

Arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis (ARC) syndrome is caused by deficiencies in the trafficking proteins VPS33B or VIPAR, and is associated with a bleeding diathesis and a marked reduction in platelet α-granules. We generated a tamoxifen-inducible mouse model of VPS33B deficiency, Vps33b(fl/fl)-ER(T2), and studied the platelet phenotype and α-granule biogenesis. Ultrastructural analysis of Vps33b(fl/fl)-ER(T2) platelets identified a marked reduction in α-granule count and the presence of small granule-like structures in agreement with the platelet phenotype observed in ARC patients. A reduction of ∼65% to 75% was observed in the α-granule proteins von Willebrand factor and P-selectin. Although platelet aggregation responses were not affected, a defect in δ-granule secretion was observed. Under arteriolar shear conditions, Vps33b(fl/fl)-ER(T2) platelets were unable to form stable aggregates, and tail-bleeding measurement revealed a bleeding diathesis. Analysis of bone marrow-derived megakaryocytes (MKs) by conventional and immuno-electron microscopy from Vps33b(fl/fl)-ER(T2) mice revealed a reduction in mature type-II multivesicular bodies (MVB II) and an accumulation of large vacuoles. Proteins that are normally stored in α-granules were underrepresented in MVB II and proplatelet extensions. These results demonstrate that abnormal protein trafficking and impairment in MVB maturation in MKs underlie the α-granule deficiency in Vps33b(fl/fl)-ER(T2) mouse and ARC patients.

A Membrane Topology Model for Human Interferon Inducible Transmembrane Protein 1

InterFeron Inducible TransMembrane proteins 1–3 (IFITM1, IFITM2 and IFITM3) are a family of proteins capable of inhibiting the cellular entry of numerous human and animal viruses. IFITM1-3 are unique amongst the currently described viral restriction factors in their apparent ability to block viral entry. This restrictive property is dependant on the localisation of the proteins to plasma and endosomal membranes, which constitute the main portals of viral entry into cells. The topology of the IFITM proteins within cell membranes is an unresolved aspect of their biology. Here we present data from immunofluorescence microscopy, protease cleavage, biotin-labelling and immuno-electron microscopy assays, showing that human IFITM1 has a membrane topology in which the N-terminal domain resides in the cytoplasm, and the C-terminal domain is extracellular. Furthermore, we provide evidence that this topology is conserved for all of the human interferon-induced IFITM proteins. This model is consistent with that recently proposed for murine IFITM3, but differs from that proposed for murine IFITM1.