Jean-Yves Springael

NPI1, an essential yeast gene involved in induced degradation of Gap1 and Fur4 permeases, encodes the Rsp5 ubiquitin-protein ligase

When yeast cells growing on a poor nitrogen source are supplied with NH4+ ions, several nitrogen permeases including the general amino acid permease (Gap1p) are rapidly and completely inactivated. This report shows that inactivation by NH4+ of the Gap1 permease is accompanied by its degradation. A functional NPI1 gene product is required for both inactivation and degradation of Gap1p. Molecular analysis of the NPI1 gene showed that it is identical to RSP5. The RSP5 product is a ubiquitin—protein ligase (E3 enzyme) whose physiological function was, however, unknown. Its C‐terminal region is very similar to that of other members of the E6‐AP‐like family of ubiquitin‐protein ligases. Its N‐terminal region contains a single C2 domain that may be a Ca2+‐dependent phospholipid interaction motif, followed by several copies of a recently identified domain called WW(P). The Npi1/Rsp5 protein has a homologue both in humans and in mice, the latter being involved in brain development. Stress‐induced degradation of the uracil permease (Fur4p), a process in which ubiquitin is probably involved, was also found to require a functional NPI1/RSP5 product. Chromosomal deletion of NPI1/RSP5 showed that this gene is essential for cell viability. In the viable np1/rsp5 strain, expression of NPI1/RSP5 is reduced as a result of insertion of a Ty1 element in its 5′ region. Our results show that the Npi1/Rsp5 ubiquitin‐protein ligase participates in induced degradation of at least two permeases, Gap1p and Fur4p, and probably also other proteins.

Allosteric modulation of binding properties between units of chemokine receptor homo- and hetero-oligomers.

We have demonstrated previously that the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 form homo- and heterodimers and that dimers can only bind a single chemokine molecule with high affinity. We provide here evidence from bioluminescence resonance energy transfer experiments that stimulation by chemokines does not influence the CCR2/CCR5 heterodimerization status. In addition, we show that the rate of radioligand dissociation from one unit of the heterodimer in “infinite” tracer dilution conditions is strongly increased in the presence of an unlabeled chemokine ligand of the other unit. These results demonstrate unambiguously that the interaction between heterodimer units is of allosteric nature. Agonists, but also some monoclonal antibodies, could promote such negative binding cooperativity, indicating that this phenomenon does not require the full conformational change associated with receptor activation. Finally, we show that G protein coupling is required for high-affinity binding of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (CCL4) to CCR5 and that the dissociation from G proteins, after incubation with Gpp(NH)p, promotes the release of prebound radiolabeled chemokines with kinetics similar to those measured after the addition of an excess of unlabeled chemokines. These observations suggest that the association with G proteins probably participates in the negative cooperativity observed between receptor monomers. We propose that negative cooperativity within homo- and heterodimers of chemokine receptors and probably other G protein-coupled receptors will probably have major implications in their pharmacology in vivo and in the physiopathology of the diseases with which they are associated.

Allosteric Transinhibition by Specific Antagonists in CCR2/CXCR4 Heterodimers

Chemokine receptors are presently used as targets for candidate drugs in the frame of inflammatory diseases and human immunodeficiency virus infection. They were shown to dimerize, but the functional relevance of dimerization in terms of drug action remains poorly understood. We reported previously the existence of negative binding cooperativity between the subunits of CCR2/CCR5 heterodimers. In the present study, we extend these observations to heterodimers formed by CCR2 and CXCR4, which are more distantly related. We also show that specific antagonists of one receptor inhibit the binding of chemokines to the other receptor as a consequence of their heterodimerization, both in recombinant cell lines and primary leukocytes. This resulted in a significant functional cross-inhibition in terms of calcium mobilization and chemotaxis. These data demonstrate that chemokine receptor antagonists regulate allosterically the functional properties of receptors on which they do not bind directly, with important implications on the effects of these potential therapeutic agents.

Hetero-oligomerization of CCR2, CCR5 and CXCR4 and the protean effects of "selective"-antagonists

Chemokine receptors constitute an attractive family of drug targets in the frame of inflammatory diseases. However, targeting specific chemokine receptors may be complicated by their ability to form dimers or higher order oligomers. Using a combination of luminescence complementation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays, we demonstrate for the first time the existence of hetero-oligomeric complexes composed of at least three chemokine receptors (CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR4). We show in T cells and monocytes that negative binding cooperativity takes place between the binding pockets of these receptors, demonstrating their functional interaction in leukocytes. We also show that specific antagonists of one receptor (TAK-779 or AMD3100) lead to functional cross-inhibition of the others. Finally, using the air pouch model in mice, we show that the CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist TAK-779 inhibits cell recruitment promoted by the CXCR4 agonist SDF-1α, demonstrating that cross-inhibition by antagonists also occurs in vivo. Thus, antagonists of the therapeutically important chemokine receptors regulate the functional properties of other receptors to which they do not bind directly with important implications for the use of these agents in vivo.

Synergy between Coproduced CC and CXC Chemokines in Monocyte Chemotaxis through Receptor-Mediated Events

CC and CXC chemokines coinduced in fibroblasts and leukocytes by cytokines and microbial agents determine the number of phagocytes infiltrating into inflamed tissues. Interleukin-8/CXCL8 and stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12 significantly and dose-dependently increased the migration of monocytes, expressing the corresponding CXC chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4, toward suboptimal concentrations of the monocyte chemotactic proteins CCL2 or CCL7. These findings were confirmed using different chemotaxis assays and monocytic THP-1 cells. In contrast, the combination of two CC chemokines (CCL2 plus CCL7) or two CXC chemokines (CXCL8 plus CXCL12) did not provide synergy in monocyte chemotaxis. These data show that chemokines competing for related receptors and using similar signaling pathways do not synergize. Receptor heterodimerization is probably not essential for chemokine synergy as shown in CXCR4/CCR2 cotransfectants. It is noteworthy that CCL2 mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation and calcium mobilization was significantly enhanced by CXCL8 in monocytes, indicating cooperative downstream signaling pathways during enhanced chemotaxis. Moreover, in contrast to intact CXCL12, truncated CXCL12(3-68), which has impaired receptor signaling capacity but can still desensitize CXCR4, was unable to synergize with CCL2 in monocytic cell migration. Furthermore, AMD3100 and RS102895, specific CXCR4 and CCR2 inhibitors, respectively, reduced the synergistic effect between CCL2 and CXCL12 significantly. These data indicate that for synergistic interaction between chemokines binding and signaling of the two chemokines via their proper receptors is necessary.

Cross-talk between ammonium transporters in yeast and interference by the soybean SAT1 protein

Ammonium uptake in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves three membrane transporters (Mep1, ‐2 and ‐3) belonging to an evolutionarily conserved protein family that also includes the rhesus (Rh) blood group polypeptides of erythrocytes. We show here that, in the 26972c mutant defective in NH4+ transport, the Mep1 protein carrying an amino acid substitution in its cytoplasmic C‐terminus trans‐inhibits the closely related Mep3 protein. The same mutation introduced into Mep3 leads to loss of transport activity and this inactive form also trans‐inhibits native Mep3. Inhibition of Mep3 is post‐translational and can be overcome by overexpression. These results are consistent with a direct interaction between Mep proteins, as is the case for the Rh polypeptides. The soybean GmSAT1 gene, recently cloned for its ability to complement the NH4+ transport defect of strain 26972c, has been described as an NH4+ channel protein involved in the transfer of fixed nitrogen from the bacteroid to the host plant. We show here that GmSAT1 contains a sequence homologous to the DNA‐binding domain of basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors. We also show that GmSAT1 restores NH4+ uptake in the yeast mutant by interfering with the inhibition of Mep3. Our results are not consistent with a direct role of GmSAT1 in ammonium transport.

Yeast Npi3/Bro1 is involved in ubiquitin-dependent control of permease trafficking

The membrane traffic and stability of the general amino acid permease Gap1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are under nitrogen control. Addition of a preferential nitrogen source such as ammonium to cells growing on a poor nitrogen source induces internalization of the permease and its subsequent degradation in the vacuole. This down‐regulation requires ubiquitination of Gap1 through a process involving ubiquitin ligase Npi1/Rsp5, ubiquitin hydrolase Npi2/Doa4, and Bul1/2, two Npi1/Rsp5 interacting proteins. Here we report that yet another protein, Npi3, is involved in the regulation of Gap1 trafficking. We show that Npi3 is required for NH4 +‐induced down‐regulation of Gap1, and particularly for efficient ubiquitination of the permease. Npi3 plays a pleiotropic role in permease down‐regulation, since it is also involved in ubiquitination and stress‐induced down‐regulation of the uracil permease Fur4 and in glucose‐induced degradation of hexose transporters Hxt6/7. We further provide evidence that Npi3 is required for direct vacuolar sorting of neosynthesized Gap1 permease as it occurs in npr1 mutant cells. NPI3 is identical to BRO1, a gene encoding a protein of unknown biochemical function and recently proposed to be involved in protein turnover. Npi3/Bro1 homologues include fungal proteins required for proteolytic cleavage of zinc finger proteins and the mouse Aip1 protein involved in apoptosis. We propose that proteins of the Npi3/Bro1 family, including homologues from higher species, may play a conserved role in ubiquitin‐dependent control of membrane protein trafficking.

Biased signaling at chemokine receptors

Background: GPCRs can activate selective signaling pathways according to the nature of the bound ligand. Results: Coupling selectivity of chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5, and CCR7 with G protein subtypes was measured and compared with data obtained with other functional readouts. Conclusion: Some signaling bias was detected at CCR2 and CCR5. Significance: Signaling bias appears relatively subtle for natural ligands such as chemokines. The ability of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to activate selective signaling pathways according to the conformation stabilized by bound ligands (signaling bias) is a challenging concept in the GPCR field. Signaling bias has been documented for several GPCRs, including chemokine receptors. However, most of these studies examined the global signaling bias between G protein- and arrestin-dependent pathways, leaving unaddressed the potential bias between particular G protein subtypes. Here, we investigated the coupling selectivity of chemokine receptors CCR2, CCR5, and CCR7 in response to various ligands with G protein subtypes by using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer biosensors monitoring directly the activation of G proteins. We also compared data obtained with the G protein biosensors with those obtained with other functional readouts, such as β-arrestin-2 recruitment, cAMP accumulation, and calcium mobilization assays. We showed that the binding of chemokines to CCR2, CCR5, and CCR7 activated the three Gαi subtypes (Gαi1, Gαi2, and Gαi3) and the two Gαo isoforms (Gαoa and Gαob) with potencies that generally correlate to their binding affinities. In addition, we showed that the binding of chemokines to CCR5 and CCR2 also activated Gα12, but not Gα13. For each receptor, we showed that the relative potency of various agonist chemokines was not identical in all assays, supporting the notion that signaling bias exists at chemokine receptors.

Nitrogen-source regulation of yeast gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase synthesis involves the regulatory network including the GATA zinc-finger factors Gln3, Nil1/Gat1 and Gzf3.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the CIS2 gene encodes gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT; EC 2.3.2.2), the main GSH-degrading enzyme. The promoter region of CIS2 contains one stress-response element (CCCCT) and eight GAT(T/A)A core sequences, probably involved in nitrogen-regulated transcription. We show in the present study that expression of CIS2 is indeed regulated according to the nature of the nitrogen source. Expression is highest in cells growing on a poor nitrogen source such as urea. Under these conditions, the GATA zinc-finger transcription factors Nil1 and Gln3 are both required for CIS2 expression, Nil1 appearing as the more important factor. We further show that Gzf3, another GATA zinc-finger protein, acts as a negative regulator in nitrogen-source control of CIS2 expression. During growth on a preferred nitrogen source like NH(4)(+), CIS2 expression is repressed through a mechanism involving (at least) the Gln3-binding protein Ure2/GdhCR. Induction of CIS2 expression during nitrogen starvation is dependent on Gln3 and Nil1. Furthermore, rapamycin causes similar CIS2 activation, indicating that the target of rapamycin signalling pathway controls CIS2 expression via Gln3 and Nil1 in nitrogen-starved cells. Finally, our results show that CIS2 expression is induced mainly by nitrogen starvation but apparently not by other types of stress.

Highly potent HIV inhibition: engineering a key anti-HIV structure from PSC-RANTES into MIP-1β/CCL4

The HIV coreceptor CCR5 is a validated target for both the prevention and therapy of HIV infection. PSC-RANTES, an N-terminally modified analogue of one of the natural chemokine ligands of CCR5 (RANTES/CCL5), is a potent inhibitor of HIV entry into target cells. Here, we set out to engineer the anti-HIV activity of PSC-RANTES into another natural CCR5 ligand (MIP-1beta/CCL4), by grafting into it the key N-terminal pharmacophore region from PSC-RANTES. We were able to identify MIP-1beta/CCL4 analogues that retain the receptor binding profile of MIP-1beta/CCL4, but acquire the very high anti-HIV potency and characteristic inhibitory mechanism of PSC-RANTES. Unexpectedly, we discovered that in addition to N-terminal structures from PSC-RANTES, the side chain of Lys33 is also necessary for full anti-HIV potency.