Jonathan S. Marchant

Essential requirement for two-pore channel 1 in NAADP-mediated calcium signaling.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a widespread and potent calcium-mobilizing messenger that is highly unusual in activating calcium channels located on acidic stores. However, the molecular identity of the target protein is unclear. In this study, we show that the previously uncharacterized human two-pore channels (TPC1 and TPC2) are endolysosomal proteins, that NAADP-mediated calcium signals are enhanced by overexpression of TPC1 and attenuated after knockdown of TPC1, and that mutation of a single highly conserved residue within a putative pore region abrogated calcium release by NAADP. Thus, TPC1 is critical for NAADP action and is likely the long sought after target channel for NAADP.

A continuum of InsP3‐mediated elementary Ca2+ signalling events in Xenopus oocytes

1 The elementary release events underlying inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3)‐mediated calcium signalling were investigated in Xenopus oocytes by means of high‐resolution confocal linescan imaging together with flash photolysis of caged InsP3. 2 Weak photolysis flashes evoked localized, transient calcium signals that arose at specific sites following random latencies of up to several seconds. The duration, spatial spread and amplitude of these elementary events varied widely. Event durations (at half‐maximal amplitude) were distributed exponentially between about 100 and 600 ms. Fluorescence magnitudes (F/F0 of Oregon Green 488 BAPTA‐1) showed a skewed distribution with a peak at about 1.5 and a tail extending as high as 3.5. 3 Individual release sites exhibited both small events (blips) and large events (puffs). The spatiotemporal distribution of calcium signals during puffs was consistent with calcium diffusion from a point source (< a few hundred nanometres), rather than with propagation of a microscopic calcium wave. 4 Estimates of the calcium flux associated with individual events were made by integrating fluorescence profiles along the scan line in three dimensions to derive the ‘signal mass’ at each time point. The smallest resolved events corresponded to liberation of < 2 × 10−20 mol Ca2+, and large events to about 2 × 10−18 mol Ca2+. The rise of signal mass was more prolonged than that of the fluorescence intensity, suggesting that calcium liberation persists even while the fluorescence begins to decline. Rates of rise of signal mass corresponded to Ca2+ currents of 0.4‐2.5 pA. 5 Measurements of signal mass from different events showed a continuous, exponential distribution, arising through variability in magnitude and duration of calcium flux. 6 We conclude that localized calcium transients in the oocyte represent a continuum of events involving widely varying amounts of calcium liberation, rather than falling into separate populations of ‘fundamental’ and ‘elementary’ events (blips and puffs) involving, respectively, single and multiple InsP3 receptor channels. This variability probably arises through stochastic variation in both the number of channels recruited and the duration of channel opening.

Activation and co-ordination of InsP3-mediated elementary Ca2+ events during global Ca2+ signals in Xenopus oocytes

1 The activation of elementary calcium release events (‘puffs’) and their co‐ordination to generate calcium waves was studied in Xenopus oocytes by confocal linescan imaging together with photorelease of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) from a caged precursor. 2 Weak photolysis flashes evoked no responses or isolated calcium puffs, whereas flashes of increasing strength evoked more frequent puffs, often occurring in flurries as abortive waves, and then a near‐simultaneous calcium liberation originating at multiple sites. The numbers of sites activated increased initially as about the fourth power of photoreleased [InsP3]. 3 Following repeated, identical photolysis flashes, puffs arose after stochastically varying latencies of a few hundred milliseconds to several seconds. The cumulative number of events initially increased as about the third power of time. No rise in free [Ca2+] was detected preceding the puffs, suggesting that this co‐operativity arises through binding of multiple InsP3 molecules, rather than through calcium feedback. 4 The mean latency to onset of calcium liberation shortened as about the square of the flash strength, and the dispersion in latencies between events reduced correspondingly. 5 Weak stimuli often evoked coupled puffs involving adjacent sites, and stronger flashes evoked saltatory calcium waves, propagating with non‐constant velocity. During waves, [Ca2+] rose slowly between puff sites, but more abruptly at active sites following an initial diffusive rise in calcium. 6 Initial rates of rise of local [Ca2+] at release sites were similar during puffs and release induced by much (> 10‐fold) greater [InsP3]. In contrast, macroscopic calcium measurements averaged over the scan line showed a graded dependence of rate of calcium liberation upon [InsP3], due to recruitment of additional sites and decreasing dispersion in activation latencies. 7 We conclude that the initiation of calcium liberation depends co‐operatively upon [InsP3] whereas the subsequent regenerative increase in calcium flux depends upon local calcium feedback and is largely independent of [InsP3]. Wave propagation is consistent with the diffusive spread of calcium evoking regenerative liberation at heterogeneous discrete sites, the sensitivity of which is primed by InsP3.

Initiation of IP3‐mediated Ca2+ waves in Xenopus oocytes

Inositol (1,4,5)‐trisphosphate (IP3) evokes Ca2+ liberation in Xenopus oocytes as elementary events (Ca2+ puffs) that become coupled to propagate Ca2+ waves with increasing [IP3]. To investigate this transition between local and global Ca2+ signaling, we developed an optical method for evoking rapid subcellular Ca2+ elevations, while independently photoreleasing IP3 and simultaneously recording confocal Ca2+ images. Focal Ca2+ elevations triggered waves within 100 ms of photoreleasing IP3, compared with latencies of seconds following photorelease of IP3 alone. Wave velocity varied with [IP3] but was independent of time after photorelease of IP3, indicating that delayed wave initiation did not involve slow binding of IP3 to its receptors. The amount of Ca2+ required to trigger a wave was ∼10‐fold greater than the average size of puffs, and puffs showed no progressive increase in magnitude before waves initiated. Instead, Ca2+ puffs contributed to a slow rise in basal free [Ca2+], which further increased puff frequency and sensitized IP3 receptors so that individual events then triggered waves. Because the wave threshold is much greater than the size of the elementary puff, cells can employ both local and global signaling mechanisms, and the summation of stochastic behavior of elementary events allows generation of reproducible periodic waves.

Cooperative activation of IP3 receptors by sequential binding of IP3 and Ca2+ safeguards against spontaneous activity.

BACKGROUND Ca2+ waves allow effective delivery of intracellular Ca2+ signals to cytosolic targets. Propagation of these regenerative Ca2+ signals probably results from the activation of intracellular Ca2+ channels by the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] that follows the opening of these channels. Such positive feedback is potentially explosive. Mechanisms that limit the spontaneous opening of intracellular Ca2+ channels are therefore likely to have evolved in parallel with the mechanism of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release. RESULTS Maximal rates of 45Ca2+ efflux from permeabilised hepatocytes superfused with medium in which the [Ca2+] was clamped were cooperatively stimulated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). A minimal interval of approximately 400 msec between IP3 addition and the peak rate of Ca2+ mobilisation indicate that channel opening does not immediately follow binding of IP3. Although the absolute latency of Ca2+ release was unaffected by further increasing the IP3 concentration, it was reduced by increased [Ca2+]. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the closed conformation of the IP3 receptor is very stable and therefore minimally susceptible to spontaneous activation; at least three (probably four) IP3 molecules may be required to provide enough binding energy to drive the receptor into a stable open conformation. We suggest that a further defence from noise is provided by an extreme form of coincidence detection. Binding of IP3 to each of its four receptor subunits unmasks a site to which Ca2+ must bind before the channel can open. As IP3 binding may also initiate receptor inactivation, there may be only a narrow temporal window during which each receptor subunit must bind both of its agonists if the channel is to open rather than inactivate.

Photoaffinity labeling of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) targets in mammalian cells

Background: Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) activates two-pore channels (TPCs) to release Ca2+ from intracellular acidic Ca2+ stores. Results: A photoactivatable probe based on NAADP labels proteins distinct from TPCs. Conclusion: NAADP may bind to an accessory protein within a larger TPC complex. Significance: First evidence that TPCs act as NAADP-activated Ca2+ release channels, but not NAADP receptors. Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is an agonist-generated second messenger that releases Ca2+ from intracellular acidic Ca2+ stores. Recent evidence has identified the two-pore channels (TPCs) within the endolysosomal system as NAADP-regulated Ca2+ channels that release organellar Ca2+ in response to NAADP. However, little is known about the mechanism coupling NAADP binding to calcium release. To identify the NAADP binding site, we employed a photoaffinity labeling method using a radioactive photoprobe based on 5-azido-NAADP ([32P-5N3]NAADP) that exhibits high affinity binding to NAADP receptors. In several systems that are widely used for studying NAADP-evoked Ca2+ signaling, including sea urchin eggs, human cell lines (HEK293, SKBR3), and mouse pancreas, 5N3-NAADP selectively labeled low molecular weight sites that exhibited the diagnostic pharmacology of NAADP-sensitive Ca2+ release. Surprisingly, we were unable to demonstrate labeling of endogenous, or overexpressed, TPCs. Furthermore, labeling of high affinity NAADP binding sites was preserved in pancreatic samples from TPC1 and TPC2 knock-out mice. These photolabeling data suggest that an accessory component within a larger TPC complex is responsible for binding NAADP that is unique from the core channel itself. This observation necessitates critical evaluation of current models of NAADP-triggered activation of the TPC family.

An Ancestral Deuterostome Family of Two-pore Channels Mediates Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-dependent Calcium Release from Acidic Organelles

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a potent and widespread calcium-mobilizing messenger, the properties of which have been most extensively described in sea urchin eggs. The molecular basis for calcium release by NAADP, however, is not clear and subject to controversy. Recent studies have provided evidence that members of the two-pore channel (TPC) family in mammals are the long sought after target channels for NAADP. Here, we show that the TPC3 gene, which has yet to be functionally characterized, is present throughout the deuterostome lineage but is a pseudogene in humans and other primates. We report the molecular cloning of the complete ancestral TPC gene family from the sea urchin and demonstrate that all three isoforms localize to acidic organelles to mediate NAADP-dependent calcium release. Our data highlight the functional divergence of this novel gene family during deuterostome evolution and provide further evidence that NAADP mediates calcium release from acidic stores through activation of TPCs.

Multiphoton-evoked color change of DsRed as an optical highlighter for cellular and subcellular labeling

DsRed, a recently cloned red fluorescent protein, has attracted great interest as an expression tracer and fusion partner for multicolor imaging. We report that three-photon excitation (λ <760 nm) rapidly changes the fluorescence of DsRed from red to green when viewed subsequently by conventional (one-photon) epifluorescence. Mechanistically, three-photon excitation (λ <760 nm) selectively bleaches the mature, red-emitting form of DsRed, thereby enhancing emission from the immature green form through reduction of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The “greening” effect occurs in live mammalian cells at the cellular and subcellular levels, and the resultant color change persists for >30 h without affecting cell viability. This technique allows individual cells, organelles, and fusion proteins to be optically marked and has potential utility for studying cell lineage, organelle dynamics, and protein trafficking, as well as for selective retrieval of cells from a population. We describe optimal parameters to induce the color change of DsRed, and demonstrate applications that show the potential of this optical highlighter.

Photoaffinity Labeling of High Affinity Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP)-Binding Proteins in Sea Urchin Egg

Background: Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) regulates calcium release from internal acidic stores via two-pore channels (TPCs). Results: A novel photosensitive probe (5-azido-NAADP) identified high affinity NAADP binding sites that interact with, but are distinct from, TPCs. Conclusion: High affinity NAADP-binding proteins complex with TPCs. Significance: This work provides new mechanistic insights into how NAADP regulates calcium release via TPCs. Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a messenger that regulates calcium release from intracellular acidic stores. Recent studies have identified two-pore channels (TPCs) as endolysosomal channels that are regulated by NAADP; however, the nature of the NAADP receptor binding site is unknown. To further study NAADP binding sites, we have synthesized and characterized [32P-5-azido]nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate ([32P-5N3]NAADP) as a photoaffinity probe. Photolysis of sea urchin egg homogenates preincubated with [32P-5N3]NAADP resulted in specific labeling of 45-, 40-, and 30-kDa proteins, which was prevented by inclusion of nanomolar concentrations of unlabeled NAADP or 5N3-NAADP, but not by micromolar concentrations of structurally related nucleotides such as NAD, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide, nicotinamide mononucleotide, nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide. [32P-5N3]NAADP binding was saturable and displayed high affinity (Kd ∼10 nm) in both binding and photolabeling experiments. [32P-5N3]NAADP photolabeling was irreversible in a high K+ buffer, a hallmark feature of NAADP binding in the egg system. The proteins photolabeled by [32P-5N3]NAADP have molecular masses smaller than the sea urchin TPCs, and antibodies to TPCs do not detect any immunoreactivity that comigrates with either the 45-kDa or the 40-kDa photolabeled proteins. Interestingly, antibodies to TPC1 and TPC3 were able to immunoprecipitate a small fraction of the 45- and 40-kDa photolabeled proteins, suggesting that these proteins associate with TPCs. These data suggest that high affinity NAADP binding sites are distinct from TPCs.

A novel biological activity of praziquantel requiring voltage-operated Ca2+ channel β subunits: subversion of flatworm regenerative polarity.

Background Approximately 200 million people worldwide harbour parasitic flatworm infections that cause schistosomiasis. A single drug—praziquantel (PZQ)—has served as the mainstay pharmacotherapy for schistosome infections since the 1980s. However, the relevant in vivo target(s) of praziquantel remain undefined. Methods and Findings Here, we provide fresh perspective on the molecular basis of praziquantel efficacy in vivo consequent to the discovery of a remarkable action of PZQ on regeneration in a species of free-living flatworm (Dugesia japonica). Specifically, PZQ caused a robust (100% penetrance) and complete duplication of the entire anterior-posterior axis during flatworm regeneration to yield two-headed organisms with duplicated, integrated central nervous and organ systems. Exploiting this phenotype as a readout for proteins impacting praziquantel efficacy, we demonstrate that PZQ-evoked bipolarity was selectively ablated by in vivo RNAi of voltage-operated calcium channel (VOCC) β subunits, but not by knockdown of a VOCC α subunit. At higher doses of PZQ, knockdown of VOCC β subunits also conferred resistance to PZQ in lethality assays. Conclusions This study identifies a new biological activity of the antischistosomal drug praziquantel on regenerative polarity in a species of free-living flatworm. Ablation of the bipolar regenerative phenotype evoked by PZQ via in vivo RNAi of VOCC β subunits provides the first genetic evidence implicating a molecular target crucial for in vivo PZQ activity and supports the ‘VOCC hypothesis’ of PZQ efficacy. Further, in terms of regenerative biology and Ca2+ signaling, these data highlight a novel role for voltage-operated Ca2+ entry in regulating in vivo stem cell differentiation and regenerative patterning.