Katarzyna M. Kedziora

Initiation of lamellipodia and ruffles involves cooperation between mDia1 and the Arp2/3 complex

ABSTRACT Protrusion of lamellipodia and ruffles requires polymerization of branched actin filaments by the Arp2/3 complex. Although regulation of Arp2/3 complex activity has been extensively investigated, the mechanism of initiation of lamellipodia and ruffles remains poorly understood. Here, we show that mDia1 acts in concert with the Arp2/3 complex to promote initiation of lamellipodia and ruffles. We find that mDia1 is an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-regulated actin nucleator involved in membrane ruffling using a combination of knockdown and rescue experiments. At the molecular level, mDia1 polymerizes linear actin filaments, activating the Arp2/3 complex, and localizes within nascent and mature membrane ruffles. We employ functional complementation experiments and optogenetics to show that mDia1 cooperates with the Arp2/3 complex in initiating lamellipodia and ruffles. Finally, we show that genetic and pharmacological interference with this cooperation hampers ruffling and cell migration. Thus, we propose that the lamellipodium- and ruffle-initiating machinery consists of two actin nucleators that act sequentially to regulate membrane protrusion and cell migration. Highlighted Article: The formin mDia1 nucleates linear actin filaments that serve as mother filaments for initial activation of the Arp2/3 complex and formation of lamellipodia and ruffles.

Rapid Remodeling of Invadosomes by Gi-coupled Receptors: DISSECTING THE ROLE OF Rho GTPases.

Invadosomes are actin-rich membrane protrusions that degrade the extracellular matrix to drive tumor cell invasion. Key players in invadosome formation are c-Src and Rho family GTPases. Invadosomes can reassemble into circular rosette-like superstructures, but the underlying signaling mechanisms remain obscure. Here we show that Src-induced invadosomes in human melanoma cells (A375M and MDA-MB-435) undergo rapid remodeling into dynamic extracellular matrix-degrading rosettes by distinct G protein-coupled receptor agonists, notably lysophosphatidic acid (LPA; acting through the LPA1 receptor) and endothelin. Agonist-induced rosette formation is blocked by pertussis toxin, dependent on PI3K activity and accompanied by localized production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, whereas MAPK and Ca2+ signaling are dispensable. Using FRET-based biosensors, we show that LPA and endothelin transiently activate Cdc42 through Gi, concurrent with a biphasic decrease in Rac activity and differential effects on RhoA. Cdc42 activity is essential for rosette formation, whereas G12/13-mediated RhoA-ROCK signaling suppresses the remodeling process. Our results reveal a Gi-mediated Cdc42 signaling axis by which G protein-coupled receptors trigger invadosome remodeling, the degree of which is dictated by the Cdc42-RhoA activity balance.

siFLIM: single-image frequency-domain FLIM provides fast and photon-efficient lifetime data

We developed single-image fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (siFLIM), a method for acquiring quantitative lifetime images from a single exposure. siFLIM takes advantage of a new generation of dedicated cameras that simultaneously record two 180°-phase-shifted images, and it allows for video-rate lifetime imaging with minimal phototoxicity and bleaching. siFLIM is also inherently immune to artifacts stemming from rapid cellular movements and signal transients.

Glycerophosphodiesterase GDE2 Promotes Neuroblastoma Differentiation through Glypican Release and Is a Marker of Clinical Outcome

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric embryonal malignancy characterized by impaired neuronal differentiation. A better understanding of neuroblastoma differentiation is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches. GDE2 (encoded by GDPD5) is a six-transmembrane-domain glycerophosphodiesterase that promotes embryonic neurogenesis. We find that high GDPD5 expression is strongly associated with favorable outcome in neuroblastoma. GDE2 induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, suppresses cell motility, and opposes RhoA-driven neurite retraction. GDE2 alters the Rac-RhoA activity balance and the expression of multiple differentiation-associated genes. Mechanistically, GDE2 acts by cleaving (in cis) and releasing glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glypican-6, a putative co-receptor. A single point mutation in the ectodomain abolishes GDE2 function. Our results reveal GDE2 as a cell-autonomous inducer of neuroblastoma differentiation with prognostic significance and potential therapeutic value.

PFA fixation enables artifact-free super-resolution imaging of the actin cytoskeleton and associated proteins

ABSTRACT Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) allows precise localization of proteins in cellular organelles and structures, including the actin cytoskeleton. Yet sample preparation protocols for SRM are rather anecdotal and still being optimized. Thus, SRM-based imaging of the actin cytoskeleton and associated proteins often remains challenging and poorly reproducible. Here, we show that proper paraformaldehyde (PFA)-based sample preparation preserves the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton almost as faithfully as gold-standard glutaraldehyde fixation. We show that this fixation is essential for proper immuno-based localization of actin-binding and actin-regulatory proteins involved in the formation of lamellipodia and ruffles, such as mDia1, WAVE2 and clathrin heavy chain, and provide detailed guidelines for the execution of our method. In summary, proper PFA-based sample preparation increases the multi-color possibilities and the reproducibility of SRM of the actin cytoskeleton and its associated proteins. Summary: We show that proper PFA fixation allows high-quality super-resolution imaging of the actin cytoskeleton and can outperform gold-standard glutaraldehyde fixation for imaging of actin-binding proteins.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Microscopy (FRET)

FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) microscopy breaks the resolution limit of light to let us investigate the conformation and function of proteins within living cells. Intensity-based methods are the most popular and direct approach to detect FRET. Among them, detection of sensitized emission signals and ratio imaging of specially designed FRET sensors are routinely used in modern cell biology laboratories. In this chapter, we provide protocols for both these techniques. We guide the reader through the mathematical corrections necessary to calculate the sensitized emission image. We illustrate this approach with an example of studying the interaction of nexin (SNX1) proteins. In the ratio FRET protocol, we focus on monitoring changes in cellular concentration of cAMP with an EPAC-based FRET sensor.

Negative regulation of urokinase receptor activity by a GPI-specific phospholipase C in breast cancer cells

The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that promotes tissue remodeling, tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasion. uPAR mediates degradation of the extracellular matrix through protease recruitment and enhances cell adhesion, migration and signaling through vitronectin binding and interactions with integrins. Full-length uPAR is released from the cell surface, but the mechanism and significance of uPAR shedding remain obscure. Here we identify transmembrane glycerophosphodiesterase GDE3 as a GPI-specific phospholipase C that cleaves and releases uPAR with consequent loss of function, whereas its homologue GDE2 fails to attack uPAR. GDE3 overexpression depletes uPAR from distinct basolateral membrane domains in breast cancer cells, resulting in a less transformed phenotype, it slows tumor growth in a xenograft model and correlates with prolonged survival in patients. Our results establish GDE3 as a negative regulator of the uPAR signaling network and, furthermore, highlight GPI-anchor hydrolysis as a cell-intrinsic mechanism to alter cell behavior.

Invadosomes - shaping actin networks to follow mechanical cues.

Invadosomes are actin-based protrusions formed by cells in response to obstacles in their microenvironment, especially basement membranes and dense interstitial matrices. A versatile set of proteins controls assembly and dynamics of the actin networks at invadosomes and adhesive molecules link them with the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, polarized delivery of proteases makes invadosomes degradative. Therefore, invadosomes have been classically viewed as specialized protrusions involved in cell migration and remodeling of the microenvironment. Recent discoveries have considerably broadened this picture by showing that invadosomes respond to traction forces and can self-organize into dynamic arrays capable of following the topography of the substrate. Although these findings suggest that invadosomes may function as mechanosensors, this possibility has not been critically evaluated. In this review, we first summarize the organization and dynamics of actin in invadosomes and their superstructures with emphasis on force-production mechanisms. Next, we outline our current understanding of how mechanical cues impinge on invadosomes and modify their behavior. From this perspective, we provide an outlook of the outstanding open questions and the main challenges in the field.

CLIC4 is regulated by RhoA-mDia2 signaling through Profilin-1 binding to modulate filopodia length

CLIC4 is a cytosolic protein implicated in diverse actin-based processes, including integrin trafficking, cell adhesion and tubulogenesis. CLIC4 is rapidly recruited to the plasma membrane by G12/13-coupled receptor agonists and then partly co-localizes with β1 integrins. Receptor-mediated CLIC4 translocation depends on actin polymerization, but the mechanism and functional significance of CLIC4 trafficking are unknown. Here we show that RhoA activation by either LPA or EGF is necessary and sufficient for CLIC4 translocation, with a regulatory role for the RhoA effector mDia2, an inducer of actin polymerization. We find that CLIC4 directly interacts with the G-actin-binding protein Profilin-1 via conserved residues that are required for CLIC4 trafficking and lie in a concave surface. Consistently, silencing of Profilin-1 impaired CLIC4 trafficking induced by either LPA or EGF. CLIC4 knockdown promoted the formation of long integrin-dependent filopodia, a phenotype rescued by wild-type CLIC4 but not by trafficking-incompetent CLIC4(C35A). Our results establish CLIC4 as a Profilin-1-binding protein and suggest that CLIC4 translocation provides a feedback mechanism to modulate mDia2/Profilin-1-driven cortical actin assembly and membrane protrusion.

Po-188 loss of upar function and suppression of malignant cell behaviour by a gpi-specific phospholipase c

Introduction The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein that promotes tissue remodelling and tumour progression. uPAR is highly expressed in many cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. uPAR mediates matrix degradation through protease recruitment and enhances tumour cell migration and signalling through vitronectin binding and interaction with integrins. Full-length uPAR is released from the cell surface, resulting in a soluble form (suPAR), but the mechanism and functional significance of uPAR shedding have been elusive. Material and methods Cell biological and biochemical assays; super-resolution microscopy; homology modelling; knockdown/knockout studies; xenograft model; patient survival analysis. Results and discussions We find that uPAR is released from the cell surface through GPI-anchor cleavage by a multi-pass membrane glycerophosphodiesterase, termed GDE3, acting as a GPI-specific phospholipase C (PLC), leading to loss of uPAR function. By contrast, GDE3’s closest relative GDE2 fails to cleave uPAR. By shedding uPAR from the cell surface, GDE3 abrogates uPAR-driven cell adhesion, spreading and lamellipodia formation on vitronectin. In breast cancer cells, high GDE3 expression depletes uPAR form distinct basolateral membrane microdomains resulting in a less transformed phenotype, as revealed by reduced matrix degradation, cell motility and colony formation. Furthermore, elevated GDE3 expression reduces tumour progression in a xenograft model and correlates with higher survival probability in breast cancer patients. Our results establish GDE3 as a cell-intrinsic GPI-specific PLC that sheds uPAR to attenuate malignant cell behaviour. Conclusion GDE3 is the first mammalian GPI-specific PLC that negatively regulates the uPAR signalling network, thereby suppressing the malignant phenotype of uPAR-positive cancer cells. Future studies should address how GDE3 activity and its substrate specificity are regulated.