Lianne B. Dale

CRF receptor 1 regulates anxiety behavior via sensitization of 5-HT2 receptor signaling

Stress and anxiety disorders are risk factors for depression and these behaviors are modulated by corticotrophin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1) and serotonin receptor (5-HT2R). However, the potential behavioral and cellular interaction between these two receptors is unclear. We found that pre-administration of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) into the prefrontal cortex of mice enhanced 5-HT2R–mediated anxiety behaviors in response to 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine. In both heterologous cell cultures and mouse cortical neurons, activation of CRFR1 also enhanced 5-HT2 receptor–mediated inositol phosphate formation. CRFR1-mediated increases in 5-HT2R signaling were dependent on receptor internalization and receptor recycling via rapid recycling endosomes, resulting in increased expression of 5-HT2R on the cell surface. Sensitization of 5-HT2R signaling by CRFR1 required intact PDZ domain–binding motifs at the end of the C-terminal tails of both receptor types. These data suggest a mechanism by which CRF, a peptide known to be released by stress, enhances anxiety-related behavior via sensitization of 5-HT2R signaling.

β-Arrestins regulate a Ral-GDS–Ral effector pathway that mediates cytoskeletal reorganization

β-Arrestins are important in chemoattractant receptor-induced granule release, a process that may involve Ral-dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. We have identified the Ral GDP dissociation stimulator (Ral-GDS) as a β-arrestin-binding protein by yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation from human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs). Under basal conditions, Ral-GDS is localized to the cytosol and remains inactive in a complex formed with β-arrestins. In response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) receptor stimulation, β-arrestin–Ral-GDS protein complexes dissociate and Ral-GDS translocates with β-arrestin from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, resulting in the Ras-independent activation of the Ral effector pathway required for cytoskeletal rearrangement. The subsequent re-association of β-arrestin–Ral-GDS complexes is associated with the inactivation of Ral signalling. Thus, β-arrestins regulate multiple steps in the Ral-dependent processes that result in chemoattractant-induced cytoskeletal reorganization.

Puma Is a Dominant Regulator of Oxidative Stress Induced Bax Activation and Neuronal Apoptosis

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a key trigger of neuronal apoptosis in stroke and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only subfamily of Bcl-2 genes consists of multiple members that can be activated in a cell-type- and stimulus-specific manner to promote cell death. In the present study, we demonstrate that, in cortical neurons, oxidative stress induces the expression of the BH3-only members Bim, Noxa, and Puma. Importantly, we have determined that Puma−/− neurons, but not Bim−/− or Noxa−/− neurons, are remarkably resistant to the induction of apoptosis by multiple oxidative stressors. Furthermore, we have determined that Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) is also required for oxidative stress induced cell death and that Puma plays a dominant role in regulating Bax activation. Specifically, we have established that the induction of Puma, but not Bim or Noxa, is necessary and sufficient to induce a conformational change in Bax to its active state, its translocation to the mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Finally, we demonstrate that whereas both Puma and BimEL can bind to the antiapoptotic family member Bcl-XL, only Puma was found to associate with Bax. This suggests that in addition to neutralizing antiapoptotic members, Puma may play a dominant role by complexing with Bax and directly promoting its activation. Overall, we have identified Puma as a dominant regulator of oxidative stress induced Bax activation and neuronal apoptosis, and suggest that Puma may be an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of a number of neurodegenerative conditions.

Regulation of angiotensin II type 1A receptor intracellular retention, degradation and recycling by Rab5, Rab7 and Rab11 GTPases

Previous studies have demonstrated that the interaction of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT1AR) carboxyl-terminal tail with Rab5a may modulate Rab5a activity, leading to the homotypic fusion of endocytic vesicles. Therefore, we have investigated whether AT1AR/Rab5a interactions mediate the retention of AT1AR·β-arrestin complexes in early endosomes and whether the overexpression of Rab7 and Rab11 GTPases influences AT1AR lysosomal degradation and plasma membrane recycling. We found that internalized AT1AR was retained in Rab5a-positive early endosomes and was neither targeted to lysosomes nor recycled back to the cell surface, whereas a mutant defective in Rab5a binding, AT1AR-(1-349), was targeted to lysosomes for degradation. However, the loss of Rab5a binding to the AT1AR carboxyl-terminal tail did not promote AT1AR recycling. Rather, it was the stable binding of β-arrestin to the AT1AR that prevented, at least in part, AT1AR recycling. The overexpression of wild-type Rab7 and Rab7-Q67L resulted in both increased AT1AR degradation and AT1AR targeting to lysosomes. The Rab7 expression-dependent transition of “putative” AT1AR·β-arrestin complexes to late endosomes was blocked by the expression of dominant-negative Rab5a-S34N. Rab11 overexpression established AT1AR recycling and promoted the redistribution of AT1AR·β-arrestin complexes from early to recycling endosomes. Taken together, our data suggest that Rab5, Rab7, and Rab11 work in concert with one another to regulate the intracellular trafficking patterns of the AT1AR.

Spatial-Temporal Patterning of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-mediated Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate, Calcium, and Protein Kinase C Oscillations PROTEIN KINASE C-DEPENDENT RECEPTOR PHOSPHORYLATION IS NOT REQUIRED

The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), mGluR1a and mGluR5a, are G protein-coupled receptors that couple via Gq to the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). We show here that mGluR1/5 activation results in oscillatory G protein coupling to phospholipase C thereby stimulating oscillations in both inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. The mGluR1/5-stimulated Ca2+ oscillations are translated into the synchronized repetitive redistribution of PKCβII between the cytosol and plasma membrane. The frequency at which mGluR1a and mGluR5a subtypes stimulate inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, Ca2+, and PKCβII oscillations is regulated by the charge of a single amino acid residue localized within their G protein-coupling domains. However, oscillatory mGluR signaling does not involve the repetitive feedback phosphorylation and desensitization of mGluR activity, since mutation of the putative PKC consensus sites within the first and second intracellular loops as well as the carboxyl-terminal tail does not prevent mGluR1a-stimulated PKCβII oscillations. Furthermore, oscillations in Ca2+ continued in the presence of PKC inhibitors, which blocked PKCβII redistribution from the plasma membrane back into the cytosol. We conclude that oscillatory mGluR signaling represents an intrinsic receptor/G protein coupling property that does not involve PKC feedback phosphorylation.

Ral and Phospholipase D2-Dependent Pathway for Constitutive Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Endocytosis

G-protein-coupled receptors play a central role in the regulation of neuronal cell communication. Class 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) mGluR1a and mGluR5a, which are coupled with the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, are essential for modulating excitatory neurotransmission at glutamatergic synapses. These receptors are constitutively internalized in heterologous cell cultures, neuronal cultures, and intact neuronal tissues. We show here that the small GTP-binding protein Ral, its guanine nucleotide exchange factor RalGDS (Ral GDP dissociation stimulator), and phospholipase D2 (PLD2) are constitutively associated with class 1 mGluRs and regulate constitutive mGluR endocytosis. Moreover, both Ral and PLD2 are colocalized with mGluRs in endocytic vesicles in both human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells and neurons. Ral and PLD2 activity is required for the internalization of class 1 mGluRs but is not required for the internalization of the β2-adrenergic receptor. Constitutive class 1 mGluR internalization is not dependent on the downstream Ral effector proteins Ral-binding protein 1 and PLD1 or either ADP-ribosylation factors ARF1 or ARF6. The treatment of HEK 293 cells and neurons with small interfering RNA both downregulates PLD2 expression and blocks mGluR1a and mGluR5a endocytosis. The constitutive internalization of mGluR1a and mGluR5a is also attenuated by the treatment of cells with 1-butanol to prevent PLD2-mediated phosphatidic acid formation. We propose that the formation of a mGluR-scaffolded RalGDS/Ral/PLD2 protein complex provides a novel alternative mechanism to β-arrestins for the constitutive endocytosis of class 1 mGluRs.

Mechanisms of metabotropic glutamate receptor desensitization: role in the patterning of effector enzyme activation.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) constitute an unique subclass of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors are activated by the excitatory amino acid glutamate and play an essential role in regulating neural development and plasticity. In the present review, we overview the current understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the desensitization and endocytosis of Group 1 mGluRs as well as the relative contribution of desensitization to the spatial-temporal patterning of glutamate receptor signaling. Similar to what has been reported previously for prototypic GPCRs, mGluRs desensitization is mediated by second messenger-dependent protein kinases and GPCR kinases (GRKs). However, it remains to be determined whether mGluRs phosphorylation by GRKs and beta-arrestin binding are absolutely required for desensitization. Group 1 mGluRs endocytosis is both agonist-dependent and -independent. Agonist-dependent mGluRs internalization is mediated by a beta-arrestin- and dynamin-dependent clathrin-coated vesicle dependent endocytic pathway. The activation of Group 1 mGluRs also results in oscillatory Gq protein-coupling leading to the cyclical activation of phospholipase Cbeta thereby stimulating oscillations in both inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation and Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. These glutamate receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) oscillations are translated into the synchronous activation of protein kinase C (PKC), which has led to the hypothesis that oscillatory mGluRs signaling involves the repetitive phosphorylation of mGluRs by PKC. However, recent experimental evidence suggests that oscillatory signaling is an intrinsic glutamate receptor property that is independent of feedback receptor phosphorylation by PKC. The challenge in the future will be to determine the structural determinants underlying mGluRs-mediated spatial-temporal signaling as well as to understand how complex signaling patterns can be interpreted by cells in both the developing and adult nervous systems.

Protein Kinase C Isoform-specific Differences in the Spatial-Temporal Regulation and Decoding of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor1a-stimulated Second Messenger Responses

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) coupled via Gq to the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides stimulate Ca2+ and PKCβII oscillations in both excitable and non-excitable cells. In the present study, we show that mGluR1a activation stimulates the repetitive plasma membrane translocation of each of the conventional and novel, but not atypical, PKC isozymes. However, despite similarities in sequence and cofactor regulation by diacyglycerol and Ca2+, conventional PKCs exhibit isoform-specific oscillation patterns. PKCα and PKCβI display three distinct patterns of activity: 1) agonist-independent oscillations, 2) agonist-stimulated oscillations, and 3) persistent plasma membrane localization in response to mGluR1a activation. In contrast, only agonist-stimulated PKCβII translocation responses are observed in mGluR1a-expressing cells. PKCβI expression also promotes persistent increases in intracellular diacyglycerol concentrations in response to mGluR1a stimulation without affecting PKCβII oscillation patterns in the same cell. PKCβII isoform-specific translocation patterns are regulated by specific amino acid residues localized within the C-terminal PKC V5 domain. Specifically, Asn-625 and Lys-668 localized within the V5 domain of PKCβII cooperatively suppress PKCβI-like response patterns for PKCβII. Thus, redundancy in PKC isoform expression and differential decoding of second messenger response provides a novel mechanism for generating cell type-specific responses to the same signal.

Pyk2 uncouples metabotropic glutamate receptor G protein signaling but facilitates ERK1/2 activation

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are coupled via Gαq/11 to the activation of phospholipase Cβ, which hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids to form inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. This results in the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and the activation of protein kinase C. The activation of Group I mGluRs also results in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We show here, that the proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) interacts with both mGluR1 and mGluR5 and is precipitated with both receptors from rat brain. Pyk2 also interacts with GST-fusion proteins corresponding to the second intracellular loop and the distal carboxyl-terminal tail domains of mGluR1a. Pyk2 colocalizes with mGluR1a at the plasma membrane in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and with endogenous mGluR5 in cortical neurons. Pyk2 overexpression in HEK293 results in attenuated basal and agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate formation in mGluR1 expressing cells and involves a mechanism whereby Pyk2 displaces Gαq/11 from the receptor. The activation of endogenous mGluR1 in primary mouse cortical neuron stimulates ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Treatments that prevent Pyk2 phosphorylation in cortical neurons, and the overexpression of Pyk2 dominant-negative and catalytically inactive Pyk2 mutants in HEK293 cells, prevent ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The Pyk2 mediated activation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation is also Src-, calmodulin- and protein kinase C-dependent. Our data reveal that Pyk2 couples the activation mGluRs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway even though it attenuates mGluR1-dependent G protein signaling.

Rab GTPases Bind at a Common Site within the Angiotensin II Type I Receptor Carboxyl-Terminal Tail: Evidence that Rab4 Regulates Receptor Phosphorylation, Desensitization, and Resensitization

The human angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and represents an important target for cardiovascular therapeutic intervention. Agonist-activation of the AT1R induces β-arrestin-dependent endocytosis to early endosomes in which the receptor resides as a protein complex with the Rab GTPase Rab5. In the present study, we examined whether other Rab GTPases that regulate receptor trafficking through endosomal compartments also bind to the AT1R. We find that Rab4, Rab7, and Rab11 all bind to the last 10 amino acid residues of the AT1R carboxyl-terminal tail. Rab11 binds AT1R more effectively than Rab5, whereas Rab4 binds less effectively than Rab5. Alanine scanning mutagenesis reveals that proline 354 and cysteine 355 contribute to Rab protein binding, and mutation of these residues does not affect G protein coupling. We find that the Rab GTPases each compete with one another for receptor binding and that although Rab4 interacts poorly with the AT1R, it effectively displaces Rab11 from the receptor. In contrast, Rab11 overexpression does not prevent Rab4 binding to the AT1R. Overexpression of wild-type Rab4, but not Rab11, facilitates AT1R dephosphorylation, and a constitutively active Rab4-Q67L mutant reduces AT1R desensitization and promotes AT1R resensitization. Taken together, our data indicate that multiple Rab GTPases bind to a motif localized to the distal end of the AT1R tail and that increased Rab4 activity may contribute to the regulation AT1R desensitization and dephosphorylation.