Mario Brameshuber

TCR-peptide-MHC interactions in situ show accelerated kinetics and increased affinity.

The recognition of foreign antigens by T lymphocytes is essential to most adaptive immune responses. It is driven by specific T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) binding to antigenic peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules on other cells. If productive, these interactions promote the formation of an immunological synapse. Here we show that synaptic TCR–pMHC binding dynamics differ significantly from TCR–pMHC binding in solution. We used single-molecule microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescently tagged TCRs and their cognate pMHC ligands to measure the kinetics of TCR–pMHC binding in situ. When compared with solution measurements, the dissociation of this complex was increased significantly (4–12-fold). Disruption of actin polymers reversed this effect, indicating that cytoskeletal dynamics destabilize this interaction directly or indirectly. Nevertheless, TCR affinity for pMHC was significantly elevated as the result of a large (about 100-fold) increase in the association rate, a likely consequence of complementary molecular orientation and clustering. In helper T cells, the CD4 molecule has been proposed to bind cooperatively with the TCR to the same pMHC complex. However, CD4 blockade had no effect on the synaptic TCR affinity, nor did it destabilize TCR–pMHC complexes, indicating that the TCR binds pMHC independently of CD4.

Imaging of mobile long-lived nanoplatforms in the live cell plasma membrane.

The plasma membrane has been hypothesized to contain nanoscopic lipid platforms, which are discussed in the context of “lipid rafts” or “membrane rafts.” Based on biochemical and cell biological studies, rafts are believed to play a crucial role in many signaling processes. However, there is currently not much information on their size, shape, stability, surface density, composition, and heterogeneity. We present here a method that allows for the first time the direct imaging of nanoscopic long-lived platforms with raft-like properties diffusing in the live cell plasma membrane. Our method senses these platforms by their property to assemble a characteristic set of fluorescent marker proteins or lipids on a time scale of seconds. A special photobleaching protocol was used to reduce the surface density of labeled mobile platforms down to the level of well isolated diffraction-limited spots without altering the single spot brightness. The statistical distribution of probe molecules per platform was determined by single molecule brightness analysis. For demonstration, we used the consensus raft marker glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored monomeric GFP and the fluorescent lipid analog BODIPY-GM1, which preferentially partitions into liquid-ordered phases. For both markers, we found cholesterol-dependent homo-association in the plasma membrane of living CHO and Jurkat T cells in the resting state, thereby demonstrating the existence of small, mobile, long-lived platforms containing these probes. We further applied the technology to address structural changes in the plasma membrane during fever-type heat shock: at elevated temperatures, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored monomeric GFP homo-association disappeared, accompanied by an increase in the expression of the small heat shock protein Hsp27.

Thinning out clusters while conserving stoichiometry of labeling

Here we present a method for the stoichiometric analysis of molecular aggregates in the cellular plasma membrane, based on single molecule fluorescence microscopy. We use selective photobleaching to erase all active fluorophores within a small region of the membrane, while conserving the stoichiometry of labeling in the remaining part of the membrane. At the onset of repopulation due to Brownian motion, single diffraction limited spots of individual aggregates can be resolved and quantified. We demonstrate the proof of principle of this method by quantifying the dye load of fluorescently labeled immunoglobulins diffusing in a supported lipid bilayer.

Membrane-Lipid Therapy in Operation: The HSP Co-Inducer BGP-15 Activates Stress Signal Transduction Pathways by Remodeling Plasma Membrane Rafts

Aging and pathophysiological conditions are linked to membrane changes which modulate membrane-controlled molecular switches, causing dysregulated heat shock protein (HSP) expression. HSP co-inducer hydroxylamines such as BGP-15 provide advanced therapeutic candidates for many diseases since they preferentially affect stressed cells and are unlikely have major side effects. In the present study in vitro molecular dynamic simulation, experiments with lipid monolayers and in vivo ultrasensitive fluorescence microscopy showed that BGP-15 alters the organization of cholesterol-rich membrane domains. Imaging of nanoscopic long-lived platforms using the raft marker glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored monomeric green fluorescent protein diffusing in the live Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell plasma membrane demonstrated that BGP-15 prevents the transient structural disintegration of rafts induced by fever-type heat stress. Moreover, BGP-15 was able to remodel cholesterol-enriched lipid platforms reminiscent of those observed earlier following non-lethal heat priming or membrane stress, and were shown to be obligate for the generation and transmission of stress signals. BGP-15 activation of HSP expression in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells involves the Rac1 signaling cascade in accordance with the previous observation that cholesterol affects the targeting of Rac1 to membranes. Finally, in a human embryonic kidney cell line we demonstrate that BGP-15 is able to inhibit the rapid heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) acetylation monitored during the early phase of heat stress, thereby promoting a prolonged duration of HSF1 binding to heat shock elements. Taken together, our results indicate that BGP-15 has the potential to become a new class of pharmaceuticals for use in ‘membrane-lipid therapy’ to combat many various protein-misfolding diseases associated with aging.

GPI-anchored proteins do not reside in ordered domains in the live cell plasma membrane

The organization of proteins and lipids in the plasma membrane has been subject of a long-lasting debate. Membrane rafts of higher lipid chain order were proposed to mediate protein interactions, but have thus far not been directly observed. Here, we use protein micropatterning combined with single-molecule tracking to put current models to the test: we rearranged lipid-anchored raft proteins (glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-anchored mGFP) directly in the live cell plasma membrane and measured the effect on the local membrane environment. Intriguingly, this treatment does neither nucleate the formation of an ordered membrane phase, nor result in any enrichment of nanoscopic ordered domains within the micropatterned regions. In contrast, we find that immobilized mGFP-GPIs behave as inert obstacles to the diffusion of other membrane constituents without influencing their membrane environment over distances beyond their physical size. Our results indicate that phase partitioning is not a fundamental element of protein organization in the plasma membrane.

Single Molecule Analysis Reveals Coexistence of Stable Serotonin Transporter Monomers and Oligomers in the Live Cell Plasma Membrane

Background: The serotonin transporter (SERT) terminates synaptic signaling by reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Results: Interaction kinetics and number of subunits are elucidated by single molecule brightness analysis of SERT complexes. Conclusion: The oligomeric state of SERT complexes is stably determined before being integrated into the plasma membrane. Significance: The results reveal the first evidence for kinetic trapping of preformed neurotransmitter transporter oligomers. The human serotonin transporter (hSERT) is responsible for the termination of synaptic serotonergic signaling. Although there is solid evidence that SERT forms oligomeric complexes, the exact stoichiometry of the complexes and the fractions of different coexisting oligomeric states still remain enigmatic. Here we used single molecule fluorescence microscopy to obtain the oligomerization state of the SERT via brightness analysis of single diffraction-limited fluorescent spots. Heterologously expressed SERT was labeled either with the fluorescent inhibitor JHC 1-64 or via fusion to monomeric GFP. We found a variety of oligomerization states of membrane-associated transporters, revealing molecular associations larger than dimers and demonstrating the coexistence of different degrees of oligomerization in a single cell; the data are in agreement with a linear aggregation model. Furthermore, oligomerization was found to be independent of SERT surface density, and oligomers remained stable over several minutes in the live cell plasma membrane. Together, the results indicate kinetic trapping of preformed SERT oligomers at the plasma membrane.

Two-color single molecule tracking combined with photobleaching for the detection of rare molecular interactions in fluid biomembranes

Experimentalists are increasingly confronted with the demand to single out rare interaction events under a vast excess of non-interacting molecules. We recently presented an approach how to virtually dilute fluorescently labeled membrane constituents by combining photobleaching and single molecule microscopy, termed “Thinning Out Clusters while Conserving the Stoichiometry of Labeling” (TOCCSL; Moertelmaier et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 2005, 87, 263903). Using this approach, single molecule microscopy can be performed even at arbitrarily high surface densities of fluorescent probe molecules. Here, we extended this method for two color microscopy. We provide a detailed statistical description of false positives and false negatives. In particular, we quantified the increase in sensitivity by tracking the colocalized objects over successive images. Proof of principle experiments were performed by measuring the interaction between Alexa647-labeled Cholera Toxin B (CTX-B-Alexa647) and Bodipy-labeled GM1 (Bodipy-GM1) diffusing in a fluid supported lipid bilayer. We directly observed single Cholera Toxin B molecules bound to Bodipy-GM1 and quantified their occupancy via brightness analysis. Each colocalized spot could be further analyzed with respect to its diffusion constant, yielding a clear anticorrelation between occupancy and mobility. We finally demonstrate that extremely low interaction probabilities of only 2.5% can be unambiguously identified.

Plasma Membrane Fluidity Affects Transient Immobilization of Oxidized Phospholipids in Endocytotic Sites for Subsequent Uptake

Oxidized phospholipids in serum initiate severe pathophysiological responses during the process of atherogenesis. On the cellular level it is known that these lipids induce apoptosis; however, the uptake mechanism remains enigmatic. We investigated here the behavior of the fluorescent oxidized phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-N-Alexa647-ethanolamine (PGPE-Alexa647) in the plasma membrane of various cell lines. The probe was taken up by the cells unspecifically via caveolae or clathrin-coated pits. Interestingly, we found the uptake to be facilitated by the overexpression of the scavenger receptor class B type I. Ultra-sensitive microscopy allowed us to follow the uptake process at the single molecule level; we observed rapid diffusion of PGPE-Alexa647 in the plasma membrane, interrupted by transient halts with duration of ∼0.9 s at endocytotic sites. Scavenger receptor class B type I overexpression yielded a pronounced increase in the single molecule mobility, and in consequence an increased frequency of immobilization. Alternatively, the plasma membrane fluidity could also be increased by treating cells with high levels of the unlabeled oxidized phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; also in this case, the immobilization frequency of PGPE-Alexa647 was concomitantly increased. The data demonstrate the relevance of plasma membrane properties for uptake of oxidized phospholipids, and indicate a novel indirect mechanism for the control of endocytosis.

Cholesterol Slows down the Lateral Mobility of an Oxidized Phospholipid in a Supported Lipid Bilayer

We investigated the mobility and phase-partitioning of the fluorescent oxidized phospholipid analogue 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-N-Alexa647-ethanolamine (PGPE-Alexa647) in supported lipid bilayers. Compared to the conventional phospholipid dihexadecanoylphosphoethanolamine (DHPE)-Bodipy we found consistently higher diffusion constants. The effect became dramatic when immobile obstacles were inserted into the bilayer, which essentially blocked the diffusion of DHPE-Bodipy but hardly influenced the movements of PGPE-Alexa647. In a supported lipid bilayer made of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), the differences in probe mobility leveled off with increasing cholesterol content. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we could ascribe this effect to increased interactions between the oxidized phospholipid and the membrane matrix, concomitant with a translation in the headgroup position of the oxidized phospholipid: at zero cholesterol content, its headgroup is shifted to the outside of the DOPC headgroup region, whereas increasing cholesterol concentrations pulls the headgroup into the bilayer plane.

Cationic amphipathic peptides accumulate sialylated proteins and lipids in the plasma membrane of eukaryotic host cells

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) selectively target bacterial membranes by electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipids. It turned out that for inhibition of microbial growth a high CAMP membrane concentration is required, which can be realized by the incorporation of hydrophobic groups within the peptide. Increasing hydrophobicity, however, reduces the CAMP selectivity for bacterial over eukaryotic host membranes, thereby causing the risk of detrimental side-effects. In this study we addressed how cationic amphipathic peptides—in particular a CAMP with Lysine–Leucine–Lysine repeats (termed KLK)—affect the localization and dynamics of molecules in eukaryotic membranes. We found KLK to selectively inhibit the endocytosis of a subgroup of membrane proteins and lipids by electrostatically interacting with negatively charged sialic acid moieties. Ultrastructural characterization revealed the formation of membrane invaginations representing fission or fusion intermediates, in which the sialylated proteins and lipids were immobilized. Experiments on structurally different cationic amphipathic peptides (KLK, 6-MO-LF11-322 and NK14-2) indicated a cooperation of electrostatic and hydrophobic forces that selectively arrest sialylated membrane constituents.