Virginia J. Venema

Direct Interaction of Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase and Caveolin-1 Inhibits Synthase Activity*

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and caveolin-1 are associated within endothelial plasmalemmal caveolae. It is not known, however, whether eNOS and caveolin-1 interact directly or indirectly or whether the interaction affects eNOS activity. To answer these questions, we have cloned the bovine caveolin-1 cDNA and have investigated the eNOS-caveolin-1 interaction in an in vitrobinding assay system using glutathione S-transferase (GST)-caveolin-1 fusion proteins and baculovirus-expressed bovine eNOS. We have also mapped the domains involved in the interaction using anin vivo yeast two-hybrid system. Results obtained using both in vitro and in vivo protein interaction assays show that both N- and C-terminal cytosolic domains of caveolin-1 interact directly with the eNOS oxygenase domain. Interaction of eNOS with GST-caveolin-1 fusion proteins significantly inhibits enzyme catalytic activity. A synthetic peptide corresponding to caveolin-1 residues 82–101 also potently and reversibly inhibits eNOS activity by interfering with the interaction of the enzyme with Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM). Regulation of eNOS in endothelial cells, therefore, may involve not only positive allosteric regulation by Ca2+/CaM, but also negative allosteric regulation by caveolin-1.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signals Endothelial Cell Production of Nitric Oxide and Prostacyclin through Flk-1/KDR Activation of c-Src

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell-specific mitogen that promotes angiogenesis, vascular hyperpermeability, and vasodilation by autocrine mechanisms involving nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) production. These experiments used immunoprecipitation and immunoassay procedures to characterize the signaling pathways by which VEGF induces NO and PGI2 formation in cultured endothelial cells. The data showed that VEGF stimulates complex formation of the flk-1/kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) VEGF receptor with c-Src and that Src activation is required for VEGF induction of phospholipase C γ1 activation and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation. Reporter cell assays showed that VEGF promotes a ∼50-fold increase in NO formation, which peaks at 5–20 min. This effect is mediated by a signaling cascade initiated by flk-1/KDR activation of c-Src, leading to phospholipase C γ1 activation, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, release of [Ca2+] i and nitric oxide synthase activation. Immunoassays of VEGF-induced 6-keto prostaglandin F1α formation as an indicator of PGI2 production revealed a 3–4-fold increase that peaked at 45–60 min. The PGI2 signaling pathway follows the NO pathway through release of [Ca2+] i , but diverges prior to NOS activation and also requires activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results suggest that NO and PGI2 function in parallel in mediating the effects of VEGF.

Interaction of Neuronal Nitric-oxide Synthase with Caveolin-3 in Skeletal Muscle IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL CAVEOLIN SCAFFOLDING/INHIBITORY DOMAIN

Neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) has been shown previously to interact with α1-syntrophin in the dystrophin complex of skeletal muscle. In the present study, we have examined whether nNOS also interacts with caveolin-3 in skeletal muscle. nNOS and caveolin-3 are coimmunoprecipitated from rat skeletal muscle homogenates by antibodies directed against either of the two proteins. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the membrane-proximal caveolin-3 residues 65–84 and 109–130 and homologous caveolin-1 residues 82–101 and 135–156 potently inhibit the catalytic activity of purified, recombinant nNOS. Purified nNOS also binds to a glutathione S-transferase-caveolin-1 fusion protein inin vitro binding assays. In vitro binding is completely abolished by preincubation of nNOS with either of the two caveolin-3 inhibitory peptides. Interactions between nNOS and caveolin-3, therefore, appear to be direct and to involve two distinct caveolin scaffolding/inhibitory domains. Other caveolin-interacting enzymes, including endothelial nitric-oxide synthase and the c-Src tyrosine kinase, are also potently inhibited by each of the four caveolin peptides. Inhibitory interactions mediated by two different caveolin domains may thus be a general feature of enzyme docking to caveolin proteins in plasmalemmal caveolae.

Identification of Regulatory Sites of Phosphorylation of the Bovine Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase at Serine 617 and Serine 635

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is regulated by signaling pathways involving multiple sites of phosphorylation. The coordinated phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1179 and dephosphorylation at Thr497activates the enzyme, whereas inhibition results when Thr497 is phosphorylated and Ser1179 is dephosphorylated. We have identified two further phosphorylation sites, at Ser617 and Ser635, by phosphopeptide mapping and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Purified protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates both sites in purified eNOS, whereas purified Akt phosphorylates only Ser617. In bovine aortic endothelial cells, bradykinin (BK), ATP, and vascular endothelial growth factor stimulate phosphorylation of both sites. BK-stimulated phosphorylation of Ser617 is Ca2+-dependent and is partially inhibited by LY294002 and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, suggesting signaling via Akt. BK-stimulated phosphorylation of Ser635 is Ca2+-independent and is completely abolished by the PKA inhibitor, KT5720, suggesting signaling via PKA. Activation of PKA with isobutylmethylxanthine also causes Ser635, but not Ser617, phosphorylation. Mimicking phosphorylation at Ser635 by Ser to Asp mutation results in a greater than 2-fold increase in activity of the purified protein, whereas mimicking phosphorylation at Ser617 does not alter maximal activity but significantly increases Ca2+-calmodulin sensitivity. These data show that phosphorylation of both Ser617 and Ser635regulates eNOS activity and contributes to the agonist-stimulated eNOS activation process.

Inhibitory Interactions of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor with Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase

It has been shown previously that the endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) interacts reversibly with the plasmalemmal caveolae structural protein, caveolin-1. The eNOS-caveolin-1 interaction inhibits eNOS catalytic activity. In the present study, we show that eNOS also participates in reversible inhibitory interactions with the G protein-coupled bradykinin B2 receptor. eNOS and the B2 receptor are coimmunoprecipitated from endothelial cell lysates by antibodies directed against either of the two proteins. A glutathioneS-transferase fusion protein containing intracellular domain 4 of the receptor is bound by purified recombinant eNOS inin vitro binding assays. The fusion protein selectively inhibits the activity of purified eNOS. A synthetic peptide corresponding to membrane-proximal residues 310–334 in intracellular domain 4 also potently inhibits eNOS activity (IC50 < 1 μm). Treatment of cultured endothelial cells with bradykinin or Ca2+ ionophore promotes a rapid dissociation of the eNOS·B2 receptor complex. These data demonstrate that the bradykinin B2 receptor physically associates with eNOS in a ligand- and Ca2+-dependent manner. Reversible and inhibitory membrane-docking interactions of eNOS, therefore, are not restricted to those with caveolin-1 but also occur with the bradykinin B2 receptor.

Subunit Interactions of Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase COMPARISONS TO THE NEURONAL AND INDUCIBLE NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE ISOFORMS

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is comprised of two identical subunits. Each subunit has a bidomain structure consisting of an N-terminal oxygenase domain containing heme and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and a C-terminal reductase domain containing binding sites for FAD, FMN, and NADPH. Each subunit is also myristoylated and contains a calmodulin (CaM)-binding site located between the oxygenase and reductase domains. In this study, wild-type and mutant forms of eNOS have been expressed in a baculovirus system, and the quaternary structure of the purified enzymes has been analyzed by low temperature SDS-PAGE. eNOS dimer formation requires incorporation of the heme prosthetic group but does not require myristoylation or CaM or BH4 binding. In order to identify domains of eNOS involved in subunit interactions, we have also expressed eNOS oxygenase and reductase domain fusion proteins in a yeast two-hybrid system. Corresponding human neuronal NOS (nNOS) and murine inducible NOS (iNOS) fusion proteins have also been expressed. Comparative analysis of NOS domain interactions shows that subunit association of eNOS and nNOS involves not only head to head interactions of oxygenase domains but also tail to tail interactions of reductase domains and head to tail interactions between oxygenase and reductase domains. In contrast, iNOS subunit association involves only oxygenase domain interactions.

Regulation of angiotensin II-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation: roles of SHP-1 and SHP-2

Angiotensin II (ANG II) exerts its effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through G protein-coupled AT1 receptors. ANG II stimulation activates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation, activation, and association of JAK2 with the receptor. Association appears to be required for JAK2 phosphorylation. In the present study, electroporation experiments with neutralizing anti-Src homology phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) and anti-SHP-2 antibodies and time course determinations of SHP-1 and SHP-2 activation and complexation with JAK2 suggest that the tyrosine phosphatases, SHP-1 and SHP-2, have opposite roles in ANG II-induced JAK2 phosphorylation. SHP-1 appears responsible for JAK2 dephosphorylation and termination of the ANG II-induced JAK/STAT cascade. SHP-2 appears to have an essential role in JAK2 phosphorylation and initiation of the ANG II-induced JAK/STAT cascade leading to cell proliferation. The motif in the AT1 receptor that is required for association with JAK2 is also required for association with SHP-2. Furthermore, SHP-2 is required for JAK2-receptor association. SHP-2 may thus play a role as an adaptor protein for JAK2 association with the receptor, thereby facilitating JAK2 phosphorylation and activation.

Bradykinin activates the Janus-activated kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in vascular endothelial cells: localization of JAK/STAT signalling proteins in plasmalemmal caveolae

Bradykinin (BK) is an important physiological regulator of endothelial cell function. In the present study, we have examined the role of the Janus-activated kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway in endothelial signal transduction through the BK B2 receptor (B2R). In cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), BK activates Tyk2 of the JAK family of tyrosine kinases. Activation results in the tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent nuclear translocation of STAT3. BK also activates the mitogen-activated p44 and p42 protein kinases, resulting in STAT3 serine phosphorylation. Furthermore, Tyk2 and STAT3 form a complex with the B2R in response to BK stimulation. Under basal conditions, Tyk2, STAT3 and the B2R are localized either partially or entirely in endothelial plasmalemmal caveolae. Following BK stimulation of BAECs, however, the B2R and STAT3 are translocated out of caveolae. Taken together, these data suggest that BK activates the JAK/STAT pathway in endothelial cells and that JAK/STAT signalling proteins are localized in endothelial caveolae. Moreover, caveolar localization of the B2R and STAT3 appears to be regulated in an agonist-dependent manner.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is activated in response to stimulation of endothelial cells by a number of vasoactive substances including, bradykinin (BK), angiotensin II (Ang II), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ATP. In the present study we have used in vitro activity assays of purified eNOS and in vitro binding assays with glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins to show that the capacity to bind and inhibit eNOS is a common feature of membrane-proximal regions of intracellular domain 4 of the BK B2, the Ang II AT1 and the ET-1 ETB receptors, but not of the ATP P2Y2 receptor. Phosphorylation of serine or tyrosine residues in the eNOS-interacting region of the B2 receptor results in a loss of eNOS inhibition due to a decrease in the binding affinity of the receptor domain for the eNOS enzyme. Furthermore, the B2 receptor is transiently phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in cultured endothelial cells in response to BK stimulation. Phosphorylation occurs during the time in which eNOS transiently dissociates from the receptor accompanied by a transient increase in nitric oxide production. Taken together, these data support the hypotheses that eNOS is regulated in endothelial cells by reversible and inhibitory interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors and that these interactions can be modulated by receptor phosphorylation.

Hyperglycemia Enhances Angiotensin II-induced Janus-activated Kinase/STAT Signaling in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

We have shown previously that angiotensin II (Ang II) activates the janus-activated kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and that activation of the JAK/STAT pathway is required for Ang II induction of VSMC proliferation. In the present study, we examined the effects of hyperglycemia (HG) on Ang II-induced JAK/STAT signaling events in cultured VSMCs. HG increases Ang II-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation and promotes a partial tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme under basal conditions. In addition, HG increases both basal and Ang II-induced complex formation of JAK2 with the Ang II AT1 receptor. The extent of STAT1 and STAT3 tyrosine and serine phosphorylation are also increased under HG conditions. Furthermore, the tyrosine phosphorylation and activities of the SHP-1 and SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatases, enzymes that regulate Ang II-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, are altered by HG. SHP-1, which is responsible for JAK2 tyrosine dephosphorylation in VSMC, is completely deactivated in HG, resulting in a prolonged duration of JAK2 phosphorylation under HG conditions. HG also enhances Ang II induction of VSMC proliferation. Taken together, these data suggest that HG augments Ang II induction of VSMC proliferation by increasing signal transduction through the JAK/STAT pathway.