Yaping Lin-Moshier

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.

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.

Dysregulation of lysosomal morphology by pathogenic LRRK2 is corrected by TPC2 inhibition

ABSTRACT Two-pore channels (TPCs) are endolysosomal ion channels implicated in Ca2+ signalling from acidic organelles. The relevance of these ubiquitous proteins for human disease, however, is unclear. Here, we report that lysosomes are enlarged and aggregated in fibroblasts from Parkinson disease patients with the common G2019S mutation in LRRK2. Defects were corrected by molecular silencing of TPC2, pharmacological inhibition of TPC regulators [Rab7, NAADP and PtdIns(3,5)P2] and buffering local Ca2+ increases. NAADP-evoked Ca2+ signals were exaggerated in diseased cells. TPC2 is thus a potential drug target within a pathogenic LRRK2 cascade that disrupts Ca2+-dependent trafficking in Parkinson disease.

Re-evaluation of the Role of Calcium Homeostasis Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein (CHERP) in Cellular Calcium Signaling

Background: Calcium homeostasis endoplasmic reticulum protein (CHERP) was originally identified as an integral endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein that regulates intracellular Ca2+ channels. Results: In contrast, we show CHERP binds SR140 in nuclear subdomains. Conclusion: CHERP regulates Ca2+ homeostasis indirectly, not as a binding partner of ryanodine receptors or IP3 receptors. Significance: These data support an entirely new model for the cellular role of CHERP. Changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, resulting from activation of intracellular Ca2+ channels within the endoplasmic reticulum, regulate several aspects of cellular growth and differentiation. Ca2+ homeostasis endoplasmic reticulum protein (CHERP) is a ubiquitously expressed protein that has been proposed as a regulator of both major families of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), with resulting effects on mitotic cycling. However, the manner by which CHERP regulates intracellular Ca2+ channels to impact cellular growth is unknown. Here, we challenge previous findings that CHERP acts as a direct cytoplasmic regulator of IP3Rs and RyRs and propose that CHERP acts in the nucleus to impact cellular proliferation by regulating the function of the U2 snRNA spliceosomal complex. The previously reported effects of CHERP on cellular growth therefore are likely indirect effects of altered spliceosomal function, consistent with prior data showing that loss of function of U2 snRNP components can interfere with cell growth and induce cell cycle arrest.

The Two-pore channel (TPC) interactome unmasks isoform-specific roles for TPCs in endolysosomal morphology and cell pigmentation

Significance Two-pore channels (TPCs) are a recently discovered family of endolysosomal ion channels, but their regulation is controversial. By defining the TPC interactome, we provide a community resource that illuminates TPC complex regulation and resolves associations with novel partners and processes. Physical interactions with endolysosomal trafficking regulators predominate, and Rab GTPases impart isoform-specific roles for TPCs in organelle proliferation and cellular pigmentation. These data imply a fundamental role for TPCs in trafficking that augurs significance for disease states exhibiting lysosomal proliferation where TPC dysregulation may drive pathogenesis. The two-pore channels (TPC1 and TPC2) belong to an ancient family of intracellular ion channels expressed in the endolysosomal system. Little is known about how regulatory inputs converge to modulate TPC activity, and proposed activation mechanisms are controversial. Here, we compiled a proteomic characterization of the human TPC interactome, which revealed that TPCs complex with many proteins involved in Ca2+ homeostasis, trafficking, and membrane organization. Among these interactors, TPCs were resolved to scaffold Rab GTPases and regulate endomembrane dynamics in an isoform-specific manner. TPC2, but not TPC1, caused a proliferation of endolysosomal structures, dysregulating intracellular trafficking, and cellular pigmentation. These outcomes required both TPC2 and Rab activity, as well as their interactivity, because TPC2 mutants that were inactive, or rerouted away from their endogenous expression locale, or deficient in Rab binding, failed to replicate these outcomes. Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP)-evoked Ca2+ release was also impaired using either a Rab binding-defective TPC2 mutant or a Rab inhibitor. These data suggest a fundamental role for the ancient TPC complex in trafficking that holds relevance for lysosomal proliferative scenarios observed in disease.

Mitochondrial uptake of thiamin pyrophosphate: physiological and cell biological aspects.

Mammalian cells obtain vitamin B1 (thiamin) from their surrounding environment and convert it to thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) in the cytoplasm. Most of TPP is then transported into the mitochondria via a carrier-mediated process that involves the mitochondrial thiamin pyrophosphate transporter (MTPPT). Knowledge about the physiological parameters of the MTPP-mediated uptake process, MTPPT targeting and the impact of clinical mutations in MTPPT in patients with Amish lethal microcephaly and neuropathy and bilateral striatal necrosis are not fully elucidated, and thus, were addressed in this study using custom-made 3H-TPP as a substrate and mitochondria isolated from mouse liver and human-derived liver HepG2 cells. Results showed 3H-TPP uptake by mouse liver mitochondria to be pH-independent, saturable (Km = 6.79±0.53 µM), and specific for TPP. MTPPT protein was expressed in mouse liver and HepG2 cells, and confocal images showed a human (h)MTPPT-GFP construct to be targeted to mitochondria of HepG2 cells. A serial truncation analysis revealed that all three modules of hMTPPT protein cooperated (although at different levels of efficiency) in mitochondrial targeting rather than acting autonomously as independent targeting module. Finally, the hMTPPT clinical mutants (G125S and G177A) showed proper mitochondrial targeting but displayed significant inhibition in 3H-TPP uptake and a decrease in level of expression of the MTPPT protein. These findings advance our knowledge of the physiology and cell biology of the mitochondrial TPP uptake process. The results also show that clinical mutations in the hMTPPT system impair its functionality via affecting its level of expression with no effect on its targeting to mitochondria.

A rapid Western blotting protocol for the Xenopus oocyte.

Often experimentalists require a quantitative assessment of the levels of heterologously expressed proteins to best interpret changed Ca(2+) signaling patterns. Here, we detail a rapid and convenient western blotting method for individual Xenopus oocytes. The method exploits recently introduced rapid blotting systems, commercially available from Invitrogen (iBlot) or Bio-Rad (Trans-Blot Turbo). The key advantage is speed: from live cell to transferred membrane in <1 h. Therefore, oocytes can be conveniently processed for western blotting to assess relative expression levels, even after a long day of Ca(2+) imaging experiments.

Nuclear microinjection to assess how heterologously expressed proteins impact Ca2+ signals in Xenopus oocytes.

The Xenopus oocyte is frequently used for heterologous expression and for studying the spatiotemporal patterning of Ca(2+) signals. Here, we outline a protocol for nuclear microinjection of the Xenopus oocyte for the purpose of studying how subsequently expressed proteins impact intracellular Ca(2+) signals evoked by inositol trisphosphate (InsP3). Injected oocytes can easily be identified by reporter technologies and the impact of heterologously expressed proteins on the generation and properties of InsP3-evoked Ca(2+) signals can be resolved using caged InsP3 and fluorescent Ca(2+) indicators.

TPC1 Knockout Knocks Out TPC1

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom Department of Medicine, Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Corresponding author. Address correspondence to Jonathan S. Marchant, u d e . n m u @ 9 2 0 h c r a m . Citation Hooper R, Churamani D, Davidson SM, Lin-Moshier Y, Walseth TF, Patel S, Marchant JS. 2015. TPC1 knockout knocks out TPC1. Mol Cell Biol 35:1882–1883. doi:10.1128/MCB.00020-15.

Correction: Mitochondrial Uptake of Thiamin Pyrophosphate: Physiological and Cell Biological Aspects

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073503.].