bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemokines regulate cellular polarization and adhesion receptor redistribution during lymphocyte interaction with endothelium and extracellular matrix. Involvement of cAMP signaling pathway.
Authors: del Pozo M A , Sánchez-Mateos P , Nieto M , Sánchez-Madrid F
Published: May 2004

Leukocyte recruitment is a key step in the inflammatory reaction. Several changes in the cell morphology take place during lymphocyte activation and migration: spheric-shaped resting T cells become polarized during activation, developing a well defined cytoplasmic projection designated as cellular uropod. We found that the chemotactic and proinflammatory chemokines RANTES, MCP-1, and, to a lower extent, MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, and IL-8, were able to induce uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution in T lymphoblasts adhered to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. A similar chemokine-mediated effect was observed during T cells binding to the fibronectin fragments of 38- and 80-kD, that contain the binding sites for the integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5, respectively. The uropod structure concentrated the ICAM-3 adhesion molecule (a ligand for LFA-1), and emerged to the outer milieu from the area of contact between lymphocyte and protein ligands. In addition, we found that other adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, CD43, and CD44, also redistributed to the lymphocyte uropod upon RANTES stimulation, whereas a wide number of other cell surface receptors did not redistribute. Chemokines displayed a selective effect among different T cell subsets; MIP-1 beta had more potent action on CD8+ T cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), whereas RANTES and MIP-1 alpha targeted selectively CD4+ T cells. We have also examined the involvement of cAMP signaling pathway in uropod formation. Interestingly, several cAMP agonists were able to induce uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution, whereas H-89, a specific inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, abrogated the chemokine-mediated uropod formation, thus pointing out a role for cAMP-dependent signaling in the development of this cytoplasmic projection. Since the lymphocyte uropod induced by chemokines was completely abrogated by Bordetella pertussis toxin, the formation of this membrane projection appears to be dependent on G proteins signaling pathways. In addition, the involvement of myosin-based cytoskeleton in uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution in response to chemokines was suggested by the prevention of this phenomenon with the myosin-disrupting agent butanedione monoxime. Interestingly, this agent also inhibited the ICAM-3-mediated cell aggregation, but not the cell adhesion to substrata. Altogether, these results demonstrate that uropod formation and adhesion receptor redistribution is a novel function mediated by chemokines; this phenomenon may represent a mechanism that significantly contributes to the recruitment of circulating leukocytes to inflammatory foci.
Tyrosine phosphorylation and cytoskeletal tension regulate the release of fibroblast adhesions.
Authors: Crowley E , Horwitz A F
Published: May 2004

We have investigated the mechanisms by which fibroblasts release their adhesions to the extracellular matrix substrata using a permeabilized cell system in which the adhesions remain relatively stable. A large number of different molecules were assayed for their effect on focal adhesion stability using immunofluorescence with antibodies against different focal adhesion constituents. ATP uniquely stimulates a rapid breakdown of focal adhesions, and at high ATP concentrations (> 5 mM), many cells are released from the dish. The remaining cells appear contracted with talin, alpha-actinin, and vinculin localized diffusely throughout the cell. Integrin containing tracks of variable intensity outline the regions where cells had resided before they detached from the substratum. At lower ATP concentrations (0.5-5 mM) the cells remain spread; however the focal adhesion components, including integrin, show an array of phenotypes ranging from diffusely localized throughout the cell to a localization in small, thin focal adhesions. Okadaic acid, a serine, threonine phosphatase inhibitor, enhances the contracted phenotype, even at low concentrations (0.5 mM) of ATP. The localization of focal adhesion components is different in okadaic acid-treated cells. In highly contracted cells, integrin is present in tracks where the cells resided before the contraction; however focal adhesions are no longer apparent. Talin, vinculin, and alpha-actinin localize in trabecular networks toward the periphery of the cell. Interestingly, phosphotyrosine staining as well as nascent, intracellular integrin precedes the recruitment of focal adhesion constituents into the trabecular network. The ATP-stimulated focal adhesion breakdown appears to operate through two mechanisms. First, ATP stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of several cytoskeletally associated proteins. These tyrosine phosphorylations correlated well with focal adhesion breakdown. Furthermore, addition of a recombinant, constitutively active tyrosine phosphatase inhibits both the tyrosine phosphorylations and the breakdown of the focal adhesions. None of the major tyrosine phosphoproteins are FAK, integrin, tensin, paxillin, or other phosphoproteins implicated in focal adhesion assembly. The second mechanism is cell contraction. High ATP concentrations, or lower ATP concentrations in the presence of okadaic acid induce cell contraction. Inhibiting the contraction by addition of a heptapeptide IRICRKG, which blocks the actin-myosin interaction, also inhibits focal adhesion breakdown. Neither the peptide nor the phosphatase inhibits focal adhesion breakdown under all conditions suggesting that both tension and tyrosine phosphorylations mediate the release of adhesions.
Dual role for the latent transforming growth factor-beta binding protein in storage of latent TGF-beta in the extracellular matrix and as a structural matrix protein.
Authors: Dallas S L , Miyazono K , Skerry T M , Mundy G R , Bonewald L F
Published: May 2004

The role of the latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP) is unclear. In cultures of fetal rat calvarial cells, which form mineralized bonelike nodules, both LTBP and the TGF-beta 1 precursor localized to large fibrillar structures in the extracellular matrix. The appearance of these fibrillar structures preceded the appearance of type I collagen fibers. Plasmin treatment abolished the fibrillar staining pattern for LTBP and released a complex containing both LTBP and TGF-beta. Antibodies and antisense oligonucleotides against LTBP inhibited the formation of mineralized bonelike nodules in long-term fetal rat calvarial cultures. Immunohistochemistry of fetal and adult rat bone confirmed a fibrillar staining pattern for LTBP in vivo. These findings, together with the known homology of LTBP to the fibrillin family of proteins, suggest a novel function for LTBP, in addition to its role in matrix storage of latent TGF-beta, as a structural matrix protein that may play a role in bone formation.
Immunohistochemical and mutation analyses demonstrate that procollagen VII is processed to collagen VII through removal of the NC-2 domain.
Authors: Bruckner-Tuderman L , Nilssen O , Zimmermann D R , Dours-Zimmermann M T , Kalinke D U , Gedde-Dahl T , Winberg J O
Published: May 2004

Collagen VII is the major structural constituent of anchoring fibrils in the skin. It is synthesized as a procollagen that is larger than the collagen deposited in the tissue. In this study, we investigated the conversion of procollagen VII to collagen VII in human skin and in cutaneous cells in vitro and identified the propeptide using domain-specific antibodies. For this purpose, two bacterial fusion proteins containing unique sequences of the carboxy-terminal globular NC-2 domain of procollagen VII were prepared, and polyclonal antibodies raised against them. Immunoblotting showed that the anti-NC2 antibodies reacted with procollagen VII isolated from cultured keratinocytes, but not with collagen VII extracted from the skin. Immunohistochemical experiments with the NC-2 antibodies revealed a strong reaction in cultured keratinocytes, but the basement membrane zone of normal skin remained negative. The staining could not be rendered positive by chemical or enzymatic unmasking of potential hidden epitopes in the skin, indicating that most of the NC-2 domain is absent from normal skin. In contrast, a positive staining with NC-2 antibodies was observed in the skin of a patient with NC-2 antibodies was observed in the skin of a patient with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, who carried a 14-bp deletion at one of the intro-exon junctions of the collagen VII gene. This aberration led to an in-frame skipping of exon 115 from the mRNA and eliminated 29 amino acids from the NC-2 domain which include the putative cleavage site for the physiological processing enzyme, procollagen C-proteinase. The results indicate that in normal human skin, the removal of the NC-2 domain from procollagen VII precedes its deposition at the dermal-epidermal junction. Furthermore, they suggest that an aberration in the procollagen VII cleavage interferes with the normal fibrillogenesis of the anchoring fibrils.
A zinc-binding domain is required for targeting the maternal nuclear protein PwA33 to lampbrush chromosome loops.
Authors: Bellini M , Lacroix J C , Gall J G
Published: May 2004

In oocytes of the newt Pleurodeles waltl, the maternal nuclear protein PwA33 occurs on the lampbrush chromosomes and in some nucleoplasmic particles of the germinal vesicle. PwA33 is a modular protein and we used site-directed mutagenesis to alter the sequences encoding two metal-binding regions, the C3HC4 (or RING finger) and B-box motifs. Several mutant clones were generated and their synthetic transcripts were injected into Pleurodeles oocytes for in vivo analysis. In the oocyte, all translation products localized in the germinal vesicle. Proteins encoded by RING finger mutant clones were distributed in a pattern identical to that of the wild type protein, but when His266 of the B-box was mutated, PwA33 failed to localize in the lampbrush chromosomes and the nucleoplasmic particles. Using an in vitro colorimetric assay, we demonstrated that PwA33 is a zinc-binding protein and that mutations in the RING finger and B-Box altered its metal-binding properties. The RING finger motif bound two Zn2+ ions and the binding ratios of several mutants were consistent with the tertiary structure recently proposed for this motif. The B-box coordinated one Zn2+ and this binding was inhibited by the His266 mutation. The failure of the His266 mutation to bind zinc and to localize properly within the germinal vesicle suggests that an intact B-box is required for normal functioning of the PwA33 protein in the oocyte.
GTP hydrolysis by Ran occurs at the nuclear pore complex in an early step of protein import.
Authors: Melchior F , Guan T , Yokoyama N , Nishimoto T , Gerace L
Published: May 2004

Mediated import of proteins into the nucleus involves multiple cytosolic factors, including the small GTPase Ran. Whether Ran functions by interacting with other cytosolic proteins or components of the nuclear pore complex has been unclear. Furthermore, the precise transport step where Ran acts has not been determined. To address these questions, we have analyzed the binding interactions of Ran using permeabilized cells and isolated nuclear envelopes. By light and electron microscope immunolocalization, we have found that Ran accumulates specifically at the cytoplasmic surface of the nuclear pore complex when nuclear import in permeabilized cells is inhibited by nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP. Ran associates with a peripheral pore complex region that is similar to the area where transport ligands accumulate by depletion of ATP, which arrests an early step of transport. Binding studies with isolated nuclear envelopes in the absence of added cytosol indicate that Ran-GTP directly interacts with a pore complex protein. Using blot overlay techniques, we detected a single prominent polypeptide of isolated nuclear envelopes that binds Ran-GTP. This corresponds to the 358-kD protein RanBP2, a Ran binding pore complex protein recently identified by two-hybrid screening. Thus, RanBP2 is likely to constitute the Ran-GTP-binding site detected at the cytoplasmic periphery of the pore complex. These data support a model in which initial ligand binding to the nuclear pore complex occurs at or near RanBP2, and that hydrolysis of GTP by Ran at this site serves to define commitment to the nuclear import pathway.
Isolation and characterization of yeast mutants in the cytoplasm to vacuole protein targeting pathway.
Authors: Harding T M , Morano K A , Scott S V , Klionsky D J
Published: May 2004

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the vacuolar protein aminopeptidase I (API) is localized to the vacuole independent of the secretory pathway. The alternate targeting mechanism used by this protein has not been characterized. API is synthesized as a 61-kD soluble cytosolic precursor. Upon delivery to the vacuole, the amino-terminal propeptide is removed by proteinase B (PrB) to yield the mature 50-kD hydrolase. We exploited this delivery-dependent maturation event in a mutant screen to identify genes whose products are involved in API targeting. Using antiserum to the API propeptide, we isolated mutants that accumulate precursor API. These mutants, designated cvt, fall into eight complementation groups, five of which define novel genes. These five complementation groups exhibit a specific defect in maturation of API, but do not have a significant effect on vacuolar protein targeting through the secretory pathway. Localization studies show that precursor API accumulates outside of the vacuole in all five groups, indicating that they are blocked in API targeting and/or translocation. Future analysis of these gene products will provide information about the subcellular components involved in this alternate mechanism of vacuolar protein localization.
Targeting signals and subunit interactions in coated vesicle adaptor complexes.
Authors: Page L J , Robinson M S
Published: May 2004

There are two clathrin-coated vesicle adaptor complexes in the cell, one associated with the plasma membrane and one associated with the TGN. The subunit composition of the plasma membrane adaptor complex is alpha-adaptin, beta-adaptin, AP50, and AP17; while that of the TGN adaptor complex is gamma-adaptin, beta'-adaptin, AP47, and AP19. To search for adaptor targeting signals, we have constructed chimeras between alpha-adaptin and gamma-adaptin within their NH2-terminal domains. We have identified stretches of sequence in the two proteins between amino acids approximately 130 and 330-350 that are essential for targeting. Immunoprecipitation reveals that this region determines whether a construct coassemblies with AP50 and AP17, or with AP47 and AP19. These observations suggest that these other subunits may play an important role in targeting. In contrast, beta- and beta'-adaptins are clearly not involved in this event. Chimeras between the alpha- and gamma-adaptin COOH-terminal domains reveal the presence of a second targeting signal. We have further investigated the interactions between the adaptor subunits using the yeast two-hybrid system. Interactions can be detected between the beta/beta'-adaptins and the alpha/gamma-adaptins, between the beta/beta'-adaptins and the AP50/AP47 subunits, between alpha-adaptin and AP17, and between gamma-adaptin and AP19. These results indicate that the adaptor subunits act in concert to target the complex to the appropriate membrane.
COOH-terminal sequence motifs target the T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase to the ER and nucleus.
Authors: Lorenzen J A , Dadabay C Y , Fischer E H
Published: May 2004

The noncatalytic domain of the human T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP) is alternatively spliced to generate a 45-kD form, p45TC, and a 48-kD form, p48TC (Champion-Arnaud et al., 1991; Mosinger et al., 1992). This manuscript concerns structural motifs in the noncatalytic segment of the enzyme responsible for targeting the two forms to different subcellular compartments. Endogenous and transiently expressed p48TC associates with the ER, as determined by sucrose gradient fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. By contrast, p45TC localizes in the nucleus even though upon cell lysis it is not retained and fractionates with markers for soluble enzymes. Using fusion proteins consisting of beta-galactosidase and COOH-terminal fragments of p48TC, two motifs necessary for ER retention within a 70-residue targeting segment have been identified. These include the terminal 19 hydrophobic residues which comprise a potential membrane-spanning segment and residues 346-358 which encompass a cluster of basic amino acids that may represent another type of ER retention motif. The sequence RKRKR, which immediately precedes the splice junction, functions as a nuclear localization signal for p45TC.
Differential targeting of glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide analogues after synthesis but not during transcytosis in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
Authors: van Genderen I , van Meer G
Published: May 2004

A short-chain analogue of galactosylceramide (6-NBD-amino-hexanoyl-galactosylceramide, C6-NBD-GalCer) was inserted into the apical or the basolateral surface of MDCK cells and transcytosis was monitored by depleting the opposite cell surface of the analogue with serum albumin. In MDCK I cells 32% of the analogue from the apical surface and 9% of the analogue from the basolateral surface transcytosed to the opposite surface per hour. These numbers were very similar to the flow of membrane as calculated from published data on the rate of fluid-phase transcytosis in these cells, demonstrating that C6-NBD-GalCer acted as a marker of bulk membrane flow. It was calculated that in MDCK I cells 155 microns membrane transcytosed per cell per hour in each direction. The fourfold higher percentage transported from the apical surface is explained by the apical to basolateral surface area ratio of 1:4. In MDCK II cells, with an apical to basolateral surface ratio of 1:1, transcytosis of C6-NBD-GalCer was 25% per hour in both directions. Similar numbers were obtained from measuring the fraction of endocytosed C6-NBD-GalCer that subsequently transcytosed. Under these conditions lipid leakage across the tight junction could be excluded, and the vesicular nature of lipid transcytosis was confirmed by the observation that the process was blocked at 17 degrees C. After insertion into one surface of MDCK II cells, the glucosylceramide analogue C6-NBD-GlcCer randomly equilibrated over the two surfaces in 8 h. C6-NBD-GalCer and -GlcCer transcytosed with identical kinetics. Thus no lipid selectivity in transcytosis was observed. Whereas the mechanism by which MDCK cells maintain the different lipid compositions of the two surface domains in the absence of lipid sorting along the transcytotic pathway is unclear, newly synthesized C6-NBD-GlcCer was preferentially delivered to the apical surface of MDCK II cells as compared with C6-NBD-GalCer.
NuMA is required for the organization of microtubules into aster-like mitotic arrays.
Authors: Gaglio T , Saredi A , Compton D A
Published: May 2004

NuMA (Nuclear protein that associates with the Mitotic Apparatus) is a 235-kD intranuclear protein that accumulates at the pericentrosomal region of the mitotic spindle in vertebrate cells. To determine if NuMA plays an active role in organizing the microtubules at the polar region of the mitotic spindle, we have developed a cell free system for the assembly of mitotic asters derived from synchronized cultured cells. Mitotic asters assembled in this extract are composed of microtubules arranged in a radial array that contain NuMA concentrated at the central core. The organization of microtubules into asters in this cell free system is dependent on NuMA because immunodepletion of NuMA from the extract results in randomly dispersed microtubules instead of organized mitotic asters, and addition of the purified recombinant NuMA protein to the NuMA-depleted extract fully reconstitutes the organization of the microtubules into mitotic asters. Furthermore, we show that NuMA is phosphorylated upon mitotic aster assembly and that NuMA is only required in the late stages of aster assembly in this cell free system consistent with the temporal accumulation of NuMA at the polar ends of the mitotic spindle in vivo. These results, in combination with the phenotype observed in vivo after the prevention of NuMA from targeting onto the mitotic spindle by antibody microinjection, suggest that NuMA plays a functional role in the organization of the microtubules of the mitotic spindle.
Mad1p, a phosphoprotein component of the spindle assembly checkpoint in budding yeast.
Authors: Hardwick K G , Murray A W
Published: May 2004

The spindle assembly checkpoint prevents cells from initiating anaphase until the spindle has been fully assembled. We previously isolated mitotic arrest deficient (mad) mutants that inactivate this checkpoint and thus increase the sensitivity of cells to benomyl, a drug that interferes with mitotic spindle assembly by depolymerizing microtubules. We have cloned the MAD1 gene and show that when it is disrupted yeast cells have the same phenotype as the previously isolated mad1 mutants: they fail to delay the metaphase to anaphase transition in response to microtubule depolymerization. MAD1 is predicted to encode a 90-kD coiled-coil protein. Anti-Mad1p antibodies give a novel punctate nuclear staining pattern and cell fractionation reveals that the bulk of Mad1p is soluble. Mad1p becomes hyperphosphorylated when wild-type cells are arrested in mitosis by benomyl treatment, or by placing a cold sensitive tubulin mutant at the restrictive temperature. This modification does not occur in G1-arrested cells treated with benomyl or in cells arrested in mitosis by defects in the mitotic cyclin proteolysis machinery, suggesting that Mad1p hyperphosphorylation is a step in the activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Analysis of Mad1p phosphorylation in other spindle assembly checkpoint mutants reveals that this response to microtubule-disrupting agents is defective in some (mad2, bub1, and bub3) but not all (mad3, bub2) mutant strains. We discuss the possible functions of Mad1p at this cell cycle checkpoint.
pp60c-src is a positive regulator of growth factor-induced cell scattering in a rat bladder carcinoma cell line.
Authors: Rodier J M , Vallés A M , Denoyelle M , Thiery J P , Boyer B
Published: May 2004

The NBT-II rat carcinoma cell line exhibits two mutually exclusive responses to FGF-1 and EGF, entering mitosis at cell confluency while undergoing an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) when cultured at subconfluency. EMT is characterized by acquisition of cell motility, modifications of cell morphology, and cell dissociation correlating with the loss of desmosomes from cellular cortex. The pleiotropic effects of EGF and FGF-1 on NBT-II cells suggest that multiple signaling pathways may be activated. We demonstrate here that growth factor activation is linked to at least two intracellular signaling pathways. One pathway leading to EMT involves an early and sustained stimulation of pp60c-src kinase activity, which is not observed during the growth factor-induced entry into the cell cycle. Overexpression of normal c-src causes a subpopulation of cells to undergo spontaneous EMT and sensitizes the rest of the population to the scattering activity of EGF and FGF-1 without affecting their mitogenic responsiveness. Addition of cholera toxin, a cAMP-elevating agent, severely perturbs growth factor induction of EMT without altering pp60c-src activation, therefore demonstrating that cAMP blockade takes place downstream or independently of pp60c-src. On the other hand, overexpression of a mutated, constitutively activated form of pp60c-src does not block cell dispersion while strongly inhibiting growth factor-induced entry into cell division. Moreover, stable transfection of a dominant negative mutant of c-src inhibits the scattering response without affecting mitogenesis induced by the growth factors. Altogether, these results suggest a role for pp60c-src in epithelial cell scattering and indicate that pp60c-src might contribute unequally to the two separate biological activities engendered by a single signal.
Cell surface-bound elastase and cathepsin G on human neutrophils: a novel, non-oxidative mechanism by which neutrophils focus and preserve catalytic activity of serine proteinases.
Authors: Owen C A , Campbell M A , Sannes P L , Boukedes S S , Campbell E J
Published: May 2004

Serine proteinases of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils play an important role in neutrophil-mediated proteolytic events; however, the non-oxidative mechanisms by which the cells can degrade extracellular matrix in the presence of proteinase inhibitors have not been elucidated. Herein, we provide the first report that human neutrophils express persistently active cell surface-bound human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G on their cell surface. Unstimulated neutrophils have minimal cell surface expression of these enzymes; however, phorbol ester induces a 30-fold increase. While exposure of neutrophils to chemoattractants (fMLP and C5a) stimulates modest (two- to threefold) increases in cell surface expression of serine proteinases, priming with concentrations of lipopolysaccharide as low as 100 fg/ml leads to striking (up to 10-fold) increase in chemoattractant-induced cell surface expression, even in the presence of serum proteins. LPS-primed and fMLP-stimulated neutrophils have approximately 100 ng of cell surface human leukocyte elastase activity per 10(6) cells. Cell surface-bound human leukocyte elastase is catalytically active, yet is remarkably resistant to inhibition by naturally occurring proteinase inhibitors. These data indicate that binding of serine proteinases to the cell surface focuses and preserves their catalytic activity, even in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. Upregulated expression of persistently active cell surface-bound serine proteinases on activated neutrophils provides a novel mechanism to facilitate their egress from the vasculature, penetration of tissue barriers, and recruitment into sites of inflammation. Dysregulation of the cell surface expression of these enzymes has the potential to cause tissue destruction during inflammation.
Integrin function: molecular hierarchies of cytoskeletal and signaling molecules.
Authors: Miyamoto S , Teramoto H , Coso O A , Gutkind J S , Burbelo P D , Akiyama S K , Yamada K M
Published: May 2004

Integrin receptors play important roles in organizing the actin-containing cytoskeleton and in signal transduction from the extracellular matrix. The initial steps in integrin function can be analyzed experimentally using beads coated with ligands or anti-integrin antibodies to trigger rapid focal transmembrane responses. A hierarchy of transmembrane actions was identified in this study. Simple integrin aggregation triggered localized transmembrane accumulation of 20 signal transduction molecules, including RhoA, Rac1, Ras, Raf, MEK, ERK, and JNK. In contrast, out of eight cytoskeletal molecules tested, only tensin coaccumulated. Integrin aggregation alone was also sufficient to induce rapid activation of the JNK pathway, with kinetics of activation different from those of ERK. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A or genistein blocked both the accumulation of 19 out of 20 signal transduction molecules and JNK- and ERK-mediated signaling. Cytochalasin D had identical effects, whereas three other tyrosine kinase inhibitors did not. The sole exception among signaling molecules was the kinase pp125FAK which continued to coaggregate with alpha 5 beta 1 integrins even in the presence of these inhibitors. Tyrosine kinase inhibition also failed to block the ability of ligand occupancy plus integrin aggregation to trigger transmembrane accumulation of the three cytoskeletal molecules talin, alpha-actinin, and vinculin; these molecules accumulated even in the presence of cytochalasin D. However, it was necessary to fulfill all four conditions, i.e., integrin aggregation, integrin occupancy, tyrosine kinase activity, and actin cytoskeletal integrity, to achieve integrin-mediated focal accumulation of other cytoskeletal molecules including F-actin and paxillin. Integrins therefore mediate a transmembrane hierarchy of molecular responses.
Yeast Num1p associates with the mother cell cortex during S/G2 phase and affects microtubular functions.
Authors: Farkasovsky M , Küntzel H
Published: May 2004

The NUM1 gene is involved in the control of nuclear migration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The content of NUM1 mRNA fluctuates during the cell cycle, reaching a maximum at S/G2 phase, and the translation product Num1p associates with the cortex of mother cells mainly during S, G2, and mitosis, as seen by indirect immunofluorescence. The nuclear spindle in NUM1-deficient large-budded cells often fails to align along the mother/bud axis, while abnormally elongated astral microtubules emanate from both spindle pole bodies. A num1 null mutation confers temperature sensitivity to the cold-sensitive alpha-tubulin mutant tub1-1, and shows synthetic lethality with the beta-tubulin mutant alleles tub2-402, tub2-403, tub2-404, and tub2-405. Deletion mapping has defined three functionally important Num1p regions: a potential EF hand Ca2+ binding site, a cluster of potential phosphorylation sites and a pleckstrin homology domain. The latter domain appears to be involved in targeting Num1p to the mother cell cortex. Our data suggest that the periodically expressed NUM1 gene product controls nuclear migration by affecting astral microtubule functions.
Binding of E-MAP-115 to microtubules is regulated by cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation.
Authors: Masson D , Kreis T E
Published: May 2004

Expression levels of E-MAP-115, a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes microtubules, increase with epithelial cell polarization and differentiation (Masson and Kreis, 1993). Although polarizing cells contain significant amounts of this protein, they can still divide and thus all stabilized microtubules must disassemble at the onset of mitosis to allow formation of the dynamic mitotic spindle. We show here that binding of E-MAP-115 to microtubules is regulated by phosphorylation during the cell cycle. Immunolabeling of HeLa cells for E-MAP-115 indicates that the protein is absent from microtubules during early prophase and progressively reassociates with microtubules after late prophase. A fraction of E-MAP-115 from HeLa cells released from a block at the G1/S boundary runs with higher apparent molecular weight on SDS-PAGE, with a peak correlating with the maximal number of cells in early stages of mitosis. E-MAP-115 from nocodazole-arrested mitotic cells, which can be obtained in larger amounts, displays identical modifications and was used for further biochemical characterization. The level of incorporation of 32P into mitotic E-MAP-115 is about 15-fold higher than into the interphase protein. Specific threonine phosphorylation occurs in mitosis, and the amount of phosphate associated with serine also increases. Hyperphosphorylated E-MAP-115 from mitotic cells cannot bind stably to microtubules in vitro. These results suggest that phosphorylation of E-MAP-115 is a prerequisite for increasing the dynamic properties of the interphase microtubules which leads to the assembly of the mitotic spindle at the onset of mitosis. Microtubule-associated proteins are thus most likely key targets for kinases which control changes in microtubule dynamic properties at the G2- to M-phase transition.
Point mutation of adenosine triphosphate-binding motif generated rigor kinesin that selectively blocks anterograde lysosome membrane transport.
Authors: Nakata T , Hirokawa N
Published: May 2004

In the study of motor proteins, the molecular mechanism of mechanochemical coupling, as well as the cellular role of these proteins, is an important issue. To assess these questions we introduced cDNA of wild-type and site-directed mutant kinesin heavy chains into fibroblasts, and analyzed the behavior of the recombinant proteins and the mechanisms involved in organelle transports. Overexpression of wild-type kinesin significantly promoted elongation of cellular processes. Wild-type kinesin accumulated at the tips of the long processes, whereas the kinesin mutants, which contained either a T93N- or T93I mutation in the ATP-binding motif, tightly bound to microtubules in the center of the cells. These mutant kinesins could bind to microtubules in vitro, but could not dissociate from them even in the presence of ATP, and did not support microtubule motility in vitro, thereby indicating rigor-type mutations. Retrograde transport from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as lysosome dispersion, was shown to be a microtubule-dependent, plus-end-directed movement. The latter was selectively blocked in the rigor-mutant cells, although the microtubule minus-end-directed motion of lysosomes was not affected. We found the point mutations that make kinesin motor in strong binding state with microtubules in vitro and showed that this mutant causes a dominant effect that selectively blocks anterograde lysosome membrane transports in vivo.
Thrombospondin-4, an extracellular matrix protein expressed in the developing and adult nervous system promotes neurite outgrowth.
Authors: Arber S , Caroni P
Published: May 2004

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules are involved in multiple aspects of cell-to-cell signaling during development and in the adult. In nervous system development, specific recognition processes, e.g., during axonal pathfinding and synaptogenesis involve modulation and signaling by ECM components. Much less is known about their presence and possible roles in the adult nervous system. We now report that thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4), a recently discovered member of the TSP gene family is expressed by neurons, promotes neurite outgrowth, and accumulates at the neuromuscular junction and at certain synapse-rich structures in the adult. To search for muscle genes that may be involved in neuromuscular signaling, we isolated cDNAs induced in adult skeletal muscle by denervation. One of these cDNAs coded for the rat homologue of TSP-4. In skeletal muscle, it was expressed by muscle interstitial cells. The transcript was further detected in heart and in the developing and adult nervous system, where it was expressed by a wide range of neurons. An antiserum to the unique carboxyl-terminal end of the protein allowed to specifically detect TSP-4 in transfected cells in vitro and on cryostat sections in situ. TSP-4 associated with ECM structures in vitro and in vivo. In the adult, it accumulated at the neuromuscular junction and at synapse-rich structures in the cerebellum and retina. To analyze possible activities of TSP-4 towards neurons, we carried out coculture experiments with stably transfected COS cells and motor, sensory, or retina neurons. These experiments revealed that TSP-4 was a preferred substrate for these neurons, and promoted neurite outgrowth. The results establish TSP-4 as a neuronal ECM protein associated with certain synapse-rich structures in the adult. Its activity towards embryonic neurons in vitro and its distribution in vivo suggest that it may be involved in local signaling in the developing and adult nervous system.
Mutational analysis of p80 coilin indicates a functional interaction between coiled bodies and the nucleolus.
Authors: Bohmann K , Ferreira J A , Lamond A I
Published: May 2004

Coiled bodies are conserved subnuclear domains found in both plant and animal cells. They contain a subset of splicing snRNPs and several nucleolar antigens, including Nopp140 and fibrillarin. In addition, autoimmune patient sera have identified a coiled body specific protein, called p80 coilin. In this study we show that p80 coilin is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues. The full-length human p80 coilin protein correctly localizes in coiled bodies when exogenously expressed in HeLa cells using a transient transfection assay. Mutational analysis identifies separate domains in the p80 coilin protein that differentially affect its subnuclear localization. The data show that p80 coilin has a nuclear localization signal, but this is not sufficient to target the protein to coiled bodies. The results indicate that localization in coiled bodies is not determined by a simple motif analogous to the NLS motifs involved in nuclear import. A specific carboxy-terminal deletion in p80 coilin results in the formation of pseudo-coiled bodies that are unable to recruit splicing snRNPs. This causes a loss of endogenous coiled bodies. A separate class of mutant coilin proteins are shown to localize in fibrillar structures that surround nucleoli. These mutants also lead to loss of endogenous coiled bodies, produce a dramatic disruption of nucleolar architecture and cause a specific segregation of nucleolar antigens. The structural change in nucleoli is accompanied by the loss of RNA polymerase I activity. These data indicate that p80 coilin plays an important role in subnuclear organization and suggest that there may be a functional interaction between coiled bodies and nucleoli.
Identification of the chromosome localization domain of the Drosophila nod kinesin-like protein.
Authors: Afshar K , Scholey J , Hawley R S
Published: May 2004

The nod kinesin-like protein is localized along the arms of meiotic chromosomes and is required to maintain the position of achiasmate chromosomes on the developing meiotic spindle. Here we show that the localization of ectopically expressed nod protein on mitotic chromosomes precisely parallels that observed for wild-type nod protein on meiotic chromosomes. Moreover, the carboxyl-terminal half of the nod protein also binds to chromosomes when overexpressed in mitotic cells, whereas the overexpressed amino-terminal motor domain binds only to microtubules. Chromosome localization of the carboxyl-terminal domain of nod depends upon an 82-amino acid region comprised of three copies of a sequence homologous to the DNA-binding domain of HMG 14/17 proteins. These data map the two primary functional domains of the nod protein in vivo and provide a molecular explanation for the directing of the nod protein to a specific subcellular component, the chromosome.
FAR1 is required for oriented polarization of yeast cells in response to mating pheromones.
Authors: Valtz N , Peter M , Herskowitz I
Published: May 2004

Cell polarization involves specifying an area on the cell surface and organizing the cytoskeleton towards that landmark. The mechanisms by which external signals are translated into internal landmarks for polarization are poorly understood. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits polarized growth during mating: the actin cytoskeleton of each cell polarizes towards its partner, presumably to allow efficient cell fusion. The external signal which determines the landmark for polarization is thought to be a gradient of peptide pheromone released by the mating partner. Here we described mutants that exhibit random polarization. Using two assays, including a direct microscope assay for orientation (Segall, J. 1993. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 90:8332-8337), we show that these mutants cannot locate the source of a pheromone gradient although they are able to organize their cytoskeleton. These mutants appear to be defective in mating because they are unable to locate the mating partner. They carry mutations of the FAR1 gene, denoted far1-s, and identify a new function for the Far1 protein. Its other known function is to promote cell cycle arrest during mating by inhibiting a cyclin-dependent kinase (Peter, M., and I. Herskowitz. 1994. Science (Wash. DC). 265:1228-1232). The far1-s mutants exhibit normal cell cycle arrest in response to pheromone, which suggests that Far1 protein plays two distinct roles in mating: one in cell cycle arrest and the other in orientation towards the mating partner.
Sequential coupling between COPII and COPI vesicle coats in endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport.
Authors: Aridor M , Bannykh S I , Rowe T , Balch W E
Published: May 2004

COPI and COPII are vesicle coat complexes whose assembly is regulated by the ARF1 and Sar1 GTPases, respectively. We show that COPI and COPII coat complexes are recruited separately and independently to ER (COPII), pre-Golgi (COPI, COPII), and Golgi (COPI) membranes of mammalian cells. To address their individual roles in ER to Golgi transport, we used stage specific in vitro transport assays to synchronize movement of cargo to and from pre-Golgi intermediates, and GDP- and GTP-restricted forms of Sar1 and ARF1 proteins to control coat recruitment. We find that COPII is solely responsible for export from the ER, is lost rapidly following vesicle budding and mediates a vesicular step required for the build-up of pre-Golgi intermediates composed of clusters of vesicles and small tubular elements. COPI is recruited onto pre-Golgi intermediates where it initiates segregation of the anterograde transported protein vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) from the retrograde transported protein p58, a protein which actively recycles between the ER and pre-Golgi intermediates. We propose that sequential coupling between COPII and COPI coats is essential to coordinate and direct bi-directional vesicular traffic between the ER and pre-Golgi intermediates involved in transport of protein to the Golgi complex.
The Golgi-localization of yeast Emp47p depends on its di-lysine motif but is not affected by the ret1-1 mutation in alpha-COP.
Authors: Schröder S , Schimmöller F , Singer-Krüger B , Riezman H
Published: May 2004

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae EMP47 gene encodes a nonessential type-I transmembrane protein with sequence homology to a class of intracellular lectins defined by ERGIC-53 and VIP36. The 12-amino acid COOH-terminal cytoplasmic tail of Emp47p ends in the sequence KTKLL, which conforms with the consensus for di-lysine-based ER-localization signals. Despite the presence of this motif, Emp47p was shown to be a Golgi protein at steady-state. The di-lysine motif of Emp47p was functional when transplanted onto Ste2p, a plasma membrane protein, conferring ER localization. Nevertheless, the di-lysine motif was required for Golgi-localization of Emp47p and showed the same charge-independent, position-dependent characteristics of other di-lysine motifs. Alpha-COP has been shown to be required for ER localization of di-lysine-tagged proteins. Consistent with this finding, the Ste2p-Emp47p hybrid protein was mislocalized to the cell surface in the alpha-COP mutant, ret1-1. Surprisingly, the Golgi-localization of Emp47p was unaffected by the ret1-1 mutation. To investigate whether Emp47p undergoes retrograde transport from the Golgi to the ER like other di-lysine-tagged proteins we developed an assay to measure this step after block of forward transport in a sec12 mutant. Under these conditions retrograde transport led to a specific redistribution of Emp47p from the Golgi to the ER. This recycling occurred from a Golgi subcompartment containing alpha 1,3 mannose-modified oligosaccharides suggesting that it originated from a medial-or later Golgi compartment. Thus Emp47p cycles between the Golgi apparatus and the ER and requires a di-lysine motif for its alpha-COP-independent, steady state localization in the Golgi.
Hormonal regulation of caveolae internalization.
Authors: Smart E J , Ying Y S , Anderson R G
Published: May 2004

Caveolae undergo a cyclic transition from a flat segment of membrane to a vesicle that then returns to the cell surface. Here we present evidence that this cycle depends on a population of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) molecules that reside in the caveolae membrane where they phosphorylate a 90-kD protein. This cycle can be interrupted by treatment of the cells with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate or agents that raise the concentration of diacylglycerol in the cell. Each of these conditions displaces PKC-alpha from caveolae, inhibits the phosphorylation of the 90-kD protein, and prevents internalization. Caveolae also contain a protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates the 90-kD once PKC-alpha is gone. A similar dissociation of PKC-alpha from caveolae and inhibition of invagination was observed when cells were treated with histamine. This effect was blocked by pyrilamine but not cimetidine, indicating the involvement of histamine H1 receptors. These findings suggest that the caveolae internalization cycle is hormonally regulated.
A transferrin-like GPI-linked iron-binding protein in detergent-insoluble noncaveolar microdomains at the apical surface of fetal intestinal epithelial cells.
Authors: Danielsen E M , van Deurs B
Published: May 2004

A GPI-anchored 80-kD protein was found to be the major component of detergent-insoluble complexes, prepared from fetal porcine small intestine, constituting about 25% of the total amount of protein. An antibody was raised to the 80-kD protein, and by immunogold electron microscopy of ultracryosections of mucosal tissue, the protein was localized to the apical surface of the enterocytes, whereas it was absent from the basolateral plasma membrane. Interestingly, it was mainly found in patches of flat or invaginated apical membrane domains rather than at the surface of microvilli. Caveolae were not found in association with these labeled microdomains. In addition, the 80-kD protein was seen in apical endocytic vacuoles and in tubulo-vesicular structures, suggesting that the apical microdomains are involved in endocytosis of the 80-kD protein. By its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, iron-binding capacity and partial immunological cross-reactivity with serum transferrin, the 80-kD protein was shown to belong to the transferrin family, and it is probably homologous to melanotransferrin, a human melanoma-associated antigen. The 80-kD iron-binding protein was fully detergent-soluble immediately after synthesis and only became insoluble after gaining resistance to endo H, supporting a mechanism for exocytic delivery to the apical cell surface by way of detergent-insoluble glycolipid "rafts" that fuse with the plasmalemma at restricted sites devoid of microvilli.