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Eric J Smart

Publications and source records attributed to Eric J Smart.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Alterations in membrane cholesterol that affect structure and function of caveolae.

Most of the available methods for modifying caveolae structure and function depend on altering the cholesterol content of caveolae. The most important aspect of each method is to ensure the reagents are working in the cells that are being studied. The idiosyncrasies of each method are such that they cannot be universally applied without carefully optimizing the conditions. When used correctly, these methods are accepted as a specific way to perturb the structure and function of caveolae.

Caveolae↗

Heterologous desensitization of EGF receptors and PDGF receptors by sequestration in caveolae.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors have been reported to signal via caveolin-containing membranes called caveolae. In contrast, others report that EGF and PDGF receptors are exclusively associated with caveolin-devoid membranes called rafts. Our subcellular fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that, in the absence of ligand, EGF and PDGF receptors are associated with rafts. However, in the presence of ligand, EGF and PDGF receptors transiently associate with caveolae. Surprisingly, pretreatment of cells with EGF prevents PDGF-dependent phosphorylation of PDGF receptors and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 kinase activation. Furthermore, cells pretreated with PDGF prevent EGF-dependent phosphorylation of EGF receptors and ERK1/2 kinase activation. Radioligand binding studies demonstrate that incubation of cells with EGF or PDGF causes both EGF and PDGF receptors to be reversibly sequestered from the extracellular space. Experiments with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, filipin, and antisense caveolin-1 demonstrate that sequestration of the receptors is dependent on cholesterol and caveolin-1. We conclude that ligand-induced stimulation of EGF or PDGF receptors can cause the heterologous desensitization of the other receptor by sequestration in cholesterol-rich, caveolin-containing membranes or caveolae.

3T3 Cells↗

Cholesteryl ester is transported from caveolae to internal membranes as part of a caveolin-annexin II lipid-protein complex.

We previously demonstrated that in Chinese hamster ovary cells scavenger receptor, class B, type I-dependent selective cholesteryl ester uptake occurs in caveolae. In the present study we hypothesized that cholesteryl ester is transported from caveolae through the cytosol to an internal membrane by a caveolin chaperone complex similar to the one we originally described for the transport of newly synthesized cholesterol. To test this hypothesis we incubated Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing scavenger receptor, class B, type I with [(3)H]cholesteryl ester-labeled high density lipoprotein, subfractionated the cells and looked for a cytosolic pool of [(3)H]cholesteryl ester. The radiolabeled sterol initially appeared in the caveolae fraction, then in the cytosol, and finally in the internal membrane fraction. Caveolin IgG precipitated all of the [(3)H]cholesteryl ester associated with the cytosol. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that in the presence of high density lipoprotein, but not low density lipoprotein or lipoprotein-deficient serum, caveolin IgG precipitated four proteins: annexin II, cyclophilin 40, caveolin, and cyclophilin A. Caveolin acylation-deficient mutants were used to demonstrate that acylation of cysteine 133 but not cysteine 143 or 156 is required for annexin II association with caveolin and the rapid transport of cholesteryl esters out of caveolae. We conclude that a caveolin-annexin II lipid-protein complex facilitates the rapid internalization of cholesteryl esters from caveolae.

Animals↗