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Biomedical subjects

M J Clague

Publications and source records attributed to M J Clague.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Control of growth factor receptor dynamics by reversible ubiquitination.

Activated tyrosine kinase receptors acquire ubiquitin tags. Ubiquitination governs receptor down-regulation through interaction with components of the endosomal ESCRT (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) machinery that shepherds receptors into luminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies en route to the lysosome. We have characterized two de-ubiquitinating enzymes that interact with components of this machinery. AMSH [associated molecule with the SH3 domain (Src homology 3 domain) of STAM (signal transducing adapter molecule)] shows specificity for Lys63- over Lys48-linked ubiquitin and may act to rescue receptors from taking the lysosomal pathway. In contrast, UBPY (ubiquitin-specific processing protease Y) does not discriminate between Lys48 and Lys63-linked chains and is required for lysosomal sorting.

Animals↗

Met receptor dynamics and signalling.

The receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Met, controls a programme of invasive growth that combines proliferation with various moto- and morphogenetic processes. This process is important for development and organ regeneration, but dysregulation in transformed tissues can contribute to cancer progression and metastasis. Acute stimulation of tissue culture cells with HGF leads to Met downregulation via degradation through an endocytic mechanism that also requires proteasome activity. Perturbation of Met trafficking on the endocytic pathway, either at the level of the internalisation step or during sorting at the early endosome, leads to altered signalling outputs. Ubiquitination of Met through the E3-ligase Cbl is required for receptor downregulation, and a mutant receptor defective in Cbl binding is able to transform cells. We discuss the hypothesis that some naturally occurring Met mutants implicated in cancer may transform cells owing to defects in their trafficking along the endosomal degradation pathway.

Animals↗

Characterization of MTMR3. an inositol lipid 3-phosphatase with novel substrate specificity.

Inositol lipids play key roles in many fundamental cellular processes that include growth, cell survival, motility, and membrane trafficking. Recent studies on the PTEN and Myotubularin proteins have underscored the importance of inositol lipid 3-phosphatases in cell function. Inactivating mutations in the genes encoding PTEN and Myotubularin are key steps in the progression of some cancers and in the onset of X-linked myotubular myopathy, respectively. Myotubularin-related protein 3 (MTMR3) shows extensive homology to Myotubularin, including the catalytic domain, but additionally possesses a C-terminal extension that includes a FYVE domain. We show that MTMR3 is an inositol lipid 3-phosphatase, with a so-far-unique substrate specificity. It is able to hydrolyze PtdIns3P and PtdIns3,5P2, both in vitro and when heterologously expressed in S. cerevisiae, and to thereby provide the first clearly defined route for the cellular production of PtdIns5P. Overexpression of a catalytically dead MTMR3 (C413S) in mammalian cells induces a striking formation of vacuolar compartments that enclose membranous structures that are highly concentrated in mutant proteins.

Animals↗

Down-regulation of MET, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor.

The ligand-dependent degradation of activated tyrosine kinase receptors provides a means by which mitogenic signalling can be attenuated. In many cell types the ligand-dependent degradation of the tyrosine kinase receptor Met is completely dependent on the activity of the 26S proteasome (Jeffers et al., 1997b). We now show that degradation also requires trafficking to late endosomal compartments and the activity of acid dependent proteases as determined by the effects of a dominant negative form of dynamin (K44A) and a vacuolar-ATPase inhibitor, concanamycin. We show that in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin, Met fails to redistribute from the plasma membrane to intracellular compartments. This observation is most consistent with the interpretation that proteasome activity is required for Met internalization and only indirectly for its degradation.

Acetylcysteine↗

Relationships between EEA1 binding partners and their role in endosome fusion.

Homotypic fusion between early endosomes requires the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P)-binding protein, Early Endosomal Autoantigen 1 (EEA1). We have investigated the role of other proteins that interact with EEA1 in the fusion of early endosomes derived from Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells. We confirm a requirement for syntaxin 13, but additionally show that the assay is equally sensitive to reagents specifically targeted against syntaxin 6. Binding of EEA1 to immobilised GST-syntaxin 6 and 13 was directly compared; only syntaxin 6 formed a stable complex with EEA1. Early endosome fusion requires the release of intravesicular calcium, and calmodulin plays a vital role in the fusion pathway, as judged by sensitivity to antagonists. We demonstrate that both EEA1 and syntaxin 13 interact with calmodulin. In the case of EEA1, binding to calmodulin requires an IQ domain, which is adjacent to a C-terminal FYVE domain that specifically binds to PI3P. We have assessed the influence of protein binding partners on EEA1 interaction with PI3P and find that both calmodulin and rab5-GTP are antagonistic to PI3P binding, whilst syntaxins 6 and 13 have no effect. These studies reveal a complex network of interactions between the proteins required for endosome fusion.

Animals↗

The interface of receptor trafficking and signalling.

The intimate relationship between receptor trafficking and signalling is beginning to reveal its secrets. Receptor endocytosis provides a mechanism for attenuation of signalling by transfer of receptors to degradative compartments. However, it can also determine signalling output by providing a different combination of downstream effectors at endocytic compartments compared with the plasma membrane. Rab5, Hrs and Cbl, are three examples of proteins that can influence both tyrosine kinase receptor trafficking and signalling pathways. By operating at this intersection, they are well placed to couple these aspects of cell function. Each element of the Rab5 GTPase cycle is influenced by signal transduction events, which will correspondingly influence recruitment of effector proteins and receptor distribution. Hrs and Cbl, which both undergo tyrosine phosphorylation in response to growth factor stimulation, are believed to influence receptor sorting in the early endosome and engage in multiple interactions, which may play a direct role in signalling cascades.

Animals↗

Membrane transport: deciphering fusion.

Membrane fusion events that occur in yeast have been reconstituted with a minimal set of SNARE protein components. This system has been exploited to establish the syntax underlying specificity of intracellular fusion events from yeast to mammals.

Animals↗

Detection of thiol modification following generation of reactive nitrogen species: analysis of synaptic vesicle proteins.

S-nitrosylation is an important means of regulating the activity of proteins. We have developed a method which allows unbiased identification of thiol modified proteins within a complex mixture following NO generation, by taking advantage of the fact that prior nitrosylation will block subsequent modification of cysteine residues with 1-biotinamido-4-[4'-(maleimidomethyl)-cyclohexane-carboxamid o] butane (biotin-BMCC). Thiol modified proteins are reduced in intensity when revealed by blotting and overlay with avidin-horseradish peroxidase. In the case of a purified synaptic vesicle fraction we observe a high degree of enrichment of specific biotinylated proteins relative to homogenate. We find that thiol modification of proteins in the presence of NO donors is widespread, occurring in the majority of proteins that will react with biotin-BMCC. In a further development of this technique we have depleted the biotinylated proteins from solubilised synaptic vesicles using avidin-agarose and analysed the supernatants with a panel of antibodies. This has allowed us to identify SNARE proteins (soluble NSF attachment protein receptors) as potential targets for S-nitrosylation.

Animals↗

Endosomal localization and receptor dynamics determine tyrosine phosphorylation of hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate.

Hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) is a prominent substrate for activated tyrosine kinase receptors that has been proposed to play a role in endosomal membrane trafficking. The protein contains a FYVE domain, which specifically binds to the lipid phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-phosphate (PI 3-P). We show that this interaction is required both for correct localization of the protein to endosomes that only partially coincides with early endosomal autoantigen 1 and for efficient tyrosine phosphorylation of the protein in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation. Treatment with wortmannin reveals that Hrs phosphorylation also requires PI 3-kinase activity, which is necessary to generate the PI 3-P required for localization. We have used both hypertonic media and expression of a dominant-negative form of dynamin (K44A) to inhibit endocytosis; under which conditions, receptor stimulation fails to elicit phosphorylation of Hrs. Our results provide a clear example of the coupling of a signal transduction pathway to endocytosis, from which we propose that activated receptor (or associated factor) must be delivered to the appropriate endocytic compartment in order for Hrs phosphorylation to occur.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Membrane transport: Take your fusion partners.

Recent studies of how vesicles are targeted to fuse with specific membranes inside cells highlight a role for extended coiled-coil proteins in tethering partner membranes prior to formation of the 'SNARE complex' that mediates the fusion reaction. The tethering protein is recruited to membranes by a Rab family GTPase

Animals↗

Localization of a class II phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PI3KC2alpha, to clathrin-coated vesicles.

We have analysed phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity associated with subcellular fractions prepared from rat brains. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity is not markedly enriched with synaptic vesicle purification; whilst the activity associated with the most pure fractions is inhibited at low concentrations of wortmannin (IC50 approximately 4-5 nM). In contrast, clathrin-coated vesicle (CCV) fractions showed increased enzyme activity compared to light membrane fractions from which they are purified. In addition to a wortmannin-sensitive activity, we also detected an activity that could only be inhibited at higher concentrations of wortmannin (IC50 approximately 400 nM), characteristic of certain class II enzymes (including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2alpha) to be highly enriched in CCV fractions. Immunoblotting with an antibody raised against phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2alpha, confirmed that this enzyme is highly enriched in CCVs and displays an enrichment profile during the purification that mirrors enrichment of the low nanomolar wortmannin-insensitive activity. If the CCV purification protocol is adapted to favour nerve terminally derived vesicles, we find reduced levels of the C2alpha enzyme in the CCV fractions, suggesting that the enzyme may principally reside on vesicles associated with the cell body.

Androstadienes↗

Molecular aspects of the endocytic pathway.

Observation of the flow of material along the endocytic pathway has lead to the description of the basic architecture of the pathway and provided insight into the relationship between compartments. Significant advances have been made in the study of endocytic transport steps at the molecular level, of which studies of cargo selection, vesicle budding and membrane fusion events comprise the major part. Progress in this area has been driven by two approaches, yeast genetics and in vitro or cell-free assays, which reconstitute particular transport steps and allow biochemical manipulation. The complex protein machineries that control vesicle budding and fusion are significantly conserved between the secretory and endocytic pathways such that proteins that regulate particular steps are often part of a larger family of proteins which exercise a conserved function at other locations within the cell. Well characterized examples include vesicle coat proteins, rabs (small GTPases) and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptors (SNAREs). Intracompartmental pH, lipid composition and cytoskeletal organization have also been identified as important determinants of the orderly flow of material within the endocytic pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Involvement of the endosomal autoantigen EEA1 in homotypic fusion of early endosomes.

In mammalian cells, fusion between early endocytic vesicles has been shown to require the ubiquitous intracellular fusion factors N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) and alpha-SNAP, as well as a factor specific for early endosomes, the small GTPase Rab5 [1-3]. We have previously demonstrated an additional requirement for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity [4]. The membrane association of early endosomal antigen 1 (EEA1), a specific marker of early endosomes [5,6], has recently been shown to be similarly dependent on PI 3-kinase activity [7], and we therefore postulated that it might be involved in endosome fusion. Here, we present evidence that EEA1 has an important role in determining the efficiency of endosome fusion in vitro. Both the carboxy-terminal domain of EEA1 (residues 1098-1411) and specific antibodies against EEA1 inhibited endosome fusion when included in an in vitro assay. Furthermore, depletion of EEA1, both from the membrane fraction used in the assay by washing with salt and from the cytosol using an EEA1-specific antibody, resulted in inhibition of endosome fusion. The involvement of EEA1 in endosome fusion accounts for the sensitivity of the endosome fusion assay to inhibitors of PI 3-kinase.

Animals↗

Inhibition of endosome fusion by wortmannin persists in the presence of activated Rab5.

Rab5-dependent endosome fusion is sensitive to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. It has been proposed that phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity may be required for activation of rab5 by influencing its nucleotide cycle such as to promote its active GTP state. In this report we demonstrate that endosome fusion remains sensitive to wortmannin despite preloading of endosomes with stimulatory levels of a GTPase-defective mutant rab5(Q79L) or of a xanthosine triphosphate-binding mutant, rab5(D136N), in the presence of the nonhydrolysable analogue XTPgammaS. These results suggest that activation of rab5 cannot be the principal function of the wortmannin-sensitive factor on the endosome fusion pathway. This result is extrapolated to all GTPases by demonstrating that endosome fusion remains wortmannin sensitive despite prior incubation with the nonhydrolysable nucleotide analogue GTPgammaS. Consistent with these results, direct measurement of clathrin-coated vesicle-stimulated nucleotide dissociation from exogenous rab5 was insensitive to the presence of wortmannin. A large excess of rab5(Q79L), beyond levels required for maximal stimulation of the fusion assay, afforded protection against wortmannin inhibition, and partial protection was also observed with an excess of wild-type rab5 independent of GTPgammaS.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Formation of N delta-cyanoornithine from NG-hydroxy-L-arginine and hydrogen peroxide by neuronal nitric oxide synthase: implications for mechanism.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) catalyzes the oxidation of NG-hydroxy-L-arginine (NHA) by hydrogen peroxide. The amino acid products were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of the o-phthalaldehyde/2-mercaptoethanol derivatives and identified as citrulline and N delta-cyanoornithine (CN-orn). The assignment of CN-orn was confirmed by independent chemical synthesis and comparison of the properties of the enzyme-derived product with those of synthetic CN-orn. The inorganic products detected in the enzymatic reaction were NO2- and NO3-, presumably from oxidation of NO-. The reaction of H2O2 and NHA with nNOS was at least 10-fold slower than the reaction of NADPH, O2, and NHA (Vmax,app = 49 +/- 2 nmol min-1 mg-1 for the reactions with 10 microM added H4B). The reaction exhibited saturation kinetics with respect to hydrogen peroxide [K(m,app)(H2O2) = 10 +/- 1 mM for the reactions with 10 microM added H4B]. No H2O2-dependent reaction was observed with L-arginine as the amino acid substrate. The different products for the NADPH- and H2O2-dependent transformations of NHA are of mechanistic significance in the NOS reaction.

Animals↗

Inhibition of calcium-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor incorporation into trans-Golgi network-derived clathrin-coated vesicles by wortmannin.

The transport of pro-cathepsin D from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the endosomal pathway is dependent on binding to the calcium-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (ci-M6PR), which is incorporated into TGN-derived clathrin-coated transport vesicles (CCVs). Inhibition of this transport step by wortmannin has led to the proposal that it is dependent upon a phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity necessary for ci-M6PR recruitment into TGN-derived CCVs or in the formation of those vesicles (Brown, W. J., DeWald, D. B., Emr, S. D., Plutner, H., and Balch, W. E. (1995) J. Cell Biol. 130, 781-796; Davidson, H. W. (1995) J. Cell Biol. 130, 797-806). In this study we have addressed the effect of wortmannin on the TGN step of the ci-M6PR cycle. CCVs from K562 cells, pretreated or not with 250 nM wortmannin, were purified on equilibrium density gradients. Quantification of TGN-derived CCVs, assessed by gamma-adaptin content in purified vesicle fractions, showed that the formation of the vesicles was only marginally decreased after 20 min of treatment with the drug, while for the same wortmannin treatment, the amount of ci-M6PR recruited into those vesicles was decreased by 70% compared with control. At a later time point (2 h), a reduction in the amount of gamma-adaptin in CCV fractions was also observed. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of ci-M6PR recruitment into CCVs but not of vesicle formation is the primary reason for the observed defect in cathepsin D transport following wortmannin treatment.

Androstadienes↗

Regulation of early endosome fusion by phospholipase D activity.

In vitro or cell-free assays of homotypic fusion between early endosomes have provided several insights into the means by which an intracellular membrane fusion event can be regulated. In this report we show that homotypic fusion between early endosomes from baby-hamster kidney cells is partially blocked by 340 mM ethanol (2% v/v) and by 100 mM butan-1-ol, but not by the secondary alcohol butan-2-ol. We ascribe the effect of primary alcohols to their participation in a well-characterised transphosphatidylation reaction catalysed by phospholipase D activity, which results in the production of phasphatidylalcohol at the expense of phosphatidic acid. In accordance with this interpretation, we find that addition of exogenous phospholipase D results in stimulation of early endosome fusion.

1-Butanol↗