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A complex of GRB2-dynamin binds to tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 after insulin treatment.

Insulin drives the formation of a complex between tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 and SH2-containing proteins. The SH2-containing protein Grb2 also possesses adjacent SH3 domains, which bind the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos. In this report, we examined the involvement of another SH3 binding protein, dynamin, in insulin signal transduction. SH3 domains of Grb2 as GST fusion proteins bound dynamin from lysates of CHO cells expressing wild-type insulin receptor (IR) (CHO-IR cells) in a cell-free system (in vitro). Immunoprecipitation studies using specific antibodies against Grb2 revealed that Grb2 was co-immunoprecipitated with dynamin from unstimulated CHO-IR cells. After insulin treatment of CHO-IR cells, anti-dynamin antibodies co-immunoprecipitated the IR beta-subunit and IRS-1, as tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and PI 3-kinase activity. However, purified rat brain dynamin did not bind directly to either the IR, IRS-1 or the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase in vitro. Together, these results suggest that in CHO-IR cells, insulin stimulates the binding of dynamin to tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 via Grb2 and that IRS-1 also associates with PI 3-kinase in response to insulin. This complex formation was reconstituted in vitro using recombinant baculovirus-expressed IRS-1, GST-Grb2 fusion proteins and dynamin peptides containing proline-rich sequences. Furthermore, dynamin GTPase activity was found to be stimulated when an IRS-1-derived phosphopeptide, containing the Grb2 binding site, was added to the dynamin-Grb2 complex in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

AP-3: an adaptor-like protein complex with ubiquitous expression.

We have identified two closely related human proteins (sigma3A and sigma3B) that are homologous to the small chains, sigma1 and sigma2, of clathrin-associated adaptor complexes. Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrate that the products of both the sigma3A and sigma3B genes are expressed in a wide variety of tissues and cell lines. sigma3A and sigma3B are components of a large complex, named AP-3, that also contains proteins of apparent molecular masses of 47, 140 and 160 kDa. In non-neuronal cells, the 47 kDa protein most likely corresponds to the medium chain homolog p47A, and the 140 kDa protein is a homolog of the neuron-specific protein beta-NAP. Like other members of the medium-chain family, the p47A chain is capable of interacting with the tyrosine-based sorting signal YQRL from TGN38. Immunofluorescence microscopy analyses show that the sigma3-containing complex is present both in the area of the TGN and in peripheral structures, some of which contain the transferrin receptor. These results suggest that the sigma3 chains are components of a novel, ubiquitous adaptor-like complex involved in the recognition of tyrosine-based sorting signals.

Adaptor Protein Complex 1↗

Lymphotoxin and lipopolysaccharide induce NF-kappaB-p52 generation by a co-translational mechanism.

The 'classical' NF-kappaB activation pathway proceeds via IkappaB kinase (IKK)-beta/gamma-mediated phosphorylation, induced ubiquitination and the degradation of small IkappaBs. An alternative, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase and IKK-alpha-dependent pathway, which stimulates the processing of NF-kappaB2/p100, has recently been suggested. However, no physiological stimulus has been shown to trigger the activation of this pathway. Here we demonstrate that persistent stimulation with lymphotoxin beta (LT-beta) receptor agonists or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not with interleukin-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, induces the generation of p52 DNA-binding complexes by activating the processing of the p100 precursor. Induction of p52 DNA-binding activity is delayed in comparison with p50/p65 complexes and depends on de novo protein synthesis. p100 is constitutively and inducibly polyubiquitinated, and both ubiquitination and p52 generation are coupled to continuing p100 translation. Thus, both LT-beta receptor agonists and LPS induce NF-kappaB/p100 processing to p52 at the level of the ribosome.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Novel adapter proteins that link the human GM-CSF receptor to the phosphatidylino-sitol 3-kinase and Shc/Grb2/ras signaling pathways.

We have used a human GM-CSF-dependent hematopoietic cell line that responds to physiological concentrations of hGM-CSF to analyze a set of signaling events that occur in normal myelopoiesis and whose deregulation may lead to leukemogenesis. Stimulation of these cells with hGM-CSF induced the assembly of multimeric complexes that contained known and novel phosphotyrosyl proteins. One of the new proteins was a major phosphotyrosyl substrate of 76-85 kDa (p80) that was directly associated with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase through the SH2 domains of p85. p80 also associated with the beta subunit of the activated hGM-CSF receptor, and assembly of this complex correlated with activation of PI 3-kinase. A second phosphotyrosyl protein we identified, p140, associated with the Shc and Grb2 adapter proteins by direct binding to a novel phosphotyrosine-interacting domain located at the N-terminus of Shc. and to the SH3 domains of Grb2, respectively. The Shc/p140/Grb2 complex was found to be constitutively activated in acute myeloid leukemia cells, indicating that activation of this pathway may be a necessary step in the development of some leukemias. The p80/p85/PI 3-kinase and the Shc/Grb2/p140 complexes were tightly associated with Src family kinases, which were prime candidates for phosphorylation of Shc, p80, p140 and other phosphotyrosyl substrates present in these complexes. Our studies suggest that p80 and p140 may link the hGM-CSF receptor to the PI 3-kinase and Shc/Grb2/ras signaling pathways, respectively, and that abnormal activation of hGM-CSF-dependent targets may play a role in leukemogenesis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Carbachol activates ERK2 in isolated gastric parietal cells via multiple signaling pathways.

We previously reported that both carbachol and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are potent inducers of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) in isolated gastric canine parietal cells and that induction of these kinases leads to acute inhibitory and chronic stimulatory effects on gastric acid secretion. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects. Both carbachol (100 microM) and EGF (10 nM) induced Ras activation. The role of Ras in ERK2 induction was examined by transfecting parietal cells with a vector expressing hemoagglutinin (HA)-tagged ERK2 (HA-ERK2) together with a dominantly expressed mutant (inactive) ras gene. HA-ERK2 activity was quantitated by in-gel kinase assays. Dominant negative Ras reduced carbachol induction of HA-ERK2 activity by 60% and completely inhibited the stimulatory effect of EGF. Since Ras activation requires the assembly of a multiprotein complex, we examined the effect of carbachol and EGF on tyrosyl phosphorylation of Shc and its association with Grb2 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos. Western blot analysis of anti-Shc immunoprecipitates with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody demonstrated that both carbachol and EGF induced tyrosyl phosphorylation of a major 52-kDa shc isoform. Grb2 association with Shc was demonstrated by blotting Grb2 immunoprecipitates with an anti-Shc antibody. Probing of anti-Sos immunoprecipitates with an anti-Grb2 antibody revealed that Sos was constitutively bound to Grb2. To examine the functional role of Sos in ERK2 activation, we transfected parietal cells with the HA-ERK2 vector together with a dominantly expressed mutant (inactive) sos gene. Dominant negative Sos did not affect carbachol stimulation of HA-ERK2 but inhibited the stimulatory effect of EGF by 60%. We then investigated the role of betagamma-subunits in carbachol induction of HA-ERK2. Parietal cells were transfected with the HA-ERK2 vector together with a vector expressing the carboxy terminus of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1, known to block signaling mediated by betagamma-subunits. In the presence of this vector, carbachol induction of HA-ERK2 was inhibited by 40%. Together these data suggest that, in the gastric parietal cells, carbachol activates the ERKs through Ras- and betagamma-dependent mechanisms that require guanine nucleotide exchange factors other than Sos.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

The tyrosine kinase ACK1 associates with clathrin-coated vesicles through a binding motif shared by arrestin and other adaptors.

One target for the small GTPase Cdc42 is the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activated Cdc42-associated kinase (ACK), which binds selectively to Cdc42.GTP. We report that ACK1 can associate directly with the heavy chain of clathrin. A central region in ACK1 containing a conserved motif behaves as a clathrin adaptor and competes with beta-arrestin for a common binding site on the clathrin N-terminal head domain. Overexpressed ACK1 perturbs clathrin distribution, an activity dependent on the presence of C-terminal "adaptor" sequences that are also present in the related nonkinase gene 33. ACK1 interacts with the adaptor Nck via SH3 interactions but does not form a trimeric complex with p21-activated serine/threonine kinase, which also binds Nck. Stable low level expression of green fluorescent protein-ACK1 in NIH 3T3 cells has been used to localize ACK1 to clathrin-containing vesicles. The co-localization of ACK1 in vivo with clathrin and AP-2 indicates that it participates in trafficking, underlying an ability to increase receptor-mediated transferrin uptake.

3T3 Cells↗

Cdc24 regulates nuclear shuttling and recruitment of the Ste5 scaffold to a heterotrimeric G protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae guanine nucleotide exchange factor Cdc24 regulates polarized growth by binding to Cdc42, a Rho-type GTPase that has many effectors, including Ste20 kinase, which activates multiple MAPK cascades. Here, we show that Cdc24 promotes MAPK signaling during mating through interactions with Ste5, a scaffold that must shuttle through the nucleus and bind to the beta subunit (Ste4) of a G protein for Ste20 to activate the tethered MAPK cascade. Ste5 was basally recruited to growth sites of G1 phase cells independently of Ste4. Loss of Cdc24 inhibited nuclear import and blocked basal and pheromone-induced recruitment of Ste5. Ste5 was not basally recruited and the MAPK Fus3 was not basally activated in the presence of a Cdc24 mutant (G168D) that still activates Cdc42, suggesting that Cdc24 regulates Ste5 and the associated MAPK cascade through a function that is not dependent on its guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity. Consistent with this, Cdc24 bound Ste5 and coprecipitated with Ste4 independently of Far1 and Ste5. Loss of Cdc24 decreased Ste5-Ste4 complex formation, and loss of Ste4 stimulated Cdc24-Ste5 complex formation. Collectively, these findings suggest that Cdc24 mediates site-specific localization of Ste5 to a heterotrimeric G protein and may therefore ensure localized activation of the associated MAPK cascade.

Actins↗

Peptides for disruption of PKA anchoring.

Adaptor or scaffolding proteins are at the basis of multiprotein complexes that spatially and temporally co-ordinate the propagation and integration of a broad range of cellular events. One class of scaffolding proteins are AKAPs (A-kinase-anchoring proteins). They sequester PKA (protein kinase A) and other signalling molecules including phosphodiesterases, other protein kinases and protein phosphatases to specific subcellular compartments. AKAP-dependent protein-protein interactions play a role in many physiologically relevant processes. For example, AKAP-PKA interactions are essential for the vasopressin-mediated water re-absorption in renal collecting duct principal cells or beta-adrenoceptor-induced increases in cardiac myocyte contractility. Here, we discuss recently developed peptide disruptors of AKAP-PKA interactions. Such peptides are valuable tools to study the relevance of PKA anchoring in cellular processes.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Apl2p, a homologue of the mammalian clathrin AP beta subunit, plays a role in clathrin-dependent Golgi functions.

Clathrin-coated vesicles mediate selective intracellular protein traffic from the plasma membrane and the trans-Golgi network. At these sites, clathrin-associated protein (AP) complexes have been implicated in both clathrin coat assembly and collection of cargo into nascent vesicles. We have found a gene on yeast chromosome XI that encodes a homologue of the mammalian AP beta subunits. Disruptions of this gene, APl2, and a previously identified beta homologue, APl1, have been engineered in cells expressing wild-type (CHC1) or temperature sensitive (chc1-ts) alleles of the clathrin heavy chain gene. APl1 or APl2 disruptions (apl1 delta or apl2 delta) yield no discernable phenotypes in CHC1 strains, indicating that the Apl proteins are not essential for clathrin function. However, the apl2 delta, but not the apl1 delta, allele enhances the growth and alpha-factor pheromone maturation defects of chc1-ts cells. Disruption of APl2 also partially suppresses the vacuolar sorting defect that occurs in chc1-ts cells immediately after imposition of the non-permissive temperature. These Golgi-specific effects of apl2 delta in chc1-ts cells provide evidence that Apl2p is a component of an AP complex that interacts with clathrin at the Golgi apparatus.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

The AP2 binding site of synaptotagmin 1 is not an internalization signal but a regulator of endocytosis.

One characteristic linking members of the synaptotagmin family to endocytosis is their ability to bind the heterotetrameric AP2 complex via their C2B domain. By using CD4/synaptotagmin 1 chimeras, we found that the internalization signal of synaptotagmin 1 lies at the extreme COOH-terminus of the protein and can function in the absence of the C2B domain that contains the AP2 binding site. However, although not essential for internalization, the C2B domain of synaptotagmin 1 appeared to control the recognition of the internalization motif. By mutagenesis, two sites have been identified that modify regulation by the C2B domain in the neuroendocrine PC12 cell line. Mutation of a dilysine motif in the beta sandwich core of the domain eliminates endocytosis. This site is known to be a site of protein-protein interaction. Mutations in the calcium binding region, or in its close proximity, also affect internalization in PC12 cells. In fibroblasts, the C2B domain inhibits the COOH-terminal internalization signal, resulting in an absence of internalization in those cells. Thus, internalization of synaptotagmin 1 is controlled by the presence of a latent internalization signal in the COOH-terminal region and a regulatory region in the C2B domain. We propose that internalization of synaptotagmin 1 is regulated in this way to allow it to couple the processes of endocytosis and calcium-mediated exocytosis in cells of the neuroendocrine lineage.

Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits↗

Modulation of protein translation by Nck-1.

In mammals, Nck represented by two genes, is a 47-kDa SH2/SH3 domain-containing protein lacking intrinsic enzymatic function. Here, we reported that the first and the third SH3 domains of Nck-1 interact with the C-terminal region of the beta subunit of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2 beta). Binding of eIF2 beta was specific to the SH3 domains of Nck-1, and in vivo, the interaction Nck/eIF2 beta was demonstrated by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitations. In addition, Nck was detected in a molecular complex with eIF2 beta in an enriched ribosomal fraction, whereas no other SH2/SH3 domain-containing adapters were found. Cell fractionation studies demonstrated that the presence of Nck in purified ribosomal fractions was enhanced after insulin stimulation, suggesting that growth factors dynamically regulate translocation of Nck to ribosomes. In HEK293 cells, we observed that transient overexpression of Nck-1 significantly enhanced Cap-dependent and -independent protein translation. This effect of Nck-1 required the integrity of its first and third SH3 domains originally found to interact with eIF2 beta. Finally, in vitro, Nck-1 also increased protein translation, revealing a direct role for Nck-1 in this process. Our study demonstrates that in addition to mediate receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, Nck-1 modulates protein translation potentially through its direct interaction with an intrinsic component of the protein translation machinery.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

TAK1-binding protein 1 is a pseudophosphatase.

TAB1 [TAK1 (transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1)-binding protein 1] is one of the regulatory subunits of TAK1, a protein kinase that lies at the head of three pro-inflammatory kinase cascades. In the current study we report the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of TAB1. Surprisingly, TAB1 possesses a fold closely related to that of the PPM (Mg2+- or Mn2+-dependent protein phosphatase) family as demonstrated by the close structural similarity with protein phosphatase 2C alpha. However, we were unable to detect any phosphatase activity for TAB1 using a phosphopeptide or p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate. Although the overall protein phosphatase 2C alpha fold is conserved in TAB1, detailed structural analyses and mutagenesis studies show that several key residues required for dual metal-binding and catalysis are not present in TAB1, although binding of a single metal is supported by soaking experiments with manganese and isothermal titration calorimetry. Thus, it appears that TAB1 is a 'pseudophosphatase', possibly binding to and regulating accessibility of phosphorylated residues on substrates downstream of TAK1 or on the TAK1 complex itself.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Transactivation of the EGF receptor mediates IGF-1-stimulated shc phosphorylation and ERK1/2 activation in COS-7 cells.

The receptor for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) mediates multiple cellular responses, including stimulation of both proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways. We have examined the role of cross talk between the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in mediating responses to IGF-1. In COS-7 cells, IGF-1 stimulation causes tyrosine phosphorylation of the IGF-1R beta subunit, the EGFR, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and the Shc adapter protein. Shc immunoprecipitates performed after IGF-1 stimulation contain coprecipitated EGFR, suggesting that IGF-1R activation induces the assembly of EGFR.Shc complexes. Tyrphostin AG1478, an inhibitor of the EGFR kinase, markedly attenuates IGF-1-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR, Shc, and ERK1/2 but has no effect on phosphorylation of IGF-1R, IRS-1, and protein kinase B (Akt). Cross talk between IGF-1 and EGF receptors is mediated through an autocrine mechanism involving matrix metalloprotease-dependent release of heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF), because IGF-1-mediated ERK activation is inhibited both by [Glu(52)]Diphtheria toxin, a specific inhibitor of HB-EGF, and the metalloprotease inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline. These data demonstrate that IGF-1 stimulation of the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway and the EGFR/Shc/ERK1/2 pathway occurs by distinct mechanisms and suggest that IGF-1-mediated "transactivation" of EGFR accounts for the majority of IGF-1-stimulated Shc phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the ERK cascade.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Characterization of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in chickens.

In mammals, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in the regulation of cellular energy homeostasis and, on the whole animal level, in regulating energy balance and food intake. Because the chicken is a valuable experimental animal model and considering that a first draft of the chicken genome sequence has recently been completed, we were interested in verifying the genetic basis for the LKB1/AMPK pathway in chickens. We identified distinct gene homologues for AMPK alpha, beta and gamma subunits and for LKB1, MO25 and STRAD. Analysis of gene expression by RT-PCR showed that liver, brain, kidney, spleen, pancreas, duodenum, abdominal fat and hypothalamus from 3 wk-old broiler chickens preferentially expressed AMPK alpha-1, beta-2 and gamma-1 subunit isoforms. Heart predominantly expressed alpha-2, beta-2 and gamma-1, whereas skeletal muscle expressed alpha-2, beta-2 and gamma-3 preferentially. Moreover, the AMPK gamma-3 gene was only expressed in heart and skeletal muscle. Genes encoding LKB1, MO25 alpha, MO25 beta, and STRAD beta were expressed in all examined tissues, whereas STRAD alpha was expressed exclusively in brain, hypothalamus, heart and skeletal muscle. Alterations in energy status (fasting and refeeding) produced little significant change in AMPK subunit gene transcription. We also determined the level of phosphorylated (active) AMPK in different tissues and in different states of energy balance. Immunocytochemical analysis of the chicken hypothalamus showed that activated AMPK was present in hypothalamic nuclei involved in regulation of food intake and energy balance. Together, these findings suggest a functional LKB1/AMPK pathway exists in chickens similar to that observed in mammals.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

Mannose 6-phosphate receptors are sorted from immature secretory granules via adaptor protein AP-1, clathrin, and syntaxin 6-positive vesicles.

The occurrence of clathrin-coated buds on immature granules (IGs) of the regulated secretory pathway suggests that specific transmembrane proteins are sorted into these buds through interaction with cytosolic adaptor proteins. By quantitative immunoelectron microscopy of rat endocrine pancreatic beta cells and exocrine parotid and pancreatic cells, we show for the first time that the mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) for lysosomal enzyme sorting colocalize with the AP-1 adaptor in clathrin-coated buds on IGs. Furthermore, the concentrations of both MPR and AP-1 decline by approximately 90% as the granules mature. Concomitantly, in exocrine secretory cells lysosomal proenzymes enter and then are sorted out of IGs, just as was previously observed in beta cells (Kuliawat, R., J. Klumperman, T. Ludwig, and P. Arvan. 1997. J. Cell Biol. 137:595-608). The exit of MPRs in AP-1/clathrin-coated buds is selective, indicated by the fact that the membrane protein phogrin is not removed from maturing granules. We have also made the first observation of a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor, syntaxin 6, which has been implicated in clathrin-coated vesicle trafficking from the TGN to endosomes (Bock, J.B., J. Klumperman, S. Davanger, and R.H. Scheller. 1997. Mol. Biol. Cell. 8:1261-1271) that enters and then exits the regulated secretory pathway during granule maturation. Thus, we hypothesize that during secretory granule maturation, MPR-ligand complexes and syntaxin 6 are removed from IGs by AP-1/clathrin-coated vesicles, and then delivered to endosomes.

Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits↗

Genetic relationships between the G protein beta gamma complex, Ste5p, Ste20p and Cdc42p: investigation of effector roles in the yeast pheromone response pathway.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae G protein beta gamma dimer, Ste4p/Ste18p, acts downstream of the alpha subunit, Gpa1p, to activate the pheromone response pathway and therefore must interact with a downstream effector. Synthetic sterile mutants that exacerbate the phenotype of ste4-ts mutations were isolated to identify proteins that functionally interact with Ste4p. The identification of a ste18 mutant indicated that this screen could identify proteins that interact directly with Ste4p. The other mutations were in STE5 and the STE20 kinase gene, which act near Ste4p in the pathway, and a new gene called STE21. ste20 null mutants showed residual mating, suggesting that another kinase may provide some function. Overexpression of Ste5p under galactose control activated the pheromone response pathway. This activation was dependent on Ste4p and Ste18p and partially dependent on Ste20p. These results cannot be explained by the linear pathway of Ste4p-->Ste20p-->Ste5p. Overexpression of Cdc42p resulted in a slight increase in pheromone induction of a reporter gene, and overexpression of activated forms of Cdc42p resulted in a further twofold increase. Mutations in pheromone response pathway components did not suppress the lethality associated with the activated CDC42 mutations, suggesting that this effect is independent of the pheromone response pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Implication of the MAGI-1b/PTEN signalosome in stabilization of adherens junctions and suppression of invasiveness.

We recently established the critical role of the lipid phosphatase activity of the PTEN tumor suppressor in stabilizing cell-cell contacts and suppressing invasiveness. To delineate the effector systems involved, we investigated the interaction of PTEN with E-cadherin junctional complexes in kidney and colonic epithelial cell lines. PTEN and the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K) co-immunoprecipitated with E-cadherin and catenins. By using a yeast two-hybrid assay, we demonstrated that PTEN interacted indirectly with beta-catenin by binding the scaffolding protein MAGI-1b. This model was corroborated in various ways in mammalian cells. Ectopic expression of MAGI-1b potentiated the interaction of PTEN with junctional complexes, promoted E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell aggregation, and reverted the Src-induced invasiveness of kidney MDCKts-src cells. In this model, MAGI-1b slightly decreased the activity of AKT, a downstream effector of PI3K. By using dominant-negative and constitutively active AKT expression vectors, we demonstrated that this kinase was included in the pathways involved in Src-induced destabilization of junctional complexes and was necessary and sufficient to trigger invasiveness. We propose that the recruitment of PTEN at adherens junctions by MAGI-1b and the local down-regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate pools and downstream effector systems at the site of cell-cell contacts are focal points for restraining both disruption of junctional complexes and induction of tumor cell invasion.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Characterization of distinct tethering and intracellular targeting domains in AKAP75, a protein that links cAMP-dependent protein kinase II beta to the cytoskeleton.

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase II beta (PKAII beta) is the principal mediator of cAMP action in neurons. A Kinase Anchor Proteins (AKAPs) are enriched in forebrain neurons and have distinct high affinity binding domains for the regulatory subunit (RII beta) of PKAII beta and components of the dendritic cytoskeleton. The selective accumulation of AKAP.RII beta complexes near dendritic microtubules tethers PKAII beta in proximity with adenylate cyclase in the synaptic plasma membrane and cytoskeletal proteins that are substrates for the kinase, thereby creating intraneuronal target sites for signals carried by cAMP. We have characterized the targeting (anchoring) and tethering (RII beta binding) domains of a prototypic anchor protein AKAP75. Deletion of N-terminal residues 27-48 generated a truncated RII beta-binding protein that partitions equally between the cytosol and detergent-insoluble fractions of HEK293 cells. Further removal of a non-adjacent sequence (residues 77-91) produced a cytosolic protein with unimpaired RII beta binding activity. Thus, two noncontiguous domains mediate the intracellular localization of AKAP75. Boundaries for the RII beta tethering domain were mapped to residues 392-413 by scanning mutagenesis. Residues containing long aliphatic side chains are essential for the high affinity binding of RII beta by AKAP75. Contributions of hydrophobic amino acids to tethering activity also depend on the position of the residue in the sequence. Certain conservative mutations that should not alter significantly the overall hydrophobicity or helicity of the tethering region (e.g. replacement of Leu with Ala) diminish the RII beta binding activity of AKAP75.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗