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Assembly and targeting of adaptin chimeras in transfected cells.

Adaptors are the components of clathrincoated pits and vesicles that attach the clathrin to the membrane. There are two types of adaptors in the cell: one associated with the plasma membrane and one associated with the TGN. Both adaptors are heterotetramers consisting of two adaptins (alpha and beta for the plasma membrane; gamma and beta' for the TGN), plus two smaller proteins. The COOH-terminal domains of the adaptins form appendages that resemble ears, connected by flexible hinges. Unlike the other adaptor components, the COOH termini of the alpha- and gamma-adaptins show no homology with each other, suggesting that they might provide the signal that directs the adaptors to the appropriate membrane. To test this possibility, the COOH-terminal ears were switched between alpha- and gamma-adaptins and were also deleted. All of the constructs contained the bovine gamma-adaptin hinge, enabling them to be detected with a species-specific antibody against this region when transfected into rat fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation indicated that the engineered adaptins were still fully capable of assembling into adaptor complexes. Immunofluorescence revealed that in spite of their modified ears, the constructs were still able to be recruited onto the appropriate membrane; however, the ear-minus constructs gave increased cytoplasmic staining, and replacing the gamma-adaptin ear with the alpha-adaptin ear caused a small amount of colocalization with endogenous alpha-adaptin in some cells. Thus, the major targeting determinant appears to reside in the adaptor "head," while the ears may stabilize the association of adaptors with the membrane.

Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits↗

AAT-1, a novel testis-specific AMY-1-binding protein, forms a quaternary complex with AMY-1, A-kinase anchor protein 84, and a regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and is phosphorylated by its kinase.

AMY-1 has been identified by us as a c-Myc-binding protein and was found to stimulate c-Myc transcription activity. AMY-1 was also found to be associated with protein kinase A anchor protein 84/149 (S-AKAP84/AKAP149) in the mitochondria in somatic cells and sperm, suggesting that it plays a role in spermatogenesis. To determine the molecular function of AMY-1, a two-hybrid screening of cDNAs encoding AMY-1-binding proteins was carried out with AMY-1 as a bait using a human testis cDNA library, and a clone encoding a novel protein, AAT-1, was obtained. Three isoforms of AAT-1, AAT-1alpha, -beta, and -gamma, were found to be derived from an alternative splicing of the transcripts of the aat-1 gene, which was mapped at human chromosome 3q13-3q21. AAT-1 was found to be specifically expressed in the testis during the course of spermatogenesis and also to be present in the spermatid and mature sperm, as was AMY-1. AAT-1alpha was found to bind to and be colocalized in mitochondria with AMY-1 in human HeLa and mouse GC-1 cells. Furthermore, AAT-1alpha was found to bind to the N-terminal half of S-AKAP84/AKAP149 in a quaternary complex with AMY-1 and a regulatory subunit (RII) of cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA), in which AAT-1alpha was associated with RII via S-AKAP84/AKAP149, in rat testis and HeLa cells. It was then found that AAT-1alpha weakly stimulated a phosphorylation activity of PKA and also that AAT-1 itself was phosphorylated by PKA in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that both AAT-1 and AMY-1 play roles in spermatogenesis.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗

Complexities in ETS-domain transcription factor function and regulation: lessons from the TCF (ternary complex factor) subfamily. The Colworth Medal Lecture.

The ETS-domain transcription factor family can be divided into a series of subfamilies. Elk-1 represents the founding member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. By focusing on the TCF subfamily, we can demonstrate the complexities that exist in the function and regulation of ETS-domain transcription factors. This article focuses on Elk-1 in detail and summarizes the functions of other TCFs. The key themes covered include the domain structure of the TCFs, the mechanisms of complex formation with serum response factor, regulation of TCFs by mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, and transcriptional regulatory properties of the TCFs. Finally, the emerging role of the TCFs in vivo is discussed. A picture is developing indicating that, while these proteins exhibit significant sequence and functional conservation, key differences in their structure and regulation are being identified which may relate to unique functions of these proteins in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The yeast tribrid system--genetic detection of trans-phosphorylated ITAM-SH2-interactions.

Protein-protein interactions are often dependent on the post-translational modification of one component of a complex. To facilitate the study of these interactions in signal transduction, we have developed the yeast tribrid system, a modification of the yeast two-hybrid system. We demonstrate that the interactions are dependent upon the presence of a tyrosine kinase, an SH2 domain and a tyrosine containing substrate. Using the gamma subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI, this approach has been used to isolate a novel SH2-containing family member. The mRNA encoding this novel protein is differentially expressed in rat tissues. The yeast tribrid system can be readily adapted for the characterization of novel tyrosine kinases or substrates, as well as the study of protein-protein interactions which involve other post-translational modifications.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Clathrin and HA2 adaptors: effects of potassium depletion, hypertonic medium, and cytosol acidification.

The effects of methods known to perturb endocytosis from clathrin-coated pits on the localization of clathrin and HA2 adaptors in HEp-2 carcinoma cells have been studied by immunofluorescence and ultrastructural immunogold microscopy, using internalization of transferrin as a functional assay. Potassium depletion, as well as incubation in hypertonic medium, remove membrane-associated clathrin lattices: flat clathrin lattices and coated pits from the plasma membrane, and clathrin-coated vesicles from the cytoplasm, as well as those budding from the TGN. In contrast, immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies specific for the alpha- and beta-adaptins, respectively, and immunogold labeling of cryosections with anti-alpha-adaptin antibodies shows that under these conditions HA2 adaptors are aggregated at the plasma membrane to the same extent as in control cells. After reconstitution with isotonic K(+)-containing medium, adaptor aggregates and clathrin lattices colocalize at the plasma membrane as normally and internalization of transferrin resumes. Acidification of the cytosol affects neither clathrin nor HA2 adaptors as studied by immunofluorescence microscopy. However, quantitative ultrastructural observations reveal that acidification of the cytosol results in formation of heterogeneously sized and in average smaller clathrin-coated pits at the plasma membrane and buds on the TGN. Collectively, our observations indicate that the methods to perturb formation of clathrin-coated vesicles act by different mechanisms: acidification of the cytosol by affecting clathrin-coated membrane domains in a way that interferes with budding of clathrin-coated vesicles from the plasma membrane as well as from the TGN; potassium depletion and incubation in hypertonic medium by preventing clathrin and adaptors from interacting. Furthermore our observations show that adaptor aggregates can exist at the plasma membrane independent of clathrin lattices and raise the possibility that adaptor aggregates can form nucleation sites for clathrin lattices.

Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits↗

Brefeldin A protects ricin-induced cytotoxicity in human cancer KB cell line, but not in its resistant counterpart with altered Golgi structures.

Brefeldin A (BFA), an isoprenoid fungal metabolite, dramatically disrupts intracellular protein transport and protein secretion. BFA protects cells from the cytotoxicity of a plant toxin, ricin or pseudomonas toxin, but not that of diphtheria toxin (Yoshida et al., 1991. Expt. Cell Res., 192: 389-395.). In this study, we examined whether BFA could differentially change the cytotoxicity of ricin between BFA-sensitive cells and BFA-resistant cells. As a BFA-resistant cell line, we used a resistant cell line, KB/BF2-2, derived from BFA-sensitive human cancer KB cells. BFA treatment caused the disappearance of typical Golgi cisternae and the concomitant appearance of dilated vesicles in the cytoplasm in KB cells. By contrast, KB/BF2-2 cells had already altered Golgi structures with poor development of cisternae and also many vesicles in the absence of BFA, and BFA treatment did not further induce the morphological changes. Although a plasma membrane-specific marker protein, alpha-adaptin, was localized similarly in KB/BF2-2 as KB, Golgi specific markers such as beta-cop and gamma-adaptin were distributed in the cytoplasmic small vesicles as well as Golgi compartments in KB/BF2-2 cells in the absence of BFA, and the mutant cells showed no apparent changes in the distribution even when exposed to BFA. Ricin inhibited protein synthesis in KB and KB/BF2-2 to similar levels while pretreatment of KB cells with BFA at 0.1 microgram/ml almost completely reversed the inhibitory effect of ricin. By contrast, the pre-exposure of KB/BF2-2 cells to 1.0 microgram/ml BFA only partially rescued the ricin-induced inhibition of protein synthesis. Exposure to BFA at 30 min before ricin addition or at 0 min with ricin rescued the protein synthesis inhibition, but no rescue occurred when BFA was added 30 min after ricin addition. BFA could not rescue the protein synthesis inhibition by another toxin, diphtheria toxin. Our results suggest that BFA-resistant mutation causes a specific change in the endocytic membrane traffic of ricin in human cells, and also that cytotoxicity of diphtheria toxin does not share a common pathway of the intracellular transport with that of ricin.

Adaptor Protein Complex gamma Subunits↗

Promoter identification of CIKS, a novel NF-kappaB activating gene, and regulation of its expression.

We have recently identified a novel gene, named CIKS (Connection to IKK-complex and SAPK), able to activate the transcription factor NF-kappaB, after interaction with the regulatory subunit NEMO/IKKgamma of IKK complex, and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/JNK. CIKS mRNA is ubiquitously expressed, although its levels differ greatly among different tissues. The aim of this study is to identify and characterize the promoter region of CIKS gene and to analyse the regulation of its expression by different cytokines. The transcription start site of CIKS mRNA was mapped both by primer extension and by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy. The proximal 5'-flanking region of CIKS gene was 'TATA-less', but contained other consensus promoter elements including an initiator (Inr), 'GC' and 'CAAT' boxes. Transfection of luciferase reporter plasmids containing 1.8 kb of the 5'-flanking region increased luciferase activity in epithelial MDCK cells, but not in endothelial HUVEC cells. Deletion analysis identified a sequence from -464 to -220 bp of the 5'-flanking region of CIKS gene essential for basal promoter activity in MDCK cells. Competitive reverse transcriptase-PCR, Northern and Western blot assays showed that different cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, Interleukin (IL)-1beta and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, dramatically increased CIKS mRNA expression in HeLa cells. We conclude that the proximal 5'-flanking region of CIKS gene contains a functional promoter and binding sites for nuclear proteins leading to its basal transcription. Moreover, we demonstrate that the expression of CIKS is up-regulated by different cytokines.

5' Flanking Region↗

The hemidesmosomal protein bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 and the integrin beta 4 subunit bind to ERBIN. Molecular cloning of multiple alternative splice variants of ERBIN and analysis of their tissue expression.

The bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 (eBPAG1) is a constituent of hemidesmosomes (HDs), cell-substrate adhesion complexes in stratified epithelia. Although its COOH terminus interacts with intermediate filaments, its NH(2) terminus is important for its recruitment into HDs. To identify proteins that interact with the NH(2) terminus of human eBPAG1, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen, which uncovered a protein belonging to the LAP/LERP (for LRR and PDZ domain) protein family with 16 NH(2)-terminal leucine-rich repeats and a COOH-terminal PDZ domain. The gene for this LAP/LERP protein comprises at least 26 exons located on the long arm of chromosome 5. In most human tissues, several transcripts were detected differing in the coding region situated upstream of or within the PDZ domain. One of the encoded variants was found to correspond to the recently described protein ERBIN. In yeast and in vitro binding experiments, ERBIN was shown to interact not only with eBPAG1 but also with the COOH-terminal region of the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta4 subunit, another component of HDs. Antibodies raised against the COOH terminus showed that ERBIN is expressed in keratinocytes. In transfected epithelial cells the protein, however, was not localized in HDs but was either diffusely distributed over the cytoplasm or concentrated at the basolateral plasma membrane. Because ERBIN had been shown previously to interact with the transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor Erb-B2, which in turn associates with the integrin beta4 subunit, we suggest that ERBIN provides a link between HD assembly and Erb-B2 receptor signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Constitutive GABAA receptor endocytosis is dynamin-mediated and dependent on a dileucine AP2 adaptin-binding motif within the beta 2 subunit of the receptor.

Receptor endocytosis is an important mechanism for regulating the synaptic efficacy of neurotransmitters. There is strong evidence that GABA(A) receptor endocytosis is clathrin-dependent; however, this process is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that in HEK 293 cells, endocytosis of GABA(A) receptors composed of either alpha1beta2gamma2Lor alpha1beta2 subunits is blocked by the dominant negative dynamin construct K44A. Furthermore, we identify a dileucine AP2 adaptin-binding motif within the receptor beta2 subunit that is critical for endocytosis. Internalization of GABAA receptors lacking this motif is dramatically inhibited, and the receptors appear to accumulate on the cell surface. Patch clamp analysis of receptors lacking the dileucine motif show that there is an increase in the peak amplitude of GABA-gated chloride currents compared with wild-type receptors. Additionally, GABA-gated chloride currents in HEK 293 cells expressing wild-type receptors are increased by introduction of a peptide corresponding to the dileucine motif region of the receptor beta2 subunit but not by a control peptide containing alanine substitutions for the dileucine motif. In mouse brain cerebral cortical neurons, the dileucine motif peptide increases GABA-gated chloride currents of native GABA(A) receptors. This is the first report to our knowledge that an AP2 adaptin dileucine recognition motif is critical for the endocytosis of ligand-gated ion channels belonging to this superfamily.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗

The novel WD-repeat protein Morg1 acts as a molecular scaffold for hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3).

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a transcriptional complex composed of an oxygen-sensitive alpha- and a beta-subunit, plays a pivotal role in cellular adaptation to low oxygen availability. Under normoxia, the alpha-subunit of HIF-1 is hydroxylated by a family of prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and consequently targeted for proteasomal degradation. Three different PHDs have been identified, but the difference among their in vivo roles remain unclear. PHD3 is strikingly expressed by hypoxia, displays high substrate specificity, and has been identified in other signaling pathways. PHD3 may therefore hydroxylate divergent substrates and/or connect divergent cellular responses with HIF. We identified a novel WD-repeat protein, recently designated Morg1 (MAPK organizer 1), by screening a cDNA library with yeast two-hybrid assays. The interaction between PHD3 and Morg1 was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. We found seven WD-repeat domains by cloning the full-length cDNA of Morg1. By confocal microscopy both proteins co-localize within the cytoplasm and the nucleus and display a similar tissue expression pattern in Northern blots. Binding occurs at a conserved region predicted to the top surface of one propeller blade. Finally, HIF-mediated reporter gene activity is decreased by Morg1 and reduced to basal levels when Morg1 is co-expressed with PHD3. Suppression of Morg1 or PHD3 by stealth RNA leads to a marked increase of HIF-1 activity. These results indicate that Morg1 specifically interacts with PHD3 most likely by acting as a molecular scaffold. This interaction may provide a molecular framework between HIF regulation and other signaling pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Interaction of yeast Rab geranylgeranyl transferase with its protein and lipid substrates.

Small GTPases from the Rab/Ypt family regulate events of vesicular traffic in eukaryotic cells. For their activity, Rab proteins require a posttranslational modification that is conferred by Rab geranylgeranyltransferase (RabGGTase), which attaches geranylgeranyl moieties onto two cysteines of their C terminus. RabGGTase is present in both lower and higher eukaryotes in the form of heterodimers composed of alpha and beta subunits. However, the alpha subunits of RabGGTases from lower eukaryotes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yRabGGTase), are half the size of the corresponding subunit of the mammalian enzyme. This difference is due to the presence of additional immunoglobulin (Ig)-like and leucine rich (LRR) domains in the mammalian transferase. To understand the possible evolutionary implications and functional consequences of structural differences between RabGGTases of higher and lower eukaryotes, we have investigated the interactions of yeast RabGGTase with its lipid and protein substrate. We have demonstrated that geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate binds to the enzyme with an affinity of ca. 40 nM, while binding of farnesyl pyrophosphate is much weaker, with a K(d) value of ca. 750 nM. This finding suggests that despite the structural difference, yRabGGTase selects its lipid substrate in a fashion similar to mammalian RabGGTase. However, unlike the mammalian enzyme, yRabGGTase binds prenylated and unprenylated Ypt1p:Mrs6p complexes with similar affinities (K(d) ca. 200 nM). Moreover, in contrast to the mammalian enzyme, phosphoisoprenoids do not influence the affinity of Mrs6p for yRabGGTase. Using an in vitro prenylation assay, we have demonstrated that yRabGGTase can prenylate Rab proteins in complex with mammalian REP-1, thus indicating that neither the LRR nor the Ig-like domains, nor the recently discovered alternative pathway of catalytic complex assembly, are essential for the catalytic activity of RabGGTase. Despite the ability to function in concert with yRabGGTase in vitro, expression of mammalian REP-1 could not complement deletion of MRS6 gene in S. cerevisiae in vivo. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Fas-associated factor-1 inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity by interfering with nuclear translocation of the RelA (p65) subunit of NF-kappaB.

Fas-associated factor-1 (FAF1) is a Fas-binding pro-apoptotic protein that is a component of the death-inducing signaling complex in Fas-mediated apoptosis. Here, we show that FAF1 is involved in negative regulation of NF-kappaB activation. Overexpression of FAF1 decreased the basal level of NF-kappaB activity in 293 cells. NF-kappaB activation induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and lipopolysaccharide was also inhibited by FAF1 overexpression. Moreover, FAF1 suppressed NF-kappaB activation induced by transducers of diverse NF-kappaB-activating signals such as TNF receptor-associated factor-2 and -6, MEKK1, and IkappaB kinase-beta as well as NF-kappaB p65, one of the end point molecules in the NF-kappaB activation pathway, suggesting that NF-kappaB p65 might be a target molecule upon which FAF1 acts. Subsequent study disclosed that FAF1 physically interacts with NF-kappaB p65 and that the binding domain of FAF1 is the death effector domain (DED)-interacting domain (amino acids 181-381), where DEDs of the Fas-associated death domain protein and caspase-8 interact. The NF-kappaB activity-modulating potential of FAF1 was also mapped to the DED-interacting domain. Finally, overexpression of FAF1 prevented translocation of NF-kappaB p65 into the nucleus and decreased its DNA-binding activity upon TNFalpha treatment. This study presents a novel function of FAF1, in addition to the previously known function as a component of the Fas death-inducing signaling complex, i.e. NF-kappaB activity suppressor by cytoplasmic retention of NF-kappaB p65 via physical interaction.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PKA-dependent ENaC trafficking requires the SNARE-binding protein complexin.

Acute regulation of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) function at the apical surface of polarized kidney cortical collecting duct (CCD) epithelial cells occurs in large part by changes in channel number, mediated by membrane vesicle trafficking. Several soluble N-ethyl-maleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE) have been implicated in this process. A novel SNARE-binding protein, complexin, has been identified in nervous tissue which specifically binds to and stabilizes SNARE complexes at synaptic membranes to promote vesicle fusion. To test whether this protein is present in mouse CCD (mCCD) cells and its possible involvement in acute ENaC regulation, we cloned complexin (isoform II) from a mouse kidney cDNA library. Complexin II mRNA coexpressed with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC subunits in Xenopus laevis oocytes reduced sodium currents to 16 +/- 3% (n = 19) of control values. Short-circuit current (I(sc)) measurements on mCCD cell lines stably over- or underexpressing complexin produced similar results. Basal I(sc) was reduced from 12.0 +/- 1.0 (n = 15) to 2.0 +/- 0.4 (n = 15) and 1.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 17) microA/cm(2), respectively. Similarly forskolin-stimulated I(sc) was reduced from control values of 20.0 +/- 2 to 2.7 +/- 0.5 and 2.3 +/- 0.4 microA/cm(2) by either increasing or decreasing complexin expression. Surface biotinylation demonstrated that the complexin-induced reduction in basal I(sc)was due to a reduction in apical membrane-resident ENaC and the inhibition in forskolin stimulation was due to the lack of ENaC insertion into the apical membrane to increase surface channel number. Immunofluorescent localization of SNARE proteins in polarized mCCD epithelia detected the presence of syntaxins 1 and 3 and synaptosomal-associated protein of 23 kDa (SNAP-23) at the apical membrane, and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP2) was localized to intracellular compartments. These findings identify SNAREs that may mediate ENaC-containing vesicle insertion in mCCD epithelia and suggest that stabilization of SNARE interactions by complexin is an essential aspect of the regulated trafficking events that increase apical membrane ENaC density either by constitutive or regulated trafficking pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

The range of spalt-activating Dpp signalling is reduced in endocytosis-defective Drosophila wing discs.

Pattern formation along the anterior-posterior (A/P) axis of the developing Drosophila wing depends on Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a member of the conserved transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) family of secreted proteins. Dpp is expressed in a stripe along the A/P compartment boundary of the wing imaginal disc and forms a long-range concentration gradient with morphogen-like properties which generates distinct cell fates along the A/P axis. We have monitored Dpp expression and Dpp signalling in endocytosis-mutant wing imaginal discs which develop severe pattern defects specifically along the A/P wing axis. The results show that the size of the Dpp expression domain is expanded in endocytosis-mutant wing discs. However, this expansion did not result in a concomitant expansion of the functional range of Dpp activity but rather its reduction as indicated by the reduced expression domain of the Dpp target gene spalt. The data suggest that clathrin-mediated endocytosis, a cellular process necessary for membrane recycling and vesicular trafficking, participates in Dpp action during wing development. Genetic interaction studies suggest a link between the Dpp receptors and clathrin. Impaired endocytosis does not interfere with the reception of the Dpp signal or the intracellular processing of the mediation of the signal in the responder cells, but rather affects the secretion and/or the distribution of Dpp in the developing wing cells.

Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits↗

Two distinct intracytoplasmic regions of the T-cell adhesion molecule CD28 participate in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase association.

Through the interaction with its ligands, CD80/B7-1 and CD86/B7-2 or B70, the human CD28 molecule plays a major functional role as a costimulator of T cells along with the CD3-TcR complex. We and others have previously reported that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inducibly associates with CD28. This association is mediated by the SH2 domains of the p85 adaptor subunit interacting with a cytoplasmic YMNM consensus motif present in CD28 at position 173-176. Disruption of this binding site by site-directed mutagenesis abolishes CD28-induced activation events in a murine T-cell hybridoma transfected with human CD28 gene. Here we show that the last 10 residues of the intracytoplasmic domain of CD28 (residues 193-202) are required for its costimulatory function. These residues are involved in interleukin-2 secretion, p85 binding, and CD28-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. In contrast, the CD28/CD8O interaction is unaffected by this deletion, as is the induction of other second messengers such as the rise in intracellular calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation of CD28-specific substrates. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that, within these residues, the tyrosine at position 200 is involved in p85 binding, probably together with the short proline-rich motif present between residues 190 and 194 (PYAPP).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

New role for Shc in activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway.

Most, if not all, cytokines activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K). Although many cytokine receptors have direct binding sites for the p85 subunit of PI-3K, others, such as the interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor beta common chain (betac) and the IL-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2Rbeta), lack such sites, leaving the mechanism by which they activate PI-3K unclear. Here, we show that the protooncoprotein Shc, which promotes Ras activation by recruiting the Grb2-Sos complex in response to stimulation of cytokine stimulation, also signals to the PI-3K/Akt pathway. Analysis of Y-->F and "add-back" mutants of betac shows that Y577, the Shc binding site, is the major site required for Gab2 phosphorylation in response to cytokine stimulation. When fused directly to a mutant form of IL-2Rbeta that lacks other cytoplasmic tyrosines, Shc can promote Gab2 tyrosyl phosphorylation. Mutation of the three tyrosyl phosphorylation sites of Shc, which bind Grb2, blocks the ability of the Shc chimera to evoke Gab2 tyrosyl phosphorylation. Overexpression of mutants of Grb2 with inactive SH2 or SH3 domains also blocks cytokine-stimulated Gab2 phosphorylation. The majority of cytokine-stimulated PI-3K activity associates with Gab2, and inducible expression of a Gab2 mutant unable to bind PI-3K markedly impairs IL-3-induced Akt activation and cell growth. Experiments with the chimeric receptors indicate that Shc also signals to the PI-3K/Akt pathway in response to IL-2. Our results suggest that cytokine receptors lacking direct PI-3K binding sites activate Akt via a Shc/Grb2/Gab2/PI-3K pathway, thereby regulating cell survival and/or proliferation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Crystal structure of the second PDZ domain of SAP97 in complex with a GluR-A C-terminal peptide.

Synaptic targeting of GluR-A subunit-containing glutamate receptors involves an interaction with synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97). The C-terminus of GluR-A, which contains a class I PDZ ligand motif (-x-Ser/Thr-x-phi-COOH where phi is an aliphatic amino acid) associates preferentially with the second PDZ domain of SAP97 (SAP97(PDZ2)). To understand the structural basis of this interaction, we have determined the crystal structures of wild-type and a SAP97(PDZ2) variant in complex with an 18-mer C-terminal peptide (residues 890-907) of GluR-A and of two variant PDZ2 domains in unliganded state at 1.8-2.44 A resolutions. SAP97(PDZ2) folds to a compact globular domain comprising six beta-strands and two alpha-helices, a typical architecture for PDZ domains. In the structure of the peptide complex, only the last four C-terminal residues of the GluR-A are visible, and align as an antiparallel beta-strand in the binding groove of SAP97(PDZ2). The free carboxylate group and the aliphatic side chain of the C-terminal leucine (Leu907), and the hydroxyl group of Thr905 of the GluR-A peptide are engaged in essential class I PDZ interactions. Comparison between the free and complexed structures reveals conformational changes which take place upon peptide binding. The betaAlpha-betaBeta loop moves away from the C-terminal end of alphaB leading to a slight opening of the binding groove, which may better accommodate the peptide ligand. The two conformational states are stabilized by alternative hydrogen bond and coulombic interactions of Lys324 in betaAlpha-betaBeta loop with Asp396 or Thr394 in betaBeta. Results of in vitro binding and immunoprecipitation experiments using a PDZ motif-destroying L907A mutation as well as the insertion of an extra alanine residue between the C-terminal Leu907 and the stop codon are also consistent with a 'classical' type I PDZ interaction between SAP97 and GluR-A C-terminus.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Regulation of membrane targeting of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 by protein kinase A and its anchoring protein AKAP79.

The beta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) undergoes desensitization by a process involving its phosphorylation by both protein kinase A (PKA) and G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). The protein kinase A-anchoring protein AKAP79 influences beta2AR phosphorylation by complexing PKA with the receptor at the membrane. Here we show that AKAP79 also regulates the ability of GRK2 to phosphorylate agonist-occupied receptors. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, overexpression of AKAP79 enhances agonist-induced phosphorylation of both the beta2AR and a mutant of the receptor that cannot be phosphorylated by PKA (beta2AR/PKA-). Mutants of AKAP79 that do not bind PKA or target to the beta2AR markedly inhibit phosphorylation of beta2AR/PKA-. We show that PKA directly phosphorylates GRK2 on serine 685. This modification increases Gbetagamma subunit binding to GRK2 and thus enhances the ability of the kinase to translocate to the membrane and phosphorylate the receptor. Abrogation of the phosphorylation of serine 685 on GRK2 by mutagenesis (S685A) or by expression of a dominant negative AKAP79 mutant reduces GRK2-mediated translocation to beta2AR and phosphorylation of agonist-occupied beta2AR, thus reducing subsequent receptor internalization. Agonist-stimulated PKA-mediated phosphorylation of GRK2 may represent a mechanism for enhancing receptor phosphorylation and desensitization.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗