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The organization of the endocytic system into biochemically distinct subcompartments allows for spatial and temporal control of the strength and duration of signaling. Recent work has established that Akt cell survival signaling via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs from APPL early endosomes that mature into early EEA1 endosomes. Less is known about receptor signaling from EEA1 endosomes. We show here that EGF-induced, proliferative signaling occurs from EEA1 endosomes and is regulated by the heterotrimeric G protein Gαs through interaction with the signal transducing protein GIV (also known as Girdin). When Gαs or GIV is depleted, activated EGFR and its adaptors accumulate in EEA1 endosomes, and EGFR signaling is prolonged, EGFR down-regulation is delayed, and cell proliferation is greatly enhanced. Our findings define EEA1 endosomes as major sites for proliferative signaling and establish that Gαs and GIV regulate EEA1 but not APPL endosome maturation and determine the duration and strength of proliferative signaling from this compartment.

Podocytes are insulin-sensitive and take up glucose in response to insulin. This requires nephrin, which interacts with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) on GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs) and facilitates their fusion with the plasma membrane. In this paper, we show that the filament-forming GTPase septin 7 is expressed in podocytes and associates with CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) and nephrin, both essential for glomerular ultrafiltration. In addition, septin 7 coimmunoprecipitates with VAMP2. Subcellular fractionation of cultured podocytes revealed that septin 7 is found in both cytoplasmic and membrane fractions, and immunofluorescence microscopy showed that septin 7 is expressed in a filamentous pattern and is also found on vesicles and the plasma membrane. The filamentous localization of septin 7 depends on CD2AP and intact actin organization. A 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake assay indicates that depletion of septin 7 by small interfering RNA or alteration of septin assembly by forchlorfenuron facilitates glucose uptake into cells and further, knockdown of septin 7 increased the interaction of VAMP2 with nephrin and syntaxin 4. The data indicate that septin 7 hinders GSV trafficking and further, the interaction of septin 7 with nephrin in glomeruli suggests that septin 7 may participate in the regulation of glucose transport in podocytes.

Autophagy is the major catabolic process responsible for the removal of aggregated proteins and damaged organelles. Autophagy is regulated by both G proteins and growth factors, but the underlying mechanism of how they are coordinated during initiation and reversal of autophagy is unknown. Using protein-protein interaction assays, G protein enzymology, and morphological analysis, we demonstrate here that Gα-interacting, vesicle-associated protein (GIV, a. k. a. Girdin), a nonreceptor guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Gα(i3), plays a key role in regulating autophagy and that dynamic interplay between Gα(i3), activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3, its guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor), and GIV determines whether autophagy is promoted or inhibited. We found that AGS3 directly binds light chain 3 (LC3), recruits Gα(i3) to LC3-positive membranes upon starvation, and promotes autophagy by inhibiting the G protein. Upon growth factor stimulation, GIV disrupts the Gα(i3)-AGS3 complex, releases Gα(i3) from LC3-positive membranes, enhances anti-autophagic signaling pathways, and inhibits autophagy by activating the G protein. These results provide mechanistic insights into how reversible modulation of Gα(i3) activity by AGS3 and GIV maintains the delicate equilibrium between promotion and inhibition of autophagy.

Cells respond to growth factors by either migrating or proliferating, but not both at the same time, a phenomenon termed migration-proliferation dichotomy. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon has remained unknown. We demonstrate here that Galpha(i) protein and GIV, its nonreceptor guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), program EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling and orchestrate this dichotomy. GIV directly interacts with EGFR, and when its GEF function is intact, a Galpha(i)-GIV-EGFR signaling complex assembles, EGFR autophosphorylation is enhanced, and the receptor's association with the plasma membrane (PM) is prolonged. Accordingly, PM-based motogenic signals (PI3-kinase-Akt and PLCgamma1) are amplified, and cell migration is triggered. In cells expressing a GEF-deficient mutant, the Galphai-GIV-EGFR signaling complex is not assembled, EGFR autophosphorylation is reduced, the receptor's association with endosomes is prolonged, mitogenic signals (ERK 1/2, Src, and STAT5) are amplified, and cell proliferation is triggered. In rapidly growing, poorly motile breast and colon cancer cells and in noninvasive colorectal carcinomas in situ in which EGFR signaling favors mitosis over motility, a GEF-deficient splice variant of GIV was identified. In slow growing, highly motile cancer cells and late invasive carcinomas, GIV is highly expressed and has an intact GEF motif. Thus, inclusion or exclusion of GIV's GEF motif, which activates Galphai, modulates EGFR signaling, generates migration-proliferation dichotomy, and most likely influences cancer progression.

Numerous proteins involved in endocytosis at the plasma membrane have been shown to be present at novel intracellular locations and to have previously unrecognized functions. ARH (autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia) is an endocytic clathrin-associated adaptor protein that sorts members of the LDL receptor superfamily (LDLR, megalin, LRP). We report here that ARH also associates with centrosomes in several cell types. ARH interacts with centrosomal (gamma-tubulin and GPC2 and GPC3) and motor (dynein heavy and intermediate chains) proteins. ARH cofractionates with gamma-tubulin on isolated centrosomes, and gamma-tubulin and ARH interact on isolated membrane vesicles. During mitosis, ARH sequentially localizes to the nuclear membrane, kinetochores, spindle poles and the midbody. Arh(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) show smaller or absent centrosomes suggesting ARH plays a role in centrosome assembly. Rat-1 fibroblasts depleted of ARH by siRNA and Arh(-/-) MEFs exhibit a slower rate of growth and prolonged cytokinesis. Taken together the data suggest that the defects in centrosome assembly in ARH depleted cells may give rise to cell cycle and mitotic/cytokinesis defects. We propose that ARH participates in centrosomal and mitotic dynamics by interacting with centrosomal proteins. Whether the centrosomal and mitotic functions of ARH are related to its endocytic role remains to be established.

Heterotrimeric G proteins have been implicated in the regulation of membrane trafficking, but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Here, we report that overexpression of the stimulatory G protein subunit (Galphas) promotes ligand-dependent degradation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and Texas Red EGF, and knock-down of Galphas expression by RNA interference (RNAi) delays receptor degradation. We also show that Galphas and its GTPase activating protein (GAP), RGS-PX1, interact with hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs), a critical component of the endosomal sorting machinery. Galphas coimmunoprecipitates with Hrs and binds Hrs in pull-down assays. By immunofluorescence, exogenously expressed Galphas colocalizes with myc-Hrs and GFP-RGS-PX1 on early endosomes, and expression of either Hrs or RGS-PX1 increases the localization of Galphas on endosomes. Furthermore, knock-down of both Hrs and Galphas by double RNAi causes greater inhibition of EGF receptor degradation than knock-down of either protein alone, suggesting that Galphas and Hrs have cooperative effects on regulating EGF receptor degradation. These observations define a novel regulatory role for Galphas in EGF receptor degradation and provide mechanistic insights into the function of Galphas in endocytic sorting.

Megalin is an endocytic receptor that binds multiple ligands and is essential for many physiological processes such as brain development and uptake of proteins by the kidney tubule, yolk sac, and thyroid. The cytoplasmic tail of megalin contains two FXNPXY motifs. Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) is an adaptor protein that binds to the FXNPXY motif of the low-density lipoprotein receptor as well as clathrin and AP-2. We found that ARH also binds to the first FXNPXY motif of megalin in two-hybrid, pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays. ARH colocalizes with megalin in clathrin coated pits and in recycling endosomes in the Golgi region. When cells are treated with nocodazole, the recycling endosomes containing megalin and ARH disperse. On internalization of megalin, ARH and megalin are first seen in clathrin coated pits followed by sequential localization in early endosomes and tubular recycling endosomes in the pericentriolar region followed by their reappearance at the cell surface. Expression of ARH in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing megalin mini-receptors enhances megalin-mediated uptake of 125I-lactoferrin, a megalin ligand. These results show that ARH facilitates endocytosis of megalin, escorts megalin along its endocytic route and raise the possibility that transport through the endosomal system is selective and requires interaction with specific adaptor proteins.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) mediates internalization of urokinase:plasminogen activator inhibitor complexes (uPA:PAI-1) and the urokinase receptor (uPAR). Here we investigated whether direct interaction between uPAR, a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, and LRP, a transmembrane receptor, is required for clearance of uPA:PAI-1, regeneration of unoccupied uPAR, activation of plasminogen, and the ability of HT1080 cells to invade extracellular matrix. We found that in the absence of uPA:PAI-1, uPAR is randomly distributed along the plasma membrane, whereas uPA:PAI-1 promotes formation of uPAR-LRP complexes and initiates redistribution of occupied uPAR to clathrin-coated pits. uPAR-LRP complexes are endocytosed via clathrin-coated vesicles and traffic together to early endosomes (EE) because they can be coimmunoprecipitated from immunoisolated EE, and internalization is blocked by depletion of intracellular K(+). Direct binding of domain 3 (D3) of uPAR to LRP is required for clearance of uPA-PAI-1-occupied uPAR because internalization is blocked by incubation with recombinant D3. Moreover, uPA-dependent plasmin generation and the ability of HT1080 cells to migrate through Matrigel-coated invasion chambers are also inhibited in the presence of D3. These results demonstrate that GPI-anchored uPAR is endocytosed by piggybacking on LRP and that direct binding of occupied uPAR to LRP is essential for internalization of occupied uPAR, regeneration of unoccupied uPAR, plasmin generation, and invasion and migration through extracellular matrix.

NGF initiates the majority of its neurotrophic effects by promoting the activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA. Here we describe a novel interaction between TrkA and GIPC, a PDZ domain protein. GIPC binds to the juxtamembrane region of TrkA through its PDZ domain. The PDZ domain of GIPC also interacts with GAIP, an RGS (regulators of G protein signaling) protein. GIPC and GAIP are components of a G protein-coupled signaling complex thought to be involved in vesicular trafficking. In transfected HEK 293T cells GIPC, GAIP, and TrkA form a coprecipitable protein complex. Both TrkA and GAIP bind to the PDZ domain of GIPC, but their binding sites within the PDZ domain are different. The association of endogenous GIPC with the TrkA receptor was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation in PC12 (615) cells stably expressing TrkA. By immunofluorescence GIPC colocalizes with phosphorylated TrkA receptors in retrograde transport vesicles located in the neurites and cell bodies of differentiated PC12 (615) cells. These results suggest that GIPC, like other PDZ domain proteins, serves to cluster transmembrane receptors with signaling molecules. When GIPC is overexpressed in PC12 (615) cells, NGF-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (Erk1/2) decreases; however, there is no effect on phosphorylation of Akt, phospholipase C-gamma1, or Shc. The association of TrkA receptors with GIPC and GAIP plus the inhibition of MAP kinase by GIPC suggests that GIPC may provide a link between TrkA and G protein signaling pathways.

Podocalyxin is a major membrane protein of the glomerular epithelium and is thought to be involved in maintenance of the architecture of the foot processes and filtration slits characteristic of this unique epithelium by virtue of its high negative charge. However, until now there has been no direct evidence for podocalyxin's function. Podocalyxin is a type 1 transmembrane sialoprotein with an N-terminal mucin-like domain. To assess its function, we cloned rat podocalyxin and examined the effects of its expression on the cell adhesion properties of stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and inducible ecdysone receptor-expressing (EcR)-CHO cells. In a cell aggregation assay, CHO-K1 cells expressing high levels of podocalyxin showed complete inhibition of cell aggregation, and MDCK transfectants showed greatly reduced aggregation ( approximately 60-80%) compared with parental cells. In EcR-CHO cells, the expression level of podocalyxin induced by increasing levels of ecdysone analogue correlated closely with the antiadhesion effect. The inhibitory effect of podocalyxin was reversed by treatment of the cells with Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase, indicating that sialic acid is required for inhibition of cell adhesion. Overexpression of podocalyxin also affected transepithelial resistance and the distribution of junctional proteins in MDCK cells by an unknown mechanism that may involve interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. These results provide direct evidence that podocalyxin functions as an antiadhesin that maintains an open filtration pathway between neighboring foot processes in the glomerular epithelium by charge repulsion.

Rubella virus E1 glycoprotein normally complexes with E2 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to form a heterodimer that is transported to and retained in the Golgi complex. In a previous study, we showed that in the absence of E2, unassembled E1 subunits accumulate in a tubular pre-Golgi compartment whose morphology and biochemical properties are distinct from both rough ER and Golgi. We hypothesized that this compartment corresponds to hypertrophied ER exit sites that have expanded in response to overexpression of E1. In the present study we constructed BHK cells stably expressing E1 protein containing a cytoplasmically disposed epitope and isolated the pre-Golgi compartment from these cells by cell fractionation and immunoisolation. Double label indirect immunofluorescence in cells and immunoblotting of immunoisolated tubular networks revealed that proteins involved in formation of ER-derived transport vesicles, namely p58/ERGIC 53, Sec23p, and Sec13p, were concentrated in the E1-containing pre-Golgi compartment. Furthermore, budding structures were evident in these membrane profiles, and a highly abundant but unknown 65-kDa protein was also present. By comparison, marker proteins of the rough ER, Golgi, and COPI vesicles were not enriched in these membranes. These results demonstrate that the composition of the tubular networks corresponds to that expected of ER exit sites. Accordingly, we propose the name SEREC (smooth ER exit compartment) for this structure.

RGS-GAIP (Galpha-interacting protein) is a member of the RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) family of proteins that functions to down-regulate Galphai/Galphaq-linked signaling. GAIP is a GAP or guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein that was initially discovered by virtue of its ability to bind to the heterotrimeric G protein Galphai3, which is found on both the plasma membrane (PM) and Golgi membranes. Previously, we demonstrated that, in contrast to most other GAPs, GAIP is membrane anchored and palmitoylated. In this work we used cell fractionation and immunocytochemistry to determine with what particular membranes GAIP is associated. In pituitary cells we found that GAIP fractionated with intracellular membranes, not the PM; by immunogold labeling GAIP was found on clathrin-coated buds or vesicles (CCVs) in the Golgi region. In rat liver GAIP was concentrated in vesicular carrier fractions; it was not found in either Golgi- or PM-enriched fractions. By immunogold labeling it was detected on clathrin-coated pits or CCVs located near the sinusoidal PM. These results suggest that GAIP may be associated with both TGN-derived and PM-derived CCVs. GAIP represents the first GAP found on CCVs or any other intracellular membranes. The presence of GAIP on CCVs suggests a model whereby a GAP is separated in space from its target G protein with the two coming into contact at the time of vesicle fusion.

Megalin (gp330) is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family. Like other members of the family, it is an endocytic receptor that binds a number of specific ligands. Megalin also binds the receptor-associated protein (RAP) that serves as an exocytic traffic chaperone and inhibits ligand binding to the receptor. To investigate the fate of megalin/RAP complexes, we bound RAP glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein (RAP-GST) to megalin at the surface of L2 yolk sac carcinoma cells and followed the trafficking of the complexes by immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling and by their distribution on Percoll gradients. We show that megalin/RAP-GST complexes, which are internalized via clathrin-coated pits, are delivered to early endosomes where they accumulate during an 18 degrees C temperature block and colocalize with transferrin and transferrin receptor. Upon release from the temperature block, the complexes travel to late endosomes where they colocalize with rab7 and can be coprecipitated with anti-RAP-GST antibodies. Dissociation of the complex occurs in late endosomes and is most likely triggered by the low pH (approximately 5.5) of this compartment. RAP is then rapidly delivered to lysosomes and degraded whereas megalin is recycled to the cell surface. When the ligand, lipoprotein lipase, was bound to megalin, the receptor was found to recycle through early endosomes. We conclude that in contrast to receptor/ligand complexes, megalin/RAP complexes traffic through late endosomes, which is a novelty for members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family.

The transfer of sialic acids (Sia) from CMP-sialic acid (CMP-Sia) to N-linked sugar chains is thought to occur as a final step in their biosynthesis in the trans portion of the Golgi apparatus. In some cell types such Sia residues can have O-acetyl groups added to them. We demonstrate here that rat hepatocytes express 9-O-acetylated Sias mainly at the plasma membranes of both apical (bile canalicular) and basolateral (sinusoidal) domains. Golgi fractions also contain 9-O-acetylated Sias on similar N-linked glycoproteins, indicating that O-acetylation may take place in the Golgi. We show here that CMP-Sia-FITC (with a fluorescein group attached to the Sia) is taken up by isolated intact Golgi compartments. In these preparations, Sia-FITC is transferred to endogenous glycoprotein acceptors and can be immunochemically detected in situ. Addition of unlabeled UDP-Gal enhances Sia-FITC incorporation, indicating a substantial overlap of beta-galactosyltransferase and sialyltransferase machineries. Moreover, the same glycoproteins that incorporate Sia-FITC also accept [3H]galactose from the donor UDP-[3H]Gal. In contrast, we demonstrate with three different approaches (double-labeling, immunoelectron microscopy, and addition of a diffusible exogenous acceptor) that sialyltransferase and O-acetyltransferase machineries are much more separated from one another. Thus, 9-O-acetylation occurs after the last point of Sia addition in the trans-Golgi network. Indeed, we show that 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins are preferentially segregated into a subset of vesicular carriers that concentrate membrane-bound, but not secretory, proteins.

Rubella virus (RV) envelope glycoproteins, E2 and E1, form a heterodimeric complex that is targeted to medial/trans-Golgi cisternae. To identify the Golgi targeting signal(s) for the E2/E1 spike complex, we constructed chimeric proteins consisting of domains from RV glycoproteins and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein. The location of the chimeric proteins in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells was determined by immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and by the extent of processing of their N-linked glycans. A trans-dominant Golgi retention signal was identified within the C-terminal region of E2. When the transmembrane (TM) and cytoplasmic (CT) domains of VSV G were replaced with those of RV E2, the hybrid protein (G-E2TMCT+) was retained in the Golgi. Transport of G-E2TMCT+ to the Golgi was rapid (t1/2 = 10-20 min). The G-E2TMCT+ protein was determined to be distal to or within the medial Golgi based on acquisition of endo H resistance but proximal to the trans-Golgi network since it lacked sialic acid. Deletion analysis revealed that only the TM domain of E2 was required for Golgi targeting. Although the cytoplasmic domain of E2 was not necessary for Golgi retention, it was required for efficient transport of VSV G-RV chimeras out of the endoplasmic reticulum. When assayed in sucrose velocity sedimentations gradients, the Golgi-retained G-E2TMCT+ protein behaved as a dimer. Unlike virtually all other Golgi targeting signals, the E2 TM domain does not contain any polar amino acids. The TM and CT domains of E1 were not required for targeting of E2 and E1 to the Golgi indicating that a heterodimer of two integral membrane proteins can be retained in the Golgi by a single retention signal.

When transport between the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex is blocked by Brefeldin A (BFA) treatment or ATP depletion, the Golgi apparatus and associated transport vesicles undergo a dramatic reorganization. Because recent studies suggest that coat proteins such as beta-COP play an important role in the maintenance of the Golgi complex, we have used immunocytochemistry to determine the distribution of beta-COP in pancreatic acinar cells (PAC) in which ER to Golgi transport was blocked by BFA treatment or ATP depletion. In controls, beta-COP was associated with Golgi cisternae and transport vesicles as expected. Upon BFA treatment, PAC Golgi cisternae are dismantled and replaced by clusters of remnant vesicles surrounded by typical ER transitional elements that are generally assumed to represent the exit site of vesicular carriers for ER to Golgi transport. In BFA-treated PAC, beta-COP was concentrated in large (0.5-1.0 micron) aggregates closely associated with remnant Golgi membranes. In addition to typical ER transitional elements, we detected a new type of transitional element that consists of specialized regions of rough ER (RER) with ribosome-free ends that touched or extended into the beta-COP containing aggregates. In ATP-depleted PAC, beta-COP was not detected on Golgi membranes but was concentrated in similar large aggregates found on the cis side of the Golgi stacks. The data indicate that upon arrest of ER to Golgi transport by either BFA treatment or energy depletion, beta-COP dissociates from PAC Golgi membranes and accumulates as large aggregates closely associated with specialized ER elements. The latter may correspond to either the site of entry or exit for vesicles recycling between the Golgi and the RER.