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SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the membrane-delimited receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Lung, intestine and kidney, major sites of viral infection, express ACE2 that harbours an intracellular, carboxy-terminal PDZ-recognition motif. These organs prominently express the PDZ protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor-1 (NHERF1). Here, we report NHERF1 tethers ACE2 and augments SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. ACE2 directly binds both NHERF1 PDZ domains. Disruption of either NHERF1 PDZ core-binding motif or the ACE2 PDZ-recognition sequence eliminates interaction. Proximity ligation assays establish that ACE2 and NHERF1 interact at constitutive expression levels in human lung and intestine cells. Ablating ACE2 interaction with NHERF1 accelerated SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Conversely, elimination of the ACE2 C-terminal PDZ binding motif decreased ACE2 membrane residence and reduced pseudotyped virus entry. We conclude that the PDZ interaction of ACE2 with NHERF1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 internalization. β-arrestin is likely indispensable, as with G protein-coupled receptors., Graphical Abstract

We examined whether the scaffolding protein sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) interacts with the calcium pump PMCA2 and the tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB2/HER2 in normal mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells. NHERF1 interacts with the PDZ-binding motif in PMCA2 in both normal and malignant breast cells. NHERF1 expression is increased in HER2-positive breast cancers and correlates with HER2-positive status in human ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions and invasive breast cancers as well as with increased mortality in patients. NHERF1 is part of a multiprotein complex that includes PMCA2, HSP90, and HER2 within specific actin-rich and lipid raft-rich membrane signaling domains. Knocking down NHERF1 reduces PMCA2 and HER2 expression, inhibits HER2 signaling, dissociates HER2 from HSP90, and causes the internalization, ubiquitination, and degradation of HER2. These results demonstrate that NHERF1 acts with PMCA2 to regulate HER2 signaling and membrane retention in breast cancers.

Phosphate homeostasis is critical for many cellular processes and is tightly regulated. The sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter, NaPi2a, is the major regulator of urinary phosphate reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule. Its activity is dependent upon its brush border localization that is regulated by fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and PTH. High levels of FGF23, as are seen in the Hyp mouse model of human X-linked hypophosphatemia, lead to renal phosphate wasting. Long-term treatment of Hyp mice with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) or 1,25D analogues has been shown to improve renal phosphate wasting in the setting of increased FGF23 mRNA expression. Studies were undertaken to define the cellular and molecular basis for this apparent FGF23 resistance. 1,25D increased FGF23 protein levels in the cortical bone and circulation of Hyp mice but did not impair FGF23 cleavage. 1,25D attenuated urinary phosphate wasting as early as one hour postadministration, without suppressing FGF23 receptor/coreceptor expression. Although 1,25D treatment induced expression of early growth response 1, an early FGF23 responsive gene required for its phosphaturic effects, it paradoxically enhanced renal phosphate reabsorption and NaPi2a protein expression in renal brush border membranes (BBMs) within one hour. The Na-H+ exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a scaffolding protein thought to anchor NaPi2a to the BBM. Although 1,25D did not alter NHERF1 protein levels acutely, it enhanced NHERF1-NaPi2a interactions in Hyp mice. 1,25D also prevented the decrease in NHERF1/NaPi2a interactions in PTH-treated wild-type mice. Thus, these investigations identify a novel role for 1,25D in the hormonal regulation of renal phosphate handling.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and FGF23 are the primary hormones regulating acute phosphate homeostasis. Human renal proximal tubule cells (RPTECs) were used to characterize the mechanism and signaling pathways of PTH and FGF23 on phosphate transport and the role of the PDZ protein NHERF1 in mediating PTH and FGF23 effects. RPTECs express the NPT2A phosphate transporter, αKlotho, FGFR1, FGFR3, FGFR4, and the PTH receptor. FGFR1 isoforms are formed from alternate splicing of exon 3 and of exon 8 or 9 in Ir-like loop 3. Exon 3 was absent, but mRNA containing both exons 8 and 9 is present in cytoplasm. Using an FGFR1c-specific antibody together with mass spectrometry analysis, we show that RPTECs express FGFR-β1C. The data are consistent with regulated FGFR1 splicing involving a novel cytoplasmic mechanism. PTH and FGF23 inhibited phosphate transport in a concentration-dependent manner. At maximally effective concentrations, PTH and FGF23 equivalently decreased phosphate uptake and were not additive, suggesting a shared mechanism of action. Protein kinase A or C blockade prevented PTHbut notFGF23actions. Conversely, inhibitingSGK1, blocking FGFR dimerization, or knocking down Klotho expression disruptedFGF23actions but did not interfere withPTHeffects. C-terminal FGF23(180-251) competitively and selectively blocked FGF23 action without disruptingPTHeffects. However, bothPTH and FGF23-sensitive phosphate transport were abolished by NHERF1 shRNA knockdown. Extended treatment with PTH or FGF23 down-regulated NPT2A without affecting NHERF1. We conclude that FGFR1c and PTHR signaling pathways converge on NHERF1 to inhibit PTH- and FGF23-sensitive phosphate transport and down-regulate NPT2A. Fil: Sneddon, W. Bruce. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Ruiz, Giovanni W.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Gallo, Luciana Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Xiao, Kunhong. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Zhang, Qiangmin. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Rbaibi, Youssef. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Weisz, Ora A.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Apodaca, Gerard L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos Fil: Friedman, Peter A.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos

PTH regulates renal calcium homeostasis by actions on the distal nephron. PTH-induced calcium transport in mouse distal convoluted tubule (DCT) cells requires activation of ERK1/2. ERK activation by beta-adrenergic receptors occurs in a biphasic manner and involves receptor internalization. An early rapid phase is beta-arrestin (betaAr) independent, whereas prolonged activation is betaAr dependent. We characterized PTH-stimulated ERK activation and the involvement of receptor internalization and betaAr dependence. In DCT cells, PTH transiently activated ERK maximally at 5 min and then returned to baseline. betaAr dependence of PTH receptor (PTH1R)-mediated ERK stimulation was assessed using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from betaAr1- and -2-null mice. In wild-type MEFs, PTH(1-34)-stimulated ERK activation peaked after 5 min, was 50% maximal after 15 min, and then recovered to 80% of maximal stimulation by 30 min. In MEFs null for betaAr1 and -2, PTH-stimulated ERK activation peaked by 5 min and returned to baseline. The effect was identical in betaAr2-null MEFs. In betaAr1-null MEFs, ERK exhibited delayed activation and remained elevated. PTH-stimulated ERK activation and receptor endocytosis were not inhibited by the clathrin-binding domain of betaAr1 [Ar(319-418)]. Coexpression of the sodium proton exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) with Ar(319-418) blocked PTH1R internalization. We conclude that PTH-stimulated ERK activation in DCT cells proceeds with a rapid but transient phase that may involve betaAr1. Furthermore, the betaAr-dependent late phase of ERK activation by PTH requires the participation of betaAr2 and PTH1R internalization.

The PTH receptor (PTH1R) activates multiple signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in ERK1/2 activation by PTH in distal kidney cells, a primary site of PTH action, was characterized. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was stimulated by PTH and blocked by the EGFR inhibitor, AG1478. Upon PTH stimulation, metalloprotease cleavage of membrane-bound heparin-binding fragment (HB-EGF) induced EGFR transactivation of ERK. Conditioned media from PTH-treated distal kidney cells activated ERK in HEK-293 cells. AG1478 added to HEK-293 cells ablated transactivation by conditioned media. HB-EGF directly activated ERK1/2 in HEK-293 cells. Pretreatment of distal kidney cells with the metalloprotease inhibitor GM-6001 abolished transactivation of ERK1/2 by PTH. The role of the PTH1R COOH terminus in PTX-sensitive ERK1/2 activation was characterized in HEK-293 cells transfected with wild-type PTH1R, with a PTH1R mutated at its COOH terminus, or with PTH1R truncated at position 480. PTH stimulated ERK by wild-type, mutated and truncated PTH1Rs 21-, 27- and 57-fold, respectively. Thus, the PTH1R COOH terminus exerts an inhibitory effect on ERK activation. EBP50, a scaffolding protein that binds to the PDZ recognition domain of the PTH1R, impaired PTH but not isoproterenol or calcitonin-induced ERK activation. Pertussis toxin inhibited PTH-stimulated ERK1/2 by mutated and truncated PTH1Rs and abolished ERK1/2 activation by wild-type PTH1R. We conclude that ERK phosphorylation in distal kidney cells by PTH requires PTH1R activation of Gi, which leads to stimulation of metalloprotease-mediated cleavage of HB-EGF and transactivation of the EGFR and is regulated by EBP50.

Transgenic mice lacking calcium channel β3 subunits (CaVβ3) were used to determine the involvement of a multimeric calcium channel in mediating stimulated renal calcium absorption. We measured the ability of calcium channel β3 subunit-null (CaVβ3−/−) and wild-type (CaVβ3+/+) mice to increase renal calcium absorption in response to the calcium-sparing diuretic chlorothiazide (CTZ). Control rates of fractional sodium excretion were comparable in CaVβ3−/− and CaVβ3+/+ mice and CTZ increased sodium excretion similarly in both groups. CTZ enhanced calcium absorption only in wild-type CaVβ3+/+ mice. This effect was specific for diuretics acting on distal tubules because both CaVβ3−/− and CaVβ3+/+ mice responded comparably to furosemide. The absence of β3 subunits resulted in compensatory increases of TrpV5 calcium channels, the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase, NCX1 Na/Ca exchanger protein, and calbindin-D9k but not calbindin-D28k. We conclude that TrpV5 mediates basal renal calcium absorption and that a multimeric calcium channel that includes CaVβ3 mediates stimulated calcium transport.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated chloride uptake was determined in synaptoneurosomes prepared from the brains of entorhinal cortex-kindled and paired control rats. Subjects were sacrificed either 24 h or 28 days after the experimental animals had exhibited their sixth stage 5 convulsion. in the cortex and cerebellum, no difference was observed between kindled and control animals at either time period. In the brain-stem, however, a significant reduction (approximately 50%) in chloride uptake was observed in kindled subjects both 24 h and 28 days after the last seizure. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the ‘kindled state’ results from a long-lasting decrease in GABA-mediated inhibitory activity.

Internalization of the PTH type I receptor (PTH1R) is regulated in a cell- and ligand-specific manner. We previously demonstrated that the sodium/proton exchanger regulatory factor type 1 (NHERF1; EBP50) is pivotal in determining the range of peptides that internalize the PTH1R. Antagonist PTH fragments can internalize the PTH1R in some kidney and bone cell models. PTH(7-34), which binds to, but does not activate, the PTH1R, internalizes the PTH1R in kidney distal tubule (DT) cells, where NHERF1 is not expressed. The effect of antagonist PTHrP peptides has not, to this point, been assessed. PTH1R internalization was measured by real-time confocal fluorescence microscopy of DT cells stably expressing 105 EGFP-tagged PTH1R/cell. PTHrP(7-34) internalized the PTH1R in a manner indistinguishable from PTH(7-34). Introduction of NHERF1 into DT cells, however, blocked PTH(7-34)-, but not PTHrP(7-34)-, induced PTH1R internalization. To delineate the sequences within PTHrP that determine whether PTH1R internalization is affected by NHERF1, chimeric PTH/PTHrP fragments were tested for their ability to induce PTH1R internalization. PTH(7-21)/PTHrP (22-34), PTH(7-32)/PTHrP(33-34), and PTH(7-33)/PTHrP(34) at 1 microM each internalized the PTH1R 50-70% in a NHERF1-independent manner. When the C terminus of PTHrP was replaced with homologous amino acids from PTH, NHERF1 inhibited PTH1R internalization. It was determined that simply mutating F34 to A in PTH induced PTH1R internalization in a NHERF1-independent manner. None of the chimeric peptides activated the PTH1R but all effectively competed for 1 nM PTH(1-34) in cyclic AMP assays. In addition, all chimeric peptides competed for radiolabeled PTH(1-34) in binding assays in DT cells. PTH(1- 34) and PTHrP(7-34), but not PTH(7-34), efficiently recruited beta-arrestin1 to plasma membrane PTH1Rs. We, therefore, conclude that PTH(1-34) and PTHrP(7-34) induce a conformational change in the PTH1R that promotes arrestin binding and dissociates NHERF1 from PTH1R internalization.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the action of many hormones, cytokines, and sensory and chemical signals. It is generally thought that receptor desensitization and internalization require occupancy and activation of the GPCR. PTH and PTHrP receptor (PTH1R) belongs to GPCR class B and is the major regulator of extracellular calcium homeostasis. Using kidney distal convoluted tubule cells transfected with a human PTH1R/enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein, quantitative, real-time fluorescence microscopy was used to analyze receptor internalization. In these cells, which are the target of the calcium-sparing action of PTH, PTH(1-34) activated adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) and PTH1R endocytosis. PTH(1-31), however, stimulated AC and PLC but not PTH1R endocytosis. Conversely, PTH(7-34) rapidly stimulated PTH1R internalization without activating AC or PLC. PTH(2-34) and (3-34) caused PTH1R internalization intermediate between PTH(1-34) and (7-34). PTH1R sequestration occurred in a dynamin- and clathrin-dependent manner. Directly activating AC inhibited PTH1R internalization in response to PTH(7-34). PTH1R endocytosis was sensitive to protein kinase C inhibition. PTH(1-34), (7-34), and (1-31) evoked PTH1R phosphorylation. Removal of most of the C terminus of the PTH1R eliminated receptor phosphorylation and the cAMP/protein kinase C sensitivity of internalization. PTH(1-34) and (7-34) internalized the truncated PTH1R with identical kinetics, and the response was unaffected by forskolin. Thus, the PTH1R C terminus contains regulatory sequences that are involved in, but not required for, PTH1R internalization. The results demonstrate that receptor activation and internalization can be selectively dissociated.