Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Endocytosis Research Articles

Targeting Disabled‐2 to Stabilize ΔF508‐CFTR

The fatal genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. The most common mutation, ΔF508‐CFTR, negatively impacts the processing, gating, and stability of CFTR. Existing combination therapies elicit only modest benefit in ΔF508‐CFTR patients. Potentiators and correctors address the gating and processing defects of ΔF508‐CFTR, respectively, but do not specifically target its stability. Thus, by targeting additional aspects of the mutant CFTR life cycle we may significantly improve CF patient prognosis.
 Here, we present evidence for a new class of stabilizers that target CFTR half‐life. The adaptor protein Disabled‐2 (Dab2), is an essential mediator of CFTR endocytosis. The Dab2 Dab homology (DH) domain is required for Dab2 to co‐assemble in complex with CFTR, and our lab has shown that DH peptide inhibitors enhance ΔF508‐CFTR function alone and even more so when combined with correctors and potentiators. We have now used an engineered peptide with high‐affinity for the DH domain as a reporter in a fluorescence anisotropy based high‐throughput screen to identify candidate small‐molecule inhibitors. FRET and NMR are used to further characterize the intermolecular binding between the DH domain and potential stabilizers.

Involvement of the Cdc42 pathway in CFTR post-translational turnover and in its plasma membrane stability in airway epithelial cells.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a chloride channel that is expressed on the apical plasma membrane (PM) of epithelial cells. The most common deleterious allele encodes a trafficking-defective mutant protein undergoing endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and presenting lower PM stability. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the Cdc42 pathway in CFTR turnover and trafficking in a human bronchiolar epithelial cell line (CFBE41o-) expressing wild-type CFTR. Cdc42 is a small GTPase of the Rho family that fulfils numerous cell functions, one of which is endocytosis and recycling process via actin cytoskeleton remodelling. When we treated cells with chemical inhibitors such as ML141 against Cdc42 and wiskostatin against the downstream effector N-WASP, we observed that CFTR channel activity was inhibited, in correlation with a decrease in CFTR amount at the cell surface and an increase in dynamin-dependent CFTR endocytosis. Anchoring of CFTR to the cortical cytoskeleton was then presumably impaired by actin disorganization. When we performed siRNA-mediated depletion of Cdc42, actin polymerization was not impacted, but we observed actin-independent consequences upon CFTR. Total and PM CFTR amounts were increased, resulting in greater activation of CFTR. Pulse-chase experiments showed that while CFTR degradation was slowed, CFTR maturation through the Golgi apparatus remained unaffected. In addition, we observed increased stability of CFTR in PM and reduction of its endocytosis. This study highlights the involvement of the Cdc42 pathway at several levels of CFTR biogenesis and trafficking: (i) Cdc42 is implicated in the first steps of CFTR biosynthesis and processing; (ii) it contributes to the stability of CFTR in PM via its anchoring to cortical actin; (iii) it promotes CFTR endocytosis and presumably its sorting toward lysosomal degradation.

LMTK2-mediated Phosphorylation Regulates CFTR Endocytosis in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a Cl(-)-selective ion channel expressed in fluid-transporting epithelia. Lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (LMTK2) is a transmembrane protein with serine and threonine but not tyrosine kinase activity. Previous work identified CFTR as an in vitro substrate of LMTK2, suggesting a functional link. Here we demonstrate that LMTK2 co-immunoprecipitates with CFTR and phosphorylates CFTR-Ser(737) in human airway epithelial cells. LMTK2 knockdown or expression of inactive LMTK2 kinase domain increases cell surface density of CFTR by attenuating its endocytosis in human airway epithelial cells. Moreover, LMTK2 knockdown increases Cl(-) secretion mediated by the wild-type and rescued ΔF508-CFTR. Compared with the wild-type CFTR, the phosphorylation-deficient mutant CFTR-S737A shows increased cell surface density and decreased endocytosis. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of the phospho-dependent inhibitory effect of CFTR-Ser(737) mediated by LMTK2 via endocytosis and inhibition of the cell surface density of CFTR Cl(-) channels. These data indicate that targeting LMTK2 may increase the cell surface density of CFTR Cl(-) channels and improve stability of pharmacologically rescued ΔF508-CFTR in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Serum and Glucocorticoid-Inducible Kinase1 Increases Plasma Membrane wt-CFTR in Human Airway Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting Its Endocytic Retrieval

BackgroundChloride (Cl) secretion by the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) located in the apical membrane of respiratory epithelial cells plays a critical role in maintenance of the airway surface liquid and mucociliary clearance of pathogens. Previously, we and others have shown that the serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) increases wild type CFTR (wt-CFTR) mediated Cl transport in Xenopus oocytes by increasing the amount of wt-CFTR protein in the plasma membrane. However, the effect of SGK1 on the membrane abundance of wt-CFTR in airway epithelial cells has not been examined, and the mechanism whereby SGK1 increases membrane wt-CFTR has also not been examined. Thus, the goal of this study was to elucidate the mechanism whereby SGK1 regulates the membrane abundance of wt-CFTR in human airway epithelial cells.Methods and ResultsWe report that elevated levels of SGK1, induced by dexamethasone, increase plasma membrane abundance of wt-CFTR. Reduction of SGK1 expression by siRNA (siSGK1) and inhibition of SGK1 activity by the SGK inhibitor GSK 650394 abrogated the ability of dexamethasone to increase plasma membrane wt-CFTR. Overexpression of a constitutively active SGK1 (SGK1-S422D) increased plasma membrane abundance of wt-CFTR. To understand the mechanism whereby SGK1 increased plasma membrane wt-CFTR, we examined the effects of siSGK1 and SGK1-S442D on the endocytic retrieval of wt-CFTR. While siSGK1 increased wt-CFTR endocytosis, SGK1-S442D inhibited CFTR endocytosis. Neither siSGK1 nor SGK1-S442D altered the recycling of endocytosed wt-CFTR back to the plasma membrane. By contrast, SGK1 increased the endocytosis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).ConclusionThis study demonstrates for the first time that SGK1 selectively increases wt-CFTR in the plasma membrane of human airway epithelia cells by inhibiting its endocytic retrieval from the membrane.

Reduced PDZ Interactions of Rescued ΔF508CFTR Increases Its Cell Surface Mobility

Deletion of phenylalanine 508 (ΔF508) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plasma membrane chloride channel is the most common cause of cystic fibrosis (CF). Though several maneuvers can rescue endoplasmic reticulum-retained ΔF508CFTR and promote its trafficking to the plasma membrane, rescued ΔF508CFTR remains susceptible to quality control mechanisms that lead to accelerated endocytosis, ubiquitination, and lysosomal degradation. To investigate the role of scaffold protein interactions in rescued ΔF508CFTR surface instability, the plasma membrane mobility of ΔF508CFTR was measured in live cells by quantum dot single particle tracking. Following rescue by low temperature, chemical correctors, thapsigargin, or overexpression of GRASP55, ΔF508CFTR diffusion was more rapid than that of wild-type CFTR because of reduced interactions with PDZ domain-containing scaffold proteins. Knock-down of the plasma membrane quality control proteins CHIP and Hsc70 partially restored ΔF508CFTR-scaffold association. Quantitative comparisons of CFTR cell surface diffusion and endocytosis kinetics suggested an association between reduced scaffold binding and CFTR internalization. Our surface diffusion measurements in live cells indicate defective scaffold interactions of rescued ΔF508CFTR at the cell surface, which may contribute to its defective peripheral processing.

Disabled-2 Protein Facilitates Assembly Polypeptide-2-independent Recruitment of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator to Endocytic Vesicles in Polarized Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-activated Cl(-) channel expressed in the apical plasma membrane of fluid-transporting epithelia, where the plasma membrane abundance of CFTR is in part controlled by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The protein networks that control CFTR endocytosis in epithelial cells have only been partially explored. The assembly polypeptide-2 complex (AP-2) is the prototypical endocytic adaptor critical for optimal clathrin coat formation. AP-2 is essential for recruitment of cargo proteins bearing the YXXΦ motif. Although AP-2 interacts directly with CFTR in vitro and facilitates CFTR endocytosis in some cell types, it remains unknown whether it is critical for CFTR uptake into clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs). Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a clathrin-associated sorting protein (CLASP) that contributes to clathrin recruitment, vesicle formation, and cargo selection. In intestinal epithelial cells Dab2 was not found to play a direct role in CFTR endocytosis. By contrast, AP-2 and Dab2 were shown to facilitate CFTR endocytosis in human airway epithelial cells, although the specific mechanism remains unknown. Our data demonstrate that Dab2 mediates AP-2 independent recruitment of CFTR to CCVs in polarized human airway epithelial cells. As a result, it facilitates CFTR endocytosis and reduces CFTR abundance and stability in the plasma membrane. These effects are mediated by the DAB homology domain. Moreover, we show that in human airway epithelial cells AP-2 is not essential for CFTR recruitment to CCVs.

Dab2 is a key regulator of endocytosis and post-endocytic trafficking of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) is expressed in the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Cell-surface CFTR levels are regulated by endocytosis and recycling. A number of adaptor proteins including AP-2 (μ2 subunit) and Dab2 (Disabled-2) have been proposed to modulate CFTR internalization. In the present study we have used siRNA (small interfering RNA)-mediated silencing of these adaptors to test their roles in the regulation of CFTR cell-surface trafficking and stability in human airway epithelial cells. The results indicate thatμ2 and Dab2 performed partially overlapping, but divergent, functions. Whileμ2 depletion dramatically decreased CFTR endocytosis with little effect on the half-life of the CFTR protein, Dab2 depletion increased the CFTR half-life ~3-fold, in addition to inhibiting CFTR endocytosis. Furthermore, Dab2 depletion inhibited CFTR trafficking from the sorting endosome to the recycling compartment, as well as delivery of CFTR to the late endosome, thus providing a mechanistic explanation for increased CFTR expression and half-life. To test whether two E3 ligases were required for the endocytosis and/or down-regulation of surface CFTR, we siRNA-depleted CHIP [C-terminus of the Hsc (heat-shock cognate) 70-interacting protein] and c-Cbl (casitas B-lineage lymphoma). We demonstrate that CHIP and c-Cbl depletion have no effect on CFTR endocytosis, but c-Cbl depletion modestly enhanced the half-life of CFTR. The results of the present study define a significant role for Dab2 both in the endocytosis and post-endocytic fate of CFTR.

C-Cbl Facilitates Endocytosis and Lysosomal Degradation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-activated Cl(-) channel expressed in the apical membrane of fluid-transporting epithelia. The apical membrane density of CFTR channels is determined, in part, by endocytosis and the postendocytic sorting of CFTR for lysosomal degradation or recycling to the plasma membrane. Although previous studies suggested that ubiquitination plays a role in the postendocytic sorting of CFTR, the specific ubiquitin ligases are unknown. c-Cbl is a multifunctional molecule with ubiquitin ligase activity and a protein adaptor function. c-Cbl co-immunoprecipitated with CFTR in primary differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells and in cultured human airway cells. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of c-Cbl increased CFTR expression in the plasma membrane by inhibiting CFTR endocytosis and increased CFTR-mediated Cl(-) currents. Silencing c-Cbl did not change the expression of the ubiquitinated fraction of plasma membrane CFTR. Moreover, the c-Cbl mutant with impaired ubiquitin ligase activity (FLAG-70Z-Cbl) did not affect the plasma membrane expression or the endocytosis of CFTR. In contrast, the c-Cbl mutant with the truncated C-terminal region (FLAG-Cbl-480), responsible for protein adaptor function, had a dominant interfering effect on the endocytosis and plasma membrane expression of CFTR. Moreover, CFTR and c-Cbl co-localized and co-immunoprecipitated in early endosomes, and silencing c-Cbl reduced the amount of ubiquitinated CFTR in early endosomes. In summary, our data demonstrate that in human airway epithelial cells, c-Cbl regulates CFTR by two mechanisms: first by acting as an adaptor protein and facilitating CFTR endocytosis by a ubiquitin-independent mechanism, and second by ubiquitinating CFTR in early endosomes and thereby facilitating the lysosomal degradation of CFTR.

The deubiquitinating enzyme USP10 regulates the endocytic recycling of CFTR in airway epithelial cells

The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) is a cyclic AMP-regulated chloride channel that plays an important role in regulating the volume of the lung airway surface liquid, and thereby mucociliary clearance and elimination of pathogens from the lung. In epithelial cells, cell surface CFTR abundance is determined in part by regulating both CFTR endocytosis from the apical plasma membrane and recycling back to the plasma membrane. We recently reported, using an activity-based chemical screen to identify active deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in human airway epithelial cells, that Ubiquitin Specific Protease-10 (USP10) is located and active in the early endosomal compartment and regulates the deubiquitination of CFTR and thereby promotes its endocytic recycling. siRNA-mediated knockdown of USP10 increased the multi-ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of CFTR and decreased the endocytic recycling and the half-life of CFTR in the apical membrane, as well as CFTR-mediated chloride secretion. Over-expression of wild-type USP10 reduced CFTR multi-ubiquitination and degradation, while over-expression of a dominant-negative USP10 promoted increased multi-ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of CFTR. In the current study, we show localization and activity of USP10 in the early endosomal compartment of primary bronchial epithelial cells, as well as an interaction between CFTR and USP10 in this compartment. These studies demonstrate a novel function for USP10 in facilitating the deubiquitination of CFTR in early endosomes, thereby enhancing the endocytic recycling and cell surface expression of CFTR.

α-AP-2 Directs Myosin VI-dependent Endocytosis of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Chloride Channels in the Intestine

The actin motor myosin VI regulates endocytosis of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the intestine, but the endocytic adaptor linking CFTR to myosin VI is unknown. Dab2 (Disabled 2) is the binding partner for myosin VI, clathrin, and alpha-AP-2 and directs endocytosis of low density lipoprotein receptor family members by recognizing a phosphotyrosine-binding domain. However, CFTR does not possess a phosphotyrosine-binding domain. We examined whether alpha-AP-2 and/or Dab2 were binding partners for CFTR and the role of myosin VI in localizing endocytic adaptors in the intestine. CFTR co-localized with alpha-AP-2, Dab2, and myosin VI and was identified in a complex with all three endocytic proteins in the intestine. Apical CFTR was increased in the intestines of Dab-2 KO mice, suggesting its involvement in regulating surface CFTR. Glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays revealed binding of CFTR to alpha-AP-2 (but not Dab2) in the intestine, whereas Dab-2 interacted with alpha-AP-2. siRNA silencing of alpha-AP-2 in cells significantly reduced CFTR endocytosis, further supporting alpha-AP-2 as the direct binding partner for CFTR. alpha-AP-2 and Dab2 localized to the terminal web regions of enterocytes, but Dab2 accumulated in this location in Snell's Waltzer myosin VI((sv/sv)) intestine. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the accumulation of Dab2 correlated with prominent involution and the loss of normal positioning of the intermicrovillar membranes that resulted in expansion of the terminal web region in myosin VI((sv/sv)) enterocytes. The findings support alpha-AP-2 in directing myosin VI-dependent endocytosis of CFTR and a requirement for myosin VI in membrane invagination and coated pit formation in enterocytes.

Dynasore inhibits removal of wild-type and ΔF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) from the plasma membrane

Dynasore, a small molecule inhibitor of dynamin, was used to probe the role of dynamin in the endocytosis of wild-type and mutant CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). Internalization of both wild-type and 'temperature-corrected' DeltaF508 CFTR was markedly inhibited by a short exposure to dynasore, implicating dynamin as a key element in the endocytic internalization of both wild-type and mutant CFTR. The inhibitory effect of dynasore was readily reversible upon washout of dynasore from the growth media. Corr-4 ({2-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenylamino)-4'-methyl-[4,5']-bithiazolyl-2'-yl}-phenyl-methanonone), a pharmacological corrector of DeltaF508 CFTR biosynthesis, caused a marked increase in the cell surface expression of mutant CFTR. Co-incubation of DeltaF508 CFTR expressing cells with Corr-4 and dynasore caused a significantly greater level of cell surface CFTR than that observed in the presence of Corr-4 alone. These results argue that inhibiting the endocytic internalization of mutant CFTR provides a novel therapeutic target for augmenting the benefits of small molecule correctors of mutant CFTR biosynthesis.

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Increases Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Levels in the Apical Membrane of Calu-3 Cells through a Protein Kinase C-Dependent Mechanism

Noncholinergic neurons contribute to innate airway defenses by releasing vasoactive intestinal peptides (VIP), which stimulates the submucosal glands to produce a bicarbonate-rich fluid containing mucins and antimicrobial factors. VIP elevates cAMP and activates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channels; however, its effects on surface expression have not been investigated. We studied CFTR levels in the apical membrane of polarized Calu-3 cell monolayers, a widely used model for submucosal gland serous cells. Biotinylation during VIP exposure revealed a significant increase in apical CFTR within 10 min, which reached a maximal 3.3-fold increase after 30 min. Total CFTR content of cell lysates was not altered during this time period; therefore, the increase in surface CFTR reflects redistribution from intracellular pools. Internalization assays revealed that apical accumulation was due, at least in part, to a reduction in the rate of CFTR endocytosis. VIP-induced accumulation of apical CFTR was mimicked by phorbol ester but not by forskolin, and it was blocked by the protein kinase (PK)C inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide X (BisX) or chelerythrine chloride but not by the PKA inhibitor N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride (H89). Increases in surface expression were paralleled by enhanced iodide effluxes during cAMP stimulation. BisX inhibition of VIP responses was abrogated when monolayers were pretreated with tannic acid to inhibit endosome recycling. Thus, PKC increases the surface expression of CFTR channels in addition to potentiating their responsiveness to PKA phosphorylation. Integrated regulation through multiple signaling pathways may be a common feature of VIP and other physiological secretagogues.

Enhanced cell-surface stability of rescued ΔF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) by pharmacological chaperones

Misfolded proteins destined for the cell surface are recognized and degraded by the ERAD [ER (endoplasmic reticulum) associated degradation] pathway. TS (temperature-sensitive) mutants at the permissive temperature escape ERAD and reach the cell surface. In this present paper, we examined a TS mutant of the CFTR [CF (cystic fibrosis) transmembrane conductance regulator], CFTR DeltaF508, and analysed its cell-surface trafficking after rescue [rDeltaF508 (rescued DeltaF508) CFTR]. We show that rDeltaF508 CFTR endocytosis is 6-fold more rapid (approximately 30% per 2.5 min) than WT (wild-type, approximately 5% per 2.5 min) CFTR at 37 degrees C in polarized airway epithelial cells (CFBE41o-). We also investigated rDeltaF508 CFTR endocytosis under two further conditions: in culture at the permissive temperature (27 degrees C) and following treatment with pharmacological chaperones. At low temperature, rDeltaF508 CFTR endocytosis slowed to WT rates (20% per 10 min), indicating that the cell-surface trafficking defect of rDeltaF508 CFTR is TS. Furthermore, rDeltaF508 CFTR is stabilized at the lower temperature; its half-life increases from <2 h at 37 degrees C to >8 h at 27 degrees C. Pharmacological chaperone treatment at 37 degrees C corrected the rDeltaF508 CFTR internalization defect, slowing endocytosis from approximately 30% per 2.5 min to approximately 5% per 2.5 min, and doubled DeltaF508 surface half-life from 2 to 4 h. These effects are DeltaF508 CFTR-specific, as pharmacological chaperones did not affect WT CFTR or transferrin receptor internalization rates. The results indicate that small molecular correctors may reproduce the effect of incubation at the permissive temperature, not only by rescuing DeltaF508 CFTR from ERAD, but also by enhancing its cell-surface stability.

Myosin Vb Is Required for Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator in Rab11a-specific Apical Recycling Endosomes in Polarized Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mediated Cl(-) secretion across fluid-transporting epithelia is regulated, in part, by modulating the number of CFTR Cl(-) channels in the plasma membrane by adjusting CFTR endocytosis and recycling. However, the mechanisms that regulate CFTR recycling in airway epithelial cells remain unknown, at least in part, because the recycling itineraries of CFTR in these cells are incompletely understood. In a previous study, we demonstrated that CFTR undergoes trafficking in Rab11a-specific apical recycling endosomes in human airway epithelial cells. Myosin Vb is a plus-end-directed, actin-based mechanoenzyme that facilitates protein trafficking in Rab11a-specific recycling vesicles in several cell model systems. There are no published studies examining the role of myosin Vb in airway epithelial cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine whether myosin Vb facilitates CFTR recycling in polarized human airway epithelial cells. Endogenous CFTR formed a complex with endogenous myosin Vb and Rab11a. Silencing myosin Vb by RNA-mediated interference decreased the expression of wild-type CFTR and DeltaF508-CFTR in the apical membrane and decreased CFTR-mediated Cl(-) secretion across polarized human airway epithelial cells. A recombinant tail domain fragment of myosin Vb attenuated the plasma membrane expression of CFTR by arresting CFTR recycling. The dominant-negative effect was dependent on the ability of the myosin Vb tail fragment to interact with Rab11a. Taken together, these data indicate that myosin Vb is required for CFTR recycling in Rab11a-specific apical recycling endosomes in polarized human airway epithelial cells.

Defective CFTR Apical Endocytosis and Enterocyte Brush Border in Myosin VI‐Deficient Mice

In polarized epithelial cells such as those that line the inner ear, kidney and gut, myosin VI has been localized to the intermicrovillar domains where it is proposed to regulate clathrin-dependent endocytosis; however, a direct role for myosin VI in apical endocytosis has not been shown. We examined the apical membrane distribution and endocytosis of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in myosin VI-deficient Snell's Waltzer Myo6((sv/sv)) mice. Confocal microscopy and cell-surface biotinylation confirmed that surface levels of CFTR in the intestine of Myo6((sv/sv)) mice were markedly higher, and CFTR internalization from the apical plasma membrane was reduced compared with heterozygous controls. Consistent with a defect in CFTR endocytosis and accumulation at the cell surface, exaggerated CFTR-mediated fluid secretion was observed in Myo6((sv/sv)) mice following treatment of isolated jejunum with the cyclic GMP-activated heat stable enterotoxin. These data establish that myosin VI modulates apical endocytosis and may be an important physiological modulator of CFTR function and CFTR-associated secretory diarrhea in the gut.

CFTR surface expression and chloride currents are decreased by inhibitors of N-WASP and actin polymerization

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) undergoes rapid turnover at the plasma membrane in various cell types. The ubiquitously expressed N-WASP promotes actin polymerization and regulates endocytic trafficking of other proteins in response to signaling molecules such as Rho-GTPases. In the present study we investigated the effects of wiskostatin, an N-WASP inhibitor, on the surface expression and activity of CFTR. We demonstrate, using surface biotinylation methods, that the steady-state surface CFTR pool in stably transfected BHK cells was dramatically decreased following wiskostatin treatment with a corresponding increase in the amount of intracellular CFTR. Similar effects were observed for latrunculin B, a specific actin-disrupting reagent. Both reagents strongly inhibited macroscopic CFTR-mediated Cl − currents in two cell types including HT29-Cl19A colonic epithelial cells. As previously reported, CFTR internalization from the cell surface was strongly inhibited by a cyclic-AMP cocktail. This effect of cyclic-AMP was only partially blunted in the presence of wiskostatin, which raises the possibility that these two factors modulate different steps in CFTR traffic. In kinetic studies wiskostatin appeared to accelerate the initial rate of CFTR endocytosis as well as inhibit its recycling back to the cell surface over longer time periods. Our studies implicate a role for N-WASP-mediated actin polymerization in regulating CFTR surface expression and channel activity.

Mutations in the Amino Terminus of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Enhance Endocytosis

Efficient endocytosis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is mediated by a tyrosine-based internalization signal in the CFTR carboxyl-terminal tail 1424YDSI1427. In the present studies, two naturally occurring cystic fibrosis mutations in the amino terminus of CFTR, R31C, and R31L were examined. To determine the defect that these mutations cause, the Arg-31 mutants were expressed in COS-7 cells and their biogenesis and trafficking to the cell surface tested in metabolic pulse-chase and surface biotinylation assays, respectively. The results indicated that both Arg-31 mutants were processed to band C at approximately 50% the efficiency of the wild-type protein. However, once processed and delivered to the cell surface, their half-lives were the same as wild-type protein. Interestingly, indirect immunofluorescence and cell surface biotinylation indicated that the surface pool was much smaller than could be accounted for based on the biogenesis defect alone. Therefore, the Arg-31 mutants were tested in internalization assays and found to be internalized at 2x the rate of the wild-type protein. Patch clamp and 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium analysis confirmed reduced amounts of functional Arg-31 channels at the cell surface. Together, the results suggest that both R31C and R31L mutations compromise biogenesis and enhance internalization of CFTR. These two additive effects contribute to the loss of surface expression and the associated defect in chloride conductance that is consistent with a disease phenotype.

The Short Apical Membrane Half-life of Rescued ΔF508-Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Results from Accelerated Endocytosis of ΔF508-CFTR in Polarized Human Airway Epithelial Cells

The most common mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in individuals with cystic fibrosis, DeltaF508, causes retention of DeltaF508-CFTR in the endoplasmic reticulum and leads to the absence of CFTR Cl(-) channels in the apical plasma membrane. Rescue of DeltaF508-CFTR by reduced temperature or chemical means reveals that the DeltaF508 mutation reduces the half-life of DeltaF508-CFTR in the apical plasma membrane. Because DeltaF508-CFTR retains some Cl(-) channel activity, increased expression of DeltaF508-CFTR in the apical membrane could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for cystic fibrosis. However, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the short apical membrane half-life of DeltaF508-CFTR in polarized human airway epithelial cells. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to determine the cellular defects in the trafficking of rescued DeltaF508-CFTR that lead to the decreased apical membrane half-life of DeltaF508-CFTR in polarized human airway epithelial cells. We report that in polarized human airway epithelial cells (CFBE41o-) the DeltaF508 mutation increased endocytosis of CFTR from the apical membrane without causing a global endocytic defect or affecting the endocytic recycling of CFTR in the Rab11a-specific apical recycling compartment.

Myosin VI Regulates Endocytosis of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cyclic AMP-regulated Cl(-) channel expressed in the apical plasma membrane in fluid-transporting epithelia. Although CFTR is rapidly endocytosed from the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells and efficiently recycled back to the plasma membrane, little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating CFTR endocytosis and endocytic recycling. Myosin VI, an actin-dependent, minus-end directed mechanoenzyme, has been implicated in clathrin-mediated endocytosis in epithelial cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether myosin VI regulates CFTR endocytosis. Endogenous, apical membrane CFTR in polarized human airway epithelial cells (Calu-3) formed a complex with myosin VI, the myosin VI adaptor protein Disabled 2 (Dab2), and clathrin. The tail domain of myosin VI, a dominant-negative recombinant fragment, displaced endogenous myosin VI from interacting with Dab2 and CFTR and increased the expression of CFTR in the plasma membrane by reducing CFTR endocytosis. However, the myosin VI tail fragment had no effect on the recycling of endocytosed CFTR or on fluid-phase endocytosis. CFTR endocytosis was decreased by cytochalasin D, an actin-filament depolymerizing agent. Taken together, these data indicate that myosin VI and Dab2 facilitate CFTR endocytosis by a mechanism that requires actin filaments.

The role of regulated CFTR trafficking in epithelial secretion.

The focus of this review is the regulated trafficking of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in distal compartments of the protein secretory pathway and the question of how changes in CFTR cellular distribution may impact on the functions of polarized epithelial cells. We summarize data concerning the cellular localization and activity of CFTR and attempt to synthesize often conflicting results from functional studies of regulated endocytosis and exocytosis in CFTR-expressing cells. In some instances, findings that are inconsistent with regulated CFTR trafficking may result from the use of overexpression systems or nonphysiological experimental conditions. Nevertheless, judging from data on other transporters, an appropriate cellular context is necessary to support regulated CFTR trafficking, even in epithelial cells. The discovery that disease mutations can influence CFTR trafficking in distal secretory and recycling compartments provides support for the concept that regulated CFTR recycling contributes to normal epithelial function, including the control of apical CFTR channel density and epithelial protein secretion. Finally, we propose molecular mechanisms for regulated CFTR endocytosis and exocytosis that are based on CFTR interactions with other proteins, particularly those whose primary function is membrane trafficking. These models provide testable hypotheses that may lead to elucidation of CFTR trafficking mechanisms and permit their experimental manipulation in polarized epithelial cells.