Detergent-insoluble Membrane Domains Research Articles

Lipid membrane interactions of indacaterol and salmeterol: Do they influence their pharmacological properties?

This study compares the lipid membrane interactions of indacaterol, an ultra long acting beta-2 agonist that is given once a day, to salmeterol, a twice a day beta-2 agonist, in order to elucidate the potential mechanisms leading to their different pharmacological properties. Salmeterol but not indacaterol perturbed dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine membranes. While the liposome partitioning of the two compounds was similar, independent of the lipid composition, the membrane affinity of indacaterol was two-fold greater than that of salmeterol when rafts, i.e. detergent-insoluble membrane domains, were used as the partition phase. The observed association kinetics with immobilized liposomes at physiological pH were two times faster for indacaterol than for salmeterol. A new model to explain the relationships between the drug/membrane interactions and drug's pharmacological properties considering multiple factors is proposed. The synergy between the higher partitioning of indacaterol into the raft micro domains and the faster membrane permeation of indacaterol could explain the faster onset and longer duration of therapeutic effect of indacaterol. The higher fluidizing effect of salmeterol on membrane fluidity may contribute to its lower intrinsic efficacy compared to indacaterol.

Induction of Cytosolic Calcium Flux by CD20 Is Dependent upon B Cell Antigen Receptor Signaling

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab is now routinely used for the treatment of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is being examined in a wide range of other B-cell disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Despite intensive study, the mechanism of action still remains uncertain. In the current study, anti-CD20 mAb-induced calcium signaling was investigated. Previously, we grouped anti-CD20 mAbs into Type I (rituximab-like) and Type II (B1-like) based upon various characteristics such as their ability to induce complement activation and redistribute CD20 into detergent-insoluble membrane domains. Here we show that only Type I mAbs are capable of inducing a calcium flux in B cells and that this is tightly correlated with the expression of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). Inhibitor analysis revealed that the signaling cascade employed by CD20 was strikingly similar to that utilized by the BCR, with inhibitors of Syk, Src, and PI3K, but not EGTA, p38, or ERK1/2, completely ablating calcium flux. Furthermore, binding of Type I but not Type II mAbs caused direct association of CD20 with the BCR as measured by FRET and resulted in the phosphorylation of BCR-specific adaptor proteins BLNK and SLP-76. Crucially, variant Ramos cells lacking BCR expression but with unchanged CD20 expression were completely unable to induce calcium flux following ligation of CD20. Collectively, these data indicate that CD20 induces cytosolic calcium flux through its ability to associate with and "hijack" the signaling potential of the BCR.

The Multi‐PDZ domain protein MUPP1 as a lipid raft‐associated scaffolding protein controlling the acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa

The success of acrosomal exocytosis, a complex process with a variety of interrelated steps, relies on the coordinated interaction of participating signaling molecules. Since scaffolding proteins are known to spatially organize sequential signaling pathways, we examined whether the Multi-PDZ domain protein MUPP1, recently identified in mammalian spermatozoa, is functionally active in controlling acrosomal secretion in mammalian sperm cells. To address this question, permeabilized mouse sperm were loaded with inhibitory antibodies against MUPP1 as well as with a photosensitive Ca(2+) chelator which allows a controlled release of acrosomal Ca(2+). The results revealed that MUPP1 controls initial tethering and docking of the acrosomal vesicle, whereas syntaxin 2, a t-SNARE protein also expressed in the acrosomal cap of mammalian spermatozoa, appears to take part in the final process of acrosomal fusion. Interestingly, using immunogold electron microscopy, it was found that MUPP1 is detectable in the region of the periacrosomal membrane. Furthermore, in isolated detergent-insoluble glycolipid-enriched membrane domains from epididymal spermatozoa, MUPP1 was found to show a striking association with the Triton X-100 insoluble membrane fraction, which did not change significantly upon sperm capacitation or partial chemical extraction of cholesterol. This evidence points to a role of MUPP1 as a membrane raft-associated molecular organizer, and suggests that mammalian spermatozoa may use a scaffolding protein and distinct membrane subdomains to spatially organize components involved in the process of acrosomal exocytosis.

8 FLOW CYTOMETRIC MONITORING OF CHOLERA TOXIN B SUBUNIT BINDING TO BOVINE SPERMATOZOA

In order to become able to fertilize, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo a series of biochemical modifications. This process called capacitation involves several changes of the content and the ultrastucture of the plasma membrane. Among these changes, loss of cholesterol from the plasma membrane is required. Lipid rafts are detergent-insoluble plasma membrane domains rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Some proteins are confined to lipid rafts while others are excluded. It has been hypothesized in the past that the loss of cholesterol could destabilize and relocate lipid rafts and would thus affect protein interactions in the plasma membrane, thereby leading to downstream events involved in the capacitation process. Thus, quantification of lipid rafts within the membrane of spermatozoa would become useful to monitor sperm functions and maturation level. The present study aimed to quantify lipid rafts in bovine spermatozoa using the Vibrant Lipid Raft detection kit from Molecular Probes (Invitrogen Canada, Inc., Burlingame, Ontario, Canada) and flow cytometry. The Vibrant kit uses the cholera toxin B subunit (CT-B) and claims to detect ganglioside Gm1 that sublocalizes within lipid rafts. Briefly, freshly ejaculated and frozen/thawed spermatozoa were washed once by centrifugation at 250g for five min in sp-Talp and were then re-suspended in sp-Talp containing 1 �g mL–1 CT-B. Then, cells were incubated at 4�C for 10 min, washed in chilled sp-Talp, incubated for 15 min in the presence of an anti-CT-B antibody coupled to the Alexa Fluor� 488 dye (Molecular Probes), and washed again to remove excess antibody. Spermatozoa were then analyzed with a BD LSR II flow cytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA). Two populations showing different fluorescence levels were observed in all samples. Greater proportions of spermatozoa displayed the high fluorescence pattern in cryopreserved samples (37.9%) when compared to freshly ejaculated spermatozoa (8.2%) (P < 0.01). Also, when compared to freshly ejaculated spermatozoa, increased proportions of high fluorescence was detected following a 6-h incubation in sp-Talp containing bicarbonate and BSA. These results suggest that capacitation and cryopreservation both promote exposure of CT-B binding molecules in bovine spermatozoa. Microscopic observation of labeled cryopreserved spermatozoa did not yield the expected raft labeling patterns, but rather 5 different patterns of labeling. In the past, some of these patterns were recognized to be associated with capacitation and acrosome reaction. At this point, more work is needed to confirm which of the fluorescent patterns observed in microscopy corresponds to the enhanced fluorescence sperm population observed by flow cytometry and to directly associate this enhanced fluorescence to capacitation or the acrosome reaction. In conclusion, it appears that the Vibrant kit from Molecular Probes cannot be used to quantify lipid rafts by flow cytometry. Nevertheless, it might be an interesting tool to use in flow cytometry to monitor membrane changes associated with capacitation or cryo-damage.

Modification of Host Lipid Raft Proteome upon Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex resides in detergent-insoluble subcellular domains or lipid rafts. We used two proteomics approaches to characterize the protein content of lipid rafts isolated from Huh7 cells and its modification upon HCV replication. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified approximately 100 protein spots in the isolated lipid rafts; among them, 39 were reproducibly modified in HCV replicon cell lines as compared with control cell lines. We also used stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) combined with one-dimensional electrophoresis separation and mass spectrometry. Using this approach, we identified 1036 individual proteins based on peptides selected with at least 95% confidence; among them, 413 proteins were identified with at least two peptides. Quantification analysis identified 150 proteins modified by at least 2.5-fold (110 up-regulated and 40 down-regulated) in HCV-replicating cells compared with controls. Protein identifications and quantifications obtained by both proteomics approaches were largely concordant. Modulated proteins included a majority of proteins involved in vesicular and protein trafficking and in cell signaling. Remarkably for a large number of proteins, their up-regulation in lipid rafts of HCV replicon cells was due to their relocalization. By using small interfering RNAs directed to the modulated small GTPases Cdc42 and RhoA, we observed an increase in HCV replication, whereas reduction of syntaxin 7 expression resulted in decreased replication of HCV. Our findings indicate that protein subcellular relocalization occurs in HCV-containing cells that can directly affect HCV replication.

Drug resistance-associated changes in sphingolipids and ABC transporters occur in different regions of membrane domains

We have recently shown that two ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters are enriched in Lubrol-resistant noncaveolar membrane domains in multidrug-resistant human cancer cells [Hinrichs, J. W. J., K. Klappe, I. Hummel, and J. W. Kok. 2004. ATP-binding cassette transporters are enriched in non-caveolar detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains (DIGs) in human multidrug-resistant cancer cells. J. Biol. Chem. 279: 5734-5738]. Here, we show that aminophospholipids are relatively enriched in Lubrol-resistant membrane domains compared with Triton X-100-resistant membrane domains, whereas sphingolipids are relatively enriched in the latter. Moreover, Lubrol-resistant membrane domains contain more protein and lipid mass. Based on these results, we postulate a model for detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains consisting of a Lubrol-insoluble/Triton X-100-insoluble region and a Lubrol-insoluble/Triton X-100-soluble region. The latter region contains most of the ABC transporters as well as lipids known to be necessary for their efflux activity. Compared with drug-sensitive cells, the detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains (DIGs) in drug-resistant cells differ specifically in sphingolipid content and not in protein, phospholipid, or cholesterol content. In drug-resistant cells, sphingolipids with specific fatty acids (especially C24:1) are enriched in these membrane domains. Together, these data show that multidrug resistance-associated changes in both sphingolipids and ABC transporters occur in DIGs, but in different regions of these domains.

Docosahexaenoic acid changes lipid composition and interleukin-2 receptor signaling in membrane rafts

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), modulate immune responses and exert beneficial immunosuppressive effects, but the molecular mechanisms inhibiting T-cell activation are not yet elucidated. Lipid rafts have been shown to play an important role in the compartmentalization and modulation of cell signaling. We investigated the role of DHA in modulating the lipid composition in lipid rafts and membrane subdomain distribution of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor signaling molecules. We found that DHA altered lipid components of rafts and modified the IL-2-induced Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway by partially displacing IL-2 receptors from lipid rafts. We fractionated plasma membrane subcellular compartments and discovered that certain amounts of STAT5a and STAT5b existed in detergent-resistant plasma membrane fractions of T-cells. After DHA treatment, STAT5a and STAT5b were not detected in lipid raft fractions and were located in detergent-soluble fractions. These data demonstrate for the first time that DHA alters the lipid composition of membrane microdomains and suppresses IL-2 receptor signaling in T-cells. Thus, our data provide evidence for a functional modification in lipid rafts by DHA treatment and explain PUFA-mediated immunosuppressive effects.

NPC1 late endosomes contain elevated levels of non-esterified (‘free’) fatty acids and an abnormally glycosylated form of the NPC2 protein

NPC (Niemann-Pick type C) disease is a rare lipidosis characterized by the accumulation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-derived non-esterified cholesterol in the E/L (endosomal/lysosomal) system. The gene products that are responsible for the two NPC complementation groups are distinct and dissimilar, yet their cellular and disease phenotypes are virtually indistinguishable. To investigate the relationship between NPC1 and NPC2 and their potential role in NPC disease pathogenesis, we have developed a method for the rapid and efficient isolation of late endocytic vesicles from mouse liver by magnetic chromatography. Late endosomes from Wt (wild-type) and NPC1 mice were found to differ not only in their cholesterol and sphingomyelin content, as expected, but also in their non-esterified ('free') fatty acid content, with NPC1 vesicles showing an approx. 7-fold increase in non-esterified fatty acid levels compared with Wt vesicles. Furthermore, we show that the NPC2 protein is in an incompletely deglycosylated form in NPC1 late endosomes by a mechanism that is specific to the NPC2 protein and not a global aberration of protein glycosylation/deglycosylation or trafficking, since NPC2 secreted from NPC1 cells is indistinguishable from that secreted from Wt cells. Also, a greater proportion of the normally soluble cellular NPC2 protein partitions with detergent-insoluble late endosomal internal membrane domains in NPC1 vesicles. In addition, we show that, although a small amount of the NPC2 protein associates with these membranes in Wt vesicles, this localization becomes much more pronounced in NPC1 vesicles. These results suggest that the function of the NPC2 protein may be compromised as well in NPC1 endosomes, which might explain the paradoxical phenotypic similarities of the two NPC disease complementation groups.

MHC class II molecules traffic into lipid rafts during intracellular transport.

There have been many studies demonstrating that a portion of MHC class II molecules reside in detergent-insoluble membrane domains (commonly referred to as lipid rafts). We have proposed that the function of raft association is to concentrate specific MHC class II-peptide complexes in plasma membrane microdomains that can facilitate efficient T cell activation. We now show that MHC class II becomes lipid raft associated before binding antigenic peptides. Using pulse-chase radiolabeling techniques, we find that newly synthesized MHC class II and MHC class II-invariant chain complexes initially reside in a detergent-soluble membrane fraction and acquire detergent insolubility as they traffic to lysosomal Ag processing compartments. Monensin, an inhibitor of protein transport through the Golgi apparatus, blocks association of newly synthesized MHC class II with lipid rafts. Treatment of cells with leupeptin, which inhibits invariant chain degradation, leads to the accumulation of MHC class II in lipid rafts within the lysosome-like Ag-processing compartments. Raft fractionation of lysosomal membranes confirmed the presence of MHC class II in detergent-insoluble microdomains in Ag-processing compartments. These findings indicate that newly synthesized MHC class II complexes are directed to detergent-insoluble lipid raft microdomains before peptide loading, a process that may facilitate the loading of similar peptides on MHC class II complexes in these microdomains.

Parvovirus Infection of Cells by Using Variants of the Feline Transferrin Receptor Altering Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis, Membrane Domain Localization, and Capsid-Binding Domains

The feline and canine transferrin receptors (TfRs) bind canine parvovirus to host cells and mediate rapid capsid uptake and infection. The TfR and its ligand transferrin have well-described pathways of endocytosis and recycling. Here we tested several receptor-dependent steps in infection for their role in virus infection of cells. Deletions of cytoplasmic sequences or mutations of the Tyr-Thr-Arg-Phe internalization motif reduced the rate of receptor uptake from the cell surface, while polar residues introduced into the transmembrane sequence resulted in increased degradation of transferrin. However, the mutant receptors still mediated efficient virus infection. In contrast, replacing the cytoplasmic and transmembrane sequences of the feline TfR with those of the influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) resulted in a receptor that bound and endocytosed the capsid but did not mediate viral infection. This chimeric receptor became localized to detergent-insoluble membrane domains. To test the effect of structural virus receptor interaction on infection, two chimeric receptors were prepared which contained antibody-variable domains that bound the capsid in place of the TfR ectodomain. These chimeric receptors bound CPV capsids and mediated uptake but did not result in cell infection. Adding soluble feline TfR ectodomain to the virus during that uptake did not allow infection.

ATP-binding Cassette Transporters Are Enriched in Non-caveolar Detergent-insoluble Glycosphingolipid-enriched Membrane Domains (DIGs) in Human Multidrug-resistant Cancer Cells

In this study we show that P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant 2780AD human ovarian carcinoma cells and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 in multidrug-resistant HT29col human colon carcinoma cells are predominantly located in Lubrol-based detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains. This localization is independent of caveolae, since 2780AD cells do not express caveolin-1. Although HT29col cells do express caveolin-1, the ATP-binding cassette transporter and caveolin-1 were dissociated on the basis of differential solubility in Triton X-100 and absence of microscopical colocalization. While both the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 and caveolin-1 are located in Lubrol-based membrane domains, they occupy different regions of these domains.

Proteome Analysis of Lipid Rafts in Jurkat Cells Characterizes a Raft Subset That Is Involved in NF-κB Activation

Lipid rafts are detergent-insoluble membrane domains that play a key role in signal transduction by the T-cell antigen receptor. Proteome analysis revealed the presence of amidosulfobetaine-soluble signal transducing, integral membrane, cytoskeletal, heat shock, and GTP-binding proteins in rafts prepared from Jurkat cells. Several of these proteins were recruited to rafts by CD3/CD28 costimulation. Of particular interest is the inducible association of activated IkappaB kinase complexes with raft vesicles that could be captured with anti-flotillin-1 antibodies. Following amidosulfobetaine solubilization, flotillin-beta and IKKbeta underwent reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation. Treatment of Jurkat cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin disrupted the assembly and activation of this raft complex and also interfered in CD3/ CD28-induced activation of a NF-kappaB response element in the IL-2 promoter.

Ergosterol is required for targeting of tryptophan permease to the yeast plasma membrane.

It was known that the uptake of tryptophan is reduced in the yeast erg6 mutant, which is defective in a late step of ergosterol biosynthesis. Here, we show that this is because the high affinity tryptophan permease Tat2p is not targeted to the plasma membrane. In wild-type cells, the plasma membrane localization of Tat2p is regulated by the external tryptophan concentration. Tat2p is transported from the Golgi apparatus to the vacuole at high tryptophan, and to the plasma membrane at low tryptophan. However, in the erg6 mutant, Tat2p is missorted to the vacuole at low tryptophan. The plasma membrane targeting of Tat2p is dependent on detergent-insoluble membrane domains, suggesting that sterol affects the sorting through the organization of lipid rafts. The erg6 mutation also caused missorting to the multivesicular body pathway in late endosomes. Thus, sterol composition is crucial for protein sorting late in the secretory pathway. Tat2p is subject to polyubiquitination, which acts as a vacuolar-targeting signal, and the inhibition of this process suppresses the Tat2p sorting defects of the erg6 mutant. The sorting mechanisms of Tat2p that depend on both sterol and ubiquitin will be discussed.

Localization of tissue factor pathway inhibitor to lipid rafts is not required for inhibition of factor VIIa/tissue factor activity

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) abrogates coagulation initiated by the factor VIIa/tissue factor catalytic complex. While the gene structure of TFPI suggests that it is a secreted protein, a large pool of TFPI is associated with the vascular endothelium through its affinity for a glycosylphosphati-dylinositol (GPI)-linked membrane protein. Inhibition of tissue factor by TFPI coincides with the translocation of quaternary complexes containing tissue factor, factor VIIa, factor Xa, and TFPI to detergent-insoluble plasma membrane domains rich in cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and GPI-linked proteins known as lipid rafts and caveolae. It is not known if localization of TFPI to these membrane domains is required for its inhibition of tissue factor procoagulant activity. We generated chimeric TFPI molecules linked directly to the plasma membrane via a GPI anchor or hydrophobic transmembrane domain and expressed these in HEK293 cells that produce tissue factor but not endogenous TFPI. The GPI-anchored chimera was exclusively enriched in detergent-insoluble membrane fractions while the transmembrane molecule was not. Transfectants expressing equal levels of the GPI-linked or transmembrane TFPI displayed equal anticoagulant potency as assessed by tissue factor-mediated conversion of factor X to factor Xa. Disruption of lipid rafts with cyclodextrin likewise had no effect on the inhibitory activity of the transmembrane or GPI-linked TFPI chimeras in HEK293 cells, nor on endogenous TFPI expressed by ECV304 cells. Thus, we conclude that the GPI anchor and membrane localization to lipid rafts does not enhance inhibition of factor VIIa/tissue factor by cell-surface associated TFPI.

E-selectin and ICAM-1 are incorporated into detergent-insoluble membrane domains following clustering in endothelial cells

Here we present data supporting the role of lipid rafts in endothelial cells during leukocyte adhesion. Following adhesion of THP-1 cells or antibody-mediated clustering, both E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) partitioned into the detergent-insoluble portion of the endothelial cellular lysate. Sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed the partitioning of clustered E-selectin and ICAM-1 with the low-density fraction where they co-fractionated with src family kinases, markers of lipid rafts. Depleting the plasma membrane of cholesterol inhibited clustering of adhesion molecules following their antibody-induced crosslinking and inhibited their association with src kinases. Thus, our data suggest that E-selectin and ICAM-1 associate with lipid rafts in human endothelial cells following leukocyte adhesion.

Differential effects of cholesterol on acyl chain order in erythrocyte membranes as a function of depth from the surface. An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin label study

The purpose of this work is to analyze the effects of cholesterol modulation on acyl chain ordering in the membrane of human erythrocytes as a function of depth from the surface. Partial cholesterol depletion was achieved by incubation of erythrocytes with liposomes containing saturated phospholipids, or with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). Cholesterol enrichment was achieved by incubation with liposomes formed by phospholipids/cholesterol, or with the complex MβCD/cholesterol. Acyl chain order was studied with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) using spin labels that sense the lipid bilayer at different depths. It is shown that the increase in cholesterol stiffens acyl chains but decreases the interaction among lipid headgroups, while cholesterol depletion causes the opposite behavior. It is likely that the observed cholesterol effects are related to those stabilizing the cholesterol-rich detergent-insoluble membrane domains (rafts), recently shown to exist in erythrocytes.

Colocalization Prostacyclin (PGI2) Synthase–Caveolin-1 in Endothelial Cells and New Roles for PGI2 in Angiogenesis

In vascular cells, prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGI2s) has been localized in the endoplasmic reticulum of endothelial cells and in the nuclear and plasma membrane of smooth muscle cells. In human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells, we detected the enzyme in abundant cytoplasmic vesicles apparently originating from the plasma membrane and similar to those stained by gold-albumin, which interacts with a caveolar receptor. This prompted us to try a direct confocal microscopy approach aimed at colocalizing gold-albumin, caveolin-1, and PGI2 synthase. Moreover, the staining of HUVE cells with an anti-BiP7Grp78 antibody (a marker of endoplasmic reticulum) shows a perinuclear localization, sharply separated from PGI2 synthase localization. The results indicate that more than 80% of the enzyme resides in cellular sites costaining with caveolin-1 antibody and gold-albumin. This evidence was confirmed by the demonstration that PGI2 synthase and caveolin-1 coimmunoprecipitate in HUVE cell lysates and that they are associated to detergent-insoluble membrane domains in the same low-density fractions of a sucrose gradient. In addition, depletion of cellular cholesterol by mevalonate and methyl-β-cyclodextrin leads to the shift of PGI2 synthase and caveolin-1 to higher density fractions of the gradient. Biochemical evidence about colocalization was supported by the use of a fusion protein glutathione S-transferase (GST)/caveolin-1, which retained either PGI2s purified from ram seminal vesicles or PGI2s present in HUVE cell lysates. Binding of PGI2s to caveolin “scaffolding domain” and to C-terminal region was deduced by using full-length GST–Cav-1, GST–Cav 61–101, and GST C- and N-terminal fusion proteins. A double approach based on the usage of filipin as a specific caveolae-disrupting agent and antisense oligonucleotides targeting PGI2 synthase mRNA suggests that the production of PGI2 in caveolae is likely to be connected to the regulation of angiogenesis, at least in vitro.

Thioacylation is required for targeting G-protein subunit Go1α to detergent-insoluble caveolin-containing membrane domains

α-Subunits of heterotrimeric Gi-like proteins (αi, αo and αz) associate with the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by means of N-terminally linked myristic acid and palmitic acid. An additional role for palmitate has been recently suggested by the observation that fusion with the palmitoylated N-terminus of αi1 relocalizes cytosolic green-fluorescent-protein reporter to low buoyancy, Triton-insoluble membrane domains (TIFF; Triton-insoluble floating fraction), enriched with caveolin-1 [Galbiati, Volonté, Meani, Milligan, Lublin, Lisanti and Parenti (1999) J. Biol. Chem 274, 5843-5850]. Here we show that, upon transient expression in transfected COS-7 cells, myristoylated and palmitoylated αo (αowt, where wt is wild-type) is exclusively found in TIFF, from where non-palmitoylated αowt and αoC3S (Cys3 → Ser) mutant are excluded. Moreover, αo fused to N-terminally truncated human vasopressin V2 receptor (V2TR-αo), lacking myristate and palmitate, still localizes at the plasma membrane by means of first transmembrane helix of V2R, but is excluded from TIFF. Likewise, αoC3S does not partition into TIFF, even when its membrane avidity is enhanced by co-expression of βγ-subunits. Thus membrane association, in the absence of added palmitate, is not sufficient to confer partitioning of αo within TIFF, suggesting that palmitoylation is a signal for membrane compartmentalization of dually acylated α-subunits

Thioacylation is required for targeting G-protein subunit G(o1alpha) to detergent-insoluble caveolin-containing membrane domains.

alpha-Subunits of heterotrimeric G(i)-like proteins (alpha(i), alpha(o) and alpha(z)) associate with the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by means of N-terminally linked myristic acid and palmitic acid. An additional role for palmitate has been recently suggested by the observation that fusion with the palmitoylated N-terminus of alpha(i1) relocalizes cytosolic green-fluorescent-protein reporter to low buoyancy, Triton-insoluble membrane domains (TIFF; Triton-insoluble floating fraction), enriched with caveolin-1 [Galbiati, Volonté, Meani, Milligan, Lublin, Lisanti and Parenti (1999) J. Biol. Chem 274, 5843-5850]. Here we show that, upon transient expression in transfected COS-7 cells, myristoylated and palmitoylated alpha(o) (alpha(o)wt, where wt is wild-type) is exclusively found in TIFF, from where non-palmitoylated alpha(o)wt and alpha(o)C3S (Cys(3)-->Ser) mutant are excluded. Moreover, alpha(o) fused to N-terminally truncated human vasopressin V2 receptor (V2TR-alpha(o)), lacking myristate and palmitate, still localizes at the plasma membrane by means of first transmembrane helix of V2R, but is excluded from TIFF. Likewise, alpha(o)C3S does not partition into TIFF, even when its membrane avidity is enhanced by co-expression of betagamma-subunits. Thus membrane association, in the absence of added palmitate, is not sufficient to confer partitioning of alpha(o) within TIFF, suggesting that palmitoylation is a signal for membrane compartmentalization of dually acylated alpha-subunits.

Palmitoylation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein is critical for viral infectivity.

Recent studies suggest that HIV-1 budding occurs selectively from detergent-insoluble membrane domains, referred to as lipid rafts. Palmitoylation is thought to be one of the factors responsible for targeting membrane proteins to lipid rafts. The cytoplasmic domain of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp160) contains two palmitoylated cysteine residues. In this work, we studied the solubility of gp160 after detergent extraction. We show that wild-type gp160 is mostly insoluble after ice-cold Triton X-100 extraction, but that it becomes almost completely soluble at 37 degrees C. In contrast, we find that a mutant gp160, in which the two palmitoylated cysteine residues are replaced by serine, is Triton X-100 soluble even under ice-cold extraction. These findings are consistent with the properties of proteins that localize to lipid rafts and strongly suggest that gp160 is associated with lipid rafts. Further, removal of both palmitoylation sites results in the formation of virus with low levels of gp160 incorporation as well as a decrease in viral infectivity by 60-fold. Our results strongly support the suggestion that HIV-1 buds from lipid rafts and point to a role for rafts as a viral assembly hub.