Detergent-resistant Lipid Rafts Research Articles

Increase in fatty acids and flotillins upon resveratrol treatment of human breast cancer cells

Flotillin-1 and flotillin-2 are highly conserved proteins that localize into cholesterol-rich microdomains in cellular membranes. Flotillins are closely related to the occurrence and development of various types of human cancers. Flotillin-1 is highly expressed in breast cancer, and the high expression level of flotillin-1 is significantly correlated with poorer patient survival. Here we studied the relationship between the formation of lipid rafts and the expression of flotillins and lipids in human breast cancer cells. We used the polyphenol compound resveratrol to alter the structure and function of the plasma membrane. Our data revealed an increase in fatty acids in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells upon resveratrol treatment. Interestingly, we also found an increase in the expression of both flotillin-1 and flotillin-2 in breast tumor cells after treatment. Resveratrol also induced changes in the pattern of flotillin distribution among detergent-resistant lipid rafts fractions in both cell lines and induced the nuclear translocation of flotillin-2. Since resveratrol has been pointed out as a putative cancer therapy agent, our results could have an impact on the understanding of the effects of resveratrol in tumor cells.

Generation and Function of Non-cell-bound CD73 in Inflammation

Extracellular adenine nucleotides participate in cell-to-cell communication and modulate the immune response. The concerted action of ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 plays a major role in the local production of anti-inflammatory adenosine, but both ectonucleotidases are rarely co-expressed by human T cells. The expression of CD39 on T cells increases upon T cell activation and is high at sites of inflammation. CD73, in contrast, disappears from the cellular membrane after activation. The possibility that CD73 could act in trans would resolve the conundrum of both enzymes being co-expressed for the degradation of ATP and the generation of adenosine. An enzymatically active soluble form of CD73 has been reported, and AMPase activity has been detected in body fluids of patients with inflammation and cancer. It is not yet clear how CD73, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, is released from the cell membrane, but plausible mechanisms include cleavage by metalloproteinases and shedding mediated by cell-associated phospholipases. Importantly, like many other GPI-anchored proteins, CD73 at the cell membrane is preferentially localized in detergent-resistant domains or lipid rafts, which often contribute to extracellular vesicles (EVs). Indeed, CD73-containing vesicles of different size and origin and with immunomodulatory function have been found in the tumor microenvironment. The occurrence of CD73 as non-cell-bound molecule widens the range of action of this enzyme at sites of inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the generation of non-cell-bound CD73 and its physiological role in inflammation.

Co‐localization of Hepatocellular Uptake Transporters in Detergent Resistant Membranes (Lipid Rafts)

BackgroundWe have previously shown that several transporters located in the basolateral membrane of human hepatocytes (OCT1, NTCP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3) interact with each other. These interactions affect both surface expression and function. Currently, transporter studies are performed using cell lines that express a single transporter at a time without considering how transporter interactions will affect function. Determining how transporters co‐localize, e.g. in detergent resistant lipid rafts or via direct protein‐protein interactions, has far‐reaching implications for drug metabolism and pharmacological studies.AimThe purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that these transporters co‐localize with well‐known lipid raft marker proteins.MethodsFollowing homogenization in 1% Triton X‐100 on ice, lipid rafts were isolated from HEK293 cells expressing NTCP, OCT1, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3, or from frozen human liver samples. Homogenates in 40% sucrose were overlaid with a discontinuous 5% to 35% sucrose gradient. After centrifugation for 18 hours at 197,000 × gav, gradients were fractionated, and aliquots were analyzed using western blotting. The blots were probed with antibodies against positive (caveolin and Na+/K+ ATPase) and negative (clathrin) lipid raft markers, as well as with transporter‐specific antibodies.ResultsIn human liver, caveolin, Na+/K+ ATPase, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and OCT1 were detected in similar fractions. OCT1 also was found in clathrin‐positive fractions towards the bottom of the gradient. In HEK293 cells, NTCP and OCT1 co‐localized with caveolin in the middle of the gradient and again, OCT1 was also found towards the bottom of the gradient.ConclusionThe detection of NTCP, OCT1, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 along with the positive lipid raft markers caveolin and Na+/K+ ATPase indicates that co‐localization of these transporters occurs, at least in part, because of their residence in detergent resistant membrane domains. Future experiments are aimed at identifying the functional consequences of this co‐localization.Support or Funding InformationP20 GM103549, P30 GM118247, and GM077336This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Abstract 3547: Properties of lipid rafts in two epigenetically distinct subtypes of the oncogenic cell-line SW13

Abstract The epithelial SW13 cancer cell line has two naturally occurring well-defined cell subtypes. The SW13(Vim-) has a phenotype that resembles typical epithelial tumors, displaying increased growth and proliferation with a low level of invasiveness. The SW13(Vim+) subtype has a mesenchymal-like phenotype, commonly associated with more invasive and metastatic states of epithelial cancers. SW13(Vim-) can be converted to a pseudo SW13(Vim+) phenotype when treated with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). This model is used to study the epigenetic phenotypic differences between tumor-like cancer cells and cells that display a more metastatic phenotype. Gene chip data obtained from the SW13 treated and untreated cells displays differential expression in many genes, specifically genes for cellular membrane proteins and genes involved in cholesterol, sphingolipid, and GPI-anchored protein metabolism; all of which are essential components of lipid rafts. Additionally, recent improved outcomes noted in patients using statin drugs further implicates that cholesterol plays a role in cancer progression, although the mechanism for this improvement is not well understood. This suggests lipid rafts are a candidate for a physical structure that manifests the differential effect of cholesterol perturbations in cancer phenotypes. We hypothesize that lipid raft protein composition is distinctly different between the two SW13 cell subtypes, and that the differences in the composition of lipid rafts may play a role in the unique oncogenic phenotypes of the two subtypes. Utilizing low-temperature detergent-resistant lipid raft isolation techniques, western blotting, and mass spectrometry we investigate protein composition differences between the two SW13 cell subtypes. Cholesterol assays are applied to assess the distribution and total cholesterol content of each SW13 subtype, this also provides translational confirmation of the gene chip data obtained from the subtypes. Cholesterol depletion techniques utilizing cyclodextrin for acute disruption and simvastatin for chronic disruption are being implemented to perturb lipid rafts and observe their role in the oncogenic phenotypes of the SW13 cell subtypes. Specifically, metastatic qualities are measured after lipid raft and cholesterol perturbations. Initial findings support differential cholesterol representation in the two SW13 cell subtypes. Potential findings may explain a mechanism in which cholesterol perturbations are capable of decreasing metastasis and improving the outcome of patients with epithelial cancers. Citation Format: Luis Espejo, Kathryn J. Leyva, Elizabeth E. Hull. Properties of lipid rafts in two epigenetically distinct subtypes of the oncogenic cell-line SW13 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3547.

Endogenous Brain Lipids Inhibit Prion Amyloid Formation In Vitro

The normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) resides in detergent-resistant outer membrane lipid rafts in which conversion to the pathogenic misfolded form is believed to occur. Once misfolding occurs, the pathogenic isoform polymerizes into highly stable amyloid fibrils. In vitro assays have demonstrated an intimate association between prion conversion and lipids, specifically phosphatidylethanolamine, which is a critical cofactor in the formation of synthetic infectious prions. In the current work, we demonstrate an alternative inhibitory function of lipids in the prion conversion process as assessed in vitro by real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). Using an alcohol-based extraction technique, we removed the lipid content from chronic wasting disease (CWD)-infected white-tailed deer brain homogenates and found that lipid extraction enabled RT-QuIC detection of CWD prions in a 2-log10-greater concentration of brain sample. Conversely, addition of brain-derived lipid extracts to CWD prion brain or lymph node samples inhibited amyloid formation in a dose-dependent manner. Subsequent lipid analysis demonstrated that this inhibitory function was restricted to the polar lipid fraction in brain. We further investigated three phospholipids commonly found in lipid membranes, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol, and found all three similarly inhibited RT-QuIC. These results demonstrating polar-lipid, and specifically phospholipid, inhibition of prion-seeded amyloid formation highlight the diverse roles lipid constituents may play in the prion conversion process.IMPORTANCE Prion conversion is likely influenced by lipid interactions, given the location of normal prion protein (PrPC) in lipid rafts and lipid cofactors generating infectious prions in in vitro models. Here, we use real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) to demonstrate that endogenous brain polar lipids can inhibit prion-seeded amyloid formation, suggesting that prion conversion is guided by an environment of proconversion and anticonversion lipids. These experiments also highlight the applicability of RT-QuIC to identify potential therapeutic inhibitors of prion conversion.

Palmitoylated APP Forms Dimers, Cleaved by BACE1.

A major rate-limiting step for Aβ generation and deposition in Alzheimer’s disease brains is BACE1-mediated cleavage (β-cleavage) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). We previously reported that APP undergoes palmitoylation at two cysteine residues (Cys186 and Cys187) in the E1-ectodomain. 8–10% of total APP is palmitoylated in vitro and in vivo. Palmitoylated APP (palAPP) shows greater preference for β-cleavage than total APP in detergent resistant lipid rafts. Protein palmitoylation is known to promote protein dimerization. Since dimerization of APP at its E1-ectodomain results in elevated BACE1-mediated cleavage of APP, we have now investigated whether palmitoylation of APP affects its dimerization and whether this leads to elevated β-cleavage of the protein. Here we report that over 90% of palAPP is dimerized while only ~20% of total APP forms dimers. PalAPP-dimers are predominantly cis-oriented while total APP dimerizes in both cis- and trans-orientation. PalAPP forms dimers 4.5-times more efficiently than total APP. Overexpression of the palmitoylating enzymes DHHC7 and DHHC21 that increase palAPP levels and Aβ release, also increased APP dimerization in cells. Conversely, inhibition of APP palmitoylation by pharmacological inhibitors reduced APP-dimerization in coimmunoprecipitation and FLIM/FRET assays. Finally, in vitro BACE1-activity assays demonstrate that palmitoylation-dependent dimerization of APP promotes β-cleavage of APP in lipid-rich detergent resistant cell membranes (DRMs), when compared to total APP. Most importantly, generation of sAPPβ-sAPPβ dimers is dependent on APP-palmitoylation while total sAPPβ generation is not. Since BACE1 shows preference for palAPP dimers over total APP, palAPP dimers may serve as novel targets for effective β-cleavage inhibitors of APP as opposed to BACE1 inhibitors.

Abstract 4856: Survivin packaging into exosomes is lipid raft-dependent

Abstract We have shown that Survivin is exported out of the cancer cell via exosomes despite its lack of a secretory signaling peptide. However, the mechanism of Survivin exosomal loading is not yet known. Exosomal protein sorting can be endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent or ESCRT-independent. ESCRT dependent protein sorting requires monoubiquitination of the target protein, which serves as an exosome sorting signal. The ESCRT independent mechanism is through preferential aggregation of the proteins which is based on intrinsic physical properties to lipid-rafts present in exosomes. Our lab has recently shown that exosomal Survivin is associated with both Hsp70 and Hsp90, as well as PRDX1 which have also been shown associated with detergent-resistant lipid rafts. Here, we determine whether Survivin is lipid-raft dependent and whether Hsp70 and Hsp90 and/or PRDX1 are required for exosomal Survivin loading. Exosomes were collected from conditioned media taken from HeLaS cells and isolated by centrifugation. Colocalizations of Survivin with Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 in the cell and exosomes were detected by immnocytochemistry visualized by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation. HeLaS cells were treated with increasing concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin to disrupt lipid rafts as a way to determine protein lipid raft association. Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 knock-down using siRNAs will be accomplished to verify the requirement of these proteins for Survivin exosome loading and lipid-raft dependents. Here we show that Survivin colocalizes with Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 in HeLaS cells as well as their exosomes. Increasing concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin disrupts lipid rafts in the HeLaS cells and releases exosomes which also subsequently contain decreasing PRDX1 and Survivin protein amounts. The release of Survivin into the tumor microenvironment is an important finding as this IAP may contribute to the aggressiveness of the cancer as well as the development of chemoresistance. Despite lacking a secretory signaling peptide, Survivin is being released into the extracellular space via exosomes using chaperones. Knowing how Survivin is exosomally packaged may prove useful in selecting patient specific treatment regimens. Citation Format: Malyn May Asuncion Valenzuela, Heather R. Ferguson Bennit, Carlos Joel Diaz Osterman, Salma Khan, Carlos Casiano, Nathan R. Wall. Survivin packaging into exosomes is lipid raft-dependent. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4856. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4856

Plasma Membrane Compartmentalization of D2 Dopamine Receptors

Plasma membrane microcompartments could allow different signaling pathways to operate more efficiently and prevent cross-talk. We utilized a novel in-cell biotin transfer assay to demonstrate that the majority of plasma membrane-expressed D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) is microcompartmentalized within detergent-resistant structures. Conversely, a minority of D2R existed in a detergent-soluble form and interacted in a relatively unrestricted manner with other cellular proteins. The microcompartmentalization of D2R had functional consequences because dopamine-induced internalization of D2R was largely restricted to the compartmentalized receptor. The D2R-containing microcompartments did not correspond to putative detergent-resistant lipid raft structures. First, the detergent-insoluble D2R structures were significantly denser than detergent-resistant membrane fragments containing flotillin, a widely utilized lipid raft marker protein. Second, the detergent solubility of D2R was unaffected by treatment of cells with the cholesterol chelating agent, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, that is thought to disrupt lipid rafts. Finally, the in-cell biotinylation assay did not provide any evidence for the membrane compartmentalization of peptide motifs thought to target to lipid rafts. Thus, our observations form one of the first demonstrations, in living cells, of plasma membrane microcompartments defined by the ability of the compartment structure to broadly restrict the interaction of resident molecules with other cellular proteins.

Permeabilization of enterocytes induced by absorption of dietary fat

Absorption of dietary fat in the small intestine involves epithelial exposure to potentially harmful molecules such as bile salts and free fatty acids. We used organ culture of porcine jejunal explants incubated with a pre-digested mixture of fat (plant oil), bile and pancreatin to mimick the physiological process of dietary fat absorption, and short exposures to the fat mixture caused fat droplet accumulation within villus enterocytes. Lucifer yellow (LY), a fluorescent membrane-impermeable polar tracer was included to monitor epithelial integrity. Both in controls and during fat absorption LY penetrated the epithelium and accumulated in the basal lamina and the lamina propria. LY was also seen in the paracellular space, whereas villus enterocytes were generally only weakly labeled except for small amounts taken up by apical endocytosis. In the crypts, however, fat absorption induced cell permeabilization with LY accumulating in the cytosol and nucleus. Morphologically, both apical and basolateral membranes appeared intact, indicating that the leakiness was caused by minor lesions in the membrane. Albeit to a lesser extent, bile alone was capable of permeabilizing crypt cells, implying that the surfactant properties of bile salts are involved in the process. In addition to LY, crypt enterocytes also became permeable for albumin, ovalbumin and insulin. In conclusion, during fat absorption the permeability of the gut epithelium is increased mainly in the crypts. A possible explanation is that cell membranes of immature crypt cells, lacking detergent-resistant lipid raft microdomains, are less resistant to the deleterious effects of bile salts and free fatty acids.

PTRF/Cavin-1 is Essential for Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Cells

Since detergent-resistant lipid rafts play important roles in multidrug resistance (MDR), their comprehensive proteomics could provide new insights to understand the underlying molecular mechanism of MDR in cancer cells. In the present work, lipid rafts were isolated from MCF-7 and adriamycin-resistant MCF-7/ADR cells and their proteomes were analyzed by label-free quantitative proteomics. Polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF)/cavin-1 was measured to be upregulated along with multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein, caveolin-1, and serum deprivation protein response/cavin-2 in the lipid rafts of MCF-7/ADR cells. PTRF knockdown led to reduction in the amount of lipid rafts on the surface of MCF7/ADR cells as determined by cellular staining with lipid raft-specific dyes such as S-laurdan2 and FITC-conjugated cholera toxin B. PTRF knockdown also reduced MDR in MCF-7/ADR cells. These data indicate that PTRF is necessary for MDR in cancer cells via the fortification of lipid rafts.

Upregulated function of mitochondria-associated ER membranes in Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with aberrant processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by γ-secretase, via an unknown mechanism. We recently showed that presenilin-1 and -2, the catalytic components of γ-secretase, and γ-secretase activity itself, are highly enriched in a subcompartment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is physically and biochemically connected to mitochondria, called mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs). We now show that MAM function and ER-mitochondrial communication-as measured by cholesteryl ester and phospholipid synthesis, respectively-are increased significantly in presenilin-mutant cells and in fibroblasts from patients with both the familial and sporadic forms of AD. We also show that MAM is an intracellular detergent-resistant lipid raft (LR)-like domain, consistent with the known presence of presenilins and γ-secretase activity in rafts. These findings may help explain not only the aberrant APP processing but also a number of other biochemical features of AD, including altered lipid metabolism and calcium homeostasis. We propose that upregulated MAM function at the ER-mitochondrial interface, and increased cross-talk between these two organelles, may play a hitherto unrecognized role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Regulation of neurokine receptor signaling and trafficking

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are neurally active cytokines, or neurokines. LIF signals through a receptor consisting of gp130 and the low affinity LIF receptor (LIFR), while the CNTF receptor consists of gp130, LIFR, and the low affinity CNTF receptor (CNTFR). Ser1044 of the LIFR is phosphorylated by Erk1/2 MAP kinase. Stimulation of neural cells with growth factors which strongly activate Erk1/2 decreases LIF-mediated signal transduction due to increased degradation of the LIFR as a consequence of Erk1/2-dependent phosphorylation of the receptor at Ser1044.The gp130 receptor subunit is phosphorylated, at least in part by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, at Ser782, which is adjacent to a dileucine internalization motif. Ser782 appears to negatively regulate cytokine receptor expression, as mutagenesis of Ser782 results in increased gp130 expression and cytokine-induced neuropeptide gene transcription.The LIFR and gp130 are transmembrane proteins, while CNTFR is a peripheral membrane protein attached to the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol tail. In unstimulated cells, CNTFR but not LIFR and gp130 is localized to detergent-resistant lipid rafts. Stimulation of cells with CNTFR causes translocation of LIFR and gp130 into the lipid rafts, while stimulation with LIF does not induce receptor translocation, raising the possibility that CNTF could induce different patterns of signaling and/or receptor trafficking than caused by LIF.We used a compartmentalized culture system to examine the mechanisms for retrograde signaling by LIF and CNTF from distal neurites to the cell bodies of mouse sympathetic neurons. Stimulation with neurokines of the distal neurites of sympathetic neurons grown in a compartmentalized culture system resulted in the activation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Stat3. Retrograde signaling required Jak kinase activity in the cell body but not the distal neurites, and could be blocked by inhibitors of microtubule but not microfilament function. The results are consistent with a signaling endosomes model in which the ctyokine/receptor complex is transported back to the cell body where Stat3 is activated. While both LIF and CNTF mediate retrograde activation of Stat3, the kinetics for retrograde signaling differ for the two neurokines.

Caveolae-dependent Endocytosis Is Required for Class A Macrophage Scavenger Receptor-mediated Apoptosis in Macrophages

SR-A (class A macrophage scavenger receptor) is a transmembrane receptor that can bind many different ligands, including modified lipoproteins that are relevant to the development of vascular diseases. However, the precise endocytic pathways of SR-A/mediated ligands internalization are not fully characterized. In this study, we show that the SR-A/ligand complex can be endocytosed by both clathrin- and caveolae-dependent pathways. Internalizations of SR-A-lipoprotein (such as acLDL) complexes primarily go through clathrin-dependent endocytosis. In contrast, macrophage apoptosis triggered by SR-A-fucoidan internalization requires caveolae-dependent endocytosis. The caveolae-dependent process activates p38 kinase and JNK signaling, whereas the clathrin-mediated endocytosis elicits ERK signaling. Our results suggest that different SR-A endocytic pathways have distinct functional consequences due to the activation of different signaling cascades in macrophages.

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system is recruited to detergent‐resistant lipid rafts during myogenesis

Since detergent-resistant lipid rafts play important roles in the signal transduction for myogenesis, their comprehensive proteomic analysis could provide new insights to understand their function in myotubes. Here, the detergent-resistant lipid rafts were isolated from C2C12 myotubes and analyzed by capillary RPLC/MS/MS. Among the 327 proteins (or protein groups) identified, 28% were categorized to the plasma membrane or raft proteins, 29% to mitochondria, 20% to microsomal proteins, 10% to other proteins, and 13% to unknown proteins. The localization of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes in the sarcolemma lipid rafts was further confirmed from C2C12 myotubes by cellular fractionation, surface-biotin labeling, immunofluorescence, and lipid raft fractionation. After adding exogenous cytochrome c, the sarcolemma isolated from myotubes had an ability to consume oxygen in the presence of NADH or succinate. The generation of NADH-dependent extracellular superoxide was increased by inhibiting or downregulating OXPHOS I, III, and IV in myotubes, indicating that OXPHOS proteins are major sources for extracellular ROS in skeletal muscle. With all these data, we can conclude that OXPHOS proteins are associated with the sarcolemma lipid rafts during C2C12 myogenesis to generate extracellular ROS.

ScFv Antibody-induced Translocation of Cell-surface Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan to Endocytic Vesicles

Cellular uptake of several viruses and polybasic macromolecules requires the expression of cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) through as yet ill defined mechanisms. We unexpectedly found that among several cell-surface-binding single chain variable fragment (scFv) anti-HS antibody (alphaHS) clones, only one, AO4B08, efficiently translocated macromolecular cargo to intracellular vesicles through induction of HSPG endocytosis. Interestingly, AO4B08-induced PG internalization was strictly dependent on HS 2-O-sulfation and appeared independent of intact N-sulfation. AO4B08 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Tat, i.e. a well known cell-penetrating peptide, were shown to compete for the internalizing PG population. To obtain a more detailed characterization of this pathway, we have developed a procedure for the isolation of endocytic vesicles by conjugating AO4B08 with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. [(35)S]sulfate-labeled HSPG was found to accumulate in isolated, AO4B08-containing vesicles, providing the first biochemical evidence for intact HSPG co-internalization with its ligand. Further analysis revealed the existence of both syndecan, i.e. a transmembrane HSPG, and glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol-anchored glypican in purified vesicles. Importantly, internalized syndecan and glypican were found to co-localize in AO4B08-containing vesicles. Our data establish HSPGs as true internalizing receptors of macromolecular cargo and indicate that the sorting of cell-surface HSPG to endocytic vesicles is determined by a specific HS epitope that can be carried by both syndecan and glypican core protein.

Identification of conserved erythrocyte binding regions in members of the Plasmodium falciparum Cys 6 lipid raft-associated protein family

Detergent-resistant lipid raft membrane-associated Pf12, Pf38 and Pf41 proteins belong to the Cys 6 family, whose members are implicated in Plasmodium falciparum invasion to erythrocytes. We have analyzed the interaction between 20-mer-long synthetic peptides spanning the entire Pf12, Pf38 and Pf41 sequences and erythrocytes. Eight high-activity binding peptides (HABPs) were identified in these proteins, which presented saturable bindings susceptible to erythrocytes’ enzymatic treatment, and β-turn, random coil and α-helical elements as principal structural features. Some of these HABPs inhibited merozoite invasion in vitro, suggesting a possible role of Pf12, Pf38 and Pf41 during erythrocyte invasion and supporting their inclusion in the design of a fully effective antimalarial vaccine.

Proteome analysis of adipocyte lipid rafts reveals that gC1qR plays essential roles in adipogenesis and insulin signal transduction

Since insulin receptors and their downstream signaling molecules are organized in lipid rafts, proteomic analysis of adipocyte lipid rafts may provide new insights into the function of lipid rafts in adipogenesis and insulin signaling. To search for proteins involved in adipocyte differentiation and insulin signaling, we analyzed detergent-resistant lipid raft proteins from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes by 2-DE. Eleven raft proteins were identified from adipocytes. One of the adipocyte-specific proteins was globular C1q receptor (gC1qR), an acidic 32 kDa protein known as the receptor for the globular domain of complement C1q. The targeting of gC1qR into lipid rafts was significantly increased during adipogenesis, as determined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Since the silencing of gC1qR by small RNA interference abolished adipogenesis and blocked insulin-induced activation of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), Akt, and Erk1/2, we can conclude that gC1qR is an essential molecule involved in adipogenesis and insulin signaling.

Mechanism of the metal-mediated endocytosis of the prion protein

The cellular form of the prion protein, PrP(c), is critically required for the establishment of prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Within the N-terminal half of PrP(c) are four octapeptide repeats that bind Cu(2+). Exposure of neuronal cells expressing PrP(c) to Cu(2+) results in the rapid endocytosis of the protein. First, PrP(c) translocates laterally out of detergent-resistant lipid rafts into detergent-soluble regions of the plasma membrane, then it is internalized through clathrin-coated pits. The extreme N-terminal region of PrP(c) is critically required for its endocytosis, as is the transmembrane LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1). Incubation of cells with a competitive inhibitor of LRP1 ligands, receptor-associated protein, or down-regulation of LRP1 with siRNA (short interfering RNA) reduces the endocytosis of PrP(c). Zn(2+) also promotes the endocytosis of PrP(c), a phenomenon that is also dependent on the octapeptide repeats and requires LRP1.

RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Dynamin 2 Reduces Endocannabinoid Uptake into Neuronal dCAD Cells

The precise mechanism by which the cellular uptake of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) occurs has been the source of much debate. In the current study, we show that neuronal differentiated CAD (dCAD) cells accumulate anandamide by a process that is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide (AM404). We also show that dCAD cells express functional fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme primarily responsible for anandamide metabolism. Previous data from our laboratory indicated that anandamide uptake occurs by a caveolae-related endocytic mechanism in RBL-2H3 cells. In the current study, we show that anandamide uptake by dCAD cells may also occur by an endocytic process that is associated with detergent-resistant membrane microdomains or lipid rafts. Nystatin and progesterone pretreatment of dCAD cells significantly inhibited anandamide accumulation. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of dynamin 2, a protein involved in endocytosis, blocked the internalization of the fluorescently labeled anandamide analog SKM 4-45-1 ([3',6'-bis(acetyloxy)-3-oxospiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen-5-yl]-2-[[1-oxo-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenyl]amino]ethyl ester carbamic acid). RNAi-mediated knockdown of the beta2 subunit of the clathrin-associated activator protein 2 complex had no effect on SKM 4-45-1 internalization. We were surprised to find that dynamin 2 knockdown in dCAD cells did not affect [3H]AEA uptake. However, dynamin 2 knockdown caused a significant increase in the overall levels of intact [3H]AEA associated with the cells, suggesting that trafficking of [3H]AEA to FAAH had been disrupted. This finding may be the result of an accumulation of the anandamide carrier protein in detergent-resistant membranes after dynamin 2 knockdown. Our studies provide evidence that the cellular uptake of anandamide may occur by a dynamin 2-dependent, caveolae-related endocytic process in dCAD cells.

Postnatal induction and localization of R7BP, a membrane-anchoring protein for regulator of G protein signaling 7 family-Gβ5 complexes in brain

Members of the regulator of G protein signaling 7 (RGS7) (R7) family and Gβ5 form obligate heterodimers that are expressed predominantly in the nervous system. R7-Gβ5 heterodimers are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) specific for Gi/o-class Gα subunits, which mediate phototransduction in retina and the action of many modulatory G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in brain. Here we have focused on the R7-family binding protein (R7BP), a recently identified palmitoylated protein that can bind R7-Gβ5 complexes and is hypothesized to control the intracellular localization and function of the resultant heterotrimeric complexes. We show that: 1) R7-Gβ5 complexes are obligate binding partners for R7BP in brain because they co-immunoprecipitate and exhibit similar expression patterns. Furthermore, R7BP and R7 protein accumulation in vivo requires Gβ5. 2) Expression of R7BP in Neuro2A cells at levels approximating those in brain recruits endogenous RGS7-Gβ5 complexes to the plasma membrane. 3) R7BP immunoreactivity in brain concentrates in neuronal soma, dendrites, spines or unmyelinated axons, and is absent or low in glia, myelinated axons, or axon terminals. 4) RGS7-Gβ5-R7BP complexes in brain extracts associate inefficiently with detergent-resistant lipid raft fractions with or without G protein activation. 5) R7BP and Gβ5 protein levels are upregulated strikingly during the first 2–3 weeks of postnatal brain development. Accordingly, we suggest that R7-Gβ5-R7BP complexes in the mouse or rat could regulate signaling by modulatory Gi/o-coupled GPCRs in the developing and adult nervous systems.