IP3R Subtypes Research Articles

Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Mutations Associated with Human Disease: Insights into Receptor Function and Dysfunction.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are ubiquitous intracellular Ca2+ release channels. Their activation, subcellular localization, abundance, and regulation play major roles in defining the spatiotemporal characteristics of intracellular Ca2+ signals, which are in turn fundamental to the appropriate activation of effectors that control a myriad of cellular events. Over the past decade, ∼100 mutations in ITPRs associated with human diseases have been documented. Mutations have been detailed in all three IP3R subtypes and all functional domains of the protein, resulting in both gain and loss of receptor function. IP3R mutations are associated with a diverse array of pathology including spinocerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, immunopathy, anhidrosis, hyperparathyroidism, and squamous cell carcinoma. This review focuses on how studying the altered activity of these mutations provides information relating to IP3R structure and function, the physiology underpinned by specific IP3R subtypes, and the pathological consequences of dysregulated Ca2+ signaling in human disease.

Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors Regulate Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Neointima Formation in Mice.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is involved in many types of arterial diseases, including neointima hyperplasia, in which Ca2+ has been recognized as a key player. However, the physiological role of Ca2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) from endoplasmic reticulum in regulating VSMC proliferation has not been well determined. Both invitro cell culture models and invivo mouse models were generated to investigate the role of IP3Rs in regulating VSMC proliferation. Expression of all 3 IP3R subtypes was increased in cultured VSMCs upon platelet-derived growth factor-BB and FBS stimulation as well as in the left carotid artery undergoing intimal thickening after vascular occlusion. Genetic ablation of all 3 IP3R subtypes abolished endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in cultured VSMCs, significantly reduced cell proliferation induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB and FBS stimulation, and also decreased cell migration of VSMCs. Furthermore, smooth muscle-specific deletion of all IP3R subtypes in adult mice dramatically attenuated neointima formation induced by left carotid artery ligation, accompanied by significant decreases in cell proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in injured vessels. Mechanistically, IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release may activate cAMP response element-binding protein, a key player in controlling VSMC proliferation, via Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and Akt. Loss of IP3Rs suppressed cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation at Ser133 in both cultured VSMCs and injured vessels, whereas application of Ca2+ permeable ionophore, ionomycin, can reverse cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation in IP3R triple knockout VSMCs. Our results demonstrated an essential role of IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum in regulating cAMP response element-binding protein activation, VSMC proliferation, and neointima formation in mouse arteries.

IP3R at ER-Mitochondrial Contact Sites: Beyond the IP3R-GRP75-VDAC1 Ca2+ Funnel.

Membrane contact sites (MCS) circumvent the topological constraints of functional coupling between different membrane-bound organelles by providing a means of communication and exchange of materials. One of the most characterised contact sites in the cell is that between the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondrial (ERMCS) whose function is to couple cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial function. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) on the ER, glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP 75) and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) on the outer mitochondrial membrane are the canonical component of the Ca2+ transfer unit at ERMCS. These are often reported to form a Ca2+ funnel that fuels the mitochondrial low-affinity Ca2+ uptake system. We assess the available evidence on the IP3R subtype selectivity at the ERMCS and consider if IP3Rs have other roles at the ERMCS beyond providing Ca2+. Growing evidence suggests that all three IP3R subtypes can localise and regulate Ca2+ signalling at ERMCS. Furthermore, IP3Rs may be structurally important for assembly of the ERMCS in addition to their role in providing Ca2+ at these sites. Evidence that various binding partners regulate the assembly and Ca2+ transfer at ERMCS populated by IP3R-GRP75-VDAC1, suggesting that cells have evolved mechanisms that stabilise these junctions forming a Ca2+ microdomain that is required to fuel mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.

Disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis and immunodeficiency in patients with functional IP3 receptor subtype 3 defects

Calcium signaling is essential for lymphocyte activation, with genetic disruptions of store-operated calcium (Ca2+) entry resulting in severe immunodeficiency. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), a homo- or heterotetramer of the IP3R1-3 isoforms, amplifies lymphocyte signaling by releasing Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum stores following antigen stimulation. Although knockout of all IP3R isoforms in mice causes immunodeficiency, the seeming redundancy of the isoforms is thought to explain the absence of variants in human immunodeficiency. In this study, we identified compound heterozygous variants of ITPR3 (a gene encoding IP3R subtype 3) in two unrelated Caucasian patients presenting with immunodeficiency. To determine whether ITPR3 variants act in a nonredundant manner and disrupt human immune responses, we characterized the Ca2+ signaling capacity, the lymphocyte response, and the clinical phenotype of these patients. We observed disrupted Ca2+ signaling in patient-derived fibroblasts and immune cells, with abnormal proliferation and activation responses following T-cell receptor stimulation. Reconstitution of IP3R3 in IP3R knockout cell lines led to the identification of variants as functional hypomorphs that showed reduced ability to discriminate between homeostatic and induced states, validating a genotype–phenotype link. These results demonstrate a functional link between defective endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels and immunodeficiency and identify IP3Rs as diagnostic targets for patients with specific inborn errors of immunity. These results also extend the known cause of Ca2+-associated immunodeficiency from store-operated entry to impaired Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum, revealing a broad sensitivity of lymphocytes to genetic defects in Ca2+ signaling.

Inositol (1,4,5)-Trisphosphate Receptors in Invasive Breast Cancer: A New Prognostic Tool?

Simple SummaryThe inositol-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a key player in physiological and pathological intracellular calcium signaling. The objective of the present study was to assess the putative value of the three IP3R subtypes as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer. We found that IP3R3 is the most strongly expressed subtype in breast cancer tissue. Furthermore, IP3R3 and IP3R1 are significantly more expressed in invasive breast cancer tissue than in non-tumor tissue. In contrast to IP3R1 and IP3R2, the expression of IP3R3 was positively correlated with prognostic factors including tumor size, regional node invasion, histologic grade, proliferation index, and hormonal status. By analyzing public databases, we found that the expression of all IP3R subtypes is significantly correlated with the overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with breast cancer. We conclude that relative to the other two IP3R subtypes, IP3R3 expression is upregulated in breast cancer and is correlated with prognostic factors. We strongly believe that our results will open up new perspectives with regard to the link between IP3Rs and breast cancer aggressiveness.Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in worldwide and France. The disease prognosis and treatment differ from one breast cancer subtype to another, and the disease outcome depends on many prognostic factors. Deregulation of ion flux (especially Ca2+ flux) is involved in many pathophysiology processes, including carcinogenesis. Inside the cell, the inositol-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a major player in the regulation of the Ca2+ flux from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytoplasm. The IP3Rs (and particularly the IP3R3 subtype) are known to be involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion processes in breast cancer cell lines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential value of IP3Rs as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer. We found that expression levels of IP3R3 and IP3R1 (but not IP3R2) were significantly higher in invasive breast cancer of no special type than in non-tumor tissue from the same patient. However, the IP3R3 subtype was expressed more strongly than the IP3R1 and IP3R2 subtypes. Furthermore, the expression of IP3R3 (but not of IP3R1 or IP3R2) was positively correlated with prognostic factors such as tumor size, regional node invasion, histologic grade, proliferation index, and hormone receptor status. In an analysis of public databases, we found that all IP3Rs types are significantly associated with overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with breast cancer. We conclude that relative to the other two IP3R subtypes, IP3R3 expression is upregulated in breast cancer and is correlated with prognostic factors.

IRAG2 Interacts with IP3-Receptor Types 1, 2, and 3 and Regulates Intracellular Ca2+ in Murine Pancreatic Acinar Cells.

The inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor-associated 2 (IRAG2) is also known as Jaw1 or lymphoid-restricted membrane protein (LRMP) and shares homology with the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor-associated cGMP kinase substrate 1 (IRAG1). IRAG1 interacts with inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3 receptors /IP3R) via its coiled-coil domain and modulates Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Due to the homology of IRAG1 and IRAG2, especially in its coiled-coil domain, it is possible that IRAG2 has similar interaction partners like IRAG1 and that IRAG2 also modulates intracellular Ca2+ signaling. In our study, we localized IRAG2 in pancreatic acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas, and we investigated the interaction of IRAG2 with IP3 receptors and its impact on intracellular Ca2+ signaling and exocrine pancreatic function, like amylase secretion. We detected the interaction of IRAG2 with different subtypes of IP3R and altered Ca2+ release in pancreatic acinar cells from mice lacking IRAG2. IRAG2 deficiency decreased basal levels of intracellular Ca2+, suggesting that IRAG2 leads to activation of IP3R under unstimulated basal conditions. Moreover, we observed that loss of IRAG2 impacts the secretion of amylase. Our data, therefore, suggest that IRAG2 modulates intracellular Ca2+ signaling, which regulates exocrine pancreatic function.

IP3R-mediated intra-axonal Ca2+ release contributes to secondary axonal degeneration following contusive spinal cord injury

Secondary axonal loss contributes to the persistent functional disability following trauma. Consequently, preserving axons following spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major therapeutic goal to improve neurological outcome; however, the complex molecular mechanisms that mediate secondary axonal degeneration remain unclear. We previously showed that IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release contributes to axonal dieback and axonal loss following an ex vivo laser-induced SCI. Nevertheless, targeting IP3R in a clinically relevant in vivo model of SCI and determining its contribution to secondary axonal degeneration has yet to be explored. Here we used intravital two-photon excitation microscopy to assess the role of IP3R in secondary axonal degeneration in real-time after a contusive-SCI in vivo. To visualize Ca2+ changes specifically in spinal axons over time, adult 6–8 week-old triple transgenic Avil-Cre:Ai9:Ai95 (sensory neuron-specific expression of tdTomato and the genetic calcium indicator GCaMP6f) mice were subjected to a mild (30 kdyn) T12 contusive-SCI and received delayed treatment with the IP3R blocker 2-APB (100 μM, intrathecal delivery at 3, and 24 h following injury) or vehicle control. To determine the IP3R subtype involved, we knocked-down IP3R3 using capped phosphodiester oligonucleotides. Delayed treatment with 2-APB significantly reduced axonal spheroids, increased axonal survival, and reduced intra-axonal Ca2+ accumulation within dorsal column axons at 24 h following SCI in vivo. Additionally, knockdown of IP3R3 yielded increased axon survival 24 h post-SCI. These results suggest that IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release contributes to secondary axonal degeneration in vivo following SCI.

Cryo-EM structure of human type-3 inositol triphosphate receptor reveals the presence of a self-binding peptide that acts as an antagonist

Calcium-mediated signaling through inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) is essential for the regulation of numerous physiological processes, including fertilization, muscle contraction, apoptosis, secretion, and synaptic plasticity. Deregulation of IP3Rs leads to pathological calcium signaling and is implicated in many common diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases. Revealing the mechanism of activation and inhibition of this ion channel will be critical to an improved understanding of the biological processes that are controlled by IP3Rs. Here, we report structural findings of the human type-3 IP3R (IP3R-3) obtained by cryo-EM (at an overall resolution of 3.8 Å), revealing an unanticipated regulatory mechanism where a loop distantly located in the primary sequence occupies the IP3-binding site and competitively inhibits IP3 binding. We propose that this inhibitory mechanism must differ qualitatively among IP3R subtypes because of their diverse loop sequences, potentially serving as a key molecular determinant of subtype-specific calcium signaling in IP3Rs. In summary, our structural characterization of human IP3R-3 provides critical insights into the mechanistic function of IP3Rs and into subtype-specific regulation of these important calcium-regulatory channels.

Structure and Function of IP3 Receptors.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), by releasing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of animal cells, allow Ca2+ to be redistributed from the ER to the cytosol or other organelles, and they initiate store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). For all three IP3R subtypes, binding of IP3 primes them to bind Ca2+, which then triggers channel opening. We are now close to understanding the structural basis of IP3R activation. Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release regulated by IP3 allows IP3Rs to regeneratively propagate Ca2+ signals. The smallest of these regenerative events is a Ca2+ puff, which arises from the nearly simultaneous opening of a small cluster of IP3Rs. Ca2+ puffs are the basic building blocks for all IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals, but only some IP3 clusters, namely those parked alongside the ER-plasma membrane junctions where SOCE occurs, are licensed to respond. The location of these licensed IP3Rs may allow them to selectively regulate SOCE.

All three IP3 receptor subtypes generate Ca2+ puffs, the universal building blocks of IP3-evoked Ca2+ signals.

ABSTRACTAll three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) are intracellular Ca2+ channels that are co-regulated by IP3 and Ca2+. This allows IP3Rs to evoke regenerative Ca2+ signals, the smallest of which are Ca2+ puffs that reflect the coordinated opening of a few clustered IP3Rs. We use total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF) microscopy to record Ca2+ signals in HEK cells expressing all three IP3R subtypes or a single native subtype. Ca2+ puffs are less frequent in cells expressing one IP3R subtype, commensurate with them expressing fewer IP3Rs than wild-type cells. However, all three IP3R subtypes generate broadly similar Ca2+ puffs with similar numbers of IP3Rs contributing to each. This suggests that IP3R clusters may be assembled by conserved mechanisms that generate similarly sized clusters across different IP3R expression levels. The Ca2+ puffs evoked by IP3R2 had slower kinetics and more prolonged durations, which may be due to IP3 binding with greater affinity to IP3R2. We conclude that Ca2+ puffs are the building blocks for the Ca2+ signals evoked by all IP3Rs.

Region-specific proteolysis differentially modulates type 2 and type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor activity in models of acute pancreatitis

Fine-tuning of the activity of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) by a diverse array of regulatory inputs results in intracellular Ca2+ signals with distinct characteristics. These events allow the activation of specific downstream effectors. We reported previously that region-specific proteolysis represents a novel regulatory event for type 1 IP3R (R1). Specifically, caspase-fragmented R1 display a marked increase in single-channel open probability. More importantly, the distinct characteristics of the Ca2+ signals elicited via fragmented R1 can activate alternate downstream effectors. In this report, we expand these studies to investigate whether all IP3R subtypes are regulated by proteolysis. We now show that type 2 and type 3 IP3R (R2 and R3, respectively) are proteolytically cleaved in rodent models of acute pancreatitis. Surprisingly, fragmented IP3R retained tetrameric architecture, remained embedded in endoplasmic reticulum membranes and were not functionally disabled. Proteolysis was associated with a marked attenuation of the frequency of Ca2+ signals in pancreatic lobules. Consistent with these data, expression of DNAs encoding complementary R2 and R3 peptides mimicking fragmented receptors at particular sites, resulted in a significant decrease in the frequency of agonist-stimulated Ca2+ oscillations. Further, proteolysis of R2 resulted in a marked decrease in single-channel open probability. Taken together, proteolytic fragmentation modulates R2 and R3 activity in a region-specific manner, and this event may contribute to the altered Ca2+ signals in pancreatic acinar cells during acute pancreatitis.

Trifluoperazine, a Well-Known Antipsychotic, Inhibits Glioblastoma Invasion by Binding to Calmodulin and Disinhibiting Calcium Release Channel IP3R

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is an important signaling process, implicated in cancer cell proliferation and motility of the deadly glioblastomas that aggressively invade neighboring brain tissue. We have previously demonstrated that caffeine blocks glioblastoma invasion and extends survival by inhibiting Ca2+ release channel inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) subtype 3. Trifluoperazine (TFP) is an FDA-approved antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia. Interestingly, TFP has been recently reported to show a strong anticancer effect on lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and T-cell lymphoma. However, the possible anticancer effect of TFP on glioblastoma has not been tested. Here, we report that TFP potently suppresses proliferation, motility, and invasion of glioblastoma cells in vitro, and tumor growth in in vivo xenograft mouse model. Unlike caffeine, TFP triggers massive and irreversible release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by IP3R subtype 1 and 2 by directly interacting at the TFP-binding site of a Ca2+-binding protein, calmodulin subtype 2 (CaM2). TFP binding to CaM2 causes a dissociation of CaM2 from IP3R and subsequent opening of IP3R. Compared with the control neural stem cells, various glioblastoma cell lines showed enhanced expression of CaM2 and thus enhanced sensitivity to TFP. On the basis of these findings, we propose TFP as a potential therapeutic drug for glioblastoma by aberrantly and irreversibly increasing Ca2+ in glioblastoma cells. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(1); 217-27. ©2016 AACR.

Muscarinic Receptor Induced Contractions of the Detrusor are Mediated by Activation of TRPC4 Channels

Muscarinic receptor mediated contractions of the detrusor rely on Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels but to our knowledge the mechanism linking stimulation of M3Rs to the activation of voltage dependent Ca2+ channels has not been established. TRPC4 channels are receptor operated cation channels that couple muscarinic receptor activation to depolarization of intestinal smooth muscle cells, voltage-activated Ca2+ influx and contraction. We investigated whether TRPC4 channels are involved in cholinergic mediated contractions of the detrusor. Isometric tension recordings were made on strips of murine detrusor and intracellular Ca2+ measurements were made on isolated detrusor myocytes using confocal microscopy. Transcriptional expression of TRPC and IP3R subtypes in intact detrusor strips and isolated detrusor myocytes was assessed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cholinergic stimulation of the detrusor induced by electrical field stimulation or exogenous application of carbachol or neostigmine evoked contractions consisting of a transient plus a tonic response, which was blocked by ML204, an inhibitor of TRPC4 channels. A phasic oscillatory component was blocked by the IP3R inhibitor 2-APB. Carbachol evoked reproducible Ca2+ responses in isolated detrusor myocytes, consisting of an initial Ca2+ transient followed by Ca2+ oscillations. ML204 inhibited the initial Ca2+ transient whereas 2-APB inhibited the Ca2+ oscillations. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments showed that TRPC4β, TRPC6 and IP3R1 were selectively expressed in isolated detrusor myocytes. Control experiments demonstrated that ML204 did not affect L-type Ca2+ or BK current amplitude, caffeine induced Ca2+ transients or KCl induced contractions of the detrusor. Muscarinic receptor mediated contractions of the detrusor involve the activation of TRPC4β channels.

Abstract 14205: A Role of Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate Receptors to Inhibit the Progression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Backgroud: Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ release channel in response to extracellular stimulation. There are three subtypes of IP3R (IP3R1, 2 and 3) and IP3R2 may be predominantly expressed in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Objectives: To elucidate the role of IP3R2 in the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: The detailed expression pattern of IP3R2 in pulmonary vasculature during development and adulthood was investigated in lung sections of transgenic mice in which a LacZ reporter gene was knocked into the IP3R2 locus. In order to elucidate whether IP3R2 play a role in progression of PAH, we utilized chronic hypoxia (10% O2 for 6 weeks) -induced PAH mouse models. The severity of PAH was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography, the weight of right ventricle, and the thickness of tunica media of pulmonary arteries, and compared between wild type (WT) and IP3R2 knock out (KO) mice. Proliferation and apoptosis in PASMCs were also assessed in both mice by immuno-staining with anti-phospho-histone H3 (PHH3) antibody and TUNEL assay, respectively. Further, in vitro, capacitative Ca2+ entry was assessed by Ca2+ imaging in primarily cultured PASMCs from WT and IP3R2 KO lungs by loading with fluorescent Ca2+ probe (Fluo-4AM). Results: Strong expression of the IP3R2 was detected in pulmonary arteries, predominantly in medial wall, from embryonic periods to the adulthood. IP3R2 KO mice showed higher RV pressure than those in WT mice by echocardiography. RV hypertrophy and medial wall thickness of PASMCs were more severely progressed in KO. There was no significant increase of PHH3 positive cells, while there was significant decrease of TUNEL positive cells in KO PASMCs compared with WT, suggesting that apoptosis was inhibited in KO PASMCs. Ca2+ imaging revealed that store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) was enhanced in KO compared with WT. Taken together, loss of IP3R2 function leads to the acceleration of the progression of chronic hypoxia-induced PAH, with depressed apoptosis and enhanced SOCE in PASMCs. Conclusions: Although IP3R2 functions in increase of cytosolic Ca2+, it may play an inhibitory role in pathophysiology of PAH by influencing to the apoptosis and SOCE in PASMCs.

Interactions of antagonists with subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEInositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) are intracellular Ca2+ channels. Interactions of the commonly used antagonists of IP3Rs with IP3R subtypes are poorly understood.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHIP3-evoked Ca2+ release from permeabilized DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP3R was measured using a luminal Ca2+ indicator. The effects of commonly used antagonists on IP3-evoked Ca2+ release and 3H-IP3 binding were characterized.KEY RESULTSFunctional analyses showed that heparin was a competitive antagonist of all IP3R subtypes with different affinities for each (IP3R3 > IP3R1 ≥ IP3R2). This sequence did not match the affinities for heparin binding to the isolated N-terminal from each IP3R subtype. 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and high concentrations of caffeine selectively inhibited IP3R1 without affecting IP3 binding. Neither Xestospongin C nor Xestospongin D effectively inhibited IP3-evoked Ca2+ release via any IP3R subtype.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSHeparin competes with IP3, but its access to the IP3-binding core is substantially hindered by additional IP3R residues. These interactions may contribute to its modest selectivity for IP3R3. Practicable concentrations of caffeine and 2-APB inhibit only IP3R1. Xestospongins do not appear to be effective antagonists of IP3Rs.

Oncogenic K-Ras suppresses IP3-dependent Ca2+ release through remodeling of IP3Rs isoform composition and ER luminal Ca2+ levels in colorectal cancer cell lines

The GTPase Ras is a molecular switch engaged downstream of G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases that controls multiple cell-fate-determining signalling pathways. Ras signalling is frequently deregulated in cancer, underlying associated changes in cell phenotype. Although Ca(2+) signalling pathways control some overlapping functions with Ras, and altered Ca(2+) signalling pathways are emerging as important players in oncogenic transformation, how Ca(2+) signalling is remodelled during transformation and whether it has a causal role remains unclear. We have investigated Ca(2+) signalling in two human colorectal cancer cell lines and their isogenic derivatives in which the allele encoding oncogenic K-Ras (G13D) was deleted by homologous recombination. We show that agonist-induced Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) intracellular Ca(2+) stores is enhanced by loss of K-Ras(G13D) through an increase in the Ca(2+) content of the ER store and a modification of the abundance of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) subtypes. Consistently, uptake of Ca(2+) into mitochondria and sensitivity to apoptosis was enhanced as a result of K-Ras(G13D) loss. These results suggest that suppression of Ca(2+) signalling is a common response to naturally occurring levels of K-Ras(G13D), and that this contributes to a survival advantage during oncogenic transformation.

Functional Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors Assembled from Concatenated Homo- and Heteromeric Subunits

Vertebrate genomes code for three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3R1, -2, and -3). Individual IP3R monomers are assembled to form homo- and heterotetrameric channels that mediate Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. IP3R subtypes are regulated differentially by IP3, Ca(2+), ATP, and various other cellular factors and events. IP3R subtypes are seldom expressed in isolation in individual cell types, and cells often express different complements of IP3R subtypes. When multiple subtypes of IP3R are co-expressed, the subunit composition of channels cannot be specifically defined. Thus, how the subunit composition of heterotetrameric IP3R channels contributes to shaping the spatio-temporal properties of IP3-mediated Ca(2+) signals has been difficult to evaluate. To address this question, we created concatenated IP3R linked by short flexible linkers. Dimeric constructs were expressed in DT40-3KO cells, an IP3R null cell line. The dimeric proteins were localized to membranes, ran as intact dimeric proteins on SDS-PAGE, and migrated as an ∼1100-kDa band on blue native gels exactly as wild type IP3R. Importantly, IP3R channels formed from concatenated dimers were fully functional as indicated by agonist-induced Ca(2+) release. Using single channel "on-nucleus" patch clamp, the channels assembled from homodimers were essentially indistinguishable from those formed by the wild type receptor. However, the activity of channels formed from concatenated IP3R1 and IP3R2 heterodimers was dominated by IP3R2 in terms of the characteristics of regulation by ATP. These studies provide the first insight into the regulation of heterotetrameric IP3R of defined composition. Importantly, the results indicate that the properties of these channels are not simply a blend of those of the constituent IP3R monomers.

A fluorescence-based method for evaluating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor ligands: Determination of subtype selectivity and partial agonist effects

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors consist of three subtypes: IP3R1, IP3R2, and IP3R3. Although numerous IP3 receptor ligands have been synthesized, none of the subtype-selective ligands are known. We have developed a simple fluorescence method to examine the subtype selectivity of IP3 receptor ligands using FRET-based IP3 biosensors LIBRAvI, LIBRAvII, and LIBRAvIII. The addition of IP3 or adenophostin A (ADA) to permeabilized biosensor-expressing cells increased the fluorescence ratios of these biosensors in a concentration-dependent manner, and the potency of ADA relative to that of IP3 in terms of the changes in the fluorescence ratios of LIBRAvI, LIBRAvII, and LIBRAvIII was 43-, 22-, and 28-fold, respectively. This fluorescence-based method further showed that several ADA analogs had significant differences with respect to subtype selectivity and potency. These results highlight the important role played by the O-glycosidic structure of ADA in the selectivity of the ligands for IP3R1, as evidenced by the modified selectivity following replacement of the 5′-hydroxyl with a phenyl or phenethyl group. We also found that one ADA analog 5′-deoxy-5′-phenyladenophostin A possessed a partial agonistic effect on IP3R1. Together, the novel fluorescent methods described herein are useful for the evaluation of properties of IP3R ligands, including potency, efficacy, and subtype selectivity.

Stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor subtypes by adenophostin A and its analogues.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) are intracellular Ca2+ channels. Most animal cells express mixtures of the three IP3R subtypes encoded by vertebrate genomes. Adenophostin A (AdA) is the most potent naturally occurring agonist of IP3R and it shares with IP3 the essential features of all IP3R agonists, namely structures equivalent to the 4,5-bisphosphate and 6-hydroxyl of IP3. The two essential phosphate groups contribute to closure of the clam-like IP3-binding core (IBC), and thereby IP3R activation, by binding to each of its sides (the α- and β-domains). Regulation of the three subtypes of IP3R by AdA and its analogues has not been examined in cells expressing defined homogenous populations of IP3R. We measured Ca2+ release evoked by synthetic adenophostin A (AdA) and its analogues in permeabilized DT40 cells devoid of native IP3R and stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP3R. The determinants of high-affinity binding of AdA and its analogues were indistinguishable for each IP3R subtype. The results are consistent with a cation-π interaction between the adenine of AdA and a conserved arginine within the IBC α-domain contributing to closure of the IBC. The two complementary contacts between AdA and the α-domain (cation-π interaction and 3″-phosphate) allow activation of IP3R by an analogue of AdA (3″-dephospho-AdA) that lacks a phosphate group equivalent to the essential 5-phosphate of IP3. These data provide the first structure-activity analyses of key AdA analogues using homogenous populations of all mammalian IP3R subtypes. They demonstrate that differences in the Ca2+ signals evoked by AdA analogues are unlikely to be due to selective regulation of IP3R subtypes.

Stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor subtypes by analogues of IP3.

Most animal cells express mixtures of the three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) encoded by vertebrate genomes. Activation of each subtype by different agonists has not hitherto been examined in cells expressing defined homogenous populations of IP3R. Here we measure Ca2+ release evoked by synthetic analogues of IP3 using a Ca2+ indicator within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of permeabilized DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP3R. Phosphorylation of (1,4,5)IP3 to (1,3,4,5)IP4 reduced potency by ∼100-fold. Relative to (1,4,5)IP3, the potencies of IP3 analogues modified at the 1-position (malachite green (1,4,5)IP3), 2-position (2-deoxy(1,4,5)IP3) or 3-position (3-deoxy(1,4,5)IP3, (1,3,4,5)IP4) were similar for each IP3R subtype. The potency of an analogue, (1,4,6)IP3, in which the orientations of the 2- and 3-hydroxyl groups were inverted, was also reduced similarly for all three IP3R subtypes. Most analogues of IP3 interact similarly with the three IP3R subtypes, but the decrease in potency accompanying removal of the 1-phosphate from (1,4,5)IP3 was least for IP3R3. Addition of a large chromophore (malachite green) to the 1-phosphate of (1,4,5)IP3 only modestly reduced potency suggesting that similar analogues could be used to measure (1,4,5)IP3 binding optically. These data provide the first structure-activity analyses of key IP3 analogues using homogenous populations of each mammalian IP3R subtype. They demonstrate broadly similar structure-activity relationships for all mammalian IP3R subtypes and establish the potential utility of (1,4,5)IP3 analogues with chromophores attached to the 1-position.