Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase Family Research Articles

Les MAGUK : au-delà de l’accrochage des canaux ioniques

A family of anchoring proteins named MAGUK (for membrane associated guanylate kinase) has emerged as a key element in the organization of protein complexes in specialized membrane regions. These proteins are characterized by the presence of multipe protein-protein interaction domains including PDZ and SH3 domains. The MAGUK family comprises the post-synaptic density 95 (PSD-95) protein and closely related molecules such as chapsyn-110, synapse-associated protein 102 (SAP-102), and SAP-97. These are located either on the pre- and/or post-synaptic sides of synapses or at cell-cell adhesion sites of epithelial cells. MAGUK proteins interact with glutamate receptors and various ionic channels. For instance, an interaction has been reported between the first two PDZ domains of MAGUK proteins and several channels via a consensus sequence Thr/Ser-X-Val/Leu usually located at their carboxy terminus. The role of these anchoring proteins in channel function is not fully understood. MAGUK proteins enhance the current density by increasing the number of functional channels to the sarcolemma. They can also facilitate signaling between channels and several enzymes or G protein-dependent signaling pathways. In the heart also, MAGUK proteins are abundantly expressed and they interact with various channels including Shaker Kv1.5 and connexins.

Implications of Nectin-like Molecule-2/IGSF4/RA175/SgIGSF/TSLC1/SynCAM1 in Cell-Cell Adhesion and Transmembrane Protein Localization in Epithelial Cells

Nectins are Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecules that play roles in organization of a variety of cell-cell junctions in cooperation with or independently of cadherins. Four nectins have been identified. Five nectin-like molecules, which have domain structures similar to those of nectins, have been identified, and we characterized here nectin-like molecule-2 (Necl-2)/IGSF4/RA175/SgIGSF/TSLC1/SynCAM1. Necl-2 showed Ca2+-independent homophilic cell-cell adhesion activity. It furthermore showed Ca2+-independent heterophilic cell-cell adhesion activity with Necl-1/TSLL1/SynCAM3 and nectin-3. Necl-2 was widely expressed in rat tissues examined. Necl-2 localized at the basolateral plasma membrane in epithelial cells of the mouse gall bladder, but not at specialized cell-cell junctions, such as tight junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes. Nectins bind afadin, whereas Necl-2 did not bind afadin but bound Pals2, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase family member known to bind Lin-7, implicated in the proper localization of the Let-23 protein in Caenorhabditis elegans, the homologue of mammalian epidermal growth factor receptor. These results indicate the unique localization of Necl-2 and its possible involvement in localization of a transmembrane protein(s) through Pals2.

Impaired NMDA Receptor-Mediated Postsynaptic Function and Blunted NMDA Receptor-Dependent Persistent Pain in Mice Lacking Postsynaptic Density-93 Protein

Modification of synaptic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) expression influences NMDAR-mediated synaptic function and associated persistent pain. NMDARs directly bind to a family of membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs) that regulate surface and synaptic NMDAR trafficking in the CNS. We report here that postsynaptic density-93 protein (PSD-93), a postsynaptic neuronal MAGUK, is expressed abundantly in spinal dorsal horn and forebrain, where it colocalizes and interacts with NMDAR subunits NR2A and NR2B. Targeted disruption of the PSD-93 gene reduces not only surface NR2A and NR2B expression but also NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents and potentials, without affecting surface AMPA receptor expression or its synaptic function, in the regions mentioned above. Furthermore, mice lacking PSD-93 exhibit blunted NMDAR-dependent persistent pain induced by peripheral nerve injury or injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant, although they display intact nociceptive responsiveness to acute pain. PSD-93 appears to be important for NMDAR synaptic targeting and function and to be a potential biochemical target for the treatment of persistent pain.

Selective interaction of megalin with postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)-like membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins

Megalin is an integral membrane receptor belonging to the low-density lipoprotein receptor family. In addition to its role as an endocytotic receptor, megalin has also been proposed to have signalling functions. Using interaction cloning in yeast, we identified the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family member postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) as an interaction partner for megalin. PSD-95 and a truncated version of megalin were co-immunoprecipitated from HEK-293 cell lysates overexpressing the two proteins, which confirmed the interaction. The two proteins were found to be co-localized in these cells by confocal microscopy. Immunocytochemical studies showed that cells in the parathyroid, proximal tubuli of the kidney and placenta express both megalin and PSD-95. We found that the interaction between the two proteins is mediated by the binding of the C-terminus of megalin, which has a type I PSD-95/ Drosophila discs-large/zona occludens 1 (PDZ)-binding motif, to the PDZ2 domain of PSD-95. The PSD-95-like membrane-associated guanylate kinase ('MAGUK') family contains three additional members: PSD-93, synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97) and SAP102. We detected these proteins, apart from SAP102, in parathyroid chief cells, a cell type having a marked expression of megalin. The PDZ2 domains of PSD-93 and SAP102 were also shown to interact with megalin, whereas no interaction was detected for SAP97. The SAP97 PDZ2 domain differed at four positions from the other members of the PSD-95 subfamily. One of these residues was Thr(389), located in the alphaB-helix and part of the hydrophobic pocket of the PDZ2 domain. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that mutation of SAP97 Thr(389) to alanine, as with the other PSD-95-like membrane-associated guanylate kinases, induced binding to megalin.

A Minimal Clustering Motif

Assembly of proteins in macromolecular complexes is critical for many signaling processes, including organization of the postsynaptic membrane proteins. Christopherson et al. investigated how PSD-95, a palmitoylated scaffolding protein of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family, promoted protein clustering. Using tagged versions of PSD-95 or fragments of PSD-95, they determined that the first 13 amino acids, which also include two palmitoylated cysteine residues, were necessary and sufficient to produce clustering of PSD-95 or chimeric proteins [attaching the 13 amino acids to green fluorescent protein (GFP) and maltose, for example]. Oligomerization was detected by coimmunoprecipitation and required palmitoylation, because 2-bromopalmitate, an inhibitor of the palmitate transferase, or mutation of the sequence to prevent palmitoylation blocked oligomerization. Other palmitoylated sequences, such as the one from GAP43, did not induce oligomerization of chimeric proteins or of PSD-95 when used in place of the PSD-95 native sequence. In cells cotransfected with PSD-95 and Kv1.4 K + channels, only those channels that were oligomeric clustered with PSD-95 in membrane microdomains. When the channel subunits were fused into a single subunit, then the channels were diffusely expressed on the cell surface. Surprisingly, the GAP43-PSD-95 chimera that cannot homooligomerize was capable of stimulating clustering of the Kv1.4 subunits. Elimination of the PSD-95 N-terminal palmitoylation sequence and addition of a C-terminal prenylation sequence allowed PSD-95 to promote Kv1.4 clustering, but did not promote homomultimerization. These data identify a short, palmitoylation-dependent sequence that is sufficient for PSD-95 homomultimerization, but also show that homomultimerization is not necessary for PSD-95-mediated clustering of the Kv1.4 channels. Lipid modification is essential for clustering activity, and reversible palmitoylation may represent one model for assembly and disassembly of postsynaptic complexes during activity-dependent changes in synaptic structure. K. S. Christopherson, N. T. Sweeney, S. E. Craven, R. Kang, A. E.-D. El-Husseini, D. S. Bredt, Lipid- and protein-mediated multimerization of PSD-95: Implications for receptor clustering and assembly of synaptic protein networks. J. Cell Sci. 116 , 3213-3219 (2003). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Mice Lacking the CARD of CARMA1 Exhibit Defective B Lymphocyte Development and Impaired Proliferation of Their B and T Lymphocytes

CARMA1 (originally called CARD11) is a membrane-associated guanylate kinase family member that is required for T cell receptor (TCR)-induced NF-κB activation in T cell leukemia lines [1–5]. It uses its N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD) to interact with the CARD in the downstream adaptor Bcl-10. We show that primary B and T lymphocytes from knock-in mice expressing only a CARDless form of CARMA1 (ΔCARD) are defective at mitogen-induced NF-κB activation and fail to proliferate. CARMA1 mutant mice exhibited normal T but impaired B cell development; CD5+ peritoneal B cells were absent, and serum immunoglobulin levels were markedly reduced. A lacZ reporter gene knocked into the CARMA1 locus confirmed lymphocyte-specific expression of CARMA1. Thus, CARMA1 has an essential role in mediating B and T lymphocyte proliferation and requires its CARD to engage downstream signaling components.

Interaction of lp-dlg/KIAA0583, a Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase Family Protein, with Vinexin and β-Catenin at Sites of Cell-Cell Contact

Vinexin is a recently identified cytoskeletal protein and plays a key role in the regulation of cytoskeletal organization and signal transduction. Vinexin localizes at sites of cell-extracellular matrix adhesion in NIH3T3 fibroblasts and at sites of cell-cell contact in epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. Expression of vinexin promotes the formation of actin stress fiber, but the role of vinexin at sites of cell-cell contact is unclear. Here we identified lp-dlg/KIAA0583 as a novel binding partner for vinexin by using yeast two-hybrid screening. lp-dlg/KIAA0583 has a NH2-terminal coiled-coil-like domain, in addition to four PDZ domains, an Src homology (SH) 3 domain, and a guanylate kinase domain, which are conserved structures in membrane-associated guanylate kinase family proteins. The third SH3 domain of vinexin bound to the region between the second and third PDZ domain of lp-dlg, which contains a proline-rich sequence. lp-dlg colocalized with vinexin at sites of cell-cell contact in LLC-PK1 cells. Furthermore, lp-dlg colocalized with beta-catenin, a major adherens junction protein, in LLC-PK1 cells. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that both endogenous and epitope-tagged deletion mutants of lp-dlg/KIAA0583 associated with beta-catenin. We also showed that these three proteins could form a ternary complex. Together these findings suggest that lp-dlg/KIAA0583 is a novel scaffolding protein that can link the vinexin-vinculin complex and beta-catenin at sites of cell-cell contact.

CIP98, a novel PDZ domain protein, is expressed in the central nervous system and interacts with calmodulin-dependent serine kinase.

Receptors and various molecules in neurons are localized at precise locations to perform their respective functions, especially in synaptic sites. Among synaptic molecules, PDZ domain proteins play major roles in scaffolding and anchoring membrane proteins for efficient synaptic transmission. In the present study, we isolated CIP98, a novel protein (98 kDa) consisting of three PDZ domains and a proline-rich region, which is widely expressed in the central nervous system. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining patterns demonstrate that CIP98 is expressed strongly in certain types of neurons, i.e. pyramidal cells in layers III-V of the cerebral cortex, projecting neurons in the thalamus and interneurons in the cerebellum. The results of immunocytochemical staining and electron microscopy revealed that CIP98 is localized both in dendrites and axons. Interestingly, CIP98 interacts with CASK (calmodulin-dependent serine kinase), a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family that plays important roles in the molecular organization of proteins at synapses. CIP98 was shown to co-localize with CASK along the dendritic processes of neurons. In view of its direct association with CASK, CIP98 may be involved in the formation of CASK scaffolding proteins complex to facilitate synaptic transmission in the CNS.

Interaction of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ Pump 4b/CI with the Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Membrane-associated Kinase CASK

Spatial and temporal regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) is a key event in many signaling pathways. Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPases (PMCAs) are major regulators of Ca(2+) homeostasis and bind to PDZ (PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1) domains via their C termini. Various membrane-associated guanylate kinase family members have been identified as interaction partners of PMCAs. In particular, SAP90/PSD95, PSD93/chapsyn-110, SAP97, and SAP102 all bind to the C-terminal tails of PMCA "b" splice variants. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that PMCA4b interacts with neuronal nitric-oxide synthase and that isoform 2b interacts with Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 2, both via a PDZ domain. CASK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase) contains a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like domain followed by PDZ, SH3, and guanylate kinase-like domains. In adult brain CASK is located at neuronal synapses and interacts with various proteins, e.g. neurexin and Veli/LIN-7. In kidney it is localized to renal epithelia. Surprisingly, interaction with the Tbr-1 transcription factor, nuclear transport, binding to DNA T-elements (in a complex with Tbr-1), and transcriptional competence has been shown. Here we show that the C terminus of PMCA4b binds to CASK and that both proteins co-precipitate from brain and kidney tissue lysates. Immunofluorescence staining revealed co-expression of PMCA, CASK, and calbindin-d-28K in distal tubuli of rat kidney sections. To test if physical interaction of both proteins results in functional consequences we constructed a T-element-dependent reporter vector and investigated luciferase activity in HEK293 lysates, previously co-transfected with PMCA4b expression and control vectors. Expression of wild-type PMCA resulted in an 80% decrease in T-element-dependent transcriptional activity, whereas co-expression of a point-mutated PMCA, with nearly eliminated Ca(2+) pumping activity, had only a small influence on regulation of transcriptional activity. These results provide evidence of a new direct Ca(2+)-dependent link from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.

CARD11 mediates factor-specific activation of NF-kappaB by the T cell receptor complex.

NF-kappaB is a critical target of signaling downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex, but how TCR signaling activates NF-kappaB is poorly understood. We have developed an expression cloning strategy that can identify catalytic and noncatalytic molecules that participate in different pathways of NF-kappaB activation. Screening of a mouse thymus cDNA library yielded CARD11, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family member containing CARD, PDZ, SH3 and GUK domains. Using a CARD-deleted variant of CARD11 and RNA interference (RNAi), we demonstrate that CARD11 mediates NF-kappaB activation by alphaCD3/alphaCD28 cross-linking and PMA/ionomycin treatment, but not by TNFalpha or dsRNA. CARD11 is not required for TCR-mediated induction of NFAT or AP-1. CARD11 functions upstream of the IkappaB-kinase (IKK) complex and cooperates with Bcl10 in a CARD domain-dependent manner. RNAi-rescue experiments suggest that the CARD, coiled-coil, SH3 and GUK domains of CARD11 are critical for its signaling function. These results implicate CARD11 in factor- specific activation of NF-kappaB by the TCR complex and establish a role for a MAGUK family member in antigen receptor signaling.

DLG differentially localizes Shaker K+-channels in the central nervous system and retina of Drosophila.

Subcellular localization of ion channels is crucial for the transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system. Here we show that Discs-Large (DLG), a member of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinases) family in Drosophila, co-localizes with Shaker potassium channels (Sh Kch) in most synaptic areas of the adult brain and in the outer membrane of photoreceptors. However, DLG is absent from axonal tracts in which Sh channels are concentrated. Truncation of the C-terminal of Sh (including the PDZ binding site) disturbs its pattern of distribution in both CNS and retina, while truncation of the guanylate kinase/C-terminal domain of DLG induces ectopic localization of these channels to neuronal somata in the CNS, but does not alter the distribution of channels in photoreceptors. Immunocytochemical, membrane fractionation and detergent solubilization analysis indicate that the C-terminal of Sh Kch is required for proper trafficking to its final destination. Thus, several major conclusions emerge from this study. First, DLG plays a major role in the localization of Sh channels in the CNS and retina. Second, localization of DLG in photoreceptors but not in the CNS seems to depend on its interaction with Sh. Third, the guanylate kinase/C-terminal domain of DLG is involved in the trafficking of Shaker channels but not of DLG in the CNS. Fourth, different mechanisms for the localization of Sh Kch operate in different cell types.

CARMA1 is a critical lipid raft-associated regulator of TCR-induced NF-kappa B activation.

CARMA1 is a lymphocyte-specific member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of scaffolding proteins, which coordinate signaling pathways emanating from the plasma membrane. CARMA1 interacts with Bcl10 via its caspase-recruitment domain (CARD). Here we investigated the role of CARMA1 in T cell activation and found that T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation induced a physical association of CARMA1 with the TCR and Bcl10. We found that CARMA1 was constitutively associated with lipid rafts, whereas cytoplasmic Bcl10 translocated into lipid rafts upon TCR engagement. A CARMA1 mutant, defective for Bcl10 binding, had a dominant-negative (DN) effect on TCR-induced NF-kappa B activation and IL-2 production and on the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (Jnk) pathway when the TCR was coengaged with CD28. Together, our data show that CARMA1 is a critical lipid raft-associated regulator of TCR-induced NF-kappa B activation and CD28 costimulation-dependent Jnk activation.

CARD games in apoptosis and immunity.

A bewildering array of proteins containing the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) have now been identified. Previously, CARD-CARD interactions have been shown to be involved in the assembly of protein complexes that promote caspase processing and activation in the context of apoptosis. However, as the family of CARD-containing proteins has grown, it has become apparent that the majority of these proteins do not recruit caspases or promote caspase activation. Instead, many participate in NF-kappaB signalling pathways associated with innate or adaptive immune responses. Here, we suggest a simplified classification of the CARD proteins based upon their domain structures and discuss the divergent roles of these proteins in the context of host defence.

HINADl/PATJ, a Homolog of Discs Lost, Interacts with Crumbs and Localizes to Tight Junctions in Human Epithelial Cells

dCrumbs is an apical organizer crucial for the maintenance of epithelial polarity in Drosophila (1). It is known that dCrumbs interacts with Discs lost (Dlt), a protein with four PDZ (PSD95/Discs Large/ZO-1) domains (2), and Stardust (Sdt), a protein of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) family (3, 4). We have searched for potential homologs of Dlt in human epithelial cells and characterized one of them in intestinal epithelial cells. Human INAD-like (hINADl) contains 8 PDZ domains, is concentrated in tight junctions, and is also found at the apical plasma membrane. Overexpression of hINADl disrupted the tight junctions localization of ZO-1 and 3. We also identified a partial cDNA coding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of a new human crumbs (CRB3) expressed in Caco-2 cells. This CRB3 was able to interact through its C-terminal end with the N-terminal domain of hINADl. Taken together, the data indicate that hINADl is likely to represent a Dlt homolog in mammalian epithelial cells and might be involved in regulating the integrity of tight junctions. We thus propose to rename hINADl PATJ for protein associated to tight junctions.

The Carboxyl Terminus of Zona Occludens-3 Binds and Recruits a Mammalian Homologue of Discs Lost to Tight Junctions

Mammalian homologues of the Drosophila polarity proteins Stardust, Discs Lost, and Crumbs have been identified as Pals1, Pals1-associated tight junction protein (PATJ), and human Crumbs homologue 1 (CRB1), respectively. We have previously demonstrated that PATJ, Pals1, and CRB1 can form a tripartite tight junction complex in epithelial cells and that PATJ recruits Pals1 to tight junctions. Here, we observed that the Pals1/PATJ interaction was not crucial for the ultimate targeting of PATJ itself to tight junctions. This prompted us to examine if any of the 10 post-synaptic density-95/Discs Large/zona occludens-1 (PDZ) domains of PATJ could bind to the carboxyl termini of known tight junction constituents. We found that the 6th and 8th PDZ domains of PATJ can interact with the carboxyl termini of zona occludens-3 (ZO-3) and claudin 1, respectively. PATJ missing the 6th PDZ domain was found to mislocalize away from cell contacts. Surprisingly, deleting the 8th PDZ domain had little effect on PATJ localization. Finally, reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that full-length ZO-3 can associate with PATJ. Hence, the PATJ/ZO-3 interaction is likely important for recruiting PATJ and its associated proteins to tight junctions.

Regulation of GluR1 by the A-kinase anchoring protein 79 (AKAP79) signaling complex shares properties with long-term depression.

Second messengers regulate synaptic plasticity by influencing the balance between kinase and phosphatase activity. One target of this balance is the phosphorylation state of the AMPA receptor glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) subunit. Hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) is a calcium-dependent downregulation of synaptic AMPA receptor currents associated with dephosphorylation of Ser845, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) site on GluR1. Recruitment of kinases and phosphatases to the AMPA receptor might enable modulation of AMPA receptor function. The neuronal A-kinase anchoring protein AKAP79/150 interacts with PKA and the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase PP2B and is linked to the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit by synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97), a membrane-associated guanylate kinase family protein. Here we demonstrate that AKAP79 not only promotes basal phosphorylation of Ser845 but also confers a calcium- and PP2B-mediated downregulation to GluR1 receptor currents. This AKAP79-dependent downregulation is contingent on the local presence of PKA, Ser845 of GluR1, and a PDZ (postsynaptic density 95/Discs large/zona occludens 1)-domain interaction between GluR1 and SAP97, all of which support basal phosphorylation of the receptor. These findings suggest that the AKAP79 signaling complex is sufficient to couple intracellular calcium levels to the PKA phosphorylation state of GluR1. Thus, the integration of intracellular signals relevant for LTD may be transduced to GluR1 by the AKAP79 signaling complex.

Regulation of GluR1 by the A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 79 (AKAP79) Signaling Complex Shares Properties with Long-Term Depression

Second messengers regulate synaptic plasticity by influencing the balance between kinase and phosphatase activity. One target of this balance is the phosphorylation state of the AMPA receptor glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) subunit. Hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) is a calcium-dependent downregulation of synaptic AMPA receptor currents associated with dephosphorylation of Ser845, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) site on GluR1. Recruitment of kinases and phosphatases to the AMPA receptor might enable modulation of AMPA receptor function. The neuronal A-kinase anchoring protein AKAP79/150 interacts with PKA and the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase PP2B and is linked to the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit by synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97), a membrane-associated guanylate kinase family protein. Here we demonstrate that AKAP79 not only promotes basal phosphorylation of Ser845 but also confers a calcium- and PP2B-mediated downregulation to GluR1 receptor currents. This AKAP79-dependent downregulation is contingent on the local presence of PKA, Ser845 of GluR1, and a PDZ (postsynaptic density 95/Discs large/zona occludens 1)-domain interaction between GluR1 and SAP97, all of which support basal phosphorylation of the receptor. These findings suggest that the AKAP79 signaling complex is sufficient to couple intracellular calcium levels to the PKA phosphorylation state of GluR1. Thus, the integration of intracellular signals relevant for LTD may be transduced to GluR1 by the AKAP79 signaling complex.

The Distribution and Function of Alternatively Spliced Insertions in hDlg

hDlg is the human homolog of the Drosophila Discs-large tumor suppressor. As a member of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase) family of scaffolding proteins, hDlg is composed of three PDZ (PSD-95, Dlg, and ZO-1) repeats, an SH3 (Src homology 3) motif, and a GUK (guanylate kinase-like) domain. Additionally, hDlg contains two regions of alternative splicing. Here we identify a novel insertion, I1B, located N-terminal to the PDZ repeats. We further analyze the tissue-specific combinations of insertions and correlate those results with the distribution of protein isoforms. We also identify the functions of the two alternatively spliced regions. The N-terminal alternatively spliced region is capable of binding several SH3 domains and also moderates the level of protein oligomerization. Insertions in the second region are responsible for determining the localization of hDlg, with insertion I3 targeting the protein to the membrane regions of cell-cell contact and insertion I2 targeting the protein to the nucleus.

Genetic studies define MAGUK proteins as regulators of epithelial cell polarity.

Polarized epithelial cells play critical roles during early embryonic development and organogenesis. Multi-domain scaffolding proteins belonging to the membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family are commonly found at the plasma membrane of polarized epithelial cells. Genetic studies in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed that MAGUK proteins regulate various aspects of the polarized epithelial phenotype, including cell junction assembly, targeting of proteins to the plasma membrane and the organisation of polarized signalling complexes. This review will focus on the genetic studies that have contributed to our understanding of the MAGUK family members, Dlg and Lin-2/CASK, in controlling these processes. In addition, our recent genetic analysis of mouse Dlg, in combination with genetic and biochemical studies of Lin-2/CASK by others suggests a model placing Dlg and Lin-2/CASK within the same developmental pathway.

Tight-junction protein zonula occludens 2 is a target of phosphorylation by protein kinase C

Zonula occludens 2 (ZO-2) protein is a tight-junction phos phorylated protein that belongs to the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (‘MAGUK’) family. Here we study the interaction between ZO-2 and protein kinase C (PKC). We have constructed two ZO-2 fusion proteins of the middle (3PSG) and C-terminal (AP) regions of the molecule and demonstrate that they are phosphorylated by PKC isoenzymes β, ∊, λ and ∊. To understand the physiological significance of the interaction between ZO-2 and PKC, we analysed the phosphorylation state of ZO-2 immunoprecipitated from monolayers with mature tight junctions or from cells that either lack them or have them disassembled through Ca2+ chelation. We found that in the latter condition the phosphorylation level of ZO-2 is significantly higher and is due to the action of both PKC and cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These results therefore suggest that the phosphorylated state of ZO-2 restrains its capacity to operate at the junctional complex.