N-terminal Pleckstrin Homology Domain Research Articles

Specific binding of the C-terminal Src homology 2 domain of the p85alpha subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Localization and engineering of the phosphoinositide-binding motif.

Phosphoinositide second messengers, generated from the action of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mediate an array of signaling pathways through the membrane recruitment and activation of downstream effector proteins. Although pleckstrin domains of many target proteins have been shown to bind phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP(3)) and/or phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P(2)) with high affinity, published data concerning the phosphoinositide binding specificity of Src homology 2 (SH2) domains remain conflicting. Using three independent assays, we demonstrated that the C-terminal (CT-)SH2 domain, but not the N-terminal SH2 domain, on the PI3K p85alpha subunit displayed discriminative affinity for PIP(3). However, the binding affinity diminished precipitously when the acyl chain of PIP(3) was shortened. In addition, evidence suggests that the charge density on the phosphoinositol ring represents a key factor in determining the phosphoinositide binding specificity of the CT-SH2 domain. In light of the largely shared structural features between PIP(3) and PI(4,5)P(2), we hypothesized that the PIP(3)-binding site on the CT-SH2 domain encompassed a sequence that recognized PI(4,5)P(2). Based on a consensus PI(4,5)P(2)-binding sequence (KXXXXXKXKK; K denotes Arg, Lys, and His), we proposed the sequence (18)RNKAENLLRGKR(29) as the PIP(3)-binding site. This binding motif was verified by using a synthetic peptide and site-directed mutagenesis. More importantly, neutral substitution of flanking Arg(18) and Arg(29) resulted in a switch of ligand specificity of the CT-SH2 domain to PI(4,5)P(2) and PI(3,4)P(2), respectively. Together with computer modeling, these mutagenesis data suggest a pseudosymmetrical relationship in the recognition of the phosphoinositol head group at the binding motif.

Mouse alpha1-syntrophin binding to Grb2: further evidence of a role for syntrophin in cell signaling.

Syntrophins have been proposed to serve as adapter proteins. Syntrophins are found in the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC); defects in the constituents of this complex are linked to various muscular dystrophies. Blot overlay experiments demonstrate that alpha-dystroglycan, beta-dystroglycan, and syntrophins all bind Grb2, the growth factor receptor bound adapter protein. Mouse alpha1-syntrophin sequences were produced as chimeric fusion proteins in bacteria and found to also bind Grb2 in a Ca2+-independent manner. This binding was localized to the proline rich sequences adjacent to and overlapping with the N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (PH1). Grb2 bound syntrophin with an apparent KD of 563 +/- 15 nM. Grb2-C-SH3 domain bound syntrophin with slightly higher affinity than Grb2-N-SH3 domain. Crk-L, an SH2/SH3 protein of similar domain structure but different specificity, does not bind these syntrophin sequences.

Etk/Bmx Tyrosine Kinase Activates Pak1 and Regulates Tumorigenicity of Breast Cancer Cells

Etk/Bmx, a member of the Tec family of nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases, is characterized by an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain and has been shown to be a downstream effector of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. P21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1), another well characterized effector of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, has been implicated in the progression of breast cancer cells. In this study, we characterized the role of Etk in mammary development and tumorigenesis and explored the functional interactions between Etk and Pak1. We report that Etk expression is developmentally regulated in the mammary gland. Using transient transfection, coimmunoprecipitation and glutathione S-transferase-pull down assays, we showed that Etk directly associates with Pak1 via its N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain and also phosphorylates Pak1 on tyrosine residues. The expression of wild-type Etk in a non-invasive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells significantly increased proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of epithelial cancer cells. Conversely, expression of kinase-inactive mutant Etk-KQ suppressed the proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenicity of human breast cancer MDA-MB435 cells. These results indicate that Pak1 is a target of Etk and that Etk controls the proliferation as well as the anchorage-independent and tumorigenic growth of mammary epithelial cancer cells.

Fgd1, the Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor responsible for faciogenital dysplasia, is localized to the subcortical actin cytoskeleton and Golgi membrane.

FGD1, the gene responsible for the inherited disease faciogenital dysplasia, encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that specifically activates the p21 GTPase Cdc42. In order, FGD1 is composed of a proline-rich N-terminal region, adjacent GEF and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains, a FYVE-finger domain and a second C-terminal PH domain (PH2), structural motifs involved in signaling and subcellular localization. Fgd1, the mouse FGD1 ortholog, is expressed in regions of active bone formation within osteoblasts and in the osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1, a finding consistent with its role in skeletal formation. Here, we use subcellular fractionation studies to show that endogenous Fgd1 protein is localized in the cytosolic and Golgi and plasma membrane fractions of mouse calvarial cells. Immunocytochemical studies performed with osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and other mammalian cell lines confirm the localization of Fgd1 and show that the proline-rich N-terminal region is necessary and sufficient for Fgd1 subcellular localization to the plasma membrane and Golgi complex. In contrast, the FYVE-finger and PH2 domains do not appear to direct the localization of Fgd1 or the activation of Cdc42. In addition, microinjection studies indicate that the N-terminal Fgd1 domain inhibits filopodia formation, suggesting that this region down-regulates GEF function. These results characterize the function of the Fgd1 domains for both protein localization and Cdc42 activation and indicate that the Fgd1 Cdc42GEF protein is involved in the regulation of Cdc42 activity at the subcortical actin cytoskeleton and Golgi complex.

Autoinhibition mechanism of proto-Dbl.

The dbl oncogene encodes a prototype member of the Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) family. Oncogenic activation of proto-Dbl occurs through truncation of the N-terminal 497 residues. The C-terminal half of proto-Dbl includes residues 498 to 680 and 710 to 815, which fold into the Dbl homology (DH) domain and the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, respectively, both of which are essential for cell transformation via the Rho GEF activity or cytoskeletal targeting function. Here we have investigated the mechanism of the apparent negative regulation of proto-Dbl imposed by the N-terminal sequences. Deletion of the N-terminal 285 or C-terminal 100 residues of proto-Dbl did not significantly affect either its transforming activity or GEF activity, while removal of the N-terminal 348 amino acids resulted in a significant increase in both transformation and GEF potential. Proto-Dbl displayed a mostly perinuclear distribution pattern, similar to a polypeptide derived from its N-terminal sequences, whereas onco-Dbl colocalized with actin stress fibers, like the PH domain. Coexpression of the N-terminal 482 residues with onco-Dbl resulted in disruption of its cytoskeletal localization and led to inhibition of onco-Dbl transforming activity. The apparent interference with the DH and PH functions by the N-terminal sequences can be rationalized by the observation that the N-terminal 482 residues or a fragment containing residues 286 to 482 binds specifically to the PH domain, limiting the access of Rho GTPases to the catalytic DH domain and masking the intracellular targeting function of the PH domain. Taken together, our findings unveiled an autoinhibitory mode of regulation of proto-Dbl that is mediated by the intramolecular interaction between its N-terminal sequences and PH domain, directly impacting both the GEF function and intracellular distribution.

A Critical Role for Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Upstream of Gab1 and SHP2 in the Activation of Ras and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases by Epidermal Growth Factor

Although the mechanisms involved in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) by receptor tyrosine kinases do not display an obvious role for phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), we have observed in the nontransformed cell line Vero stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) that wortmannin and LY294002 nearly abolished MAPK activation. The effect was observed under strong stimulation and was independent of EGF concentration. In addition, three mutants of class Ia PI3Ks were found to inhibit MAPK activation to an extent similar to their effect on Akt/protein kinase B activation. To determine the importance of PI3K lipid kinase activity in MAPK activation, we have used the phosphatase PTEN and the pleckstrin homology domain of Tec kinase. Overexpression of these proteins, but not control mutants, was found to inhibit MAPK activation, suggesting that the lipid products of class Ia PI3K are necessary for MAPK signaling. We next investigated the location of PI3K in the MAPK cascade. Pharmacological inhibitors and dominant negative forms of PI3K were found to block the activation of Ras induced by EGF. Upstream from Ras, although association of Grb2 with its conventional effectors was independent of PI3K, we have observed that the recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 required PI3K. Because SHP2 was also essential for Ras activation, this suggested the existence of a PI3K/SHP2 pathway leading to the activation of Ras. In addition, we have observed that the docking protein Gab1, which is involved in PI3K activation during EGF stimulation, is also implicated in this pathway downstream of PI3K. Indeed, the association of Gab1 with SHP2 was blocked by PI3K inhibitors, and expression of Gab1 mutant deficient for binding to SHP2 was found to inhibit Ras stimulation without interfering with PI3K activation. These results show that, in addition to Shc and Grb2, a PI3K-dependent pathway involving Gab1 and SHP2 is essential for Ras activation under EGF stimulation.

Tara, a novel F-actin binding protein, associates with the Trio guanine nucleotide exchange factor and regulates actin cytoskeletal organization.

Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is essential to numerous cellular processes including cell locomotion and cytokinesis. This actin remodeling is regulated in part by Rho family GTPases. Previous studies implicated Trio, a Dbl-homology guanine nucleotide exchange factor with two exchange factor domains, in regulating actin cytoskeleton reorganization, cell motility and cell growth via activation of Rho GTPases. Trio is essential for mouse embryonic development and Trio-deficiency is associated with abnormal skeletal muscle and neural tissue development. Furthermore, genetic analyses in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila demonstrate a role for trio-like genes in cell migration and axon guidance. Herein we characterize a novel Trio-binding protein, Tara, that is comprised of an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain and a C-terminal coiled-coil region. Trio and Tara associate as assessed by the yeast interaction-trap assays and mammalian co-immunoprecipitation studies. Ectopically expressed Tara localizes to F-actin in a periodic pattern that is highly similar to the pattern of myosin II. Furthermore, a direct interaction between Tara and F-actin is indicated by in vitro binding studies. Cells that transiently or stably overexpress Tara display an extensively flattened cell morphology with enhanced stress fibers and cortical F-actin. Tara expression does not alter the ability of the cell to attach or to initially spread, but rather increases cell spreading following these initial events. Tara stabilizes F-actin structures as indicated by the relative resistance of Tara-expressing cells to the F-actin destabilizer Latrunculin B. We propose that Tara regulates actin cytoskeletal organization by directly binding and stabilizing F-actin, and that the localized formation of Tara and Trio complexes functions to coordinate actin remodeling.

Mutations of the PH Domain of Protein Kinase B (PKB/AKT) Are Absentin Human Epidermal Skin Tumors

Background: While for most human solid tumors genetic alterations of few distinct genetic regions have been found, studies on basal cell carcinomas (BCC) have shown the prevalence of several abnormalities including alterations of the three ras genes, GAP (GTPase activating protein), p53, PTCH (the human homologue of Drosophila patched) and SMOH (the human homologue of Drosophila smoothened). On the other hand, during the last decade, a new oncogene, protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), has been characterized and found to be overexpressed in certain human tumors. In vivo activation of PKB/AKT necessitates its recruitment to the cell membrane mediated by the N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Objective: We investigated whether mutations of this mandatory domain are present in a subset of human epidermal skin tumors. Methods: RNA of 19 human skin tumors including 13 BCC, 4 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC; including 1 keratoacanthoma) and 2 neurofibromas of different size and tumor stage were used for reverse transcription and subsequent PCR amplification of the PH domain of PKB/AKT. Results: Cycle sequencing of the purified PCR products did not reveal any mutation of the PH domain of PKB/AKT. Conclusion: In human BCC and SCC, mutations of the PH domain of PKT/AKT do not play a major role during the carcinogenesis of these tumors.

Rational Design and Purification of Human Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase SH3–SH2 Protein for Structure–Function Studies

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase consisting of N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain followed by Tec homology (TH) domain, Src homology 3 and 2 (SH3 and SH2) domains, and a C-terminal kinase domain. Mutations in the human BTK gene cause the severe immunodeficiency disease X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). The structural and functional basis of several XLA-causing mutations remains unknown, since only the structures of the PH and SH3 domains of human Btk are currently available. In this study, we overexpressed and purified a protein consisting of the SH3 and SH2 domains of human Btk for biochemical and structural analysis. The purified protein was only partially soluble and had a tendency to dimerize, which made it unsuitable for further studies. To overcome the problems of low solubility and dimerization, subdomain interactions were engineered without altering the function of the protein.

Regulation of the Rac1-specific exchange factor Tiam1 involves both phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent and -independent components

The small GTPase Rac1 is involved in regulating membrane ruffling, gene transcription, cell-cycle progression and cell transformation, and some of these events are blocked by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). Moreover, Rac1 can be activated by several guanine nucleotide exchange factors, which facilitate the release of GDP. We therefore investigated the ability of PI 3-kinase lipid products to regulate Tiam1, a Rac1-specific exchange factor. Tiam1 bound to polyphosphorylated inositol lipids in the rank order PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 > PtdIns(3,4)P2 ≫ PtdIns(4,5)P2, and this binding could be attributed to the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology (N-PH) domain. Both PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(3,4)P2 enhanced Tiam1 guanine nucleotide exchange activity in vitro, but PtdIns(4,5)P2 had no effect. Co-expression of a constitutively active PI 3-kinase with Tiam1 increased the amount of GTP-bound Rac1 in vivo, a response which required the N-PH domain of Tiam1. Ectopic expression of Tiam1 caused membrane ruffling in Swiss 3T3 cells that was characterized by wortmannin-sensitive and -insensitive components, which required the N-PH domain and the C-terminal PH domain of Tiam1 respectively. These results reveal novel facets of Tiam1-dependent regulation of Rac1 function.

Regulation of the Rac1-specific exchange factor Tiam1 involves both phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent and -independent components

The small GTPase Rac1 is involved in regulating membrane ruffling, gene transcription, cell-cycle progression and cell transformation, and some of these events are blocked by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). Moreover, Rac1 can be activated by several guanine nucleotide exchange factors, which facilitate the release of GDP. We therefore investigated the ability of PI 3-kinase lipid products to regulate Tiam1, a Rac1-specific exchange factor. Tiam1 bound to polyphosphorylated inositol lipids in the rank order PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)>PtdIns(3,4)P(2) >>PtdIns(4,5)P(2), and this binding could be attributed to the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology (N-PH) domain. Both PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) and PtdIns(3,4)P(2) enhanced Tiam1 guanine nucleotide exchange activity in vitro, but PtdIns(4,5)P(2) had no effect. Co-expression of a constitutively active PI 3-kinase with Tiam1 increased the amount of GTP-bound Rac1 in vivo, a response which required the N-PH domain of Tiam1. Ectopic expression of Tiam1 caused membrane ruffling in Swiss 3T3 cells that was characterized by wortmannin-sensitive and -insensitive components, which required the N-PH domain and the C-terminal PH domain of Tiam1 respectively. These results reveal novel facets of Tiam1-dependent regulation of Rac1 function.

Oligomerization of mouse alpha 1-syntrophin and self-association of its pleckstrin homology domain 1 containing sequences.

Syntrophins are known to self-associate to form oligomers. Mouse alpha 1-syntrophin sequences were produced as chimeric fusion proteins in bacteria and were found to also oligomerize and in a micromolar Ca(2+)-dependent manner. The oligomerization was localized to the N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (PH1) or adjacent sequences; the second, C-terminal PH2 domain did not show oligomerization. PH1 was found to self-associate, and calmodulin or Ca(2+)-chelating agents such as ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) could effectively prevent this oligomerization. A single calmodulin bound per syntrophin to cause inhibition of the precipitation. Since calmodulin inhibited syntrophin oligomerization in the presence or absence of Ca(2+), Ca(2+) binding to syntrophin is responsible for the inhibition by EGTA of syntrophin oligomerization.

Molecular cloning of a truncated p62Dok1 isoform, p22Dok(del).

The p21Ras GTPase activating protein-associated 62-kDa protein, p62Dok1, is an early substrate of various tyrosine phosphorylation pathways. Its recent cloning in human myeloid cells and in murine pre-B cells revealed an N-terminal pleckstrin-homology domain and a tyrosine- and proline-rich C-terminal tail in its sequence. Here, we characterized a new 1261-bp cDNA identical to that of p62Dok1, but with a central 185-bp deletion (bp 456-640). This induced a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon. The deduced protein, designated p22Dok(del), corresponded to a truncated p62Dok1 isoform of 177 amino acids that can be expressed both in vitro and in vivo with an apparent molecular mass of 22 kDa. This newly identified molecule was composed of the N-terminal PH domain of p62Dok1 followed by a new 25-amino acid C-terminal sequence containing a typical class II proline-rich motif, suggesting a specific role for p22Dok(del) in signal transduction pathways.

A Role for Phospholipase D in GLUT4 Glucose Transporter Translocation

Based on recent studies showing that phospholipase D (PLD)1 is associated with intracellular membranes and promotes membrane budding from the trans-Golgi, we tested its possible role in the membrane trafficking of GLUT4 glucose transporters. Using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, expressed Myc epitope-tagged PLD1 was found to associate with intracellular vesicular structures by a mechanism that requires its N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain. Partial co-localization with expressed GLUT4 fused to green fluorescent protein in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Chinese hamster ovary cells was evident. Furthermore, microinjection of purified PLD into cultured adipocytes markedly potentiated the effect of a submaximal concentration of insulin to stimulate GLUT4 translocation to cell surface membranes. Insulin stimulated PLD activity in cells expressing high levels of insulin receptors but no such insulin effect was detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that PLD1 associated with GLUT4-containing membranes acts in a constitutive manner to promote the mechanism of GLUT4 translocation by insulin.

Identification of a region at the N-terminus of phospholipase C-beta 3 that interacts with G protein beta gamma subunits.

Members of the phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) family of proteins are activated either by G alpha or G beta gamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. To define specific regions of PLC-beta 3 that are involved in binding and activation by G beta gamma, a series of fragments of PLC-beta 3 as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins were produced. A fragment encompassing the N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and downstream sequence (GST-N) bound to G protein beta 1 gamma 2 in an in vitro binding assay, and binding was inhibited by G protein alpha subunit, G alpha i1. This PLC-beta 3 fragment also inhibited G beta gamma-stimulated PLC-beta activity in a reconstitution system, while having no significant effect on G alpha q-stimulated PLC-beta 3 activity. The N-terminal G beta gamma binding region was delineated further to the first 180 amino acids, and the sequence Asn150-Ser180, just distal to the PH domain, was found to be required for the interaction. Mutation of basic residues 154Arg, 155Lys, 159Lys, and 161Lys to Glu within this region reduced G beta gamma binding affinity and specifically reduced the EC50 for G beta gamma-dependent activation of the mutant enzyme 3-fold. Basal activity and G alpha q-dependent activation of the enzyme were unaffected by the mutations. While these basic residues may not directly mediate the interaction with G beta gamma, the data provide evidence for an N-terminal G beta gamma binding region of PLC-beta 3 that is involved in activation of the enzyme.

Redistribution of Bruton's tyrosine kinase by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Rho-family GTPases.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) characterized by an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (PH) thought to directly interact with phosphoinositides. We report here that wild-type (wt) and also a gain-of-function mutant of Btk are redistributed following a wide range of receptor-mediated stimuli through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) activation. Employing chimeric Btk with green fluorescent protein in transient transfections resulted in Btk translocation to the cytoplasmic membrane of live cells through various forms of upstream PI 3-K activation. The redistribution was blocked by pharmacological and biological inhibitors of PI 3-K. A gain-of-function mutant of Btk was found to be a potent inducer of lamellipodia and/or membrane ruffle formation. In the presence of constitutively active forms of Rac1 and Cdc42, Btk is co-localized with actin in these regions. Formation of the membrane structures was blocked by the dominant negative form of N17-Rac1. Therefore, Btk forms a link between a vast number of cell surface receptors activating PI 3-K and certain members of the Rho-family of small GTPases. In the chicken B cell line, DT40, cells lacking Btk differed from wt cells in the actin pattern and showed decreased capacity to form aggregates, further suggesting that cytoskeletal regulation mediated by Btk may be of physiological relevance.

Redistribution of Bruton's tyrosine kinase by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Rho-family GTPases

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a member of the Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) characterized by an N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain (PH) thought to directly interact with phosphoinositides. We report here that wild-type (wt) and also a gain-of-function mutant of Btk are redistributed following a wide range of receptor-mediated stimuli through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) activation. Employing chimeric Btk with green fluorescent protein in transient transfections resulted in Btk translocation to the cytoplasmic membrane of live cells through various forms of upstream PI 3-K activation. The redistribution was blocked by pharmacological and biological inhibitors of PI 3-K. A gain-of-function mutant of Btk was found to be a potent inducer of lamellipodia and / or membrane ruffle formation. In the presence of constitutively active forms of Rac1 and Cdc42, Btk is co-localized with actin in these regions. Formation of the membrane structures was blocked by the dominant negative form of N17-Rac1. Therefore, Btk forms a link between a vast number of cell surface receptors activating PI 3-K and certain members of the Rho-family of small GTPases. In the chicken B cell line, DT40, cells lacking Btk differed from wt cells in the actin pattern and showed decreased capacity to form aggregates, further suggesting that cytoskeletal regulation mediated by Btk may be of physiological relevance.

Characterization of a novel member of the DOK family that binds and modulates Abl signaling.

A novel member of the p62(dok) family of proteins, termed DOKL, is described. DOKL contains features of intracellular signaling molecules, including an N-terminal PH (pleckstrin homology) domain, a central PTB (phosphotyrosine binding) domain, and a C-terminal domain with multiple potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites and proline-rich regions, which might serve as docking sites for SH2- and SH3-containing proteins. The DOKL gene is predominantly expressed in bone marrow, spleen, and lung, although low-level expression of the RNA can also be detected in other tissues. DOKL and p62(dok) bind through their PTB domains to the Abelson tyrosine kinase in a kinase-dependent manner in both yeast and mammalian cells. DOKL is phosphorylated by the Abl tyrosine kinase in vivo. In contrast to p62(dok), DOKL lacks YxxP motifs in the C terminus and does not bind to Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) upon phosphorylation. Overexpression of DOKL, but not p62(dok), suppresses v-Abl-induced mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation but has no effect on constitutively activated Ras- and epidermal growth factor-induced MAP kinase activation. The inhibitory effect requires the PTB domain of DOKL. Finally, overexpression of DOKL in NIH 3T3 cells inhibits the transforming activity of v-Abl. These results suggest that DOKL may modulate Abl function.

Cloning and Expression of Pleckstrin 2, a Novel Member of the Pleckstrin Family

A novel member of the pleckstrin family has been identified and designated as mouse pleckstrin 2. The cDNA clone with an insert of 1588 bp contained a 1059-bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 353 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence predicted that pleckstrin 2 has two pleckstrin homology (PH) domains at the N- and C-termini and a DEP (Dsh, egl-10, and pleckstrin) domain in the central region and showed 35% identity with the sequence of chicken pleckstrin. Northern blot and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that pleckstrin 2 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed. Southern blot analysis indicated that the mouse pleckstrin 2 gene may consisit of two or more exons. To obtain information relative to natural ligand(s) for each of the PH domains in vivo, we employed the green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged fusion protein system. Distributions of N-terminal and C-terminal PH domains of pleckstrin 2 were quite different from each other, suggesting that these PH domains may interact with distinct factor(s).

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Induces Actin Clustering without Direct Binding to Cdc42

WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein) was identified as the gene product whose mutation causes the human hereditary disease Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. WASP contains many functional domains and has been shown to induce the formation of clusters of actin filaments in a manner dependent on Cdc42. However, there has been no report investigating what domain(s) is(are) important for the function. Here we present for the first time the results of detailed analyses on the domain-function relationship of WASP. First, the C-terminal verprolin-cofilin-acidic domain was shown to be essential for the regulation of actin cytoskeleton. In addition, we found that the clustering of WASP itself is distinct from actin clustering. The partial protein containing the region from the N-terminal pleckstrin homology domain to the basic residue-rich region also clustered especially around the nucleus as wild type WASP without inducing actin clustering. Finally, we obtained the quite unexpected result that a WASP mutant deficient in binding to Cdc42 still induced actin cluster formation, indicating that direct interaction between Cdc42 and WASP is not required for the regulation of actin cytoskeleton. This result may explain why no Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome patients have been identified with a missense mutation in the Cdc42-binding site.