PB1 Domain Research Articles

P62/SQSTM1 is required for Parkin-induced mitochondrial clustering but not mitophagy; VDAC1 is dispensable for both

Mitochondria sustain damage with aging, and the resulting mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a number of diseases including Parkinson disease. We recently demonstrated that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin, which is linked to recessive forms of parkinsonism, causes a dramatic increase in mitophagy and a change in mitochondrial distribution, following its translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria. Investigating how Parkin induces these changes may offer insight into the mechanisms that lead to the sequestration and elimination of damaged mitochondria. We report that following Parkin’s translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria, Parkin (but not a pathogenic mutant) promotes the K63-linked polyubiquitination of mitochondrial substrate(s) and recruits the ubiquitin- and LC3-binding protein, p62/SQSTM1, to mitochondria. After its recruitment, p62/SQSTM1 mediates the aggregation of dysfunctional mitochondria through polymerization via its PB1 domain, in a manner analogous to its aggregation of polyubiquitinated proteins. Surprisingly and in contrast to what has been recently reported for ubiquitin-induced pexophagy and xenophagy, p62 appears to be dispensable for mitophagy. Similarly, mitochondrial-anchored ubiquitin is sufficient to recruit p62 and promote mitochondrial clustering, but does not promote mitophagy. Although VDAC1 (but not VDAC2) is ubiquitinated following mitochondrial depolarization, we find VDAC1 cannot fully account for the mitochondrial K63-linked ubiquitin immunoreactivity observed following depolarization, as it is also observed in VDAC1/3-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Additionally, we find VDAC1 and VDAC3 are dispensable for the recruitment of p62, mitochondrial clustering and mitophagy. These results demonstrate that mitochondria are aggregated by p62, following its recruitment by Parkin in a VDAC1-independent manner. They also suggest that proteins other than p62 are likely required for mitophagy downstream of Parkin substrates other than VDAC1.

Solution Structure of a Novel Cdc42 Binding Module of Bem1 and Its Interaction with Ste20 and Cdc42

Bem1 is a scaffold protein essential for the establishment of cell polarity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This work reports the solution structure of a Cdc42 binding module of Bem1 comprising the second SH3 domain (SH3b) and its C-terminal flanking region termed Cdc42 interacting (CI). First, the structure of Bem1 SH3b-CI was determined by NMR spectroscopy, which shows that Bem1 SH3b-CI is a structurally and functionally related domain that binds Cdc42. Next, the solution structure of Bem1 SH3b-CI in complex with the proline-rich region of p21-activated kinase Ste20 (Ste20 PRR) was determined. Finally, the interaction surface of Bem1 SH3b-CI with Cdc42 was identified based on chemical shift perturbation studies which reveals that Bem1 SH3b-CI interacts simultaneously with both Ste20 PRR and Cdc42 using the opposite surfaces. Thus, Bem1 can tether Cdc42 and Ste20 in close proximity so that Cdc42 can efficiently interact with Ste20 Cdc42 and Rac interactive binding (CRIB). Based on the present results together with the previous biochemical studies (Lamson, R. E., Winters, M. J., and Pryciak, P. M. (2002) Mol. Cell. Biol. 22, 2939-2951 and Winters, M. J., and Pryciak, P. M. (2005) Mol. Cell. Biol. 25, 2177-2190), a model was suggested that the autoinhibition of Ste20 kinase activity by CRIB is released through the Cdc42-CRIB interaction, which is mediated by Bem1, and Ste20 is subsequently activated, an initial step for the establishment of the cell polarity.

Myosin diversity in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

This report describes the domain architecture of ten myosins cloned from the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Several of the P. tricornutum myosins show similarity to myosins from the centric diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana as well as to one myosin from the oomycete Phytophthora ramorum. The P. tricornutum myosins, ranging in size from 126 kDa to over 250 kDa, all possess the canonical head, neck and tail domains common to most myosins, though variations in each of these domains is evident. Among the features distinguishing several of the diatom myosin head domains are N-terminal SH3-like domains, variations in or near the P-loop and Loop 1 regions close to the nucleotide binding pocket, and extended converter domains. Variations in the length of the neck domain or lever arm, defined by the light chain-binding IQ motifs, are apparent with the different diatom myosins predicted to contain from one to nine IQ motifs. Protein domains found within the P. tricornutum myosin tails include regions of coiled-coil structure, ankyrin repeats, CBS domain pairs, a PB1 domain, a kinase domain and a FYVE-finger motif. As many of these features have never before been characterized in myosins of any type, it is likely that these new diatom myosins will expand the repertoire of known myosin behaviors.

PB1 Domain Interaction of p62/Sequestosome 1 and MEKK3 Regulates NF-κB Activation

PB1 Domain Interaction of p62/Sequestosome 1 and MEKK3 Regulates NF-κB Activation

Sequestosome-1/p62 Is the Key Intracellular Target of Innate Defense Regulator Peptide

Innate defense regulator-1 (IDR-1) is a synthetic peptide with no antimicrobial activity that enhances microbial infection control while suppressing inflammation. Previously, the effects of IDR-1 were postulated to impact several regulatory pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein, but how this was mediated was unknown. Using a combined stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture-proteomics methodology, we identified the cytoplasmic scaffold protein p62 as the molecular target of IDR-1. Direct IDR-1 binding to p62 was confirmed by several biochemical binding experiments, and the p62 ZZ-type zinc finger domain was identified as the IDR-1 binding site. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis of p62 molecular complexes demonstrated that IDR-1 enhanced the tumor necrosis factor α-induced p62 receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) complex formation but did not affect tumor necrosis factor α-induced p62-protein kinase ζ complex formation. In addition, IDR-1 induced p38 MAPK activity in a p62-dependent manner and increased CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein β activity, whereas NF-κB activity was unaffected. Collectively, these results demonstrate that IDR-1 binding to p62 specifically affects protein-protein interactions and subsequent downstream events. Our results implicate p62 in the molecular mechanisms governing innate immunity and identify p62 as a potential therapeutic target in both infectious and inflammatory diseases.

P62 as a Therapeutic Target for Myeloma Cell Growth and Osteoclast Formation.

Abstract 2857Poster Board II-833We reported that sequestosome 1 (p62) plays a critical role in the formation of signaling complexes that result in NF-kB, p38 MAPK, and PI3K activation in the marrow microenvironment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and that p62 is a potential therapeutic target for MM. In contrast to treating patients with inhibitors of each of the multiple signaling pathways activated in marrow stromal cells by MM cells (e.g. NF-kB or p38 MAPK), blocking the function of p62 should inhibit the activation of the multiple pathways mediated by p62 and have a broader effect on the bone marrow microenvironment. The goal of this study was to identify the domains of p62 responsible for increased MM cell growth and osteoclast (OCL) formation mediated by NF-kB and p38 MAPK signaling in marrow stromal cells when they interact with myeloma cells, and develop inhibitory peptides as potential therapeutic agents that interfere with p62's role in these signaling complexes. To pursue this objective, we transfected p62−/− stromal cells with p62 deletion constructs and assessed their effects on NF-kB and p38 MAPK signaling induced by MM cells or TNF-a. p62−/− stromal cells support of MM growth or OCL formation was significantly decreased compared to WT stromal cells. We made a series of 5' deletion constructs of p62 that lacked specific p62 domains: ΔPB1 (Δ1) lacks homodimerization domain and binding to PKCz, ΔPB1, ZZ (Δ2) lacks PB1 and RIP1 binding domains, and ΔPB1, ZZ, TBS, (Δ3) the PB1, RIP1, p38 and TRAF6 binding domains have been deleted. These constructs were tested for their capacity to restore p62 function in p62−/−stromal cells and support MM cell growth and OCL formation. GFP-labeled MM1.S myeloma cells were cocultured with p62−/− and WT marrow stromal cells transduced with the different p62 deletion constructs. Transduction of p62−/− stromal cells with the full-length p62 construct restored the capacity of p62−/− stromal cells to enhance the growth of MM cells to levels induced by WT stromal cells. Transduction of p62−/− stromal cells with the Δ1 construct also restored stromal cell support of MM growth. Therefore, the PB1 domain is not important for this function. Transduction of p62−/− stromal cells with the Δ2 construct, resulted in an inability of the stromal cells to support MM cell growth. Additional loss of the p38 and TRAF6 binding domains did not further impair p62−/− stromal cells support of MM cell growth. These results suggest that the RIP1 binding domain plays a critical role in supporting the growth of MM cells by marrow stromal cells. We then examined the capacity of p62−/− stromal cells transduced with various p62 deletion constructs to support OCL formation. Normal CFU-GM, a source of OCL precursors, were cocultured with p62−/− stromal cells transfected with the different p62 cDNA deletion constructs. The Δ1 construct completely rescued p62−/− support of OCL formation. However, Δ2 construct transduced p62−/− stromal cells only partly restored stromal cell support of OCL formation. Transduction of the Δ3 construct did not restore the capacity of the p62−/− stromal cells to support OCL formation. Similarly, transduction of the Δ2 and Δ3 construction decreased WT stromal cell support of MM cell growth. We then tested the feasibility of using transduction domain (PTD) fusion peptides as a potential means of delivering dominant negative p62 constructs into stromal cells in vitro and in vivo to block MM cell growth and VCAM-1 expression induced by marrow stromal cells. PTD binding domain fusion peptides containing NEMO binding protein that blocks NF-kB activity was used as a model system to determine the feasibility of transducing marrow stromal cells with p62 constructs. Addition of PTD-NEMO fusion peptides to stromal cells significantly inhibited WT stromal cell to enhance MM cell growth and VCAM-1 expression on stromal cells, which is the capacity of dependent, in part, on NF-kB signaling. These results demonstrate that the ZZ, p38 MAPK and TRAF-6 domains of p62 together are required for stromal cell support of MM cell growth and OCL formation and suggest that PTD constructs containing dominant negatives for p62 may be a feasible method for blocking p62 function in the MM marrow microenvironment. Disclosures:Roodman:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Acceleron: Consultancy.

The NMR structure of the p62 PB1 domain, a key protein in autophagy and NF-κB signaling pathway

In eukaryotic cells, proteins are degraded via two main pathways; One is the ubiquitin-proteasome system that degrades short-lived proteins, and the other is autophagy that degrades long-lived proteins and damaged organelles (Noda et al. 2009). The p62, also called ZIP (PKC-finteracting protein) or sequestosome 1, plays a crucial role in these protein degradation pathways (Sumimoto et al. 2007). In autophagy, polyubiquitinated aggregated proteins and damaged organelles are enclosed by the isolation membrane, eventually enwrapped by the autophagosome. The autophagosome is fused with the vacuole/lysosome and its inner content is delivered and then degraded. The p62, initially identified as a protein that binds to the SH2 domain of the tyrosine kinase Lck, functions as a receptor protein for aberrant proteins. It contains a PB1 domain at its N terminus, followed by a ZZ-type zinc-finger motif, a LC3 interacting region, and a UBA domain at its C-terminus (Geetha and Wooten 2002). The p62 interacts with ubiquitin through the UBA domain, and self-assembles through the PB1 domain to form large protein aggregates (Bjorkoy et al. 2005). The p62 also binds the autophagy adaptor LC3 through the WXXL motif in the LC3 interacting region (Noda et al. 2008). Defects in autophagy cause accumulation of protein aggregates that contain ubiquitin and p62, leading to severe liver damage such as steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinomas, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer disease, and Huntington’s disease (Zatloukal et al. 2002). A recent study indicated that the oligomerization through the PB1 domain was important not only in the assembly of the targets, but also in the interaction with LC3 (Bjorkoy et al. 2005). In the ubiqutin-proteasome system, p62 acts as a shuttling factor that transports ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome, by interaction through the PB1 domain with the proteasome subunits, S5a and Rpt1 (Seibenhener et al. 2004; Geetha et al. 2008). The p62 also works as a key factor in cell signal transduction. In the NF-jB signaling pathway, p62 controls osteoclastogenesis, T-cell differentiation, and tumor progression, via the PB1–PB1 interaction with PKCf (Geetha and Wooten 2002). Further, p62 controls adipogenesis and obesity via the interaction with ERK (Moscat et al. 2006), and apoptosis via ubiquitinated Caspase 8 (Jin et al. 2009). The p62 PB1 domain plays a variety of physiological roles, both through the PB1–PB1 interaction, and through ‘‘non-canonical’’ PB1 mediated interactions with proteins lacking the PB1 domain, such as S5a, Rpt1, ERK, and LCK. Thus, p62 PB1 can be expected to have characteristic features not common to other PB1 domains whose structures have been solved. The PB1 domain is classified into three types, type I, type II, and type I/II (Hirano et al. 2004). Type I contains a motif of 28 amino acid residues with highly conserved acidic and hydrophobic residues named the OPCA motif. Type II contains a conserved lysine residue on the side opposite to the OPCA motif. Type I/II contains the OPCA motif and the conserved lysine residue, and thus can selfinteract in a front-to-back topology. The p62 PB1 contains both the OPCA motif and the conserved lysine residue and T. Saio Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan

NMR Structure of the Heterodimer of Bem1 and Cdc24 PB1 Domains from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Bem1 and Cdc24 of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae interact with each other through PB1-PB1 heterodimer formation to regulate the establishment of cell polarity. Here we present the tertiary structure of the heterodimer of Bem1 and Cdc24 PB1 domains determined by NMR spectroscopy. To avoid ambiguity in the NMR spectral analysis, we first prepared a mutant of the Cdc24 PB1 domain that had truncated loops. The mutant provided well dispersed spectra without spectral overlapping, thus allowing unambiguous spectral assignments for structure determination. We confirmed that the loop deletion-mutant was quite similar to the wild-type in both 3D structure and binding affinity. The NMR structure of the heterodimer of the deletion-mutant of Cdc24 PB1 and Bem1 PB1 was determined using a variety of isotope labelled samples including perdeuteration. The interface between the Bem1/Cdc24 PB1 heterodimer was analysed at atomic resolution. Through a comparison with the tertiary structures of other PB1-PB1 heterodimers, we found that conserved electrostatic properties on the molecular surface were commonly used for PB1-PB1 interaction, but hydrophobic interactions were important for cognate interaction in Bem1/Cdc24 PB1 heterodimer formation.

Tfg (Trk fused gene) is a Carma-1/IKKγ interacting protein involved in CD40-induced canonical NF-κB signaling

Carma-1 is required for B cell receptor-/CD40- and T cell receptor-/CD28-induced B- and T-cell activation via JNK and NF-betaB. In B cells, Carma-1 becomes phosphorylated by PKCbeta, leading to its oligomerization. Subsequent Bcl10 binding induces IKKbeta-activation and, thereby, canonical NF-KB signalling. Despite these findings it is still unknown how exactly Carma-1 is connected to the plasma membrane and to the IKK-complex. Therefore, we purified Carma-1 complexes from mouse CH12 B cells using anti-Carma-1 affinity columns. Mass spectrometric analyses of the column eluates demonstrated the presence of Carma-1 as well as three previously uncharacterized adaptor proteins in B cells, one of which was the Trk-fused gene (Tfg), an adaptor protein containing PB1 and coiledcoil domains. Whereas Tfg was originally identified as fusion partner of oncogenic Trk tyrosine kinase mutants, the normal cellular homologue of Tfg has so far not been described in B cells. However, Tfg has been shown in other systems to interact with IKKgamma and to enhance TNFinduced NF-KB activation. Tfg and Carma-1 co-localized at the plasma membrane and perinuclear structures in B cells. We further corroborated the interactions of Tfg, IKKgamma and Carma-1 by Blue Native gel electrophoresis, where Carma-1 and Tfg formed a 0.7–1 MDa complex. Ectopic expression of Tfg increased the molecular mass of IKKgamma complexes, fused IKKgamma, Bcl10 and Carma-1 complexes to a ~2 MDa complex, and increased basal and CD40-induced canonical activity of NF-KB and IKKbeta. In contrast, shRNA-mediated silencing of Tfg decreased CD40-induced IKKbeta activity. Very interestingly, in primary B cells, highest expression of Tfg was detected in marginal zone and B1 B cells, and Carma-1 and Tfg formed complexes in these B cells. Since Carma-1 is required for marginal zone B cell and B1 B cell development, we suggest that a functional interaction between Carma-1 and Tfg contributes to development and maintenance of these cells by means of canonical NF-KB signals.

The Domain Organization of p67phox, a Protein Required for Activation of the Superoxide-Producing NADPH Oxidase in Phagocytes

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase, crucial for innate immunity, is dormant in resting cells, but becomes activated during phagocytosis to produce superoxide, a precursor of microbicidal oxidants. In activation of the oxidase, the multidomain protein p67^phoxplays a central role: it translocates to the membrane as a ternary complex with p47^phoxand p40^phox, and interacts with the small GTPase Rac to assemble with the membrane-integrated catalytic protein gp91^phox, leading to superoxide production. Here we show, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis, that p67^phoxadopts an elongated conformation when it exists not only as a monomer but also as the heterotrimer. Although p67^phoxharbors an N-terminal TPR domain for binding to Rac and a p40^phox-interacting PB1 domain, followed by an SH3 domain that associates with p47^phox, the present model suggests that no or few apparent associations occur between the domains. The positions of the protein-interaction domains in p67^phoxcontribute to activation of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase: the first SH3 domain that is located between the TPR and PB1 domains positively regulates oxidase activation only when it is present at the correct position; the PB1 domain placed at this SH3 domain position inhibits the oxidase by interacting with p40^phox.

Comparative kinomics of human and chimpanzee reveal unique kinship and functional diversity generated by new domain combinations

BackgroundPhosphorylation by protein kinases is a common event in many cellular processes. Further, many kinases perform specialized roles and are regulated by non-kinase domains tethered to kinase domain. Perturbation in the regulation of kinases leads to malignancy. We have identified and analysed putative protein kinases encoded in the genome of chimpanzee which is a close evolutionary relative of human.ResultThe shared core biology between chimpanzee and human is characterized by many orthologous protein kinases which are involved in conserved pathways. Domain architectures specific to chimp/human kinases have been observed. Chimp kinases with unique domain architectures are characterized by deletion of one or more non-kinase domains in the human kinases. Interestingly, counterparts of some of the multi-domain human kinases in chimp are characterized by identical domain architectures but with kinase-like non-kinase domain. Remarkably, out of 587 chimpanzee kinases no human orthologue with greater than 95% sequence identity could be identified for 160 kinases. Variations in chimpanzee kinases compared to human kinases are brought about also by differences in functions of domains tethered to the catalytic kinase domain. For example, the heterodimer forming PB1 domain related to the fold of ubiquitin/Ras-binding domain is seen uniquely tethered to PKC-like chimpanzee kinase.ConclusionThough the chimpanzee and human are evolutionary very close, there are chimpanzee kinases with no close counterpart in the human suggesting differences in their functions. This analysis provides a direction for experimental analysis of human and chimpanzee protein kinases in order to enhance our understanding on their specific biological roles.

Abstract 3678: Protein Kinase C-zeta (PKCζ) Is A Novel Mediator Of Endothelial Dysfunction By Inhibiting The ERK5/ Kruppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) Pathway

Background: Shear stress-induced activation of ERK5 and KLF2 leads to eNOS expression maintaining normal endothelial cell (EC) function. PKCζ has emerged as a pathologic mediator of EC dysfunction based on 1) a positive correlation between PKCζ activity and disturbed flow pattern; and 2) PKCζ activation is essential for TNFα stimulation of JNK, caspase-3 and EC apoptosis. Therefore we hypothesized that TNFα and its pathologic mediator ONOO − would inhibit ERK5 transcriptional activity and eNOS expression induced by flow. Results: TNFα and ONOO − significantly inhibited ERK5 transcriptional activity, KLF2 promoter activity, and eNOS expression induced by flow (shear stress = 12 dyn/cm2, 24 hrs). Both TNFαand ONOO − increased PKCζ activity. Transfection of wild type PKCζ (WT-PKCζ) and catalytic domain of PKCζ (CATζ) significantly inhibited ERK5 transcriptional activity (38±1.4% and 57±2.8% respectively; p<0.01, p<0.005). Also, transfection of PKCζ siRNA reversed TNFα-mediated inhibition of ERK5 transcriptional activity (control vs PKCz siRNA, 28±2.5% vs 9±0.3%, p<0.05), suggesting a critical role for PKCζ in ERK5 transcriptional repression. Surprisingly, TNFα and ONOO − did not significantly decrease ERK5 phosphorylation, suggesting that inhibition occurred downstream of ERK5 phosphorylation. Previously we reported that ERK5-SUMOylation inhibited flow-mediated eNOS expression, but we could not detect increased ERK5-SUMOylation in WT-PKCζ or CATζ transfected cells. Importantly, we found that ONOO − significantly increased PKCζ-ERK5 interaction. PKCζ is known to contain a PB1 domain, a well studied protein-protein interaction domain. However, mutational analysis demonstrated that the ERK5 binding site in PKCζ was within the catalytic domain of PKCζ, not the PB1 domain. These data suggest that the PKCζ-ERK5 interaction likely inhibits ERK5 transcriptional activity by direct phosphorylation of ERK5 by PKCζ kinase. Conclusion: PKCζ is a novel mediator of TNFα and ONOO − induced endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting ERK5 transcriptional activity independent of kinase activity and ERK5-SUMOylation.

Regulation of neurocoel morphogenesis by Pard6γb

The Par3/Par6/aPKC protein complex plays a key role in the establishment and maintenance of apicobasal polarity, a cellular characteristic essential for tissue and organ morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis. During a forward genetic screen for liver and pancreas mutants, we identified a pard6γ b mutant, representing the first known pard6 mutant in a vertebrate organism. pard6γ b mutants exhibit defects in epithelial tissue development as well as multiple lumens in the neural tube. Analyses of the cells lining the neural tube cavity, or neurocoel, in wildtype and pard6γ b mutant embryos show that lack of Pard6γb function leads to defects in mitotic spindle orientation during neurulation. We also found that the PB1 (aPKC-binding) and CRIB (Cdc-42-binding) domains and the KPLG amino acid sequence within the PDZ domain (Pals1-and Crumbs binding) are not required for Pard6γb localization but are essential for its function in neurocoel morphogenesis. Apical membranes are reduced, but not completely absent, in mutants lacking the zygotic, or both the maternal and zygotic, function of pard6γ b, leading us to examine the localization and function of the three additional zebrafish Pard6 proteins. We found that Pard6α, but not Pard6β or Pard6γa, could partially rescue the pard6γ b s441 mutant phenotypes. Altogether, these data indicate a previously unappreciated functional diversity and complexity within the vertebrate pard6 gene family.

Sequential Binding of Cytosolic Phox Complex to Phagosomes through Regulated Adaptor Proteins: Evaluation Using the Novel Monomeric Kusabira-Green System and Live Imaging of Phagocytosis

We engineered a method for detecting intramolecular and intermolecular phox protein interactions in cells by fluorescence microscopy using fusion proteins of complementary fragments of a coral fluorescent reporter protein (monomeric Kusabira-Green). We confirmed the efficacy of the monomeric Kusabira-Green system by showing that the PX and PB1 domains of p40phox interact in intact cells, which we suggested maintains this protein in an inactive closed conformation. Using this system, we also explored intramolecular interactions within p47phox and showed that the PX domain interacts with the autoinhibited tandem Src homology 3 domains maintained in contact with the autoinhibitory region, along with residues 341-360. Furthermore, we demonstrated sequential interactions of p67phox with phagosomes involving adaptor proteins, p47phox and p40phox, during FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis. Although p67phox is not targeted to phagosomes by itself, p47phox functions as an adaptor for the ternary complex (p47phox-p67phox-p40phox) in early stages of phagocytosis before phagosome closure, while p40phox functions in later stages after phagosomal closure. Interestingly, a mutated "open" form of p40phox linked p47phox to closed phagosomes and prolonged p47phox and p67phox retention on phagosomes. These results indicate that binding of the ternary complex to phagosomes can be temporally regulated by switching between adaptor proteins that have PX domains with distinct lipid-binding specificities.

Phosphorylation of the Human Full-Length Protein Kinase Cι

Atypical protein kinases C, including protein kinase Ciota (PKCiota), play critical roles in signaling pathways that control cell growth, differentiation and survival. This qualifies them as attractive targets for development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of various human diseases. In this study, the full-length PKCiota was expressed in Sf9 insect cells, purified, and digested with trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N, and its phosphorylation analyzed by liquid chromatography-high accuracy mass spectrometry. This strategy mapped 97% of the PKCiota protein sequence and revealed seven new Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites, in addition to the two previously known, pThr403 in the activation loop and pThr555 in the turn motif of the kinase domain. Most of the newly identified phosphorylation sites had low estimated occupancies (below 2%). Two phosphorylation sites were located in domain connecting amino acid sequence stretches (pSer217 and pSer237/pSer238) and may contribute to an improved stability and solubility of the protein. The most interesting new phosphorylation site was detected in a well-accessible loop of the PB1 domain (pSer35/pSer37) and may be involved in the interactions of the PB1 domain with different partners in the relevant signaling pathways.

The PAR-6 Polarity Protein Regulates Dendritic Spine Morphogenesis through p190 RhoGAP and the Rho GTPase

The majority of excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain occurs at dendritic spines, which are actin-rich protrusions on the dendrites. The asymmetric nature of these structures suggests that proteins regulating cell polarity might be involved in their formation. Indeed, the polarity protein PAR-3 is required for normal spine morphogenesis. However, this function is independent of association with atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and PAR-6. Here we show that PAR-6 together with aPKC plays a distinct but essential role in spine morphogenesis. Knockdown of PAR-6 inhibits spine morphogenesis, whereas overexpression of PAR-6 increases spine density, and these effects are mediated by aPKC. Using a FRET biosensor, we further show that p190 RhoGAP and RhoA act downstream of the PAR-6/aPKC complex. These results define a role for PAR-6 and aPKC in dendritic spine biogenesis and maintenance, and reveal an unexpected link between the PAR-6/aPKC complex and RhoA activity.

Insight into the Binding Properties of MEKK3 PB1 to MEK5 PB1 from Its Solution Structure,

MEKK3 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase that participates in various signaling pathways. One of its functions is to activate the ERK5 signal pathway by phosphorylating and activating MEK5. MEKK3 and MEK5 each harbors a PB1 domain in the N-terminus, and they form a heterodimer via PB1-PB1 domain interaction that was reported to be indispensable to the activation of MEK5. Using NMR spectroscopy, we show here that a prolyl isomerization of the Gln38-Pro39 bond is present in MEKK3 PB1, which is the first case of structural heterogeneity within PB1 domains. We have solved the solution structures of both isomers and found a major difference between them in the Pro39 region. Residues Gly37-Leu40 form a type VIb beta-turn in the cis conformation, whereas no obvious character of beta-turn was observed in the trans conformation. Backbone dynamics studies have unraveled internal motions in the beta3/beta4-turn on a microsecond-millisecond time scale. Further investigation of its binding properties with MEK5 PB1 has demonstrated that MEKK3 PB1 binds MEK5 PB1 tightly with a Kd of about 10(-8) M. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that residues in the basic cluster of MEKK3 PB1 contributes differently to the PB1-PB1 interaction. Residues Lys 7 and Arg 5 play important roles in the interaction with MEK5 PB1. Taken together, this study provides new insights into structural details of MEKK3 PB1 and its binding properties with MEK5 PB1.

Structure and Function of the PB1 Domain, a Protein Interaction Module Conserved in Animals, Fungi, Amoebas, and Plants

Proteins containing the PB1 domain, a protein interaction module conserved in animals, fungi, amoebas, and plants, participate in diverse biological processes. The PB1 domains adopt a ubiquitin-like beta-grasp fold, containing two alpha helices and a mixed five-stranded beta sheet, and are classified into groups harboring an acidic OPCA motif (type I), the invariant lysine residue on the first beta strand (type II), or both (type I/II). The OPCA motif of a type I PB1 domain forms salt bridges with basic residues, especially the conserved lysine, of a type II PB1 domain, thereby mediating a specific PB1-PB1 heterodimerization, whereas additional contacts contribute to high affinity and specificity of the modular interaction. The canonical PB1 dimerization is required for the formation of complexes between p40(phox) and p67(phox) (for activation of the NADPH oxidase crucial for mammalian host defense), between the scaffold Bem1 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Cdc24 (for polarity establishment in yeasts), and between the polarity protein Par6 and atypical protein kinase C (for cell polarization in animal cells), as well as for the interaction between the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases MEKK2 or MEKK3 and the downstream target mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase MEK5 (for early cardiovascular development in mammals). PB1 domains can also mediate interactions with other protein domains. For example, an intramolecular interaction between the PB1 and PX domains of p40(phox) regulates phagosomal targeting of the microbicidal NADPH oxidase; the PB1 domain of MEK5 is likely responsible for binding to the downstream kinase ERK5, which lacks a PB1 domain; and the scaffold protein Nbr1 associates through a PB1-containing region with titin, a sarcomere protein without a PB1 domain. This Review describes various aspects of PB1 domains at the molecular and cellular levels.

Protein Kinase Cζ Abrogates the Proapoptotic Function of Bax through Phosphorylation

Protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta) is an atypical PKC isoform that plays an important role in supporting cell survival but the mechanism(s) involved is not fully understood. Bax is a major member of the Bcl-2 family that is required for apoptotic cell death. Because Bax is extensively co-expressed with PKCzeta in both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, it is possible that Bax may act as the downstream target of PKCzeta in regulating survival and chemosensitivity of lung cancer cells. Here we discovered that treatment of cells with nicotine not only enhances PKCzeta activity but also results in Bax phosphorylation and prolonged cell survival, which is suppressed by a PKCzeta specific inhibitor (a myristoylated PKCzeta pseudosubstrate peptide). Purified, active PKCzeta directly phosphorylates Bax in vitro. Overexpression of wild type or the constitutively active A119D but not the dominant negative K281W PKCzeta mutant results in Bax phosphorylation at serine 184. PKCzeta co-localizes and interacts with Bax at the BH3 domain. Specific depletion of PKCzeta by RNA interference blocks nicotine-stimulated Bax phosphorylation and enhances apoptotic cell death. Intriguingly, forced expression of wild type or A119D but not K281W PKCzeta mutant results in accumulation of Bax in cytoplasm and prevents Bax from undergoing a conformational change with prolonged cell survival. Purified PKCzeta can directly dissociate Bax from isolated mitochondria of C2-ceramide-treated cells. Thus, PKCzeta may function as a physiological Bax kinase to directly phosphorylate and interact with Bax, which leads to sequestration of Bax in cytoplasm and abrogation of the proapoptotic function of Bax.

Control of Sigma Virus Multiplication by the ref(2)P Gene of Drosophila melanogaster: An in Vivo Study of the PB1 Domain of Ref(2)P

Ref(2)P has been described as one of the Drosophila proteins that interacts with the sigma virus cycle. We generated alleles to identify critical residues involved in the restrictive (inhibiting viral multiplication) or permissive (allowing viral multiplication) character of Ref(2)P. We demonstrate that permissive alleles increase the ability of the sigma virus to infect Drosophila when compared to null alleles and we confirm that restrictive alleles decrease this capacity. Moreover, we have created alleles unfunctional in viral cycling while functional for Ref(2)P fly functions. This type of allele had never been observed before and shows that fly- and virus-related activities of Ref(2)P are separable. The viral status of Ref(2)P variants is determined by the amino-terminal PB1 domain polymorphism. In addition, an isolated PB1 domain mimics virus-related functions even if it is similar to a loss of function toward fly-related activities. The evolutionary tree of the Ref(2)P PB1 domain that we could build on the basis of the natural allele sequences is in agreement with an evolution of PB1 domain due to successive transient selection waves.