Promotes Plasma Membrane Research Articles

Phosphorylation of the Deubiquitinase USP20 by Protein Kinase A Regulates Post-endocytic Trafficking of β2 Adrenergic Receptors to Autophagosomes during Physiological Stress

Ubiquitination by the E3 ligase Nedd4 and deubiquitination by the deubiquitinases USP20 and USP33 have been shown to regulate the lysosomal trafficking and recycling of agonist-activated β2 adrenergic receptors (β2ARs). In this work, we demonstrate that, in cells subjected to physiological stress by nutrient starvation, agonist-activated ubiquitinated β2ARs traffic to autophagosomes to colocalize with the autophagy marker protein LC3-II. Furthermore, this trafficking is synchronized by dynamic posttranslational modifications of USP20 that, in turn, are induced in a β2AR-dependent manner. Upon β2AR activation, a specific isoform of the second messenger cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKAα) rapidly phosphorylates USP20 on serine 333 located in its unique insertion domain. This phosphorylation of USP20 correlates with a characteristic SDS-PAGE mobility shift of the protein, blocks its deubiquitinase activity, promotes its dissociation from the activated β2AR complex, and facilitates trafficking of the ubiquitinated β2AR to autophagosomes, which fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes where receptors are degraded. Dephosphorylation of USP20 has reciprocal effects and blocks trafficking of the β2AR to autophagosomes while promoting plasma membrane recycling of internalized β2ARs. Our findings reveal a dynamic regulation of USP20 by site-specific phosphorylation as well as the interdependence of signal transduction and trafficking pathways in balancing adrenergic stimulation and maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Role of Endothelin 3 (ET3) in Estradiol 17B‐glucuronide (E217G)‐induced Cholestasis in the Rat

We previously reported that ET3 induces choleresis through ETB receptors coupled to nitric oxide (NO). It enhances, independently of hemodynamic changes, bile acid dependent and independent bile flows and promotes plasma membrane insertion of the main hepatic transporters involved in bile genesis and increases their mRNA expression (Clin Sci., 125:531, 2013). In this work we aimed to determine whether ET3 played a beneficial role in E217G‐induced cholestasis. Sprague‐Dawley rats were infused with ET3 (5 ng/kg/min) or vehicle for 30 min followed by E217G administration to induce cholestasis. Bile samples were collected every 5 min for 120 min. Bile acids were assessed in bile by capillary electrophoresis. Other set of animals were also pretreated with L‐NAME (NO synthases inhibitor) or BQ788 (ETB receptor antagonist) before ET3 and E217G administration. ET3 prevented E217G‐induced cholestasis and the response was abolished by BQ788 or L‐NAME. Furthermore ET3 also modified bile acid excretion, particularly ursodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid as compared with control and E217G. ET3 induced no changes in plasma transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase or 5´nucleotidase or in the hepatic histology assessed by light microscopy in stained hematoxylin and eosin liver samples. Present findings show that ET3 through ETB receptors coupled to NO prevents E217G‐induced cholestasis and modifies bile acid profile excretion in the rat. Results further suggest that the ETB receptor may represent a promising therapeutic target in pathophysiological situations where bile flow is impaired.

The Road not Taken: Less Traveled Roads from the TGN to the Plasma Membrane.

The trans-Golgi network functions in the distribution of cargo into different transport vesicles that are destined to endosomes, lysosomes and the plasma membrane. Over the years, it has become clear that more than one transport pathway promotes plasma membrane localization of proteins. In spite of the importance of temporal and spatial control of protein localization at the plasma membrane, the regulation of sorting into and the formation of different transport containers are still poorly understood. In this review different transport pathways, with a special emphasis on exomer-dependent transport, and concepts of regulation and sorting at the TGN are discussed.

Coassembly and coupling of SK2 channels and mGlu5 receptors.

Group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors regulate hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron excitability via Ca(2+) wave-dependent activation of small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels. Here, we show that mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels coassemble in heterologous coexpression systems and in rat brain. Further, in cotransfected cells or rat primary hippocampal neurons, mGlu5 receptor stimulation activated apamin-sensitive SK2-mediated K(+) currents. In addition, coexpression of mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels promoted plasma membrane targeting of both proteins and correlated with increased mGlu5 receptor function that was unexpectedly blocked by apamin. These results demonstrate a reciprocal functional interaction between mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels that reflects their molecular coassembly.

Polyhydroxyfullerene binds cadmium ions and alleviates metal-induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The water-soluble polyhydroxyfullerene (PHF) is a functionalized carbon nanomaterial with several industrial and commercial applications. There have been controversial reports on the toxicity and/or antioxidant properties of fullerenes and their derivatives. Conversely, metals have been recognized as toxic mainly due to their ability to induce oxidative stress in living organisms. We investigated the interactive effects of PHF and cadmium ions (Cd) on the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by exposing cells to Cd (≤5 mg liter(-1)) in the absence or presence of PHF (≤500 mg liter(-1)) at different pHs (5.8 to 6.8). In the absence of Cd, PHF stimulated yeast growth up to 10.4%. Cd inhibited growth up to 79.7%, induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and promoted plasma membrane disruption in a dose- and pH-dependent manner. The negative effects of Cd on growth were attenuated by the presence of PHF, and maximum growth recovery (53.8%) was obtained at the highest PHF concentration and pH. The coexposure to Cd and PHF decreased ROS accumulation up to 36.7% and membrane disruption up to 30.7% in a dose- and pH-dependent manner. Two mechanisms helped to explain the role of PHF in alleviating Cd toxicity to yeasts: PHF decreased Cd-induced oxidative stress and bound significant amounts of Cd in the extracellular medium, reducing its bioavailability to the cells.

A biosensor to monitor dynamic regulation and function of tumour suppressor PTEN in living cells.

Tumour suppressor PTEN is a phosphatase that negatively regulates the PI3K/AKT pathway. The ability to directly monitor PTEN conformation and function in a rapid, sensitive manner is a key step towards developing anti-cancer drugs aimed at enhancing or restoring PTEN-dependent pathways. Here we developed an intramolecular bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor, capable of detecting signal-dependent PTEN conformational changes in live cells. The biosensor retains intrinsic properties of PTEN, enabling structure-function and kinetic analyses. BRET shifts, indicating conformational change, were detected following mutations that disrupt intramolecular PTEN interactions, promoting plasma membrane targeting and also following physiological PTEN activation. Using the biosensor as a reporter, we uncovered PTEN activation by several G protein-coupled receptors, previously unknown as PTEN regulators. Trastuzumab, used to treat ERBB2-overexpressing breast cancers also elicited activation-associated PTEN conformational rearrangement. We propose the biosensor can be used to identify pathways regulating PTEN or molecules that enhance its anti-tumour activity.

M3 Muscarinic Receptor Interaction with Phospholipase C β3 Determines Its Signaling Efficiency

Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) enzymes are activated by G protein-coupled receptors through receptor-catalyzed guanine nucleotide exchange on Gαβγ heterotrimers containing Gq family G proteins. Here we report evidence for a direct interaction between M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) and PLCβ3. Both expressed and endogenous M3R interacted with PLCβ in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Stimulation of M3R with carbachol significantly increased this association. Expression of M3R in CHO cells promoted plasma membrane localization of YFP-PLCβ3. Deletion of the PLCβ3 C terminus or deletion of the PLCβ3 PDZ ligand inhibited coimmunoprecipitation with M3R and M3R-dependent PLCβ3 plasma membrane localization. Purified PLCβ3 bound directly to glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused M3R intracellular loops 2 and 3 (M3Ri2 and M3Ri3) as well as M3R C terminus (M3R/H8-CT). PLCβ3 binding to M3Ri3 was inhibited when the PDZ ligand was removed. In assays using reconstituted purified components in vitro, M3Ri2, M3Ri3, and M3R/H8-CT potentiated Gαq-dependent but not Gβγ-dependent PLCβ3 activation. Disruption of key residues in M3Ri3N and of the PDZ ligand in PLCβ3 inhibited M3Ri3-mediated potentiation. We propose that the M3 muscarinic receptor maximizes the efficiency of PLCβ3 signaling beyond its canonical role as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Gα.

GPR37 Protein Trafficking to the Plasma Membrane Regulated by Prosaposin and GM1 Gangliosides Promotes Cell Viability

The subcellular distribution of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR37 affects cell viability and is implicated in the pathogenesis of parkinsonism. Intracellular accumulation and aggregation of GPR37 cause cell death, whereas GPR37 located in the plasma membrane provides cell protection. We define here a pathway through which the recently identified natural ligand, prosaposin, promotes plasma membrane association of GPR37. Immunoabsorption of extracellular prosaposin reduced GPR37(tGFP) surface density and decreased cell viability in catecholaminergic N2a cells. We found that GPR37(tGFP) partitioned in GM1 ganglioside-containing lipid rafts in the plasma membrane of live cells. This partitioning required extracellular prosaposin and was disrupted by lipid raft perturbation using methyl-β-cyclodextrin or cholesterol oxidase. Moreover, complex formation between GPR37(tGFP) and the GM1 marker cholera toxin was observed in the plasma membrane. These data show functional association between GPR37, prosaposin, and GM1 in the plasma membrane. These results thus tie together the three previously defined components of the cellular response to insult. Our findings identify a mechanism through which the receptor's natural ligand and GM1 may protect against toxic intracellular GPR37 aggregates observed in parkinsonism.

Myosin II Functions as a Direct Mechanosensor for Intercellular Invasion during Cell-Cell Fusion

How cells sense and react to external mechanical stimuli is a fundamental question in cellular biophysics. Here, we describe a previously unrecognized mechanosensory response to a localized cellular protrusive force during cell-cell fusion. Our previous studies of myoblast fusion in Drosophila embryos and cell fusion in a reconstituted culture system revealed that cell-cell fusion is an asymmetric process, in which one fusion partner (the attacking cell) extends invasive finger-like protrusions into the other (the receiving cell) to promote plasma membrane juxtaposition and fusion. Here, we demonstrate that the Rho-Rok-Myosin II (MyoII) pathway is specifically activated in the receiving cell in response to the invasive force from the attacking cell. Disrupting the function of this pathway renders less cortical resistance in the receiving cell and defects in cell-cell fusion, despite deeper invasion of the attacking cell. Increasing the cortical tension in the receiving cell by overexpressing an actin crosslinker significantly rescued such fusion defect. We show that MyoII accumulates to the cell cortex earlier than its upstream biochemical regulators Rok and Rho in response to applied force, and that MyoII is required for the steady-state accumulation of Rok and Rho. Furthermore, the motor domain of MyoII is indispensible for its cortical accumulation triggered by intercellular invasion. These results strongly suggest that MyoII functions as a direct mechanosensor that feeds back to its upstream regulators, and that the mechanosensory function of MyoII is mediated by its binding to actin filaments under mechanical stress. This newly discovered mechanosensory system, consisting of a well-defined source of protrusive force and the corresponding activation of the Rho-Rok-MyoII pathway in the neighboring cell, highlights a central role of MyoII in the mechanosensory response that ultimately leads to cortical tension generation in animal cells.

Sur7 promotes plasma membrane organization and is needed for resistance to stressful conditions and to the invasive growth and virulence of Candida albicans.

ABSTRACTThe human fungal pathogen Candida albicans causes lethal systemic infections because of its ability to grow and disseminate in a host. The C. albicans plasma membrane is essential for virulence by acting as a protective barrier and through its key roles in interfacing with the environment, secretion of virulence factors, morphogenesis, and cell wall synthesis. Difficulties in studying hydrophobic membranes have limited the understanding of how plasma membrane organization contributes to its function and to the actions of antifungal drugs. Therefore, the role of the recently discovered plasma membrane subdomains termed the membrane compartment containing Can1 (MCC) was analyzed by assessing the virulence of a sur7Δ mutant. Sur7 is an integral membrane protein component of the MCC that is needed for proper localization of actin, morphogenesis, cell wall synthesis, and responding to cell wall stress. MCC domains are stable 300-nm-sized punctate patches that associate with a complex of cytoplasmic proteins known as an eisosome. Analysis of virulence-related properties of a sur7Δ mutant revealed defects in intraphagosomal growth in macrophages that correlate with increased sensitivity to oxidation and copper. The sur7Δ mutant was also strongly defective in pathogenesis in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The mutant cells showed a decreased ability to initiate an infection and greatly diminished invasive growth into kidney tissues. These studies on Sur7 demonstrate that the plasma membrane MCC domains are critical for virulence and represent an important new target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Promotion of plasma membrane repair by vitamin E

Severe vitamin E deficiency results in lethal myopathy in animal models. Membrane repair is an important myocyte response to plasma membrane disruption injury as when repair fails, myocytes die and muscular dystrophy ensues. Here we show that supplementation of cultured cells with α-tocopherol, the most common form of vitamin E, promotes plasma membrane repair. Conversely, in the absence of α-tocopherol supplementation, exposure of cultured cells to an oxidant challenge strikingly inhibits repair. Comparative measurements reveal that, to promote repair, an anti-oxidant must associate with membranes, as α-tocopherol does, or be capable of α-tocopherol regeneration. Finally, we show that myocytes in intact muscle cannot repair membranes when exposed to an oxidant challenge, but show enhanced repair when supplemented with vitamin E. Our work suggests a novel biological function for vitamin E in promoting myocyte plasma membrane repair. We propose that this function is essential for maintenance of skeletal muscle homeostasis.

Synaptic Targeting and Functional Modulation of GluK1 Kainate Receptors by the Auxiliary Neuropilin and Tolloid-Like (NETO) Proteins

Auxiliary proteins modify the biophysical function and pharmacological properties of ionotropic glutamate receptors and likely are important components of receptor signaling complexes in vivo. The neuropilin and tolloid-like proteins (NETO) 1 and NETO2, two closely related CUB domain-containing integral membrane proteins, were identified recently as auxiliary proteins that slowed GluK2a kainate receptor current kinetics without impacting receptor membrane localization. Here we demonstrate that NETO2 profoundly slows the desensitization rate of GluK1 kainate receptors, promotes plasma membrane localization of transfected receptors in heterologous cells and rat hippocampal neurons, and targets GluK1-containing receptors to synapses. Conversely, the closely related protein NETO1 increases the rate of GluK1 receptor desensitization. Incorporation of NETO proteins into kainate receptor-signaling complexes therefore extends the temporal range of receptor gating by over an order of magnitude. The presence of these auxiliary proteins could underlie some of the unusual aspects of kainate receptor function in the mammalian CNS.

Prm1 Targeting to Contact Sites Enhances Fusion during Mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Prm1 is a pheromone-regulated membrane glycoprotein involved in the plasma membrane fusion event of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating. Although this function suggests that Prm1 should act at contact sites in pairs of mating yeast cells where plasma membrane fusion occurs, only a small percentage of the total Prm1 was actually detected on the plasma membrane. We therefore investigated the intracellular transport of Prm1 and how this transport contributes to cell fusion. Two Prm1 chimeras that were sorted away from the contact site had reduced fusion activity, indicating that Prm1 indeed functions at contact sites. However, most Prm1 is located in endosomes and other cytoplasmic organelles and is targeted to vacuoles for degradation. Mutations in a putative endocytosis signal in a cytoplasmic loop partially stabilized the Prm1 protein and caused it to accumulate on the plasma membrane, but this endocytosis mutant actually had reduced mating activity. When Prm1 was expressed from a galactose-regulated promoter and its synthesis was repressed at the start of mating, vanishingly small amounts of Prm1 protein remained at the time when the plasma membranes came into contact. Nevertheless, this stable pool of Prm1 was retained at polarized sites on the plasma membrane and was sufficient to promote plasma membrane fusion. Thus, the amount of Prm1 expressed in mating yeast is far in excess of the amount required to facilitate fusion.

Stimulating Effect of External Myo-Inositol on the Expression of Mutant Forms of Aquaporin 2

Myo-inositol (MI; hexahydroxycyclohexane, C(6)H(6)O(12)) is a small neutral molecule used as a compatible osmolyte in the kidney medulla. At high concentrations, MI appears to act as a chemical chaperone and was shown to promote plasma membrane expression of the impaired cystic fibrosis chloride channel (Delta508-CFTR). In the present study, we measured whether MI could increase expression of two human aquaporin 2 (AQP2) mutants which were recently identified as causing nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). Both proteins (D150E and G196D) were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, but only D150E displayed an increase in oocyte water permeability (P (f)). Adding 5 mM MI to the bathing solution for 24 h produced a 50% increase in the D150E-associated P (f), while it had no effect on noninjected oocytes or on oocytes expressing wt-AQP2 or G196D. Western blots performed on purified plasma membrane preparations confirmed that MI increased the amount of D150E present at the plasma membrane, while G196D was always undetectable. X. laevis oocytes are remarkably impermeable to MI, and the effect of MI on D150E expression does not require the presence of intracellular MI. The effect of external MI was dose-dependent (K (0.5) was 130 microM) and specific with respect to other forms of inositols. Further studies on a second group of AQP2 mutants causing NDI showed that K228E activity was similarly stimulated by MI, while V71M, A70D and S256L were not. It is concluded that physiological concentrations of extracellular MI can stimulate the expression of a specific subgroup of AQP2 mutants.

The yeast cell fusion protein Prm1p requires covalent dimerization to promote membrane fusion.

Prm1p is a multipass membrane protein that promotes plasma membrane fusion during yeast mating. The mechanism by which Prm1p and other putative regulators of developmentally controlled cell-cell fusion events facilitate membrane fusion has remained largely elusive. Here, we report that Prm1p forms covalently linked homodimers. Covalent Prm1p dimer formation occurs via intermolecular disulfide bonds of two cysteines, Cys-120 and Cys-545. PRM1 mutants in which these cysteines have been substituted are fusion defective. These PRM1 mutants are normally expressed, retain homotypic interaction and can traffic to the fusion zone. Because prm1-C120S and prm1-C545S mutants can form covalent dimers when coexpressed with wild-type PRM1, an intermolecular C120-C545 disulfide linkage is inferred. Cys-120 is adjacent to a highly conserved hydrophobic domain. Mutation of a charged residue within this hydrophobic domain abrogates formation of covalent dimers, trafficking to the fusion zone, and fusion-promoting activity. The importance of intermolecular disulfide bonding informs models regarding the mechanism of Prm1-mediated cell-cell fusion.

ATP promotes Plasma Membrane Wound Repair by a P2Y2R dependent Mechanism

Cell wounding and repair are important drivers of the innate immune response of ventilator‐injured lungs. Cells repair plasma membrane (PM) wounds by several mechanisms including non‐secretory exocytosis and it is therefore not surprising that extra‐cellular ATP, a secretagogue, enhances PM repair. Neither the responsible purinergic receptor sub‐type nor the downstream signaling pathways have been identified.Expression of P2Y2R in A549 cells was validated by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot experiments using anti‐P2Y2R (Chemicon). Confluent A549 cells were incubated with the P2Y2 antagonist Suramin (400μM), ATP (50ìM) or ATP hydrolase Apyrase (20U/ml) and stretched by 30% at 8 cycles/min for 5 min. 2 min later, the cells were labeled with Propidium Iodide (PI; 4μl/ml), trypsinized and subjected to flow cytometry. PI + cells were considered wounded and necrotic. Pretreatment of A549 cells with Suramin showed a significantly higher fraction of PI + cells compared to controls (47 ± 9 % vs 22 ± 5%, p<0.05), while the addition of extracellular ATP appeared to promote PM wound repair (6± 1%, p<0.01). In contrast, pretreatment with apyrase did not significantly alter the number of necrotic cells (26 ± 6%)Our results suggest that ATP promotes PM wound repair by a P2Y2R dependent mechanism. The Apyrase data raises the possibility that ATP metabolites may also modulate PM repair.Support HL63178

All-trans-retinoic Acid Promotes Trafficking of Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter-3 (hCNT3) to the Plasma Membrane by a TGF-β1-mediated Mechanism

Human concentrative nucleoside transporter-3 (hCNT3) is a sodium-coupled nucleoside transporter that exhibits high affinity and broad substrate selectivity, making it the most suitable candidate for mediating the uptake and cytotoxic action of most nucleoside-derived drugs. The drug of this class most commonly used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the pro-apoptotic nucleoside analog fludarabine (Flu), which enters CLL cells primarily through human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs). Although CLL cells lack hCNT3 activity, they do express this transporter protein, which is located mostly in the cytosol. The aim of our study was to identify agents and mechanisms capable of promoting hCNT3 trafficking to the plasma membrane. Here, we report that all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), currently used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), increases hCNT3-related activity through a mechanism that involves trafficking of pre-existing hCNT3 proteins to the plasma membrane. This effect is mediated by the autocrine action of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, which is transcriptionally activated by ATRA in a p38-dependent manner. TGF-beta1 acts through activation of ERK1/2 and the small GTPase RhoA to promote plasma membrane trafficking of the hCNT3 protein.

Prm1 Functions as a Disulfide-linked Complex in Yeast Mating

Prm1 is a pheromone-induced membrane glycoprotein that promotes plasma membrane fusion in yeast mating pairs. HA-Prm1 migrates at twice its expected molecular weight on non-reducing SDS-PAGE gels and coprecipitates with Prm1-TAP, indicating that Prm1 is a disulfide-linked homodimer. The N terminus of a plasma membrane-localized GFP-Prm1 endocytic mutant projects into the cytoplasm, where it is protected from low pH quenching in live cells and from external protease in spheroplasts. In a revised topological map, Prm1 has four transmembrane domains and two large extracellular loops. Mutation of all four cysteines in the extracellular loops blocked disulfide bond formation and destabilized the Prm1 homodimer without preventing Prm1 transport to contact sites in mating pairs. Cys(120) in loop 1 and Cys(545) in loop 2 form disulfide cross-links in the Prm1 homodimer and are required for fusion activity. Cys(120) lies between a hydrophobic segment formerly thought to be a transmembrane domain and an amphipathic helix. An interaction between either of these regions and the opposing membrane could promote fusion.

Protein kinase D isoforms are expressed in rat and mouse primary sensory neurons and are activated by agonists of protease-activated receptor 2.

Serine proteases generated during injury and inflammation cleave protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR(2)) on primary sensory neurons to induce neurogenic inflammation and hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia requires sensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) ion channels by mechanisms involving phospholipase C and protein kinase C (PKC). The protein kinase D (PKD) serine/threonine kinases are activated by diacylglycerol and PKCs and can phosphorylate TRPV1. Thus, PKDs may participate in novel signal transduction pathways triggered by serine proteases during inflammation and pain. However, it is not known whether PAR(2) activates PKD, and the expression of PKD isoforms by nociceptive neurons is poorly characterized. By using HEK293 cells transfected with PKDs, we found that PAR(2) stimulation promoted plasma membrane translocation and phosphorylation of PKD1, PKD2, and PKD3, indicating activation. This effect was partially dependent on PKCepsilon. By immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, with antibodies against PKD1/PKD2 and PKD3 and neuronal markers, we found that PKDs were expressed in rat and mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, including nociceptive neurons that expressed TRPV1, PAR(2), and neuropeptides. PAR(2) agonist induced phosphorylation of PKD in cultured DRG neurons, indicating PKD activation. Intraplantar injection of PAR(2) agonist also caused phosphorylation of PKD in neurons of lumbar DRG, confirming activation in vivo. Thus, PKD1, PKD2, and PKD3 are expressed in primary sensory neurons that mediate neurogenic inflammation and pain transmission, and PAR(2) agonists activate PKDs in HEK293 cells and DRG neurons in culture and in intact animals. PKD may be a novel component of a signal transduction pathway for protease-induced activation of nociceptive neurons and an important new target for antiinflammatory and analgesic therapies.

Syndecan-4 promotes the retention of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the plasma membrane

Although phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2) regulates syndecan-4 function, the potential influence of syndecan-4 on PIP 2 remains unknown. GFP containing PIP 2-binding-PH domain of phospholipase Cδ (GFP-PHδ) was used to monitor PIP 2. Syndecan-4 overexpression in COS-7 cells enhanced membrane translocation of GFP-PHδ, while the opposite was observed when syndecan-4 was knocked-down. PIP 2 levels were higher in total phospholipids extracted from rat embryo fibroblasts expressing syndecan-4. Syndecan-4-induced membrane targeting of GFP-PHδ was further enhanced by phosphoinositide-3-kinase inhibitor, but not by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. Besides, both ionomycin and epidermal growth factor caused dissociation of GFP-PHδ from plasma membrane, an effect that was significantly delayed by syndecan-4 over-expression. Collectively, these data suggest that syndecan-4 promotes plasma membrane retention of PIP 2 by negatively regulating PLC-dependent PIP 2 degradation.