scholarly journals Plasma Membrane Localization of Gαz Requires Two Signals

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Morales ◽  
C. Simone Fishburn ◽  
Paul T. Wilson ◽  
Henry R. Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Defective Mutant ◽  
Specific Localization ◽  
Membrane Attachment ◽  
Stable Association

Three covalent attachments anchor heterotrimeric G proteins to cellular membranes: the α subunits are myristoylated and/or palmitoylated, whereas the γ chain is prenylated. Despite the essential role of these modifications in membrane attachment, it is not clear how they cooperate to specify G protein localization at the plasma membrane, where the G protein relays signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effector molecules. To explore this question, we studied the effects of mutations that prevent myristoylation and/or palmitoylation of an epitope-labeled α subunit, αz. Wild-type αz (αz-WT) localizes specifically at the plasma membrane. A mutant that incorporates only myristate is mistargeted to intracellular membranes, in addition to the plasma membrane, but transduces hormonal signals as well as does αz-WT. Removal of the myristoylation site produced a mutant αz that is located in the cytosol, is not efficiently palmitoylated, and does not relay the hormonal signal. Coexpression of βγ with this myristoylation defective mutant transfers it to the plasma membrane, promotes its palmitoylation, and enables it to transmit hormonal signals. Pulse-chase experiments show that the palmitate attached to this myristoylation-defective mutant turns over much more rapidly than does palmitate on αz-WT, and that the rate of turnover is further accelerated by receptor activation. In contrast, receptor activation does not increase the slow rate of palmitate turnover on αz-WT. Together these results suggest that myristate and βγ promote stable association with membranes not only by providing hydrophobicity, but also by stabilizing attachment of palmitate. Moreover, palmitoylation confers on αz specific localization at the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Polarization of the Yeast Pheromone Receptor Requires Its Internalization but Not Actin-dependent Secretion

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1737-1752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry V. Suchkov ◽  
Reagan DeFlorio ◽  
Edward Draper ◽  
Amber Ismael ◽  
Madhushalini Sukumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Receptor Internalization ◽  
Gradient Sensing ◽  
Pheromone Receptor ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Chemical Gradients ◽  
Actin Cables ◽  
Mating Projection

In the best understood models of eukaryotic directional sensing, chemotactic cells maintain a uniform distribution of surface receptors even when responding to chemical gradients. The yeast pheromone receptor is also uniformly distributed on the plasma membrane of vegetative cells, but pheromone induces its polarization into “crescents” that cap the future mating projection. Here, we find that in pheromone-treated cells, receptor crescents are visible before detectable polarization of actin cables and that the receptor can polarize in the absence of actin-dependent directed secretion. Receptor internalization, in contrast, seems to be essential for the generation of receptor polarity, and mutations that deregulate this process confer dramatic defects in directional sensing. We also show that pheromone induces the internalization and subsequent polarization of the mating-specific Gα and Gβ proteins and that the changes in G protein localization depend on receptor internalization and receptor–Gα coupling. Our data suggest that the polarization of the receptor and its G protein precedes actin polarization and is important for gradient sensing. We propose that the establishment of receptor/G protein polarity depends on a novel mechanism involving differential internalization and that this serves to amplify the shallow gradient of activated receptor across the cell.

scholarly journals Vesicular Transport Is Not Required for the Cytoplasmic Pool of Cholera Toxin To Interact with the Stimulatory Alpha Subunit of the Heterotrimeric G Protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 6826-6835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Teter ◽  
Michael G. Jobling ◽  
Randall K. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Vesicular Transport ◽  
Cytotoxic Action ◽  
Anterograde Transport ◽  
Heterotrimeric G Protein ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Vesicular Traffic

ABSTRACT Cholera toxin (CT) moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by retrograde vesicular transport. The catalytic A1 polypeptide of CT (CTA1) then crosses the ER membrane, enters the cytosol, ADP-ribosylates the stimulatory α subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein (Gsα) at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane, and activates adenylate cyclase. The cytosolic pool of CTA1 may reach the plasma membrane and its Gsα target by traveling on anterograde-directed transport vesicles. We examined this possibility with the use of a plasmid-based transfection system that directed newly synthesized CTA1 to either the ER lumen or the cytosol of CHO cells. Such a system allowed us to bypass the CT retrograde trafficking itinerary from the cell surface to the ER. Previous work has shown that the ER-localized pool of CTA1 is rapidly exported from the ER to the cytosol. Expression of CTA1 in either the ER or the cytosol led to the activation of Gsα, and Gsα activation was not inhibited in transfected cells exposed to drugs that inhibit vesicular traffic. Thus, anterograde transport from the ER to the plasma membrane is not required for the cytotoxic action of CTA1.

scholarly journals Estradiol activates epithelial sodium channels in rat alveolar cells through the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (11) ◽  
pp. L878-L889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M. Greenlee ◽  
Jeremiah D. Mitzelfelt ◽  
Ling Yu ◽  
Qiang Yue ◽  
Billie Jeanne Duke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Sodium Channels ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Alveolar Cells ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Female sex predisposes individuals to poorer outcomes during respiratory disorders like cystic fibrosis and influenza-associated pneumonia. A common link between these disorders is dysregulation of alveolar fluid clearance via disruption of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity. Recent evidence suggests that female sex hormones directly regulate expression and activity of alveolar ENaC. In our study, we identified the mechanism by which estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P4) independently regulates alveolar ENaC. Using cell-attached patch clamp, we measured ENaC single-channel activity in a rat alveolar cell line (L2) in response to overnight exposure to either E2 or P4. In contrast to P4, E2 increased ENaC channel activity ( NPo) through an increase in channel open probability ( Po) and an increased number of patches with observable channel activity. Apical plasma membrane abundance of the ENaC α-subunit (αENaC) more than doubled in response to E2 as determined by cell surface biotinylation. αENaC membrane abundance was approximately threefold greater in lungs from female rats in proestrus, when serum E2 is greatest, compared with diestrus, when it is lowest. Our results also revealed a significant role for the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (Gper) to mediate E2's effects on ENaC. Overall, our results demonstrate that E2 signaling through Gper selectively activates alveolar ENaC through an effect on channel gating and channel density, the latter via greater trafficking of channels to the plasma membrane. The results presented herein implicate E2-mediated regulation of alveolar sodium channels in the sex differences observed in the pathogenesis of several pulmonary diseases.

Participation of RGS8 in the ternary complex of agonist, receptor and G-protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Benians ◽  
M. Nobles ◽  
A. Tinker
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Ternary Complex ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Yellow Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Rgs Proteins ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
G Protein Α Subunit

The RGS (regulators of G-protein signalling) protein family sharpen signalling kinetics through heterotrimeric G-proteins by enhancing the GTPase activity of the G-protein α subunit. Paradoxically, they also accelerate receptor-stimulated activation. We investigated this paradox using the cloned G-protein gated K+ channel as a reporter of the G-protein cycle, and FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) between cyan and yellow fluorescent protein tagged proteins to detect physical interactions. Our results with the neuronal protein, RGS8, show that the enhancement of activation kinetics is a variable phenomenon determined by receptor type, G-protein isoform and RGS8 expression levels. In contrast, deactivation was consistently accelerated after removal of agonist. FRET microscopy revealed a stable physical interaction between RGS8-yellow fluorescent protein and Go αA-cyan fluorescent protein that occurred in the presence and absence of receptor activation and was not competed away by Gβγ overexpression. FRET was also seen between RGS8 and Gγ, demonstrating that RGS8 binds to the heterotrimeric G-protein as well as G-protein α subunit-GTP and the transition complex. We propose a novel model for the action of RGS proteins on the G-protein cycle involving participation of the RGS in the ternary complex: for certain combinations of agonist, receptor and G-protein, RGS8 expression improves upon the ‘kinetic efficacy’ of G-protein activation.

scholarly journals Molecular mechanism of Fast Endophilin-Mediated Endocytosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (12) ◽  
pp. 2327-2345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Casamento ◽  
Emmanuel Boucrot
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Resting Cells ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Key Steps

Endocytosis mediates the cellular uptake of micronutrients and cell surface proteins. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is the housekeeping pathway in resting cells but additional Clathrin-independent endocytic (CIE) routes, including Fast Endophilin-Mediated Endocytosis (FEME), internalize specific cargoes and support diverse cellular functions. FEME is part of the Dynamin-dependent subgroup of CIE pathways. Here, we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanism of FEME. Key steps are: (i) priming, (ii) cargo selection, (iii) membrane curvature and carrier formation, (iv) membrane scission and (v) cytosolic transport. All steps are controlled by regulatory mechanisms mediated by phosphoinositides and by kinases such as Src, LRRK2, Cdk5 and GSK3β. A key feature of FEME is that it is not constitutively active but triggered upon the stimulation of selected cell surface receptors by their ligands. In resting cells, there is a priming cycle that concentrates Endophilin into clusters on discrete locations of the plasma membrane. In the absence of receptor activation, the patches quickly abort and new cycles are initiated nearby, constantly priming the plasma membrane for FEME. Upon activation, receptors are swiftly sorted into pre-existing Endophilin clusters, which then bud to form FEME carriers within 10 s. We summarize the hallmarks of FEME and the techniques and assays required to identify it. Next, we review similarities and differences with other CIE pathways and proposed cargoes that may use FEME to enter cells. Finally, we submit pending questions and future milestones and discuss the exciting perspectives that targeting FEME may boost treatments against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Structural and functional aspects of G protein-coupled receptor oligomerization

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence E Hébert ◽  
Michel Bouvier
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Receptor Oligomerization ◽  
Gpcr Activation ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the single largest family of cell surface receptors involved in signal transduction. It is estimated that several hundred distinct members of this receptor family in humans direct responses to a wide variety of chemical transmitters, including biogenic amines, amino acids, peptides, lipids, nucleosides, and large polypeptides. These transmembrane receptors are key controllers of such diverse physiological processes as neurotransmission, cellular metabolism, secretion, cellular differentiation, and growth as well as inflammatory and immune responses. GPCRs therefore represent major targets for the development of new drug candidates with potential application in all clinical fields. Many currently used therapeutics act by either activating (agonists) or blocking (antagonists) GPCRs. Studies over the past two decades have provided a wealth of information on the biochemical events underlying cellular signalling by GPCRs. However, our understanding of the molecular interactions between ligands and the receptor protein and, particularly, of the structural correlates of receptor activation or inhibition by agonists and inverse agonists, respectively, is still rudimentary. Most of the work in this area has focused on mapping regions of the receptor responsible for drug binding affinity. Although binding of ligand molecules to specific receptors represents the first event in the action of drugs, the efficacy with which this binding is translated into a physiological response remains the only determinant of therapeutic utility. In the last few years, increasing evidence suggested that receptor oligomerization and in particular dimerization may play an important role in the molecular events leading to GPCR activation. In this paper, we review the biochemical and functional evidence supporting this notion.Key words: G proteins, receptors, dimerization, signal transduction, adrenergic.

scholarly journals Identification of G Protein α Subunit-Palmitoylating Enzyme

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryouhei Tsutsumi ◽  
Yuko Fukata ◽  
Jun Noritake ◽  
Tsuyoshi Iwanaga ◽  
Franck Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Cytoplasmic Face ◽  
G Protein Α Subunit ◽  
G Protein Coupled

ABSTRACT The heterotrimeric G protein α subunit (Gα) is targeted to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane through reversible lipid palmitoylation and relays signals from G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to its effectors. By screening 23 DHHC motif (Asp-His-His-Cys) palmitoyl acyl-transferases, we identified DHHC3 and DHHC7 as Gα palmitoylating enzymes. DHHC3 and DHHC7 robustly palmitoylated Gαq, Gαs, and Gαi2 in HEK293T cells. Knockdown of DHHC3 and DHHC7 decreased Gαq/11 palmitoylation and relocalized it from the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm. Photoconversion analysis revealed that Gαq rapidly shuttles between the plasma membrane and the Golgi apparatus, where DHHC3 specifically localizes. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies showed that DHHC3 and DHHC7 are necessary for this continuous Gαq shuttling. Furthermore, DHHC3 and DHHC7 knockdown blocked the α1A-adrenergic receptor/Gαq/11-mediated signaling pathway. Together, our findings revealed that DHHC3 and DHHC7 regulate GPCR-mediated signal transduction by controlling Gα localization to the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Ligand binding directly stimulates ubiquitination of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

2000 ◽  
Vol 348 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Cheng ZHU ◽  
Richard J. H. WOJCIKIEWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Muscarinic Receptor ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Type I ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Mutant Type ◽  
Human Neuroblastoma ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Defective Mutant

Down-regulation of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor is an adaptive response to the activation of certain phosphoinositidase C-linked cell-surface receptors. It is manifested as a profound decline in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor content, occurs with a half-time of 0.5-2 h and is due to accelerated proteolysis. It has been shown that this process is mediated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway and is therefore initiated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor ubiquitination. To investigate the role of ligand binding in Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor ubiquitination, we expressed ‘exogenous’ wild-type and ligand-binding-defective mutant type I Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, in which muscarinic receptor activation elicits Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor down-regulation. We found (1) that exogenous wild-type Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors are efficiently ubiquitinated in response to muscarinic receptor stimulation, (2) that exogenous ligand binding-defective mutant Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors are resistant to ubiquitination, (3) that this resistance is not caused by the removal of potential ubiquitin-conjugating sites in the mutated region, and (4) that in heterotetramers of exogenous mutant receptors and ‘endogenous’ receptors, only the latter are targeted for ubiquitination. These results indicate that the binding of Ins(1,4,5)P3 directly stimulates ubiquitination of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor and that the targeting of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors for ubiquitination is a highly specific process. We therefore propose that an Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding-induced conformational change in the receptor exposes a degradation signal that leads to ubiquitination.

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