Rab15 mediates an early endocytic event in Chinese hamster ovary cells. (57/4632)

Rab GTPases comprise a large family of monomeric proteins that regulate a diverse number of membrane trafficking events, including endocytosis. In this paper, we examine the subcellular distribution and function of the GTPase Rab15. Our biochemical and confocal immunofluorescence studies demonstrate that Rab15 associates with the transferrin receptor, a marker for the early endocytic pathway, but not with Rab7 or the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, markers for late endosomal membranes. Furthermore, Rab15 colocalizes with Rab4 and -5 on early/sorting endosomes, as well as Rab11 on pericentriolar recycling endosomes. Consistent with its localization to early endosomal membranes, overexpression of the constitutively active mutant HArab15Q67L reduces receptor-mediated and fluid phase endocytosis. Therefore, our functional studies suggest that Rab15 may function as an inhibitory GTPase in early endocytic trafficking.  (+info)

Increased protein phosphorylation of cytoplasmic dynein results in impaired motor function. (58/4632)

Inhibition of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in rat hepatocytes by okadaic acid and microcystin increased the phosphorylation of several components of the cytoplasmic dynein complex. UV light/vanadate cleavage and Western blot analysis revealed that two of these components with molecular masses of approx. 400 kDa and 74 kDa were dynein heavy- and intermediate-chains respectively. This increased phosphorylation resulted in inhibition of dynein ATPase activity, and reduced motor-dependent avidity of endosomal/lysosomal membranes for microtubules.  (+info)

Secretagogue-triggered transfer of membrane proteins from neuroendocrine secretory granules to synaptic-like microvesicles. (59/4632)

The membrane proteins of all regulated secretory organelles (RSOs) recycle after exocytosis. However, the recycling of those membrane proteins that are targeted to both dense core granules (DCGs) and synaptic-like microvesicles (SLMVs) has not been addressed. Since neuroendocrine cells contain both RSOs, and the recycling routes that lead to either organelle overlap, transfer between the two pools of membrane proteins could occur during recycling. We have previously demonstrated that a chimeric protein containing the cytosolic and transmembrane domains of P-selectin coupled to horseradish peroxidase is targeted to both the DCG and the SLMV in PC12 cells. Using this chimera, we have characterized secretagogue-induced traffic in PC12 cells. After stimulation, this chimeric protein traffics from DCGs to the cell surface, internalizes into transferrin receptor (TFnR)-positive endosomes and thence to a population of secretagogue-responsive SLMVs. We therefore find a secretagogue-dependent rise in levels of HRP within SLMVs. In addition, the levels within SLMVs of the endogenous membrane protein, synaptotagmin, as well as a green fluorescent protein-tagged version of vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin, also show a secretagogue-dependent increase.  (+info)

Clathrin assembly lymphoid myeloid leukemia (CALM) protein: localization in endocytic-coated pits, interactions with clathrin, and the impact of overexpression on clathrin-mediated traffic. (60/4632)

The clathrin assembly lymphoid myeloid leukemia (CALM) gene encodes a putative homologue of the clathrin assembly synaptic protein AP180. Hence the biochemical properties, the subcellular localization, and the role in endocytosis of a CALM protein were studied. In vitro binding and coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that the clathrin heavy chain is the major binding partner of CALM. The bulk of cellular CALM was associated with the membrane fractions of the cell and localized to clathrin-coated areas of the plasma membrane. In the membrane fraction, CALM was present at near stoichiometric amounts relative to clathrin. To perform structure-function analysis of CALM, we engineered chimeric fusion proteins of CALM and its fragments with the green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP-CALM was targeted to the plasma membrane-coated pits and also found colocalized with clathrin in the Golgi area. High levels of expression of GFP-CALM or its fragments with clathrin-binding activity inhibited the endocytosis of transferrin and epidermal growth factor receptors and altered the steady-state distribution of the mannose-6-phosphate receptor in the cell. In addition, GFP-CALM overexpression caused the loss of clathrin accumulation in the trans-Golgi network area, whereas the localization of the clathrin adaptor protein complex 1 in the trans-Golgi network remained unaffected. The ability of the GFP-tagged fragments of CALM to affect clathrin-mediated processes correlated with the targeting of the fragments to clathrin-coated areas and their clathrin-binding capacities. Clathrin-CALM interaction seems to be regulated by multiple contact interfaces. The C-terminal part of CALM binds clathrin heavy chain, although the full-length protein exhibited maximal ability for interaction. Altogether, the data suggest that CALM is an important component of coated pit internalization machinery, possibly involved in the regulation of clathrin recruitment to the membrane and/or the formation of the coated pit.  (+info)

Localization of mouse hepatitis virus nonstructural proteins and RNA synthesis indicates a role for late endosomes in viral replication. (61/4632)

The aim of the present study was to define the site of replication of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Antibodies directed against several proteins derived from the gene 1 polyprotein, including the 3C-like protease (3CLpro), the putative polymerase (POL), helicase, and a recently described protein (p22) derived from the C terminus of the open reading frame 1a protein (CT1a), were used to probe MHV-infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and electron microscopy (EM). At early times of infection, all of these proteins showed a distinct punctate labeling by IF. Antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein also displayed a punctate labeling that largely colocalized with the replicase proteins. When infected cells were metabolically labeled with 5-bromouridine 5'-triphosphate (BrUTP), the site of viral RNA synthesis was shown by IF to colocalize with CT1a and the 3CLpro. As shown by EM, CT1a localized to LAMP-1 positive late endosomes/lysosomes while POL accumulated predominantly in multilayered structures with the appearance of endocytic carrier vesicles. These latter structures were also labeled to some extent with both anti-CT1a and LAMP-1 antibodies and could be filled with fluid phase endocytic tracers. When EM was used to determine sites of BrUTP incorporation into viral RNA at early times of infection, the viral RNA localized to late endosomal membranes as well. These results demonstrate that MHV replication occurs on late endosomal membranes and that several nonstructural proteins derived from the gene 1 polyprotein may participate in the formation and function of the viral replication complexes.  (+info)

Renal endosomes contain angiotensin peptides, converting enzyme, and AT(1A) receptors. (62/4632)

Kidney cortex and proximal tubular angiotensin II (ANG II) levels are greater than can be explained on the basis of circulating ANG II, suggesting intrarenal compartmentalization of these peptides. One possible site of intracellular accumulation is the endosomes. In the present study, we tested for endosomal ANG I, ANG II, angiotensin type 1A receptor (AT(1A)), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and determined whether these levels are regulated by salt intake. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed chow containing either high or low dietary sodium for 10-14 days. Blood and kidneys were harvested and processed for measurement of plasma, kidney, and renal intermicrovillar cleft and endosomal angiotensin levels. Kidney ANG I averaged 179 +/- 20 fmol/g and ANG II averaged 258 +/- 36 fmol/g in rats fed a high-sodium diet and were significantly higher, averaging 347 +/- 58 fmol/g and 386 +/- 55 fmol/g, respectively, in rats fed a low-salt diet. Renal intermicrovillar clefts and endosomes contained ANG I and ANG II. Intermicrovillar cleft ANG I and ANG II levels averaged 8.4 +/- 2.6 and 74 +/- 26 fmol/mg, respectively, in rats fed a high-salt diet and 7.6 +/- 1.7 and 70 +/- 25 fmol/mg in rats fed a low-salt diet. Endosomal ANG I and ANG II levels averaged 12.3 +/- 4.4 and 43 +/- 19 fmol/mg, respectively, in rats fed a high-salt diet, and these levels were similar to those observed in rats fed a low-salt diet. Renal endosomes from rats fed a low-salt diet demonstrated significantly more AT(1A) receptor binding compared with rats fed a high-salt diet. ACE activity was detectable in renal intermicrovillar clefts and was 2.5-fold higher than the levels observed in renal endosomes. Acute enalaprilat treatment decreased ACE activity in renal intermicrovillar clefts by 90% and in renal endosomes by 84%. Likewise, intermicrovillar cleft and endosomal ANG II levels decreased by 61% and 52%, respectively, in enalaprilat-treated animals. These data demonstrate the presence of intact angiotensin peptides and ACE activity in renal intermicrovillar clefts and endosomes, indicating that intact angiotensin peptides are formed and/or trafficked through intracellular endosomal compartments and are dependent on ACE activity.  (+info)

Occurrence of an HIV-1 gp160 endoproteolytic activity in low-density vesicles and evidence for a distinct density distribution from endogenously expressed furin and PC7/LPC convertases. (63/4632)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) glycoprotein (gp) 160 processing by host cell proteinases is an essential step for viral fusion and infectivity. We have identified a rat liver subcellular fraction which specifically processes gp160 into gp120 and gp41. Using equilibration of microsomes in sucrose gradients, the gp160 cleavage activity was associated with particles equilibrating at low densities, well-separated from the endoplasmic reticulum, cis-Golgi network, Golgi stacks, lysosomes and plasma membrane. Its density distribution was compatible with light secretory vesicles derived from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) or to endosomes, but association with endosomes was not supported by free flow electrophoresis. Although furin and pro-protein convertase (PC) 7/LPC have been proposed as the major gp160 processing convertases, the rat liver microsomal gp160 processing activity was essentially resolved from furin and only partially overlapped PC7/LPC. These data suggest that proteinase(s) other than furin and PC7/LPC, presumably located in TGN-derived vesicles, may participate in the gp160 processing into gp120 and gp41.  (+info)

Polarized transport of MHC class II molecules in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells is directed by a leucine-based signal in the cytoplasmic tail of the beta-chain. (64/4632)

MHC class II molecules are found on the basolateral plasma membrane domain of polarized epithelial cells, where they can present Ag to intraepithelial lymphocytes in the vascular space. We have analyzed the sorting information required for efficient intracellular localization and polarized distribution of MHC class II molecules in stably transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. These cells were able to present influenza virus particles to HLA-DR1-restricted T cell clones. Wild-type MHC class II molecules were located on the basolateral plasma membrane domain, in basolateral early endosomes, and in late multivesicular endosomes, the latter also containing the MHC class II-associated invariant chain and an HLA-DM fusion protein. A phenylalanine-leucine residue within the cytoplasmic tail of the beta-chain was required for basolateral distribution, efficient internalization, and localization of the MHC class II molecules to basolateral early endosomes. However, distribution to apically located, late multivesicular endosomes did not depend on signals in the class II cytoplasmic tails as both wild-type class II molecules and mutant molecules lacking the phenylalanine-leucine motif were found in these compartments. Our results demonstrate that sorting information in the tails of class II dimers is an absolute requirement for their basolateral surface distribution and intracellular localization.  (+info)