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Membrane Translocation (membrane + translocation)
Selected AbstractsTrafficking of neurokinin receptors: regulation, mechanism and functionEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004N. Bunnett Cellular responses to agonists of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) depend in large part on the trafficking of receptors between the plasma membrane and intracellular locations. Receptor activation usually triggers rapid endocytosis of receptors, which either recycle to the cell surface or are targeted for degradation, depending on the receptor in question and the nature of the stimulation. Activation of neurokinin receptors (NKRs) induces membrane translocation of G-protein receptor kinases, which phosphorylate the receptors and ,-arrestins, which interact with phosphorylated receptors. ,-arrestins: 1) uncouple receptors from G-proteins to mediate desensitization; 2) are adaptors for clathrin and AP-2 and mediate clathrin and dynamin-dependent endocytosis of receptors; and 3) interact with components of the MAP kinase pathway such as src, and thereby determine the subcellular location and function of activated MAP kinases. The fate of endocytosed NKRs depends on the receptor and the nature of the stimulus. Transient stimulation with low concentrations of SP (1 nm, 10 min) induces rapid recycling of the NK1R from superficially located endosomes by a mechanism that is mediated by rab4a and rab11a. Higher concentrations of SP (10 nm) induce rab5a-dependent trafficking of the NK1R to perinuclear sorting endosomes and a gradual recycling to the plasma membrane. Continuous stimulation with high concentrations of SP (100 nm, 180 min) induces NK1R ubiquitination and trafficking for degradation. The fate of endocytosed receptors also depends on their interaction with ,-arrestins. The NK1R forms stable high-affinity interactions with both ,-arrestins 1 and 2 at the plasma membrane and in endosomes, whereas the NK3R interacts transiently only with ,-arrestin 2 at the cell surface. The nature of these interactions is specified by domains in the intracellular loop 3 and the carboxyl terminus and determine the rate of recycling and resensitization of these receptors. [source] Cellular uptake of antisense oligonucleotides after complexing or conjugation with cell-penetrating model peptidesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 16 2002J. Oehlke The uptake by mammalian cells of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides was compared with that of their respective complexes or conjugates with cationic, cell-penetrating model peptides of varying helix-forming propensity and amphipathicity. An HPLC-based protocol for the synthesis and purification of disulfide bridged conjugates in the 10,100 nmol range was developed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in combination with gel-capillary electrophoresis and laser induced fluorescence detection (GCE-LIF) revealed cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulationin all cases. The uptake differences between naked oligonucleotides and their respective peptide complexes or conjugates were generally confined to one order of magnitude. No significant influence of the structural properties of the peptide components upon cellular uptake was found. Our results question the common belief that the increased biological activity of oligonucleotides after derivatization with membrane permeable peptides may be primarily due to improved membrane translocation. [source] Activation of eNOS in rat portal hypertensive gastric mucosa is mediated by TNF-, via the PI 3-kinase,Akt signaling pathwayHEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Hirofumi Kawanaka Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in portal hypertensive (PHT) gastric mucosa leads to hyperdynamic circulation and increased susceptibility to injury. However, the signaling mechanisms for eNOS activation in PHT gastric mucosa and the role of TNF-, in this signaling remain unknown. In PHT gastric mucosa we studied (1) eNOS phosphorylation (at serine 1177) required for its activation; (2) association of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and its downstream effector Akt, with eNOS; and, (3) whether TNF-, neutralization affects eNOS phosphorylation and PI 3-kinase,Akt activation. To determine human relevance, we used human microvascular endothelial cells to examine directly whether TNF-, stimulates eNOS phosphorylation via PI 3-kinase. PHT gastric mucosa has significantly increased (1) eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 by 90% (P < .01); (2) membrane translocation (P < .05) and phosphorylation (P < .05) of p85 (regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase) by 61% and 85%, respectively; (3) phosphorylation (P < .01) and activity (P < .01) of Akt by 40% and 52%, respectively; and (4) binding of Akt to eNOS by as much as 410% (P < .001). Neutralizing anti,TNF-, antibody significantly reduced p85 phosphorylation, phosphorylation and activity of Akt, and eNOS phosphorylation in PHT gastric mucosa to normal levels. Furthermore, TNF-, stimulated eNOS phosphorylation in human microvascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, these findings show that in PHT gastric mucosa, TNF-, stimulates eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 (required for its activation) via the PI 3-kinase,Akt signal transduction pathway. [source] PDK1 and PKB/Akt: Ideal Targets for Development of New Strategies to Structure-Based Drug DesignIUBMB LIFE, Issue 3 2003Thomas Harris Abstract Growth factor binding events to receptor tyrosine kinases result in activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and activated PI3K generates the membrane-bound second messengers phosphatidylinositol 3,4-diphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and PI(3,4,5)P3, which mediate membrane translocation of the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) and protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt). In addition to the kinase domain, PDK1 and PKB contain a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that binds to the second messenger, resulting in the phosphorylation and activation of PKB by PDK1. Recent evidence indicates that constitutive activation of PKB contributes to cancer progression by promoting proliferation and increased cell survival. The indicating of PDK1 and PKB as primary targets for discovery of anticancer drugs, together with the observations that both PDK1 and PKB contain small-molecule regulatory binding sites that may be in proximity to the kinase active site, make PDK1 and PKB ideal targets for the development of new strategies to structure-based drug design. While X-ray structures have been reported for the kinase domains of PDK1 and PKB, no suitable crystals have been obtained for either PDK1 or PKB with their PH domains intact. In this regard, a novel structure-based strategy is proposed, which utilizes segmental isotopic labeling of the PH domain in combination with site-directed spin labeling of the kinase active site. Then, long-range distance restraints between the 15N-labeled backbone amide groups of the PH domain and the unpaired electron of the active site spin label can be determined from magnetic resonance studies of the enhancement effect that the paramagnetic spin label has on the nuclear relaxation rates of the amide protons. The determination of the structure and position of the PH domain with respect to the known X-ray structure of the kinase active site could be useful in the rational design of potent and selective inhibitors of PDK1 and PKB by 'linking' the free energies of binding of substrate (ATP) analogs with analogs of the inositol polar head group of the phospholipid second messenger. The combined use of X-ray crystallography, segmental isotopic and spin labeling, and magnetic resonance studies can be further extended to the study of other dynamic multidomain proteins and targets for structure-based drug design. IUBMB Life, 55: 117-126, 2003 [source] Reversible translocation of p115-RhoGEF by G12/13 -coupled receptorsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008Bruno H. Meyer Abstract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for medicinal agents. Four different G protein families, Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12, engage in their linkage to activation of receptor-specific signal transduction pathways. G12 proteins were more recently studied, and upon activation by GPCRs they mediate activation of RhoGTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), which in turn activate the small GTPase RhoA. RhoA is involved in many cellular and physiological aspects, and a dysfunction of the G12/13 -Rho pathway can lead to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, impaired wound healing and immune cell functions, cancer progression and metastasis, or asthma. In this study, regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain-containing RhoGEFs were tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to detect their subcellular localization and translocation upon receptor activation. Constitutively active G,12 and G,13 mutants induced redistribution of these RhoGEFs from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, a pronounced and rapid translocation of p115-RhoGEF from the cytosol to the plasma membrane was observed upon activation of several G12/13 -coupled GPCRs in a cell type-independent fashion. Plasma membrane translocation of p115-RhoGEF stimulated by a GPCR agonist could be completely and rapidly reversed by subsequent application of an antagonist for the respective GPCR, that is, p115-RhoGEF relocated back to the cytosol. The translocation of RhoGEF by G12/13 -linked GPCRs can be quantified and therefore used for pharmacological studies of the pathway, and to discover active compounds in a G12/13 -related disease context. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1660,1670, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Possible role of duration of PKC-induced ERK activation in the effects of agonists and phorbol esters on DNA synthesis in panc-1 cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2006Gábor Z. Rácz Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) have been implicated in the effects of regulatory peptides on proliferation. We studied how ERK was activated by PKC following regulatory peptide or phorbol ester stimulation and we also investigated the effect of ERK activation on proliferation in Panc-1 cells. Panc-1 cells transfected with CCK1 receptors were treated with cholecystokinin (CCK), neurotensin (NT), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). DNA synthesis was studied by measuring tritiated thymidine incorporation. PKC isoforms were selectively inhibited with Gö6983 and 200 nM Ro-32-0432, their translocation was detected by confocal microscopy and by subcellular fractionation followed by immunoblotting. ERK cascade activation was detected with phosphoERK immunoblotting and inhibited with 20 µM PD98059. PMA and CCK inhibited, NT stimulated DNA synthesis. These effects were inhibited by Ro-32-0432 but not by Gö6983 suggesting the involvement of PKC, in proliferation control. Confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation demonstrated that PMA, CCK, and NT caused cytosol to membrane translocation of PKC, and ERK activation that was inhibited by Ro-32-0432 but not by Gö6983. ERK activation was prolonged following PMA and CCK, but transient after NT treatment. PMA, CCK, and NT all activated cyclinD1, while p21CIP1 expression was increased by only PMA and CCK, but not by NT; each of these effects is inhibited by PD98059. In conclusion, our results provide evidence for PKC,-mediated differential ERK activation and growth regulation in Panc-1C cells. Identification of the mechanisms by which these key signaling pathways are modulated could provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic interventions to treat pancreatic cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Role of Src in ligand-specific regulation of ,-opioid receptor desensitization and internalizationJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2009Min-Hua Hong Abstract The opioid receptors are a member of G protein-coupled receptors that mediate physiological effects of endogenous opioid peptides and structurally distinct opioid alkaloids. Although it is well characterized that there is differential receptor desensitization and internalization properties following activation by distinct agonists, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated the signaling events of ,-opioid receptor (,OR) initiated by two ligands, DPDPE and TIPP. We found that although both ligands inhibited adenylyl cyclase (AC) and activated ERK1/2, only DPDPE induced desensitization and internalization of the ,OR. We further found that DPDPE, instead of TIPP, could activate GRK2 by phosphorylating the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src and translocating it to membrane receptors. Activation of GRK2 led to the phosphorylation of serine residues in the C-terminal tail, which facilitates ,-arrestin1/2 membrane translocation. Meanwhile, we also found that DPDPE promoted ,-arrestin1 dephosphorylation in a Src-dependent manner. Thus, DPDPE appears to strengthen ,-arrestin function by dual regulations: promoting ,-arrestin recruitment and increasing ,-arrestin dephosphorylation at the plasma membrane in a Src-dependent manner. All effects initiated by DPDPE could be abolished or suppressed by PP2, an inhibitor of Src. Morphine, which has been previously shown to be unable to desensitize or internalize ,OR, also behaved as TIPP in failure to utilize Src to regulate ,OR signaling. These findings point to the existence of agonist-specific utilization of Src to regulate ,OR signaling and reveal the molecular events by which Src modulates ,OR responsiveness. [source] The Kv4.2 mediates excitatory activity-dependent regulation of neuronal excitability in rat cortical neuronsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Bin Shen Abstract Neuronal excitability can cooperate with synaptic transmission to control the information storage. This regulation of neuronal plasticity can be affected by alterations in neuronal inputs and accomplished by modulation of voltage-dependent ion channels. In this study, we report that enhanced excitatory input negatively regulated neuronal excitability. Enhanced excitatory input by glutamate, electric field stimulation or high K+ increased transient outward K+ current, whereas did not affect the delayed rectifier K+ current in rat cultured cortical neurons. Both the voltage-dependent K+ channel 4.2 and 4.3 subunits contributed to the increase. The increase in the K+ current density by Kv4.2 was ascribed to its cytoplasmic membrane translocation, which was mediated by NMDA type of glutamate receptor. Furthermore, enhanced excitatory input inhibited neuronal excitability. Taken together, our results suggest that excitatory neurotransmission affects neuronal excitability via the regulation of the K+ channel membrane translocation. [source] Investigation of penetratin peptides.JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 12 2005Part 2. Abstract As endocytic uptake of the Antennapedia homeodomain-derived penetratin peptide (RQIKIWFQNRRMKWKK) is finally being revealed, some of the early views about penetratin need to be reconsidered. Endocytic uptake seems to contradict the indispensability of tryptophans and also the minimum length of 16 amino acid residues for efficient internalization. To revise the membrane translocation of penetratin, two penetratin analogs were designed and synthesized: a peptide in which tryptophans were replaced by phenylalanines (Phe6, 14 -penetratin, RQIKIFFQNRRMKFKK) and a shortened analog (dodeca-penetratin, RQIKIWF-R-KWKK) made up of only 12 residues. The peptides were fluorescently labeled and applied to live, unfixed cells from various lines. Cellular uptake was analysed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Low temperature or ATP-depletion blocked the intracellular entry of all three penetratin peptides. A decrease in membrane fluidity or cholesterol depletion with methyl-,-cyclodextrin greatly inhibited peptide uptake, showing the involvement of cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in internalization. Exogenous heparan sulfate also diminished the internalization of penetratin and its derivatives, reflecting the paramount importance of electrostatic interactions with polyanionic cell-surface proteoglycans. The beneficial presence of tryptophans is supported by observations on the decreased cellular uptake of Phe6, 14 -penetratin. The maintained translocational efficiency of dodeca-penetratin demonstrates that a thorough understanding of penetratin internalization can yield new penetratin analogs with unaltered translocational abilities. This study provides evidence on the energy-dependent and lipid raft-mediated endocytic uptake of penetratin and highlights the necessity of revealing those pathways that cationic cell-penetrating peptides employ to enter live cells. Copyright © 2005 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Parallel and antiparallel dimers of magainin 2: their interaction with phospholipid membrane and antibacterial activityJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 10 2002Yasuhiro Mukai Abstract Magainin 2 (M2) forms pores by associating with several other M2 molecules in lipid membranes and shows antibacterial activity. To examine the effect of M2 dimerization on biological activity and membrane interaction, parallel and antiparallel M2 dimers were prepared from two monomeric precursors. Antibacterial and haemolytic activities were enhanced by dimerization. CD measurements showed that both dimers and monomers have an ,-helical structure in the presence of lipid vesicles. Tryptophan fluorescence shift and KI quenching studies showed that all the peptides were more deeply embedded in acidic liposomes than in neutral liposomes. Experiments on dye-leakage activity and membrane translocation of peptides suggest that dimers and monomers form pores through lipid membranes, although the pore formation may be accompanied by membrane disturbance. Although dimerization of M2 increased the interaction activity with lipid membranes, no appreciable difference between the activities of parallel and antiparallel M2 dimers was observed. Copyright © 2002 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] BXL-628, a vitamin D receptor agonist effective in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, prevents RhoA activation and inhibits RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in rat and human bladderTHE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2007Annamaria Morelli Abstract BACKGROUND BXL-628 is a calcitriol analog shown to decrease prostate growth in preclinical and clinical studies. BPH symptoms are generated not only by prostate overgrowth but also by bladder overactivity, resulting from an increased RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling. Because bladder smooth muscle cells express VDR, we studied effects of BXL-628 on this pathway. METHODS RhoA and Rho-kinase gene expression and functional activity were studied in rat and human bladder smooth muscle by real-time RT-PCR, immuno-kinase assays, western blot analysis, confocal microscopy, in vitro contractility, and cell migration. RESULTS In bladder smooth muscle, carbachol responsiveness was delayed and Rho-kinase activity reduced by BXL-628 treatment because of impaired RhoA membrane translocation and activation. Accordingly, RhoA-mediated biological functions, such as cell migration and cytoskeleton remodeling were also inhibited by BXL-628. CONCLUSIONS BXL-628 inhibits RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling, a calcium sensitizing pathway, suggesting its possible clinical use in the treatment of altered bladder contractility often associated with BPH-induced lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostate 67:234,247, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Sub-lethal heat shock induces plasma membrane translocation of 70-kDa heat shock protein in viable, but not in apoptotic, U-937 leukaemia cellsAPMIS, Issue 3 2010ELENA B. LASUNSKAIA Lasunskaia EB, Fridlianskaia I, Arnholdt AV, Kanashiro M, Guzhova I, Margulis B. Sub-lethal heat shock induces plasma membrane translocation of 70-kDa heat shock protein in viable, but not in apoptotic, U-937 leukaemia cells. APMIS 2010; 118: 179,87. Heat shock protein 70 kDa, Hsp70, is an important intracellular factor that protects cells from stress. Unusual plasma membrane expression of Hsp70, observed in some cancer cells, contributes to the cell's recognition and elimination by the immune system. Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells was demonstrated to increase Hsp70 translocation to the surface membrane, enhancing immunogenic effects through the stimulation of dendritic cells. As hyperthermia is proposed as a method of choice for anti-cancer therapy, we examined whether apoptosis induction by heat shock enhances Hsp70 membrane translocation in U-937 leukaemia cells. Cells were exposed to sub-lethal heat shock, and intracellular and membrane-bound Hsp70 expression was evaluated in apoptotic and viable cell sub-populations, employing flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Heat shock induced Hsp70 membrane translocation in the viable cells that were able to enhance Hsp70 production upon heating, but not in the cells undergoing apoptosis that continued to express low basal levels of the intracellular protein. Data suggest that the protein translocation was associated with the increasing Hsp70 content rather than the apoptotic process. Apoptosis does not contribute to externalization of Hsp70, at least in the cells with low levels of this protein. [source] A mechanism of benefit of soy genistein in asthma: inhibition of eosinophil p38-dependent leukotriene synthesisCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 1 2008R. Kalhan Summary Background Dietary intake of the soy isoflavone genistein is associated with reduced severity of asthma, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect are unknown. Objective To determine whether genistein blocks eosinophil leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and to evaluate the mechanism of this effect, and to assess the impact of a 4-week period of soy isoflavone dietary supplementation on indices of eosinophilic inflammation in asthma patients. Methods Human peripheral blood eosinophils were stimulated in the absence and presence of genistein, and LTC4 synthesis was measured. 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) nuclear membrane translocation was assessed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation was determined by immunoblot. Human subjects with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma and minimal or no soy intake were given a soy isoflavone supplement (100 mg/day) for 4 weeks. The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and ex vivo eosinophil LTC4 production were assessed before and after the soy isoflavone treatment period. Results Genistein inhibited eosinophil LTC4 synthesis (IC50 80 nm), blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and its downstream target MAPKAP-2, and reduced translocation of 5-LO to the nuclear membrane. In patients with asthma, following 4 weeks of dietary soy isoflavone supplementation, ex vivo eosinophil LTC4 synthesis decreased by 33% (N=11, P=0.02) and FENO decreased by 18% (N=13, P=0.03). Conclusion At physiologically relevant concentrations, genistein inhibits eosinophil LTC4 synthesis in vitro, probably by blocking p38- and MAPKAP-2-dependent activation of 5-LO. In asthma patients, dietary soy isoflavone supplementation reduces eosinophil LTC4 synthesis and eosinophilic airway inflammation. These results support a potential role for soy isoflavones in the treatment of asthma. [source] Importance of calcitonin gene-related peptide, adenosine and reactive oxygen species in cerebral autoregulation under normal and diseased conditionsCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2004Hwa Kyoung Shin Summary 1.,Mechanisms regulating cerebral circulation, including autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF), have been widely investigated. Vasodilators such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and K+ channel openers are well known to have important roles in the physiological and pathophysiological control of CBF autoregulation. In the present review, the focus is on the mechanism(s) of altered CBF autoregulation after traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and on the effect of adenovirus-mediated transfer of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 in amelioration of impaired CBF autoregulation. 2.,The roles of CGRP and adenosine are particularly emphasized, both being implicated in the autoregulatory vasodilation of the pial artery in response to hypotension. 3.,After fluid percussion injury, production of NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide anion and activation of tyrosine kinase links the inhibition of K+ channels to impaired autoregulatory vasodilation in response to acute hypotension and alterations in CBF autoregulation in rat pial artery. 4.,Subarachnoid haemorrhage during the acute stage causes an increase in NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide formation in cerebral vessels in association with activated tyrosine phosphorylation-coupled increased expression of gp91phox mRNA and membrane translocation of Rac protein, thereby resulting in a significant reduction of autoregulatory vasodilation. 5.,Fluid percussion injury and SAH-induced overproduction of superoxide anion in cerebral vessels contributes to the impairment of CBF autoregulation and administration of recombinant adenovirus-mediated transfer of the Cu/Zn SOD-1 gene effectively ameliorates the impairment of CBF autoregulation of the pial artery. 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