Dishevelled coordinates phosphoinositide kinases PI4KIIIα and PIP5KIγ for efficient PtdInsP2 synthesis

Phosphatidylinositol(4,5)-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) is an important modulator of many cellular processes and its abundance in the plasma membrane is closely regulated. We examined the hypothesis that the scaffolding protein Dishevelled can bind the lipid kinases PI4K and PIP5K, facilitating synthesis of PtdInsP2 directly from PtdIns. This report used several assays for PtdInsP2 to examine the cooperative function of phosphoinositide kinases and Dishevelled in the context of two receptor signaling cascades. Simultaneous overexpression of PI4KIIIα and PIP5KIγ had a synergistic effect on PtdInsP2 synthesis that was recapitulated by overexpression of Dishevelled. Increasing the activity of Dishevelled by overexpression increased resting plasma membrane PtdInsP2. Knockdown of Dishevelled reduced resting plasma membrane PtdInsP2 and slowed PtdInsP2 resynthesis following receptor activation. We confirm that Dishevelled promotes coupling of PI4KIIIα and PIP5KIγ and show that this interaction is essential for efficient resynthesis of PtdInsP2 following receptor activation.

Functions and Mechanisms of SAC Phosphoinositide Phosphatases in Plants

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) is one type of phospholipid comprising an inositol head group and two fatty acid chains covalently linked to the diacylglycerol group. In addition to their roles as compositions of cell membranes, phosphorylated PtdIns derivatives, termed phosphoinositides, execute a wide range of regulatory functions. PtdIns can be phosphorylated by various lipid kinases at 3-, 4- and/or 5- hydroxyls of the inositol ring, and the phosphorylated forms, including PtdIns3P, PtdIns4P, PtdIns5P, PtdIns(3,5)P2, PtdIns(4,5)P2, can be reversibly dephosphorylated by distinct lipid phosphatases. Amongst many other types, the SUPPRESSOR OF ACTIN (SAC) family of phosphoinositide phosphatases recently emerged as important regulators in multiple growth and developmental processes in plants. Here, we review recent advances on the biological functions, cellular activities, and molecular mechanisms of SAC domain-containing phosphoinositide phosphatases in plants. With a focus on those studies in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana together with progresses in other plants, we highlight the important roles of subcellular localizations and substrate preferences of various SAC isoforms in their functions.

Stochasticity and positive feedback enable enzyme kinetics at the membrane to sense reaction size

Here, we present detailed kinetic analyses of a panel of soluble lipid kinases and phosphatases, as well as Ras activating proteins, acting on their respective membrane surface substrates. The results reveal that the mean catalytic rate of such interfacial enzymes can exhibit a strong dependence on the size of the reaction system—in this case membrane area. Experimental measurements and kinetic modeling reveal how stochastic effects stemming from low molecular copy numbers of the enzymes alter reaction kinetics based on mechanistic characteristics of the enzyme, such as positive feedback. For the competitive enzymatic cycles studied here, the final product—consisting of a specific lipid composition or Ras activity state—depends on the size of the reaction system. Furthermore, we demonstrate how these reaction size dependencies can be controlled by engineering feedback mechanisms into the enzymes.

Lipid kinases VPS34 and PIKfyve coordinate a phosphoinositide cascade to regulate Retriever-mediated recycling on endosomes

Cell-surface receptors control how cells respond to their environment. Many cell-surface receptors recycle from endosomes to the plasma membrane via a recently discovered pathway, which includes sorting-nexin SNX17, Retriever, WASH and CCC complexes. Here we discover that PIKfyve and its upstream PI3-kinase VPS34 positively regulate this pathway. VPS34 produces PI3P, which is the substrate for PIKfyve to generate PI3,5P2. We show that PIKfyve controls recycling of cargoes including integrins, receptors that control cell migration. Furthermore, endogenous PIKfyve colocalizes with SNX17, Retriever, WASH and CCC complexes on endosomes. Importantly, PIKfyve inhibition causes a loss of Retriever and CCC from endosomes, and mutation of the lipid binding site on a CCC subunit impairs its endosomal localization and delays integrin recycling. In addition, we show that recruitment of SNX17 is an early step and requires VPS34. These discoveries suggest that VPS34 and PIKfyve coordinate an ordered pathway to regulate recycling from endosomes and suggest how PIKfyve functions in cell migration.

Control Of Phosphoinositide Synthesis And Degradation By The Acyltransferase Lycat

Phosphoinositides (PIPs) are important regulators of various cellular phenomena including intracellular signaling, membrane traffic and cell migration. PIPs are formed as a result of the regulated phosphorylation of the inositol headgroup of phosphatidylinositol (PI) on specific positions by certain lipid kinases and phosphatases. It is well appreciated that the enrichment of specific PIPs, defined by inositol headgroup phosphorylation, within specific membrane compartments plays a critical role in organelle identity and membrane traffic. However, while much attention has been given to understanding of the role of inositol headgroup phosphorylation in PIP function, much less is known about the role of dynamic incorporation of specific acyl groups into these phospholipids. Importantly, PI and PIPs exhibit remarkable and unique selectivity for certain acyl groups. For example, about 45% of PIs (but not other phospholipids) are rich in 1-steroyl 2-arachidonyl. We recently identified that the possible control of the selective incorporation of steric acid at the sn-1 position is by the acyltransferase LYCAT, which controls the levels, acyl profile and function of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) (Bone et al. Mol Biol Cell 2017. 28:161-172). Here we examine how perturbation of LYCAT leads to a reduction in the levels of PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3). To measure the rate of PI(4,5)P2 synthesis, we treated cells with ionomycin to first ablate this PIP, followed by washout of the drug and monitoring of rate of reappearance via localization of a fluorescent PI(4,5)P2 probe. To measure the rate of PI(4,5)P2 degradation, we arrested PI(4,5)P2 synthesis by a pharmacological inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and monitored the loss of cellular PI(4,5)P2. Lastly, to examine the production of PI(3,4,5)P3, we treated cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and monitored the production of this PIP. Together, this work provides new information about how the dynamic and selective remodeling of specific phospholipids controls their levels, localization and function.

Control Of Phosphoinositide Synthesis And Degradation By The Acyltransferase Lycat

Phosphoinositides (PIPs) are important regulators of various cellular phenomena including intracellular signaling, membrane traffic and cell migration. PIPs are formed as a result of the regulated phosphorylation of the inositol headgroup of phosphatidylinositol (PI) on specific positions by certain lipid kinases and phosphatases. It is well appreciated that the enrichment of specific PIPs, defined by inositol headgroup phosphorylation, within specific membrane compartments plays a critical role in organelle identity and membrane traffic. However, while much attention has been given to understanding of the role of inositol headgroup phosphorylation in PIP function, much less is known about the role of dynamic incorporation of specific acyl groups into these phospholipids. Importantly, PI and PIPs exhibit remarkable and unique selectivity for certain acyl groups. For example, about 45% of PIs (but not other phospholipids) are rich in 1-steroyl 2-arachidonyl. We recently identified that the possible control of the selective incorporation of steric acid at the sn-1 position is by the acyltransferase LYCAT, which controls the levels, acyl profile and function of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) (Bone et al. Mol Biol Cell 2017. 28:161-172). Here we examine how perturbation of LYCAT leads to a reduction in the levels of PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3). To measure the rate of PI(4,5)P2 synthesis, we treated cells with ionomycin to first ablate this PIP, followed by washout of the drug and monitoring of rate of reappearance via localization of a fluorescent PI(4,5)P2 probe. To measure the rate of PI(4,5)P2 degradation, we arrested PI(4,5)P2 synthesis by a pharmacological inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and monitored the loss of cellular PI(4,5)P2. Lastly, to examine the production of PI(3,4,5)P3, we treated cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and monitored the production of this PIP. Together, this work provides new information about how the dynamic and selective remodeling of specific phospholipids controls their levels, localization and function.

L-ascorbyl 6-palmitate as lead compound targeting SphK1: an in silico and in vitro investigation

Sphingosine kinases (SphKs) are a class of lipid kinases, that have received extensive attention as important rate-limiting enzyme in tumor. Inhibition of the activity of SphK1 can lead to an anticancer effect. Herein, we describe the discovery process and biological characteristics of a new SphK1 inhibitor, ascorbyl palmitate, discovered through computer-aided drug design. Biochemical experiments show that ascorbyl palmitate has a strong inhibitory effect on SphK1, with an IC50 value of 6.4 μM. The MTT experiment showed that ascorbyl palmitate had anti-cancer effects toward the U87, A549, 22RV1, and A375 cell lines. Among them, ascorbyl palmitate has prominent inhibitory activity against the 22RV1 cell line, with an IC50 value of 41.57 μM. To explore the structure–activity relationship, four ascorbyl palmitate derivatives were synthesized and tested for kinase activity. The outstanding effect of ascorbyl palmitate toward SphK1 and its known non-toxicity suggest that ascorbyl palmitate may be a lead compound for the development of effective SphK1 anti-cancer inhibitors.

Organismal roles for the PI3Kα and β isoforms: their specificity, redundancy or cooperation is context-dependent

PI3Ks are important lipid kinases that produce phosphoinositides phosphorylated in position 3 of the inositol ring. There are three classes of PI3Ks: class I PI3Ks produce PIP3 at plasma membrane level. Although D. melanogaster and C. elegans have only one form of class I PI3K, vertebrates have four class I PI3Ks called isoforms despite being encoded by four different genes. Hence, duplication of these genes coincides with the acquisition of coordinated multi-organ development. Of the class I PI3Ks, PI3Kα and PI3Kβ, encoded by PIK3CA and PIK3CB, are ubiquitously expressed. They present similar putative protein domains and share PI(4,5)P2 lipid substrate specificity. Fifteen years after publication of their first isoform-selective pharmacological inhibitors and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) that mimic their complete and specific pharmacological inhibition, we review the knowledge gathered in relation to the redundant and selective roles of PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. Recent data suggest that, further to their redundancy, they cooperate for the integration of organ-specific and context-specific signal cues, to orchestrate organ development, physiology, and disease. This knowledge reinforces the importance of isoform-selective inhibitors in clinical settings.

Class II phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase isoforms in vesicular trafficking

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are critical regulators of many cellular processes including cell survival, proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal reorganization, and intracellular vesicular trafficking. They are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylate membrane phosphoinositide lipids at the 3′ position of their inositol rings, and in mammals they are divided into three classes. The role of the class III PI3K Vps34 is well-established, but recent evidence suggests the physiological significance of class II PI3K isoforms in vesicular trafficking. This review focuses on the recently discovered functions of the distinct PI3K-C2α and PI3K-C2β class II PI3K isoforms in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and consequent endosomal signaling, and discusses recently reported data on class II PI3K isoforms in different physiological contexts in comparison with class I and III isoforms.