Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate important cellular processes such as mitogenesis, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal functions. They include PI3K␣, -␤, and -␦ isoforms coupled to receptor tyrosine kinases and a PI3K␥ isoform activated by receptor-stimulated G proteins. This study examines the direct interaction of purified recombinant PI3K␥ catalytic subunit (p110␥) and G␤␥ complexes. When phosphatidylinositol was used as a substrate, G␤␥ stimulated p110␥ lipid kinase activity more than 60-fold (EC 50 , ϳ20 nM). Stimulation was inhibited by G␣ o -GDP or wortmannin in a concentration-dependent fashion. Stoichiometric binding of a monoclonal antibody to the putative pleckstrin homology domain of p110␥ did not affect G␤␥-mediated enzymatic stimulation, whereas incubation of G␤␥ with a synthetic peptide resembling a predicted G␤␥ effector domain of type 2 adenylyl cyclase selectively inhibited activation of p110␥. G␤␥ complexes bound to N-as well as C-terminal deletion mutants of p110␥. Correspondingly, these enzymatically inactive N-and C-terminal mutants inhibited G␤␥-mediated activation of wild type p110␥. Our data suggest that (i) p110␥ directly interacts with G␤␥, (ii) the pleckstrin homology domain is not the only region important for G␤␥-mediated activation of the lipid kinase, and (iii) G␤␥ binds to at least two contact sites of p110␥, one of which is close to or within the catalytic core of the enzyme.

Expression of functionally active mammalian histamine H1- and H2-receptors was recently demonstrated in Sf 9 cells. Either receptor elicited phosphoinositide degradation leading to an increased cytoplasmic calcium concentration. In the present study we focussed on identifying the Sf 9 guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) involved. Immunodetection of Sf 9 membranes showed expression of G alpha isoforms belonging to all four G protein subfamilies. During prolonged baculovirus infection of Sf 9 cells, binding of guanosine 5'-o-(3-thiotriphosphate) as well as the intensities of G protein immunoreactivity, pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation, GTP azidoanilide labelling of G alpha, and phosphate-labelling of G beta declined in cell membranes. Some 48 h after infection with mammalian histamine receptor-encoding viruses virtually no functional coupling of ligand-activated receptors to insect G proteins was observed despite a high level of expressed receptors. In contrast, Sf 9 cells infected only for 28 h allowed studies on histamine-induced G protein coupling. In membranes obtained from H1-receptor-expressing cells, histamine increased incorporation of GTP azidoanilide into Gq/11-like proteins whereas in membranes containing H2-receptors histamine enhanced GTP azidoanilide-labelling of Gq/11-like and G(S)-like proteins. In fura-loaded H1- and H2-receptor-expressing cells histamine induced the release of calcium from intracellular stores. This study shows firstly that Sf 9 G proteins couple to mammalian histamine receptors and secondly that H1-receptors activate only Gq/11, whereas H2-receptors activate Gq/11 and G(S), but neither receptor couples to Gi/o or G12. Finally, the time following baculovirus infection is critical for studying the functional coupling between recombinantly expressed and endogenous signal transduction components.

G proteins of the Gq/11 subfamily functionally couple cell surface receptors to phospholipase C beta (PLC beta) isoforms. Stimulation of PLC beta induces Ca2+ elevation by inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3)‐mediated Ca2+ release and store‐dependent ‘capacitative’ Ca2+ entry through Ca(2+)‐permeable channels. The Drosophila trp gene, as well as some human trp homologs, code for such store‐operated channels. The related trp‐like (trpl) gene product also forms a Ca(2+)‐permeable cation channel, but is not activated by store depletion. Co‐expression of the constitutively active Gq subfamily member G alpha 11 (G alpha 11) with trpl enhanced trpl currents 33‐fold in comparison with co‐expression of trpl with other G alpha isoforms or G beta gamma complexes. This activation could not be attributed to signals downstream of PLC beta. In particular, InsP3 infusion, modulation of protein kinase C activity or elevation of intracellular calcium concentration failed to induce trpl currents. In contrast, purified G alpha 11 (but not other G protein subunits) activated trpl channels in inside‐out patches. We conclude that trpl is regulated by G11 proteins in a membrane‐confined manner not involving cytosolic factors. Thus, G proteins of the Gq subfamily may induce Ca2+ entry not only indirectly via store‐operated mechanisms but also by directly stimulating cation channels.

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In this study, G␤ specificity in the regulation of G␤␥-sensitive phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and phospholipase C␤ (PLC␤) isozymes was examined. Recombinant mammalian G␤ 1-3 ␥ 2 complexes purified from Sf9 membranes stimulated PI3K␥ lipid kinase activity with similar potency (10 -30 nM) and efficacy, whereas transducin G␤␥ was less potent. Functionally active G␤ 5 ␥ 2 dimers were purified from Sf9 cell membranes following coexpression of G␤ 5 and G␥ 2-His . This preparation as well as G␤ 1 ␥ 2-His supported pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of G␣ i1 . G␤ 1 ␥ 2-His stimulated PI3K␥ lipid and protein kinase activities at nanomolar concentrations, whereas G␤ 5 ␥ 2-His had no effect. Accordingly, G␤ 1 ␥ 2-His , but not G␤ 5 ␥ 2-His , significantly stimulated the lipid kinase activity of PI3K␤ in the presence or absence of tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides derived from the p85-binding domain of the platelet derived-growth factor receptor. Conversely, both preparations were able to stimulate PLC␤ 2 and PLC␤ 1 . However, G␤ 1 ␥ 2-His , but not G␤ 5 ␥ 2-His , activated PLC␤ 3 . Experimental evidence suggests that the mechanism of G␤ 5 -dependent effector selectivity may differ between PI3K and PLC␤. In conclusion, these data indicate that G␤ subunits are able to discriminate among effectors independently of G␣ due to selective protein-protein interaction.

Treatment of intact Swiss 3T3 cells with calyculin-A, an inhibitor of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak) in a sharply concentration- and time-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation was 4.2 +/- 2.1-fold (n = 14). The stimulatory effect of calyculin-A was observed at low nanomolar concentrations (<10 nM); at higher concentrations (>10 nM) tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak) was strikingly decreased. Calyculin-A induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak) through a protein kinase C- and Ca(2+)-independent pathway. Exposure to either cytochalasin-D or latrunculin-A, which disrupt actin organization by different mechanisms, abolished tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak) in response to calyculin-A. Treatment with high concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor (20 ng/ml) which also disrupt actin stress fibers, completely inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak) in response to calyculin-A. This agent also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion-associated proteins p130(Cas) and paxillin. These tyrosine phosphorylation events were associated with a striking increase in the assembly of focal adhesions. The Rho kinase (ROK) inhibitor HA1077 that blocked focal adhesion formation by bombesin, had no effect on the focal adhesion assembly induced by calyculin-A. Thus, calyculin-A induces transient focal adhesion assembly and tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin, acting downstream of ROK.

The experiments presented here were designed to examine the contribution of the extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERKs) to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion proteins p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin induced by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells. Stimulation of these cells with bombesin, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), endothelin, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) led to a marked increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these focal adhesion proteins and in ERK activation. Exposure of the cells to two structurally unrelated mitogen-activated protein kinase or ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, completely abrogated ERK activation but did not prevent tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin. Furthermore, different dose-response relationships were obtained for tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and for ERK activation in response to PDGF. Putative upstream events in the activation of focal adhesion proteins including actin cytoskeletal reorganization and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation were also not prevented by inhibition of ERK activation. Thus, our results demonstrate that the activation of the ERK pathway is not necessary for the increase of the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(Fak), p130(Cas), and paxillin induced by either GPCRs or tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells.

G12 and G13 are insufficiently characterized pertussis toxin-insensitive G-proteins. Here, we describe the isolation of G alpha 12 from rat brain membranes. G alpha 12 was purified to apparent homogeneity by three steps of conventional chromatography, followed by two cycles of subunit-exchange chromatography on immobilized G subunits. Purified G alpha 12 bound guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate slowly and substoichiometrically. For isolation of functionally active G alpha 12, it was mandatory to use sucrose monolaurate as a detergent. Comparative studies of both rat-brain-derived members of the G12 subfamily revealed differences in the affinity of G alpha 12 and G alpha 13 for G beta gamma. G alpha 12 required a higher Mg2+ concentration for AlF4- -induced dissociation from immobilized G beta gamma than did G alpha 13. In addition, the G12 subfamily members differed in their sedimentation velocities, as determined by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Analysis of sedimentation coefficients revealed a higher tendency of G12 to form supramolecular structures in comparison to G13 and other G-proteins. These G13 structures were stabilized by sucrose monolaurate, which in turn may explain the necessity for this detergent for purification of functionally active G alpha 12. Despite these distinct biochemical characteristics of G12 and G13, both purified G-proteins coupled to a recombinant thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. These data indicate, (1) significant differences in the biochemical properties of native members of the G12 subfamily, and (2) their specific coupling to TXA2 receptors.