Calcium ions are released from intracellular stores in response to agonist-stimulated production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), a second messenger generated at the cell membrane. Depletion of Ca2+ from internal stores triggers a capacitative influx of extracellular Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. The influx of Ca2+ can be recorded as store-operated channels (SOC) in the plasma membrane or as a current known as the Ca2+-release-activated current (I(crac)). A critical question in cell signalling is how SOC and I(crac) sense and respond to Ca2+-store depletion: in one model, a messenger molecule is generated that activates Ca2+ entry in response to store depletion; in an alternative model, InsP3 receptors in the stores are coupled to SOC and I(crac). The mammalian Htrp3 protein forms a well defined store-operated channel and so provides a suitable system for studying the effect of Ca2+-store depletion on SOC and I(crac). We show here that Htrp3 channels stably expressed in HEK293 cells are in a tight functional interaction with the InsP3 receptors. Htrp3 channels present in the same plasma membrane patch can be activated by Ca2+ mobilization in intact cells and by InsP3 in excised patches. This activation of Htrp3 by InsP3 is lost on extensive washing of excised patches but is restored by addition of native or recombinant InsP3-bound InsP3 receptors. Our results provide evidence for the coupling hypothesis, in which InsP3 receptors activated by InsP3 interact with SOC and regulate I(crac).

SUMMARY N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors constitute a major subtype of glutamate receptors at extra-synaptic sites that link multiple intracellular catabolic processes responsible for irreversible neuronal death. Here, we report that cerebral ischemia recruits death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) into the NMDA receptor NR2B protein complex in the cortex of adult mice. DAPK1 directly binds with the NMDA receptor NR2B C-terminal tail consisting of amino acid 1292–1304 (NR2BCT). A constitutively active DAPK1 phosphorylates NR2B subunit at Ser-1303 and in turn enhances the NR1/NR2B receptor channel conductance. Genetic deletion of DAPK1 or administration of NR2BCT that uncouples an activated DAPK1 from an NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in vivo in mice blocks injurious Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptor channels at extrasynaptic sites and protects neurons against cerebral ischemic insults. Thus, DAPK1 physically and functionally interacts with the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit at extra-synaptic sites and this interaction acts as a central mediator for stroke damage.

Abstract. Although the actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in vesicle trafficking, docking and fusion, its site of action and relation to the Ca2÷-mediated activation of the docking and fusion machinery have not been elucidated. In this study, we examined the role of actin filaments in regulated exocytosis by introducing highly specific actin monomer-binding proteins, the ~-thymosins or a gelsolin fragment, into streptolysin O-permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells. These proteins had stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Low concentrations elicited rapid and robust exocytosis with a profile comparable to the initial phase of regulated exocytosis, but without raising [Ca2+], and even when [Ca 2÷] was clamped at low levels by EGTA. No additional cofactors were required.Direct visualization and quantitation of actin filaments showed that B-thymosin, like agonists, induced actin depolymerization at the apical membrane where exocytosis occurs. Blocking actin depolymerization by phalloidin or neutralizing fl-thymosin by complexing with exogenous actin prevented exocytosis. These findings show that the cortical actin network acts as a dominant negative clamp which blocks constitutive exocytosis. In addition, actin filaments also have a positive role. High concentrations of the actin depolymerizing proteins inhibited all phases of exocytosis. The inhibition overrides stimulation by agonists and all downstream effectors tested, suggesting that exocytosis cannot occur without a minimal actin cytoskeletal structure.T hE final steps of regulated exocytosis involve vesicle docking, triggering, and membrane fusion. There is now increasing evidence that regulated exocytosis employs a constitutively operating fusion machinery shared by many vesicular trafficking processes and specialized clamps to prevent fusion until the appropriate signals are received (4,40,41). The actin network under the plasma membrane has long been proposed as a physical barrier to granule docking because it transiently depolymerizes during exocytosis (3,30,42,43). The cortical actin can therefore be considered as a part of the clamping apparatus. However, in many cell types, drugs which depolymerize actin do not elicit exocytosis but can potentiate agonist-evoked responses (23,25,38). On the basis of such evidence, it was suggested that dissolution of the actin cytoskeleton is a necessary but not sufficient part of regulated exocytosis. Nevertheless, the exact role of actin in exocytosis remains unclear, since contradictory results were obtained in other cells (1) and between intact and permeabilized cells (19). Furthermore, some cells have cytochalasin-insensitive pools of actin filaments (8). A large part of the uncertainty is due to the nonspecific nature of some of the drugs, which precludes unequivocal conclusions.Address all correspondence to Dr. Helen L. Yin, Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 648-8685. In the present study, we used a different approach to examine th...

Highlights d Ultra-deep rRNA-depleted RNA sequencing of 144 localized prostate tumors d Fusion gene profiles differentiate localized from metastatic disease d Widespread RNA circularization events define clinically distinct tumor subtypes d Functional screening reveals pervasive circular isoformspecific essentiality

The tumour stroma is an active participant during cancer progression. Stromal cells promote tumour progression and metastasis through multiple mechanisms including enhancing tumour invasiveness and angiogenesis, and suppressing immune surveillance. We report here that miR-126/miR-126*, a microRNA pair derived from a single precursor, independently suppress the sequential recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells and inflammatory monocytes into the tumour stroma to inhibit lung metastasis by breast tumour cells in a mouse xenograft model. miR-126/miR-126* directly inhibit stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (Sdf-1α) expression, and indirectly suppress the expression of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (Ccl2) by cancer cells in an Sdf-1α-dependent manner. miR-126/miR-126* expression is downregulated in cancer cells by promoter methylation of their host gene Egfl7. These findings determine how this microRNA pair alters the composition of the primary tumour microenvironment to favour breast cancer metastasis, and demonstrate a correlation between miR-126/126* downregulation and poor metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients.

Regulators of heterotrimeric G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that accelerate GTP hydrolysis by G q and G i ␣ subunits, thus attenuating signaling. Mechanisms that provide more precise regulatory specificity have been elusive. We report here that an N-terminal domain of RGS4 discriminated among receptor signaling complexes coupled via G q . Accordingly, deletion of the N-terminal domain of RGS4 eliminated receptor selectivity and reduced potency by 10 4 -fold. Receptor selectivity and potency of inhibition were partially restored when the RGS4 box was added together with an N-terminal peptide. In vitro reconstitution experiments also indicated that sequences flanking the RGS4 box were essential for high potency GAP activity. Thus, RGS4 regulates G q class signaling by the combined action of two domains: 1) the RGS box accelerates GTP hydrolysis by G␣ q and 2) the N terminus conveys high affinity and receptor-selective inhibition. These activities are each required for receptor selectivity and high potency inhibition of receptor-coupled G q signaling.Heterotrimeric G proteins of the G q class are mediators of Ca 2ϩ responses in animal cells. Signaling is initiated by agonist binding to heptahelical transmembrane receptors complexed with G q ␣␤␥ and phospholipase C-␤ (PLC␤) 1 (1), which generates IP 3 to trigger Ca 2ϩ release from internal stores (2).Many cells express several G q -coupled receptors that regulate the location, intensity, and propagation of intracellular Ca 2ϩ waves. For example, pancreatic acini respond to acetylcholine, bombesin, and cholecystokinin by activating the same set of G q class proteins and mobilizing the same Ca 2ϩ pool, but each receptor evokes distinct patterns of Ca 2ϩ waves (3). Ca 2ϩ release may be regulated by intracellular proteins that interact with guanine nucleotide binding proteins, such as regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins.2 RGS proteins are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that accelerate GTP hydrolysis by G q and G i ␣ subunits, thus attenuating signaling (5-8). Mammals express over 20 different RGS proteins, of which RGS4 has received the most extensive biochemical characterization (5, 7-12). RGS4 is composed of a central domain of 120 amino acids that is homologous to other RGS proteins, termed the RGS box, flanked by less well conserved N-and C-terminal sequences (13). In rat pancreatic acinar cells, RGS4 preferentially inhibited G q/11 -mediated signaling evoked by carbachol relative to bombesin and cholecystokinin regardless of the identity of the G q class ␣ subunit. 2Regulatory specificity was apparently conferred by direct or indirect interaction between RGS4 and the receptor.In the present study, we used deletion mutations to identify two domains in RGS4 that regulate agonist-dependent Ca 2ϩ signaling. The RGS box accelerates GTP hydrolysis by G␣ q whereas the N terminus conveys high affinity and receptorselective inhibition. These combined activities are required for receptor selectivity and high potency i...

In polarized epithelial cells [Ca 2؉ ] i waves are initiated in discrete regions and propagate through the cytosol. The structural basis for these compartmentalized and coordinated events are not well understood. In the present study we used a combination of [Ca 2؉ ] i imaging at high temporal resolution, recording of Ca 2؉ -activated Cl ؊ current, and immunolocalization by confocal microscopy to study the correlation between initiation and propagation of [Ca 2؉ ] i waves and localization of Ca 2؉ release channels in pancreatic acini and submandibular acinar and duct cells. In all cells Ca 2؉ waves are initiated in the luminal pole and propagate through the cell periphery to the basal pole. All three cell types express the three known inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP 3 Rs). Expression of IP 3 Rs was confined to the area just underneath the luminal and lateral membranes, with no detectable receptors in the basal pole or other regions of the cells. In pancreatic acini and SMG ducts IP 3 R3 was also found in the nuclear envelope. Expression of ryanodine receptor was detected in submandibular salivary gland cells but not pancreatic acini. Accordingly, cyclic ADP ribose was very effective in mobilizing Ca 2؉ from internal stores of submandibular salivary gland but not pancreatic acinar cells. Measurement of [Ca 2؉ ] i and localization of IP 3 Rs in the same cells suggests that only a small part of IP 3 Rs participate in the initiation of the Ca 2؉ wave, whereas most receptors in the cell periphery probably facilitate the propagation of the Ca 2؉ wave. The combined results together with our previous studies on this subject lead us to conclude that the internal Ca 2؉ pool is highly compartmentalized and that compartmentalization is achieved in part by polarized expression of Ca 2؉ channels.

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins accelerate GTP hydrolysis by G␣ subunits, thereby attenuating signaling. RGS4 is a GTPase-activating protein for G i and G q class ␣ subunits. In the present study, we used knockouts of G q class genes in mice to evaluate the potency and selectivity of RGS4 in modulating Ca 2؉ signaling transduced by different G q -coupled receptors. RGS4 inhibited phospholipase C activity and Ca 2؉ signaling in a receptor-selective manner in both permeabilized cells and cells dialyzed with RGS4 through a patch pipette. Receptor-dependent inhibition of Ca 2؉ signaling by RGS4 was observed in acini prepared from the rat and mouse pancreas. The response of mouse pancreatic acini to carbachol was about 4-and 33-fold more sensitive to RGS4 than that of bombesin and cholecystokinin (CCK), respectively. RGS1 and RGS16 were also potent inhibitors of G q -dependent Ca 2؉ signaling and acted in a receptor-selective manner. RGS1 showed approximately 1000-fold higher potency in inhibiting carbachol than CCK-dependent signaling. RGS16 was as effective as RGS1 in inhibiting carbachol-dependent signaling but only partially inhibited the response to CCK. By contrast, RGS2 inhibited the response to carbachol and CCK with equal potency. The same pattern of receptorselective inhibition by RGS4 was observed in acinar cells from wild type and several single and double G q class knockout mice. Thus, these receptors appear to couple G q class ␣ subunit isotypes equally. Difference in receptor selectivity of RGS proteins action indicates that regulatory specificity is conferred by interaction of RGS proteins with receptor complexes.