Ligand binding specificities of the two mannose 6-phosphate receptors

Two mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptors (MPRs) direct the vesicular transport of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes that contain Man-6-P from the Golgi to a prelysosomal compartment. In order to understand the respective roles of the Mr = 46,000 cation-dependent (CD-) MPR and the Mr = 300,000 cation-independent (CI-) MPR in lysosomal targeting, an assay has been developed that simultaneously measures the relative affinity of each MPR for multiple ligands. Glycoproteins containing Man-6-P were affinity-purified from the metabolically labeled secretions of mutant mouse fibroblasts lacking both MPRs. They were incubated with purified MPRs, and the resulting receptor-ligand complexes were immunoprecipitated by anti-MPR monoclonal antibodies coupled to agarose beads. Ligands were eluted with Man-6-P and then quantified following SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Saturating concentrations of CI-MPR resulted in the complete recovery of each Man-6-P glycoprotein in receptor-ligand complexes. Apparent affinity constants ranged between 1 and 5 nM for the individual species. Ligands precipitated by the CD-MPR appeared identical to those bound by the CI-MPR, with apparent affinity constants ranging between 7 and 28 nM. The binding affinities of the two receptors for different ligands were not correlated, indicating that the two MPRs preferentially recognize different subsets of lysosomal enzymes. In addition, saturating levels of CD-MPR resulted in the precipitation of only 50% of the total input ligands, suggesting that the CD-MPR binds a subpopulation of the Man-6-P glycoproteins bound by the CI-MPR. These results provide a biochemical mechanism, which, in part, may explain the interaction of the two MPRs with overlapping yet distinct subsets of ligands in vivo.     

The rate of internalization of the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor is enhanced by multivalent ligand binding

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (M6P/IGF-II receptor) undergoes constitutive endocytosis, mediating the internalization of two unrelated classes of ligands, mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P)-containing acid hydrolases and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). To determine the role of ligand valency in M6P/IGF-II receptor-mediated endocytosis, we measured the internalization rates of two ligands, beta-glucuronidase (a homotetramer bearing multiple Man-6-P moieties) and IGF-II. We found that beta-glucuronidase entered the cell approximately 3-4-fold faster than IGF-II. Unlabeled beta-glucuronidase stimulated the rate of internalization of 125I-IGF-II to equal that of 125I-beta-glucuronidase, but a bivalent synthetic tripeptide capable of occupying both Man-6-P-binding sites on the M6P/IGF-II receptor simultaneously did not. A mutant receptor with one of the two Man-6-P-binding sites inactivated retained the ability to internalize beta-glucuronidase faster than IGF-II. Thus, the increased rate of internalization required a multivalent ligand and a single Man-6-P-binding site on the receptor. M6P/IGF-II receptor solubilized and purified in Triton X-100 was present as a monomer, but association with beta-glucuronidase generated a complex composed of two receptors and one beta-glucuronidase. Neither IGF-II nor the synthetic peptide induced receptor dimerization. These results indicate that intermolecular cross-linking of the M6P/IGF-II receptor occurs upon binding of a multivalent ligand, resulting in an increased rate of internalization.     

Re-expression of the mannose 6-phosphate receptors in receptor-deficient fibroblasts. Complementary function of the two mannose 6-phosphate receptors in lysosomal enzyme targeting

We have previously generated primary embryonic fibroblasts lacking either the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (MPR) or the cation-dependent MPR, two trans-membrane proteins that bind the mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) recognition marker on soluble lysosomal enzymes (Ludwig, T., Munier-Lehmann, H., Bauer, U., Hollinshead, M., Ovitt, C., Lobel, P., and Hoflack, B.(1994) EMBO J. 13, 3430-3437). These two cell types partially missort phosphorylated lysosomal enzymes. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we show here that they secrete, in a large part, different phosphorylated ligands. In order to better understand the sorting function of the MPRs, we have re-expressed each MPR in MPR-negative fibroblasts. We show that the MPRs have similar capacities for transporting the bulk of the newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes and that they target individual ligands with various efficiencies. However, high levels of one MPR do not fully compensate for the absence of the other, demonstrating that the two MPRs have complementary targeting functions, perhaps by recognizing different features on lysosomal enzymes. The analysis of the phosphorylated oligosaccharides shows that the ligands missorted in the absence of the cation-dependent MPR are slightly but significantly depleted in oligosaccharides with two Man-6-P residues, when compared with those missorted in the absence of the cation-independent MPR. While these results could explain some differences between the structure and the sorting function of the two MPRs, they strongly suggest that the reason why cells express two different but related MPRs is to maintain an efficient Man-6-P-dependent targeting process that could be potentially regulated by MPR expression.     

The 46-kDa mannose 6-phosphate receptor contains multiple binding sites for clathrin adaptors

The two known mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPR46 and MPR300) both mediate the transport of Man-6-P-containing lysosomal proteins to lysosomes. However, the MPRs cannot be detected in lysosomes, instead they recycle between the plasma membrane and endosomes and between endosomes and the trans-Golgi network. Both, endocytosis from the plasma membrane and budding of transport vesicles from the trans-Golgi network involves the interaction of the receptor with the clathrin-coated vesicles-associated protein complexes AP1 and AP2. We have analyzed this interaction between the Golgi-restricted AP1 complex and the plasma membrane-restricted AP2 complex with the MPR46 tail in vitro by using a biosensor. AP1 and AP2 both bind to and dissociate from the MPR46 tail with similar kinetics. Using synthetic peptides corresponding to different MPR receptor tail regions in inhibition and binding studies, a common high affinity binding site for AP1 and AP2 and two separate high affinity binding sites for AP1 and AP2, respectively, were identified.     

The mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor is a nanomolar affinity receptor for glycosylated human leukemia inhibitory factor

Comparison of the binding properties of non-glycosylated, glycosylated human leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed at gp190/LIF-receptor beta subunit showed that most of the low affinity (nanomolar) receptors expressed by a variety of cell lines are not due to gp190. These receptors bind glycosylated LIF produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO LIF) (Kd = 6.9 nM) but not Escherichia coli-derived LIF or CHO LIF treated with endoglycosidase F. CHO LIF binding to these receptors is neither affected by anti-gp190 mAbs nor by anti-gp130 mAbs and is specifically inhibited by low concentrations of mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) (IC50 = 40 microM), suggesting that they could be related to Man-6-P receptors. The identity of this LIF binding component with the Man-6-P/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor (Man-6-P/IGFII-R) was supported by several findings. (i) It has a molecular mass very similar to that of the Man-6-P/IGFII-R (270 kDa); (ii) the complex of LIF cross-linked to this receptor is immunoprecipitated by a polyclonal anti-Man-6-P/IGFII-R antibody; (iii) this antibody inhibits LIF and IGFII binding to the receptor with comparable efficiencies; (iv) soluble Man-6-P/IGFII-R purified from serum binds glycosylated LIF (Kd = 4.3 nM) but not E. coli LIF. The potential role of Man-6-P/IGFII-R in LIF processing and biological activity is discussed.     

Binding of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) to the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor in fetal rat myocardium

Previous studies indicate that fetal rat heart tissue contains large amounts of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II/mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) receptor messenger RNA, with receptor messenger RNA levels falling by 20 days after birth. We examined the amount of IGF receptor protein in developing rat myocardium. To establish a model in which the role of neural, hormonal, and hemodynamic controls of IGF receptor binding could be studied, we compared binding of IGF-I and IGF-II in normally growing rat atria and ventricles with embryonic day 12 (E-12) atria and ventricles maturing in the anterior eye chamber of an adult host rat. In oculo, embryonic myocardium matures without hemodynamic load or exposure to the fetal hormonal milieu. In fetal rat hearts (E-12 to E-19), both IGF-I and IGF-II intensely bound to a protein with a molecular weight corresponding to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor. Receptors were identified using sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis autoradiography and western blot analysis using Ab3637, a specific polyclonal antibody against rat IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor antigens. This antibody competed for binding of both IGF-I and IGF-II to the band with molecular radius corresponding to 260,000 (reduced). In normally growing rat atria, IGF-I binding to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor was similar to ventricular tissue; however, there was significantly greater binding of IGF-II than of IGF-I in both atrial and ventricular tissue. High levels of IGF-II binding to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor were observed in both fetal rat atrial and ventricular grafts until 6-8 weeks in oculo. As in normally growing heart tissue, there was similar IGF-I binding to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor in atrial grafts compared with ventricular grafts from 2-8 weeks after implantation. For the first 2 weeks after grafting, the ventricular grafts had relatively higher IGF-I binding to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor compared with later time points examined. The present data indicate that atrial and ventricular binding of IGFs to the IGF-II/Man 6-P receptor decreases with age, suggesting that decreased IGF binding may be independent of postnatal hemodynamic changes. The decrease is similar in in oculo embryonic rat cardiac grafts and normally growing heart tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Insulin-like growth factor II signaling through the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor promotes exocytosis in insulin-secreting cells

The insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II)/mannose-6-phosphate (M-6-P) receptor is known to participate in endocytosis as well as sorting of lysosomal enzymes and is involved in membrane trafficking through rapid cycling between cytosolic membrane compartments and the plasma membrane. Here we demonstrate that IGF-II, acting through the IGF-II/M-6-P receptor, promotes exocytosis of insulin in the pancreatic beta cell. The effect of IGF-II was evoked at nonstimulatory concentrations of glucose, was mediated by a pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding protein, was dependent on protein kinase C-induced phosphorylation, and was independent of changes in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. Since the applied concentration of IGF-II is within the range normally found free in circulation in humans, this novel signaling pathway for the IGF-II/M-6-P receptor is likely to be involved in modulation of insulin exocytosis under physiological conditions.     

Mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor targets the urokinase receptor to lysosomes via a novel binding interaction

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) plays an important role on the cell surface in mediating extracellular degradative processes and formation of active TGF-beta, and in nonproteolytic events such as cell adhesion, migration, and transmembrane signaling. We have searched for mechanisms that determine the cellular location of uPAR and may participate in its disposal. When using purified receptor preparations, we find that uPAR binds to the cation-independent, mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptor (CIMPR) with an affinity in the low micromolar range, but not to the 46-kD, cation-dependent, mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CDMPR). The binding is not perturbed by uPA and appears to involve domains DII + DIII of the uPAR protein moiety, but not the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. The binding occurs at site(s) on the CIMPR different from those engaged in binding of mannose 6-phosphate epitopes or IGF-II. To evaluate the significance of the binding, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy studies were performed in transfected cells, and the results show that wild-type CIMPR, but not CIMPR lacking an intact sorting signal, modulates the subcellular distribution of uPAR and is capable of directing it to lysosomes. We conclude that a site within CIMPR, distinct from its previously known ligand binding sites, binds uPAR and modulates its subcellular distribution.     

An insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) affinity-enhancing domain localized within extracytoplasmic repeat 13 of the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and phosphomannosylated glycoproteins bind to distinct sites on the same receptor, the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor (IGF2R). Analysis of truncated receptors (minireceptors) has been used to map the IGF-II binding site within the receptor's extracytoplasmic domain, which consists of 15 homologous repeats. A minireceptor consisting of repeat 11 contained the minimal elements for binding IGF-II, but with 5- to 10-fold lower relative binding affinity than the full-length receptor. We hypothesized that the complete, high-affinity IGF-II binding site is formed by interaction between the primary site in repeat 11 and a putative affinity-enhancing domain. To determine the minimum portion of the IGF2R's extracytoplasmic domain needed for expression of high-affinity IGF-II binding, a nested set of FLAG epitope-tagged minireceptors encompassing repeats 11 through 15 was prepared and transiently expressed in 293T cells. Minireceptors containing repeats 11-13 or 11-15 exhibited high affinity, comparable to the full-length receptor (IC50 = 1-2 nM), whereas constructs containing repeat 11 only or repeats 11-12 did not (IC50 = 10-20 nM). These data suggested that the affinity-enhancing domain is located within repeat 13, which contains a unique 43-residue insert that has approximately 50% sequence identity to the type II repeat of fibronectin. Although a repeat 13 minireceptor did not bind IGF-II on its own, an 11-13 minireceptor containing a deletion of the 43-residue insert exhibited low IGF-II binding affinity (IC50 = 10-20 nM). Expression of mutant receptors from a full-length IGF2R construct bearing a deletion of the 43-residue insert was very low relative to wild type. Depletion assays using IGF-II-Sepharose showed that the mutant receptor had lower affinity for IGF-II than the wild-type receptor. This study reveals that two independent receptor domains are involved in the formation of a high-affinity binding site for IGF-II, and that a complete repeat 13 is required for high-affinity IGF-II binding.     

Mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor is a receptor for retinoic acid

Retinoic acid (RA) exerts diverse biological effects in the control of cell growth in embryogenesis and oncogenesis. These effects of RA are thought to be mediated by the nuclear retinoid receptors. Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P)/insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) receptor is a multifunctional membrane glycoprotein that is known to bind both M6P and IGF-II and function primarily in the binding and trafficking of lysosomal enzymes, the activation of transforming growth factor-beta, and the degradation of IGF-II. M6P/IGF-II receptor has recently been implicated in fetal development and carcinogenesis. Despite the functional similarities between RA and the M6P/IGF-II receptor, no direct biochemical link has been established. Here, we show that the M6P/IGF-II receptor also binds RA with high affinity at a site that is distinct from those for M6P and IGF-II, as identified by a photoaffinity labeling technique. We also show that the binding of RA to the M6P/IGF-II receptor enhances the primary functions of this receptor. The biological consequence of the interaction appears to be the suppression of cell proliferation and/or induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest that the M6P/IGF-II receptor mediates a RA response pathway that is important in cell growth regulation. This discovery of the interaction of RA with the M6P/IGF-II receptor may have important implications for our understanding of the roles of RA and the M6P/IGF-II receptor in development, carcinogenesis, and lysosomal enzyme-related diseases.     

In vivo coupling of insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor to heteromeric G proteins. Distinct roles of cytoplasmic domains and signal sequestration by the receptor

We examined the signaling function of the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor (IGF-IIR) by transfecting IGF-IIR cDNAs into COS cells, where adenylyl cyclase (AC) was inhibited by transfection of constitutively activated G alpha i cDNA (G alpha i2Q205L). In cells transfected with IGF-IIR cDNA, IGF-II decreased cAMP accumulation promoted by cholera toxin or forskolin. This effect of IGF-II was not observed in untransfected cells or in cells transfected with IGF-IIRs lacking Arg2410-Lys2423. Thus, IGF-IIR, through its cytoplasmic domain, mediates the Gi-linked action of IGF-II in living cells. We also found that IGF-IIR truncated with C-terminal 28 residues after Ser2424 caused G beta gamma-dominant response of AC in response to IGF-II by activating Gi. Comparison with the G alpha i-dominant response of AC by intact IGF-IIR suggests that the C-terminal 28-residue region inactivates G beta gamma. This study not only provides further evidence that IGF-IIR has IGF-II-dependent signaling function to interact with heteromeric G proteins with distinct roles by different cytoplasmic domains, it also suggests that IGF-IIR can separate and sequestrate the G alpha and G beta gamma signals following Gi activation.     

Identification of a phosphate regulatory site and a low affinity binding site for glucose 6-phosphate in the N-terminal half of human brain hexokinase

Crystal structures of human hexokinase I reveal identical binding sites for phosphate and the 6-phosphoryl group of glucose 6-phosphate in proximity to Gly87, Ser88, Thr232, and Ser415, a binding site for the pyranose moiety of glucose 6-phosphate in proximity to Asp84, Asp413, and Ser449, and a single salt link involving Arg801 between the N- and C-terminal halves. Purified wild-type and mutant enzymes (Asp84 --> Ala, Gly87 --> Tyr, Ser88 --> Ala, Thr232 --> Ala, Asp413 --> Ala, Ser415 --> Ala, Ser449 --> Ala, and Arg801 --> Ala) were studied by kinetics and circular dichroism spectroscopy. All eight mutant hexokinases have kcat and Km values for substrates similar to those of wild-type hexokinase I. Inhibition of wild-type enzyme by 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate is consistent with a high affinity binding site (Ki = 50 microM) and a second, low affinity binding site (Kii = 0.7 mM). The mutations of Asp84, Gly87, and Thr232 listed above eliminate inhibition because of the low affinity site, but none of the eight mutations influence Ki of the high affinity site. Relief of 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate inhibition by phosphate for Asp84 --> Ala, Ser88 --> Ala, Ser415 --> Ala, Ser449 --> Ala and Arg801 --> Ala mutant enzymes is substantially less than that of wild-type hexokinase and completely absent in the Gly87 --> Tyr and Thr232 --> Ala mutants. The results support several conclusions. (i) The phosphate regulatory site is at the N-terminal domain as identified in crystal structures. (ii) The glucose 6-phosphate binding site at the N-terminal domain is a low affinity site and not the high affinity site associated with potent product inhibition. (iii) Arg801 participates in the regulatory mechanism of hexokinase I.     

Cellular uptake of saposin (SAP) precursor and lysosomal delivery by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)

Sphingolipid activator proteins SAP-A, -B, -C and -D (also called saposins) are generated by proteolytic processing from a 73 kDa precursor and function as obligatory activators of lysosomal enzymes involved in glycosphingolipid metabolism. Although the SAP precursor can be recognized by the mannose-6-phosphate (M-6-P) receptor and shuttled directly from the secretory pathway to the lysosome, a substantial fraction of newly synthesized precursor is secreted from the cell where it may participate in sphingolipid transport and signaling events. Re-uptake of the secreted precursor is mediated by high-affinity cell surface receptors that are apparently distinct from the M-6-P receptor. We found that the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), a multifunctional endocytic receptor that is expressed on most cells, can mediate cellular uptake and lysosomal delivery of SAP precursor. Additional in vivo experiments in mice revealed that the mannose receptor system on macrophages also participates in precursor internalization. We conclude that SAP precursor gains entry into cells by at least three independent receptor mechanisms including the M-6-P receptor, the mannose receptor and LRP.     

Characterization of truncated and glycosylation-deficient forms of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells

A soluble truncated form of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CD-MPR) encoding only the extracytoplasmic region, Stop155, and a truncated glycosylation-deficient form of the CD-MPR, Asn81/Stop155, which has been modified to contain only one N-linked glycosylation site at position 81 instead of five, were purified from baculovirus-infected High Five insect cells. The glycosylated recombinant proteins were functional in ligand binding and acid-dependent dissociation as assessed by pentamannosyl phosphate-agarose affinity chromatography. Gel filtration, sucrose gradients, and cross-linking experiments revealed that both Stop155 and Asn81/Stop155 are dimeric, demonstrating that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic region of the receptor as well as N-linked oligosaccharides at positions 31, 57, and 87 are not required for dimerization. The Kd of Stop155 and Asn81/Stop155 for the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase, was 0.2 and 0.3 nM, respectively. These values are very similar to those reported for the full-length CD-MPR, demonstrating that the extracellular region of the CD-MPR is sufficient for high-affinity binding and that oligosaccharides at positions 31, 57, and 87 do not influence ligand binding.     

Proper sorting of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor in endosomes depends on a pair of aromatic amino acids in its cytoplasmic tail

The 67-amino acid cytoplasmic tail of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CD-MPR) contains a signal(s) that prevents the receptor from entering lysosomes where it would be degraded. To identify the key residues required for proper endosomal sorting, we analyzed the intracellular distribution of mutant forms of the receptor by Percoll density gradients. A receptor with a Trp19 --> Ala substitution in the cytoplasmic tail was highly missorted to lysosomes whereas receptors with either Phe18 --> Ala or Phe13 --> Ala mutations were partially defective in avoiding transport to lysosomes. Analysis of double and triple mutants confirmed the key role of Trp19 for sorting of the CD-MPR in endosomes, with Phe18, Phe13, and several neighboring residues contributing to this function. The addition of the Phe18-Trp19 motif of the CD-MPR to the cytoplasmic tail of the lysosomal membrane protein Lamp1 was sufficient to partially impair its delivery to lysosomes. Replacing Phe18 and Trp19 with other aromatic amino acids did not impair endosomal sorting of the CD-MPR, indicating that two aromatic residues located at these positions are sufficient to prevent the receptor from trafficking to lysosomes. However, alterations in the spacing of the diaromatic amino acid sequence relative to the transmembrane domain resulted in receptor accumulation in lysosomes. These findings indicate that the endosomal sorting of the CD-MPR depends on the correct presentation of a diaromatic amino acid-containing motif in its cytoplasmic tail. Because a diaromatic amino acid sequence is also present in the cytoplasmic tail of other receptors known to be internalized from the plasma membrane, this feature may prove to be a general determinant for endosomal sorting.     

A determinant in the cytoplasmic tail of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor prevents trafficking to lysosomes

The bovine cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CD-MPR) is a type 1 transmembrane protein that cycles between the trans-Golgi network, endosomes, and the plasma membrane. When the terminal 40 residues were deleted from the 67-amino acid cytoplasmic tail of the CD-MPR, the half-life of the receptor was drastically decreased and the mutant receptor was recovered in lysosomes. Analysis of additional cytoplasmic tail truncation mutants and alanine-scanning mutants implicated amino acids 34-39 as being critical for avoidance of lysosomal degradation. The cytoplasmic tail of the CD-MPR was partially effective in preventing the lysosomal membrane protein Lamp1 from entering lysosomes. Complete exclusion required both the CD-MPR cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane domain. The transmembrane domain alone had just a minor effect on the distribution of Lamp1. These findings indicate that the cytoplasmic tail of the CD-MPR contains a signal that prevents the receptor from trafficking to lysosomes. The transmembrane domain of the CD-MPR also contributes to this function.     

Allosteric regulation of type I hexokinase: A site-directed mutational study indicating location of the functional glucose 6-phosphate binding site in the N-terminal half of the enzyme

The Type I isozyme of mammalian hexokinase has evolved by a gene duplication-fusion mechanism, with resulting internal duplication of sequence and ligand binding sites. However, 1:1 binding stoichiometry indicates that only one of these is available for binding the product inhibitor, Glc-6-P; the location of that site, in the N- or C-terminal half, remains under debate. Recent structural studies (Aleshin et al., Structure 6, 39-50, 1998; Mulichak et al., Nature Struct. Biol. 5, 555-560, 1998) implicated Asp 84 or its analog in the C-terminal half, Asp 532, in binding of Glc-6-P. Zeng et al. (Biochemistry 35, 13157-13164, 1996) demonstrated that mutation of Asp 532 to Lys or Glu did not affect inhibition by the Glc-6-P analog, 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-P. These same mutations, as well as mutation to Ala, at the Asp 84 position are now shown to result in increased Ki for 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-P. The ability of Pi to antagonize inhibition by the Glc-6-P analog is severely diminished or abolished by these mutations, suggesting that antagonism is dependent on precise positioning of the inhibitory hexose 6-phosphate. The structure of the enzyme complexed with Glc and Pi has been determined, and shows that Pi occupies the same site as the 6-phosphate group in the complex with Glc-6-P. Thus, antagonism between these ligands results from competition for a common anion binding site in the N-terminal half.     

Cathepsin D associates with lysosomal membranous protein

The membrane-association of early biosynthetic form of cathepsin D has been demonstrated in hepatoma cells, and this membrane-association is not mediated by mannose 6-phosphate residues, implying that a mannose 6-phosphate receptor-independent mechanism operates in the sorting of cathepsin D. In this paper, to demonstrate whether cathepsin D is associated with the lysosomal membranes, an in vitro binding experiment was carried out employing lysosomal cathepsin D or microsomal procathepsin D isolated from rat liver. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that an intermediate form of cathepsin D was associated with the lysosomal membranes; this lysosomal membrane-associated cathepsin D was released from the membranes by washing with Na2CO3 (pH 10.6) but not with solutions containing mannose 6-phosphate. This suggested that cathepsin D associates with the membranes by ionic-interaction, and that the membrane-associated cathepsin D resides as a peripheral membrane protein in the lysosomal membrane fraction. To confirm that the intermediate form of cathepsin D specifically interacts with the lysosomal integral membrane proteins, the lysosomal membrane fraction was treated with trypsin and the binding experiment was conducted. The result showed that the binding capacity of cathepsin D to the lysosomal membranes was apparently abolished and cathepsin D did not rebind to the membranes. These data suggest that the intermediate form of cathepsin D is preferentially recognized by the lysosomal membranous protein which complements the mannose 6-phosphate receptor-dependent intracellular sorting mechanism.     

Biosynthesis, processing, and targeting of sphingolipid activator protein (SAP )precursor in cultured human fibroblasts. Mannose 6-phosphate receptor-independent endocytosis of SAP precursor

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) are essential cofactors for the lysosomal degradation of glycosphingolipids with short oligosaccharide chains by acidic exohydrolases. SAP-A, -B, -C, and -D derive from proteolysis of a 73-kDa glycoprotein, the SAP precursor. In the present publication, we studied the intracellular transport and the endocytosis of SAP precursor in human skin fibroblasts. Our data indicate that SAP precursor bears phosphate residues on noncomplex carbohydrate chains linked to the SAP-C and the SAP-D domain and sulfate residues on complex carbohydrate chains located within the SAP-A, -C, and possibly the SAP-D domain. Treatment of fibroblasts with either bafilomycin A1 or 3-methyladenine indicates that proteolytic cleavage of SAP precursor begins as early as in the late endosomes. To determine whether targeting of SAP precursor depends on mannose 6-phosphate residues, we analyzed the processing of SAP precursor in I-cell disease fibroblasts. In these cells nearly normal amounts of newly synthesized SAP-C were found, although secretion of SAP precursor was enhanced 2-3-fold. Moreover, SAP-C could be localized to lysosomal structures by indirect immunofluorescence in normal and in I-cell disease fibroblasts. Mannose 6-phosphate was not found to interfere significantly with endocytosis of SAP precursor. Normal fibroblasts internalized SAP precursor secreted from I-cells nearly as efficiently as the protein secreted from normal cells. To our surprise, deglycosylated SAP precursor was taken up by mannose 6-phosphate receptor double knock out mouse fibroblasts more efficiently than the glycosylated protein. We propose that intracellular targeting of SAP precursor to lysosomes is only partially dependent on mannose 6-phosphate residues, whereas its endocytosis occurs in a carbohydrate-independent manner.     

The active sites of fructose 6-phosphate,2-kinase: fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase from rat testis. Roles of Asp-128, Thr-52, Thr-130, Asn-73, and Tyr-197

To investigate the role in catalysis and/or substrate binding of the Walker motif residues of rat testis fructose 6-phosphate, 2-kinase:fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (Fru 6-P,2-kinase:Fru-2,6-Pase), we have constructed and characterized mutant enzymes of Asp-128, Thr-52, Asn-73, Thr-130, and Tyr-197. Replacement of Asp-128 by Ala, Asn, and Ser resulted in a small decrease in Vmax and a significant increase in Km values for both substrates. These mutants exhibited similar pH activity profiles as that of the wild type enzyme. Mutation of Thr-52 to Ala resulted in an enzyme with an infinitely high Km for both substrates and an 800-fold decreased Vmax. Substitution of Asn-73 with Ala or Asp caused a 100- and 600-fold increase, respectively in KFru 6-P with only a small increase in KATP and small changes in Vmax. Mutation of Thr-130 caused small changes in the kinetic properties. Replacement of Tyr-197 with Ser resulted in an enzyme with severely decreased binding of Fru 6-P with 3-fold decreased Vmax. A fluorescent analog of ATP, 2'(3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)ATP (mant-ATP) served as a substrate with Km = 0.64 microM, and Vmax = 25 milliunits/mg and was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP. When mant-ATP bound to the enzyme, fluorescence intensity at 440 nm increased. mant-ATP binding of the wild type and the mutant enzymes were compared using the fluorometric method. The Kd values of the T52A and D128N enzymes were infinitely high and could not be measured, while those of the other mutant enzymes increased slightly. These results provide evidence that those amino acids are involved in substrate binding, and they are consistent with the crystallographic data. The results also suggest that Asp-128 does not serve as a nucleophile in catalysis, and since there are no other potential nucleophiles in the active site, we hypothesize that the Fru 6-P,2-kinase reaction is mediated via a transition state stabilization mechanism.