The lifespan of an organism is determined by a complex array of genetic, environmental and nutritional factors. Yet single gene manipulations have been shown to significantly extend lifespan in several model organisms. Of all the genes that have been studied thus far, components of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway have emerged as the most robust regulators of longevity. In addition, IIS also regulates development, energy metabolism and the response to stress in a conserved manner. In Caenorhabditis elegans, signaling through this pathway is initiated by activation of the insulin/IGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase DAF-2, which then activates a PI3-kinase signaling pathway involving additional downstream serine/threonine kinases such as PDK-1, AKT-1, AKT-2 and SGK-1. The concerted action of these kinases results in the negative regulation of the single FOXO transcription factor homolog DAF-16. Under reduced signaling conditions, active DAF-16 is able to translocate into the nucleus and regulate the expression of hundreds of genes regulating longevity, stress resistance, metabolism and development. The PTEN phosphatase homolog DAF-18, which antagonizes IIS at the level of PI3-kinase, is a major negative regulator of the pathway. However, not much was known about additional phosphatases that negatively regulated the kinases in the pathway. Dephosphorylation is a critical regulatory mechanism by which cellular signaling homeostasis is maintained. Aberrant hyper-activation of growth factor signaling pathways, including IIS, has been implicated in several cancers. In addition, deregulation of IIS is also closely linked to Type II diabetes. Therefore, the identification phosphatases that balance kinase activity will provide a better understanding of the regulation of the IIS pathway under normal as well as disease conditions. A directed RNAi screen using dauer diapause was conducted in our lab to identify serine/threonine phosphatases that modulated IIS. My work in the Tissenbaum Lab has primarily focused on characterization of the top three candidates from this screen, the genes pptr-1, pdp-1 and fem-2. From these studies, we have also uncovered novel crosstalk between the IIS and TGF-β signaling pathways. In Chapter 2, we demonstrate that PPTR-1, a PP2A phosphatase regulatory subunit negatively regulates the IIS pathway by modulating AKT-1 dephosphorylation. PPTR-1 modulates several outputs of IIS similar to DAF-18. In addition, PPTR-1 co-localizes and physically interacts with its substrate, AKT-1. PPTR-1 modulates dephosphorylation of AKT-1 at a conserved threonine site and we show the molecular conservation of this interaction in mammalian adipocytes. Ultimately, this negative regulation by PPTR-1 results in increased DAF-16 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. Next, in Chapter 3, we show how PDP-1 is a novel link between the IIS and TGF-β signaling pathways. Similar to DAF-18 and PPTR-1, PDP-1 regulates multiple outputs of the IIS pathway and promotes DAF-16 activity. Interestingly, PDP-1 acts at the level of DAF-8 and DAF-14, two R-SMAD proteins that function in a TGF-β pathway. Our data suggests that PDP-1 may negatively regulate TGF-β signaling to downregulate the expression of several insulin(s). Without the insulin ligands, there is less activation of the IIS pathway, and DAF-16 is more active, thereby promoting transcription of genes that act to enhance longevity and stress resistance. In Chapter 4, we investigate possible crosstalk between IIS and the TGF-β signaling pathways, as the latter was previously considered as a parallel independent pathway. From our studies on PDP-1, we knew that this phosphatase, despite acting in the TGF-β pathway, was a robust modulator of multiple outputs of IIS. Using double mutant combinations as well as RNAi we unravel complex and extensive crosstalk between the two pathways. Importantly, our results suggest that DAF-16 is likely to be the most downstream component of the two pathways. In Chapter 5, we describe genetic characterization of fem-2, and its regulation of the IIS pathway. RNAi of fem-2 results in robust suppression of dauer formation, similar to pptr-1 and pdp-1 RNAi but this phenotype is only observed in the e1370 allele of daf-2. While knockdown of pptr-1 and pdp-1 suppress dauer formation of additional alleles of daf-2, fem-2 RNAi has no effect. These results reveal a complex genetic interaction between fem-2 and the daf-2 receptor. Taken together, our results identify several novel regulators of IIS that modulate this pathway by distinct mechanisms.

The alarming rate of increase in incidence and prevalence of the type 2 diabetes mellitus has prompted intense research on understanding the pathogenesis of the type 2 diabetes. It is observed that the development of type 2 diabetes is preceded by a state of insulin resistance and obesity. Previous studies have suggested that the obesity induced insulin resistance may be mediated by elevated levels of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs). The increase in circulating levels of FFAs may be contributed by the release of FFAs from stored triglycerides (TG) in adipocytes via lipolysis. It is hypothesized that the decrease in levels of circulating FFAs by sequestration and storage of FFAs in adipocytes may prevent deleterious effects of FFAs on insulin sensitivity. Recently our lab and others have shown that the storage of TG in adipocytes is promoted by a novel protein, Fat Specific Protein 27 (FSP27). Although, these studies also revealed FSP27 to be a lipid droplet associated protein that suppresses lipolysis to enhance TG accumulation in adipocytes, the role of FSP27 in lipolysis remains largely undetermined. Therefore, this study investigates the role and regulation of FSP27 in adipocytes in both the basal state, as well as during lipolysis. The studies presented here show FSP27 to be a remarkably short-lived protein (half-life=15 min) due to its rapid ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Thus, I tested the hypothesis that lipolytic agents like the cytokine, TNF-α and the catecholamine isoproterenol modulate FSP27 protein levels to regulate FFA release. Consistent with this concept, TNF-α markedly decreased FSP27 mRNA and protein along with lipid droplet size as it increased lipolysis in cultured adipocytes. Similarly, FSP27 depletion using siRNA mimicked the effect of TNF-α to enhance lipolysis, while maintaining stable FSP27 protein levels by expression of HA epitope-tagged FSP27 blocked TNF-α mediated lipolysis. In contrast, the robust lipolytic action of isoproterenol is paradoxically associated with increases in FSP27 protein and a delayed degradation rate that corresponds to decreased ubiquitination. This catecholamine-mediated increase in FSP27 abundance, probably a feedback mechanism to restrain excessive lipolysis by catecholamines, is mimicked by forskolin or 8-Bromo-cAMP treatment, and prevented by Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT5720 or PKA depletion using siRNA. These results show that isoproterenol stabililizes FSP27 via the canonical PKA pathway and increased cAMP levels. However, the work presented here also suggests that FSP27 does not get phosphorylated in response to isoproterenol treatment, and the stabilization of FSP27 is independent of isoproterenol mediated lipolysis. The data presented in this thesis not only identifies the regulation of FSP27 as an important intermediate in mechanism of lipolysis in adipocytes in response to TNF-α and isoproterenol, but also suggests that FSP27 may be a possible therapeutic target to modulate lipolysis in adipocytes.

Endocytic trafficking dynamically regulates neuronal plasma membrane protein presentation and activity, and plays a central role in excitability and plasticity. Over the course of my dissertation research I investigated endocytic mechanisms regulating two neuronal membrane proteins: the anesthetic-activated potassium leak channel, KCNK3, as well as the psychostimulant-sensitive dopamine transporter (DAT). My results indicate that KCNK3 internalizes in response to Protein Kinase C (PKC) activation, using a novel pathway that requires the phosphoserine binding protein, 14-3-3β, and demonstrates for the first time regulated KCNK3 channel trafficking in neurons. Additionally, PKC-mediated KCNK3 trafficking requires a non-canonical endocytic motif, which is shared exclusively between KCNK3 and sodium-dependent neurotransmitter transporters, such as DAT. DAT trafficking studies in intact ex vivo adult striatal slices indicate that DAT endocytic trafficking has both dynamin-dependent and –independent components. Moreover, DAT segregates into two populations at the neuronal plasma membrane: trafficking-competent and -incompetent. Taken together, these results demonstrate that novel, non-classical endocytic mechanisms dynamically control the plasma membrane presentation of these two important neuronal proteins.

Human obesity is increasing globally at an impressive rate. The rise in obesity has led to an increase in diseases associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes. A major prerequisite for this disease is the development of insulin resistance in the muscle and adipose tissues. Interestingly, experiments in rodent models suggest that adipocytes and macrophages can profoundly influence the development of insulin resistance. Accordingly, the number of adipose tissue macrophages increases substantially during the development of obesity. Numerous research models have demonstrated that macrophages promote insulin resistance by secreting cytokines, like TNFα, which impair whole body insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue function. Additionally, enhancements of murine adipose function, particularly glucose disposal, prevent the development of insulin resistance in mice on a high fat diet. Thus, mechanisms which enhance adipose function or attenuate macrophage inflammation are of interest. Our lab previously identified mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) as a potent negative regulator of adipocyte function. In these studies, TNFα treatment increased the expression of adipocyte MAP4K4. Furthermore, the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) to block the increase in MAP4K4 expression protected adipocytes from some of the adverse effects of TNFα. Because MAP4K4 is a potent negative regulator of adipocyte function, an understanding of the mechanisms by which TNFα regulates MAP4K4 expression is of interest. Thus, for the first part of this thesis, I characterized the signaling pathways utilized by TNFα to regulate MAP4K4 expression in cultured adipocytes. Here I show that TNFα increases MAP4K4 expression through a pathway requiring the transcription factors activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and the JUN oncogene (cJUN). Through TNFα receptor 1 (TNFR1), but not TNFR2, TNFα increases MAP4K4 expression. This increase is highly specific to TNFα, as the inflammatory agents IL-1β, IL-6 and LPS did not affect MAP4K4 expression. In agreement, the activation of cJUN and ATF2 by TNFα is sustained over a longer period of time than by IL-1β in adipocytes. Finally, MAP4K4 is unique as the expression of other MAP kinases tested fails to change substantially with TNFα treatment. For the second part of this thesis, I assessed the role of MAP4K4 in macrophage inflammation in vitro and in vivo. To accomplish this task, pure β1,3-D-glucan shells were used to encapsulate siRNA. Glucan shells were utilized because they are effectively taken up by macrophages which express the dectin-1 receptor and they survive oral delivery. I demonstrate that these β1,3-D-glucan encapsulated RNAi particles (GeRPs) are efficiently phagocytosed and capable of mediating the silencing of multiple macrophage genes in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, oral treatment of mice with GeRPs fails to increase plasma IFNγ and TNFα or alter serum AST and ALT levels. Orally administered GeRPs are found in macrophages isolated from the spleen, liver, lung and peritoneal cavity and mediate macrophage gene silencing in these tissues. Utilizing this technology, I reveal that MAP4K4 augments the expression of TNFα in macrophages following LPS treatment. Oral delivery of MAP4K4 siRNA in GeRPs silences MAP4K4 expression by 70% and reduces basal TNFα and IL-1β expression significantly. The depletion of MAP4K4 in macrophages protects 40% of mice from death in the LPS/D- galactosamine (D-GalN) model of septicemia, compared to less than 10% in the control groups. This protection associates with significant decreases in serum TNFα concentrations following LPS/D-GalN challenge. Consistent with reduced macrophage inflammation, hepatocytes from mice treated orally with GeRPs targeting MAP4K4 present less apoptosis following LPS/D-GalN treatment. Thus, MAP4K4 is an important regulator of macrophage TNFα production in response to LPS. The results presented here add to the knowledge of MAP4K4 action in adipocyte and macrophage inflammation substantially. Prior to these studies, the mechanism by which TNFα controlled MAP4K4 expression in adipocytes remained unknown. Considering that MAP4K4 is a negative regulator of adipocyte function, identifying the mechanisms that control MAP4K4 expression was of interest. Furthermore, the role of macrophage MAP4K4 in LPS stimulated TNFα production was also unknown. To address this question in vivo, new technology specifically targeting macrophages was needed. Thus, we developed a technology for non toxic and highly specific macrophage gene silencing in vivo. Considering that macrophages mediate numerous diseases, the application of GeRPs to these disease models is an exciting new possibility.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) which causes gonorrhea has become multidrug-resistant, necessitating the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines. mAb 2C7 which targets an epitope within an important virulence factor, the lipooligosaccharide (LOS), is a candidate therapeutic mAb. Ninety-four percent of clinical isolates express the 2C7-epitope which is also a vaccine target. Ng expresses multiple LOS(s) due to phase-variation (pv) of LOS glycosyltransferase (lgt) genes. mAb 2C7 reactivity requires a lactose extension from the LOS core Heptose (Hep) II (i.e. lgtG ‘ON’ [G+]). Pv results in HepI with: two (2-), three (3-), four (4-), or five (5-) hexoses (Hex). How HepI glycans impact Ng infectivity and mAb 2C7 function are unknown and form the bases of this dissertation. Using isogenic mutants, I demonstrate that HepI LOS glycans modulate mAb 2C7 binding. mAb 2C7 causes complement (C’)-dependent bacteriolysis of three (2-Hex/G+, 4-Hex/G+, and 5-Hex/G+) of the HepI mutants in vitro. The 3-Hex/G+ mutant (resistant to C’-dependent bacteriolysis) is killed by neutrophils in the presence of mAb and C’. In mice, 2- and 3-Hex/G+ infections are significantly shorter than 4- and 5-Hex/G+ infections. A chimeric mAb 2C7 that hyperactivates C’, attenuates only 4- and 5-Hex/G+ infections. This study enhances understanding of the role of HepI LOS pv in gonococcal infections and shows that longer HepI glycans are necessary for prolonged infections in vivo. This is the first study that predicts in vitro efficacy of mAb 2C7 against all four targetable HepI glycans thereby strengthening the rationale for development of 2C7-epitope based vaccines and therapeutics.