No description available.

Ph.d.

University, Diss., 2002--Essen.

Recently, three distinct isoforms of phospholipase D (PLD) were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLD α represents the well-known form found in plants, while PLD β and γ have been only recently discovered (Pappan et al., 1997b; Qin et al., 1997). These isoforms differ in substrate selectivity and cofactors required for activity. Here, I report that PLD β and γ isoforms were active toward N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), but PLD α was not. The ability of PLD β and γ to hydrolyze NAPE marks a key difference from PLD α. N-acylethanolamines (NAE), the hydrolytic products of NAPE by PLD β and γ, inhibited PLD α from castor bean and cabbage. Inhibition of PLD α by NAE was dose-dependent and inversely proportional to acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation. Enzyme kinetic analysis suggested non-competitive inhibition of PLD α by NAE 14:0. In addition, a 1.2-kb tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cDNA fragment was isolated that possessed a 74% amino acid identity to Arabidopsis PLD β indicating that this isoform is expressed in tobacco cells. Collectively, these results provide evidence for NAE producing PLD activities and suggest a possible regulatory role for NAE with respect to PLD α.

This work summarizes the results of studies on three major aspects of platelet signaling and of the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia. Therefore, this thesis is divided into three parts. i) Platelet activation and subsequent thrombus formation at sites of vascular injury is crucial for normal hemostasis, but it can also trigger myocardial infarction and stroke. The initial capture of flowing platelets to the injured vessel wall is mediated by the interaction of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-V-IX complex with von Willebrand factor (vWF) immobilized on the exposed subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM). The central importance of GPIb for platelet adhesion is well established, whereas GPV is generally considered to be of minor relevance for platelet physiology and thrombus formation. This study intended to clarify the relevance of this receptor during thrombus formation using Gp5-/- mice and mice with different double-deficiencies in GPV and in other platelet receptors. It was found that GPV and the collagen receptor integrin a2b1 have partially redundant functions in collagentriggered platelet aggregation. Further, it was revealed that GPV limits thrombus formation and impairs hemostasis in vivo. The data presented here demonstrate that the protective effect of GPVI-deficiency (another platelet collagen receptor) in arterial thrombosis and ischemic stroke depends on the expression of GPV. Moreover, it was demonstrated that lack of GPV restores the hemostatic function of mice lacking both GPVI and a2b1 or mice lacking GPVI and the C-type lectin receptor 2 (CLEC-2). Conclusively, GPV-depletion or blockade might have the potential to treat hemorrhagic disease states. ii) Platelets contain the two phospholipase (PL) D isoforms, PLD1 and PLD2, both of which presumably become activated upon platelet stimulation. However, the function of PLD in the process of platelet activation and aggregation has not been definitively explored. Thus, PLD-deficient mice were analyzed. Mice lacking PLD1 or PLD2 were viable, fertile and had normal platelet counts. PLD1 was found to be responsible for the inducible PLD-activity in platelets and to contribute to efficient integrin activation under static conditions. Moreover, flow adhesion experiments revealed that PLD1 is essential for efficient GPIb-mediated integrin activation. Consequently, Pld1-/- mice were protected from arterial thrombosis and ischemic brain infarction without affecting tail bleeding times. Hence, inhibition of PLD1 might be a novel approach for antithrombotic therapy. iii) Cellular activation of platelets or immune cells results in increased cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) levels. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) via the STIM1-Orai1 axis is the main route of Ca2+ entry downstream of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM) receptor stimulation in mast cells and T cells. However, the requirement of Ca2+-mobilization in Fcg receptor (FcgR)-signaling and the relevance of STIM2 for T cell SOCE have been unclear. To address these questions, genetically modified mice lacking central molecules of the SOCE machinery were analyzed. Ca2+-measurements revealed that both STIM isoforms contribute to Ca2+-mobilization downstream of T cell receptor activation. Additionally, it was found that FcgR stimulation results in SOCE and is mediated by STIM1 and probably Orai1. Animal models of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) revealed that SOCE is essential for platelet clearance and that both STIM isoforms contribute to the pathology of ITP. Moreover, in this work it was also demonstrated that STIM1 and Orai1 are essential in IgG-mediated systemic anaphylaxis. STIM2 contributes to IgG-mediated, but not to IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. The data indicate that interference with SOCE might become a new strategy to prevent or treat IgG-dependent autoimmune diseases. / Diese Arbeit fasst Untersuchungen von drei wesentlichen Aspekten der Signalwege von Blutplättchen und der Pathogenese der Immunthrombozytopenie zusammen. Daher ist diese Doktorarbeit in drei Teile unterteilt. i) Die Aktivierung von Blutplättchen und die anschließende Thrombusbildung in Folge vaskulärer Verletzungen sind für die normale Hämostase elementar, sie können aber auch Herzinfarkt oder Schlaganfall verursachen. Die anfängliche Adhäsion zirkulierender Blutplättchen an der verletzten Gefäßwand wird durch die Wechselwirkung des Glykoprotein (GP) Ib-V-IX Komplexes mit dem auf der freigelegten subendothelialen Matrix immobilisierten von Willebrand Faktor (vWF) vermittelt. Die zentrale Bedeutung von GPIb für die Adhäsion von Blutplättchen ist lange bekannt, wohingegen GPV allgemein als unbedeutend für die Physiologie von Blutplättchen oder die Thrombusbildung angesehen wird. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war, die Bedeutung dieses Rezeptors für die Thrombusbildung zu überprüfen. Hierfür wurden GPV-defiziente Mäuse und mehrere Mauslinien, denen neben GPV ein weiterer Plättchenrezeptor fehlte, analysiert. Es wurde festgestellt, dass GPV und der Kollagenrezeptor Integrin a2b1 teilweise redundante Funktionen in der Kollagenvermittelten Plättchenaggregation haben. Des Weiteren wurde gezeigt, dass GPV die Thrombusbildung begrenzt sowie die Wundstillung reguliert. Die hier gezeigten Daten belegen, dass GPV überraschenderweise für den Schutz vor arterieller Thrombose oder ischämischem Schlaganfall, der aus dem Fehlen des wichtigsten Kollagenrezeptors GPVI resultiert, benötigt wird. Außerdem wurde gezeigt, dass die Abwesenheit von GPV die Hämostase in Mäusen, denen GPVI und a2b1 oder GPVI und CLEC-2 (von C-type lectin receptor 2) fehlt, wieder herstellt. Folglich, könnte die pharmakologische Herabregulierung der GPV-Expression oder die Blockade des Rezeptors eine neue Behandlungsmöglichkeit von hämorrhagischen Krankheitszuständen darstellen. ii) Blutplättchen exprimieren die beiden Phospholipase (PL) D Isoformen PLD1 und PLD2, die vermutlich beide im Zuge der Blutplättchenstimulation aktiviert werden. Allerdings wurde die Rolle von PLD in der Thrombozytenaktivierung und -aggregation noch nicht abschließend untersucht. Daher wurden PLD-defiziente Mäuse analysiert. Mäuse, denen entweder PLD1 oder PLD2 fehlt, sind lebensfähig, fertil und haben normale Thrombozytenzahlen. Es zeigte sich, dass PLD1 für den induzierbaren Anteil der PLD-Aktivität in Blutplättchen verantwortlich und an der Integrinaktivierung unter statischen Bedingungen beteiligt ist. Des Weiteren ergaben Adhäsionsexperimente unter Flussbedingungen, dass PLD1 für die GPIb-vermittelte Integrinaktivierung von zentraler Bedeutung ist. Folglich sind Mäuse mit einer genetischen Ablation von PLD1 vor arterieller Thrombusbildung und ischämischem Schlaganfall geschützt. Da die Blutungszeiten dieser Tiere nicht verlängert waren, könnte die Inhibition von PLD1 einen anti-thrombotischen Therapieansatz darstellen. iii) Die zelluläre Aktivierung von Thrombozyten oder Immunzellen geht mit einem Anstieg der zytosolischen Kalziumkonzentration einher. Der sogenannte Speicher-vermittelte Kalziumeinstrom (store-operated calcium entry, SOCE) über die STIM1-Orai1-Achse ist der wichtigste Kalziumeinstrommechanismus in Folge der Stimulation von Rezeptoren mit einem immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM) in Mastzellen und T-Zellen. Allerdings ist die Notwendigkeit eines Kalziumeinstroms in Fcg Rezeptor (FcgR)-vermittelten Signalprozessen sowie die Relevanz von STIM2 hierbei noch unklar. Daher wurden gentechnisch veränderte Mäuse, denen zentrale Moleküle des SOCE-Apparats fehlen, untersucht. Kalziummessungen zeigten, dass beide STIM-Isoformen an der Kalziummobilisierung in Folge der T-Zellrezeptorstimulation beteiligt sind. Außerdem wurde gezeigt, dass die Stimulation von FcgRs zu SOCE führt, der von STIM1 und vermutlich auch von Orai1 vermittelt wird. Die Daten aus dem Immunthrombozytopenie (ITP) Tiermodell belegen, dass SOCE für die Zerstörung von Plättchen essentiell ist. Weiterhin sprechen die hiervorliegenden Ergebnisse für eine Rolle beider STIM Isoformen in der Pathologie der ITP. Außerdem konnte in dieser Arbeit nachgewiesen werden, dass STIM1 und Orai1 entscheidende Faktoren für IgG-vermittelte systemische Anaphylaxie sind. STIM2 ist ebenfalls an der IgG-vermittelten, nicht jedoch an der IgE-vermittelten Anaphylaxie beteiligt. Diese Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Eingriffe in den SOCE eine neue Strategie in der Behandlung von IgG-abhängigen immunologischen Erkrankungen sein könnten.

Thèse (M.Sc.)--Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 89-104. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agronomy / William T. Schapaugh Jr / Harold N. Trick / Demands on value-added crops have been raised to improve agricultural, industrial, and economical value. Currently, transgene application is one of most effective methods to satisfy these demands. Success in herbicide-resistant soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) has boosted genetic engineering to be used for biochemical, nutritional, cultural, and physiological improvements. The objectives of this study were to establish transgenic soybean lines with attenuated phospholipase D[Alpha] (PLD[Alpha]) activity in the seed, test the alteration of fatty acid profiles affected by transgene and somaclonal variation, and evaluate the physiological alteration of transgenic lines by both transgene and somaclonal variation. To change fatty acid profile in soybean seed, we attenuated PLD[Alpha] enzyme activity by an RNA interference construct using the PLD[Alpha] gene sequence. Two transgenic soybean lines were established by particle inflow gun bombardment of co-bombarding pSPLDi and pHG1 transgenes, and evaluated for the presence and expression of transgenes thoroughly through the T[subscript]5 generation. PLDα-suppressed soybean lines were characterized by decreased PLD[Alpha] enzyme activity and PLD[Alpha] protein both during seed development and in mature seeds. The PLD[Alpha]-attenuated transgenic lines, SW1-7-1-1 and SW1-7-1-2, contain 36% and 49% oleic acid in the filed and greenhouse evaluations, respectively, which are equivalent to the mid-oleic acid soybean lines improved by conventional breeding and mutagenesis. Phenotypic and genetic analysis of the transgenic lines suggested the possibility that the multi-copy transgene integration formed direct or indirect repeats by random ligation during integration and organization of transgenes in the soybean genome, and the transgene cluster with tandem repeats may consequently increase the probability of transgene silencing. Various factors, such as high humidity and temperature, result in the loss of seed viability. Fayette seed stored for two months since harvest exhibited about 95% viability; however Fayette seeds stored for 33 months at room temperature and uncontrolled relative humidity become non-viable. PLDα-attenuated transgenic soybean seeds have been produced by transformation. PLD-suppressed transgenic soybean seeds have maintained viability when stored for 33 months at room temperature. Germination of transgenic seed stored for 33 months ranged from 30 to 50%. Increased leakage of electrolytes associated with the loss of viability was observed in null-transgenic and background seeds versus transgenic seed. The increase in electrolyte leakage may have been induced by lipid peroxidation and free radical formation which can generate oxidative damage in the cell and subsequently decrease seed viability. Differences in the ultrastructure of cotyledon tissue were observed between PLD[Alpha]-suppressed soybean and the background cultivar. The loss of viability in the background cultivar was consistent with observations of the plasma membrane being detached from the cell wall complex and disorganization of oil bodies. Stresses caused by temperatures higher or lower than ambient are one of agricultural problems that reduce crop productivity in many areas and diverse species. To overcome the uncertainty of environmental fluctuations, efforts continue to improve high and low temperature tolerance in crops. PLD[Alpha]-suppressed transgenic events were produced by antisense suppression driven by constitutive and seed-specific promoters using the particle inflow gun (PIG) bombardment method. Nine fertile transgenic events suppressed the expression of PLD[Alpha] protein. PLD{Alpha] enzyme activity in T[subscript]1 seed was observed to be reduced by 25 percent compared to the non-transgenic control. When soybean seedlings were exposed to lethal freezing temperature, increased electrolyte leakage associated with oxidative damage and biophysical changes were observed in non-transgenic soybean, whereas membrane stability and integrity were maintained in transgenic soybean seedlings. The early growth of PLD[Alpha]-attenuated soybean seedlings was recovered from extreme heat-shock (45 °C) and freezing treatments (-8 °C). The disruption of the plasma membrane and organelles was observed in freeze-stressed non-transgenic control seedlings. On the other hand, the structures of the plasma membrane, oil bodies, and cell organelles in transgenic seedlings were partially sustained after enduring freezing and thawing stresses.

No description available.

La phospholipase D (PLD) hydrolyse la phosphatidylcholine des membranes cellulaires, libérant le messager acide phosphatidique. La capacité de la PLD à influer sur la voie de signalisation de mTOR, acteur central dans le contrôle du tissu musculaire, nous a incités à étudier son rôle dans ce tissu. Mes travaux de thèse ont pour but d'étudier les mécanismes par lesquels la PLD intervient dans la différenciation myogénique et dans la régulation de la masse musculaire. Dans un premier temps, nous avons montré que le contrôle de la différenciation des myoblastes L6 par la PLD met en jeu l'activation des deux complexes de mTOR (mTORC1 et mTORC2). mTORC2 active la différenciation, probablement via son effecteur PKCalpha, alors que mTORC1 la réprime via son effecteur S6K1, en induisant la phosphorylation de rictor, un composant de mTORC2, et l'inhibition de ce complexe. Nous avons par ailleurs montré que l'extinction de PLD par interférence de I'ARN induit l'atrophie de myotubes L6 en culture, ainsi qu'une baisse de la phosphorylation de S6K1 et 4E-BP1, effecteurs de mTORC1. Inversement, la surexpression de PLD à l'aide de vecteurs adénoviraux induit une hypertrophie des myotubes, associée à une activation de la voie mTORC1, et de Akt, effecteur de mTORC2. De plus, la surexpression de PLD atténue l'atrophie induite par la dexaméthasone. Ces résultats mettent en évidence un rôle hypertrophique et anti-atrophique de la PLD, qui pourrait s'exercer par stimulation de la voie mTOR. Nos résultats suggèrent que la PLD est susceptible de jouer un rôle clé dans le muscle squelettique, en agissant tant au niveau de la régénération du tissu qu'au niveau de la régulation de sa masse. / Phospholipase D (PLD) hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine of cell membranes, releasing the lipid messenger phosphatidic acid. The ability of PLD to affect mTOR signaling pathway, a central actor in the control of muscle tissue, prompted us to study its role in this tissue. My thesis aims at investigating how PLD is involved in myogenic differentiation, and how it regulates muscle mass. We first showed that the mechanism by which PLD controls differentiation of L6 myoblasts involves the activation of the two mTOR complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2). mTORC2 activates differentiation, probably via its effector PKCalpha, whereas mTORC1 represses differentiation via its effector S6K1, by inducing the phosphorylation of Rictor, a component of mTORC2, and the inhibition of this complex. Besides, we showed that extinction of PLD by RNA interference induces the atrophy of L6 myotubes, and decreases the phosphorylation of the mTORC1 effectors S6K1 and 4E-BP1. Conversely, overexpression of PLD using adenoviral vectors induces the hypertrophy of myotubes and the activation of both mTORC1 pathway and the mTORC2 effector Akt. Furthermore, PLD overexpression attenuates atrophy induced by dexamethasone. These results highlight a hypertrophic and anti-atrophic role of PLD, which could be achieved through stimulation of the mTOR pathway. Our results suggest that PLD is likely to play a key role in skeletal muscle homeostasis, by acting at both the tissue regeneration and mass regulation levels.

The 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and is thought to mediate the actions of a number of hallucinogenic and antipsychotic drugs. Additionally, certain polymorphic variants of the receptor, such as an allele resulting in substitution of amino acid 452 histidine (H) with tyrosine (Y), have been linked to schizophrenia or altered therapeutic response to antipsychotics. The 5-HT2AR utilises various intracellular signalling pathways, including the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD) via recruitment of the small G-protein ADP-Ribosylation Factor (ARF). This thesis focusses on protein:protein interactions and signalling mechanisms of the 5-HT2AR and H452Y-5-HT2AR receptor variant. Both ARF1 and PLD1 have previously been shown to bind to the carboxy-terminal tail (ct) of the 5-HT2AR. In chapter three it is demonstrated that the 5-HT2AR can activate PLD in an ARF-dependent manner, primarily through the PLD1 isoform. GST-fusion proteins of truncated and mutated variants of the receptor ct are used to show that ARF1 and PLD1 independently bind to distinct sites. Coimmunoprecipitation, GST-fusion protein studies and PLD activity assays demonstrate that the introduction of the H452Y mutation decreases the physical interactions between the receptor and PLD1, as well as decreasing 5-HT2ARmediated PLD activation. In chapter four, potential mechanisms of wild-type and H452Y-5-HT2AR desensitisation are explored. It is shown that β-arrestin 2 (β-arr 2) confers a decrease in H452Y-5-HT2AR-mediated PLC activity, despite having no significant effect upon wild-type 5-HT2AR responses. The H452Y-5-HT2AR variant is also shown, by GST-fusion protein studies, to bind β-arr 2 more strongly. The H452Y-5-HT2AR additionally mediates increased levels of 5-HT-induced ERK phosphorylation compared to the wild type 5-HT2AR, potentially through increased scaffolding of ERK activation complexes by receptor-bound β-arr 2. Chapter five focusses on possible interactions of the 5-HT2AR with the Ca2+-binding proteins annexin A2, S100B and the annexin A2 partner p11, together with the functional consequences of these interactions. Co-immunoprecipiation and GST-fusion protein studies show that annexin A2 binds specifically to the 5-HT2AR ct. Furthermore, annexin A2 (but not S100B or p11) is shown to result in an amplification of 5-HT2AR-mediated PLC responses. These findings provide a greater insight into some of the signal transduction mechanisms of the 5-HT2AR and their perturbation in the H452Y polymorphic form of the receptor, and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric diseases in patient subgroups, potentially leading to improved therapeutic treatments.