An extracellular site on tetraspanin CD151 determines 3 and 6 integrin
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《细胞学杂志》
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
Address correspondence to Martin E. Hemler, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Rm D1430, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115. Tel.: (617) 632-3410. Fax: (617) 632-2662. E-mail: martin_hemler@dfci.harvard.edu
Abstract
The 3?1 integrin shows strong, stoichiometric, direct lateral association with the tetraspanin CD151. As shown here, an extracellular CD151 site (QRD194–196) is required for strong (i.e., Triton X-100–resistant) 3?1 association and for maintenance of a key CD151 epitope (defined by monoclonal antibody TS151r) that is blocked upon 3 integrin association. Strong CD151 association with integrin 6?1 also required the QRD194–196 site and masked the TS151r epitope. For both 3 and 6 integrins, strong QRD/TS151r-dependent CD151 association occurred early in biosynthesis and involved subunit precursor forms. In contrast, weaker associations of CD151 with itself, integrins, or other tetraspanins (Triton X-100–sensitive but Brij 96–resistant) were independent of the QRD/TS151r site, occurred late in biosynthesis, and involved mature integrin subunits. Presence of the CD151–QRD194–196INF mutant disrupted 3 and 6 integrin–dependent formation of a network of cellular cables by Cos7 or NIH3T3 cells on basement membrane Matrigel and markedly altered cell spreading. These results provide definitive evidence that strong lateral CD151–integrin association is functionally important, identify CD151 as a key player during 3 and 6 integrin–dependent matrix remodeling and cell spreading, and support a model of CD151 as a transmembrane linker between extracellular integrin domains and intracellular cytoskeleton/signaling molecules.
Key Words: integrins; Matrigel; tetraspanin proteins; CD151 antigen; laminin
Introduction
The integrins are a major family of cell surface receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, whereas laminins are key components within the extracellular matrix. The major laminin-binding integrins are 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 (Belkin and Stepp, 2000). Cell adhesion mediated through these integrins controls cell migration, differentiation, signaling, cytoskeletal organization, mechanical force generation, and a many other functions (Wei et al., 1997; Burkin and Kaufman, 1999; Kreidberg, 2000; Mercurio et al., 2001). Consistent with the importance of the laminin-binding integrins, targeted deletion of the integrin 3 subunit led to lung, kidney, skin, and brain defects (Kreidberg et al., 1996; Dipersio et al., 1997; Anton et al., 1999), deletion of 6 caused severe blistering of skin and other epithelia (Georges-Labouesse et al., 1996), and absence of the 7 gene resulted in impaired function of myotendinous junctions (Mayer et al., 1997). Among the 24 known mammalian integrins, 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 not only are the best laminin-binding integrins but also form the strongest (i.e., most detergent-resistant) lateral associations with tetraspanin proteins (Hemler, 1998; Sterk et al., 2000, 2002; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001). Consistent with the specialized properties of these integrins, the 3, 6, and 7 subunits form a distinct subgroup among the 18 mammalian integrin subunits based on protein sequence similarity (Hynes, 1992).
The tetraspanin family includes 28 or more mammalian proteins, with at least a few members abundantly expressed on nearly all cell and tissue types. Despite association with integrins, tetraspanins do not modulate integrin-dependent cell adhesion but rather are linked to cell migration, fusion, and signaling (Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001; Hemler, 2001; Yánez-Mó et al., 2001). A key function of tetraspanins may be to organize other transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins into specific complexes (Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001; Hemler, 2001). Thus, tetraspanins may act as transmembrane adapters, with extracellular domains linking to other transmembrane proteins, whereas cytoplasmic tails link to intracellular components. However, this model needs to be definitively tested.
Studies of tetraspanin protein complexes are complicated by the tendency of tetraspanins to associate with each other and to form large vesicular aggregates containing many diverse proteins. This is especially obvious when tetraspanins are solubilized in detergents that are less hydrophobic such as Brij 99 and CHAPS (Hemler, 1998; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001). However, membrane solubilization by detergents that are more hydrophobic (e.g., Brij 96, digitonin, NP-40, and Triton X-100) yields tetraspanin complexes of more limited complexity and more amenable to specific biochemical analysis (Indig et al., 1997; Hemler, 1998; Serru et al., 1999; Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001).
Compared with most other complexes involving either integrins or tetraspanins, the CD151–3?1 complex shows a higher degree of stability (resistant to Triton X-100 and RIPA detergents), specificity, stoichiometry (nearly all 3 integrin bound to CD151), and proximity (as shown by direct covalent cross-linking) (Yauch et al., 1998, 2000; Berditchevski et al., 2001). Indeed, the 3?1 integrin has not yet been found in any cell or tissue in the absence of CD151 association (Yauch et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2002). Sites required for strong association have been mapped to specific regions within the extracellular loop of CD151 and the extracellular domain of 3 (Yauch et al., 2000; Berditchevski et al., 2001). Compared with most other integrins, 6 integrins also show a greater tendency to associate with CD151. However, compared with CD151–3?1, the CD151–6 integrin complexes are more sensitive to Triton X-100 or NP-40 (Yauch et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000), although this is not obvious in all cell types (Sincock et al., 1999). Also in contrast to 3, the 6 integrins sometimes do not associate with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002) and appear on cells such as lymphocytes that do not express CD151. The 7?1 integrin also shows strong, Triton X-100–resistant association with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002).
The CD151 protein, also known as SFA-1 (Hasegawa et al., 1996) and PETA-3 (Fitter et al., 1995), is highly expressed on epithelial cells, endothelium, platelets, megakaryocytes, and some immature hematopoietic cells. Up to 66% of CD151 may reside in an intracellular endosomal/lysosomal compartment in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (Sincock et al., 1999). On endothelial and epithelial cells, CD151 localizes to cell–cell junctions and modulates cell migration and invasion (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Sincock et al., 1999; Penas et al., 2000). In keratinocytes, CD151, but not other tetraspanins, colocalizes with 6?4 in hemidesmosomes (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2000). On tumor cells, CD151 contributes to invasion and metastasis (Testa et al., 1999; Kohno et al., 2002) and is correlated with a poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (Tokuhara et al., 2001). We hypothesize that CD151 collaboration with laminin-binding integrins is a key aspect of CD151 functions on tumor and normal cells.
The biological relevance of CD151–integrin complexes is supported by experiments in which antibodies to CD151 and associated integrin both showed selective inhibition of cell migration (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Yauch et al., 1998), neurite outgrowth (Stipp and Hemler, 2000), and cell morphology (Zhang et al., 2002). In the latter case, NIH3T3 cells plated on Matrigel assembled into a network of cellular cables. A CD151 cytoplasmic tail mutant exerted a dominant negative effect on this CD151 and 6?1-dependent function, consistent with the CD151–6?1 complex acting as a functional unit (Zhang et al., 2002). In our transmembrane adaptor model, the CD151 extracellular domain links to integrin extracellular domains, whereas CD151 cytoplasmic domains link to signaling enzymes, such as PKC and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and other unidentified cytoskeletal or cytoplasmic elements (Hemler, 1998, 2001). However, the functional consequence of a strong extracellular association between CD151 and integrins has not yet been definitively tested. Thus, we set out to (a) identify a minimal extracellular CD151 site needed for strong (i.e., Triton X-100–resistant) association with integrins, (b) compare 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association properties, and (c) determine the functional relevance of strong CD151–integrin associations mediated through a specific extracellular CD151 site. To assess function, we analyzed integrin-dependent cell spreading and also used a Matrigel cell cable formation assay that is dependent on CD151 and associated integrin (Zhang et al., 2002). This latter assay is an excellent readout for cellular exertion of tractional forces and extracellular matrix remodeling. Cells dispersed on the surface of Matrigel, a model basement membrane, exert mechanical force onto the Matrigel and subsequently migrate along lines of mechanical tension to assemble over the next 8–12 h into a pattern of intersecting cellular cables (Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Vernon and Sage, 1995). Thus, in addition to evaluating the relevance of strong CD151–integrin association we could test the hypothesis that CD151 provides a critical link between integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanical force generation.
Results
Identification of a minimal CD151 site needed for strong 3 integrin association
Previous studies using CD151–NAG-2 and CD151–CD9 tetraspanin chimeras showed that CD151 large extracellular loop residues 186–216 (Yauch et al., 2000) or 195–205 (Berditchevski et al., 2001) are required for strong 3 integrin association. A problem with CD151–CD9 chimeras is that CD9 lacks two critical cysteines and cannot readily be aligned with CD151 in the 194–207 region. We prefer CD151–NAG-2 chimeras because CD151 and NAG-2 both contain six extracellular cysteines (and presumably three disulfide bonds) and can be readily aligned in the key extracellular regions. To confirm and extend previous findings, three new CD151–NAG-2 chimeras were prepared (Fig. 1) and tested for 3 integrin association in HT1080 cells. As indicated, CD151 association with 3 integrin under stringent conditions (Triton X-100) was lost when CD151 residues 194–216 or 194–207 were replaced with the corresponding regions from NAG-2. In contrast, replacement of CD151 residues 209–216 did not abolish 3 integrin association.
Figure 1. Schematic representations of wild-type and mutant CD151 and NAG-2. For all HA-tagged molecules, transmembrane (TM, hatched) and extracellular (EC) domains are indicated. Numbers in parentheses refer to last and first CD151 residues adjacent to downstream and upstream NAG-2 sequences, respectively. Asterisks indicate new mutants, distinct from those described previously (Yauch et al., 2000). Arrowheads mark positions of CD151 point mutations (C192Y and QRD194–196INF) that completely abolish integrin association and the TS151r epitope. Anti-CD151 antibody staining (mAb 5C11, TS151r) of transfected Cos7 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Neither mAb binds to monkey CD151 in Cos7 cells. Association with 3 integrin was detected in coimmunoprecipitation experiments using transiently transfected HT1080 cells. Key results were confirmed in Cos7 cells (e.g., Fig. 2). From 1% Triton X-100 cell lysates, CD151 mutants were immunoprecipitated using mAb anti–HA tag, and 3 integrin was immunoblotted using polyclonal antiserum D23.
Figure 2. CD151–INF194–196 loses integrin association. (A) Cos7 cells were transiently cotransfected with 3 integrin together with pZeoSV vector, wild-type CD151, or CD151–INF194–196. After 24– 36 h, cells were lysed in 1% Triton X-100 or 1% Brij 96 and immunoprecipitated with anti-CD151 5C11 mAb. Immune complexes were resolved in SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with polyclonal anti-3 antibodies or monoclonal anti-HA in reducing conditions. (B) Experiments were performed exactly as in A, except that Cos7 cells were cotransfected with 6 integrin and polyclonal anti-6 antisera was used for immunoblotting in reducing conditions.
Within the 194–207 region, we next focused attention on CD151194–196 because that region is quite different from the corresponding region in NAG-2 (Table I). The CD151 QRD194–196 residues were replaced with "INF" (from the corresponding region in CD63), and this minimal human CD151–INF194–196 mutant was expressed in Cos7 cells together with the human 3 integrin subunit. Upon lysis in Triton X-100 and immunoprecipitation of CD151, no associated 3 was detected by immunoblotting (Fig. 2 A, top). In the same experiment, wild-type CD151 showed association with abundant 3 integrin (Fig. 2 A, top). Control 3 immunoblotting experiments indicate comparable 3 expression in Cos7 cells transfected with vector alone, wild-type CD151, or CD151–INF194–196. Also, anti-HA blotting indicates comparable expression of HA-tagged wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196. In a separate experiment, wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 were immunoprecipitated from Triton X-100 lysates of 35S metabolically labeled HT1080 cells. Again, 3 integrin was coimmunoprecipitated with wild-type CD151 but not with CD151–INF194–196 (unpublished data). In addition, metabolic labeling demonstrated that wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 are synthesized and maintained almost exactly in parallel at 30-min, 1-h, and 36-h time points (unpublished data). These results provide assurance that despite loss of 3 integrin association CD151–INF194–196 maintained its overall integrity.
Table I. Comparison of tetraspanin sequences in the CD151 QRD regiona,b
As shown previously (Serru et al., 1999) and again below (see Fig. 4 A), 3 integrin association specifically conceals a CD151 epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb)* TS151r. Accordingly, replacement of CD151 residues 185–216 abolished the TS151r epitope in parallel with loss of 3 association (Yauch et al., 2000). As indicated by flow cytometry (Fig. 3, bottom), the CD151–INF194–196 mutant also completely lost the TS151r epitope, whereas that epitope was retained by wild-type CD151. In contrast, the epitope defined by mAb 5C11 is not concealed by 3 association (Yauch et al., 2000) and is well expressed by both CD151–INF194–196 and wild-type CD151 (Fig. 3, top). During preparation of the previously described CD151(216)–N chimera (Yauch et al., 2000), a random mutation of Cys192 (CysTyr) occurred. That C192Y point mutation also caused a loss of both 3 integrin association and the TS151r epitope. Indeed, for all 10 tetraspanin structures summarized in Fig. 1, 3 integrin association (in Triton X-100 conditions) was retained or lost exactly in parallel with the TS151r epitope. Together, these biochemical and immunochemical results establish that the QRD/TS151r region of CD151 is required for strong 3 integrin association.
Figure 4. 3 and 6 integrins mask the TS151r epitope. (A) K562 cells were transiently transfected with 3 integrin or vector alone, and then the presence or absence of 3 was verified by flow cytometry using mAb IIF5. Cells lacking or expressing 3 were also stained using CD151 mAbs 5C11 (5) and TS151r (T) (middle and right, respectively). (B) Cos7 cells were transiently transfected with wild-type CD151, together with vector containing cDNA for 2 or 6 integrins, or vector alone. Cells were then stained for 2 integrin (mAb A2-IIE10), 6 subunit (mAb A6-ELE), or CD151 (mAbs 5C11 and TS151r). Negative control peaks were obtained using secondary antibody alone.
Figure 3. Loss of the TS151r epitope on CD151–INF194–196. Wild-type CD151, INF mutant, or pZeoSV vector alone were stably expressed in NIH3T3 cells, and then transfected cells were stained with mouse mAb 5C11 and TS151r and analyzed by flow cytometry as described (Zhang et al., 2002). Fluorescence histograms obtained using anti-CD151 mAb (5C11 and TS151r) are overlaid over negative control histograms obtained using cells transfected with vector alone (open histograms). Similar data was obtained to determine the presence or absence of TS151r and 5C11 binding to each tetraspanin structure shown in Fig. 1.
Do 3 and 6 integrins show similar CD151 association properties?
In some studies, CD151 associated similarly with 3 and 6 integrins (Serru et al., 1999; Sincock et al., 1999), whereas in other studies 3 association seemed substantially stronger (Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000; Yauch et al., 2000). Here we compared 3?1 and 6?1 integrins with respect to (a) dependence on the CD151 QRD motif, (b) concealment of the TS151r epitope, and (c) timing of CD151 association during biosynthesis. Similar to the 3 integrin (Fig. 2 A), 6 integrin also completely lost association with the CD151–INF194–196 mutant under Triton X-100 conditions (Fig. 2 B). By comparison, abundant 6 was recovered in association with wild-type CD151. Control experiments (Fig. 2 B, bottom) showed comparable levels of 6 integrin in the various transfectants and comparable levels of HA-tagged CD151–INF194–196 and wild-type CD151.
Fig. 4 A confirms that the 3 integrin suppresses the TS151r epitope. The ratio of TS151r to 5C11 anti-CD151 mAb staining was >1.0 for endogenous CD151 in mock-transfected K562 cells (Fig. 4 A, middle). In contrast, in K562-3 transfectants the TS151r to 5C11 ratio was markedly diminished (down to 0.2) (Fig. 4 A, right). The left panel confirms that 3 was indeed present in K562–3 cells. Expression of 6 in K652–6 cells was too low for definitive study of TS151r epitope masking. However, in Cos7 cells a strong and selective diminution of TS151r antibody binding was observed upon coexpression of human CD151 with human 6, but not with 2, or vector control (Fig. 4 B, right column). In contrast, binding of anti-CD151 mAb 5C11 was minimally altered by integrin subunits (Fig. 4 A, middle), indicating that the 5C11 epitope is insensitive to integrin association and that there are comparable levels of human CD151 in each cell.
To address integrin–CD151 association during biosynthesis, 293 cells were transiently transfected with CD151 together with integrin 3 or 6 or vector control. After a 1-h pulse of 35S metabolic labeling, followed by a 0- or 1-h chase with unlabeled cysteine and methionine, CD151 immunoprecipitation yielded nonreduced 140-kD precursor forms of both 3 and 6 integrins (Fig. 5). After a 10- or 20-h chase time, 3 and 6 precursor forms were converted to 150-kD mature forms that were more diffuse and less obvious (especially 6). In 293 cells transfected with CD151 but no integrin subunit, little or no association with endogenous integrin was apparent (Fig. 5, left lanes). Together, the results in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 indicate that CD151 association with 3 and with 6 integrins can occur by highly similar mechanisms.
Figure 5. Association of CD151 with both 3 and 6 integrins during biosynthesis. 293 cells were transiently transfected with wild-type CD151-GFP alone or in combination with 3 or 6 integrins. Cells were pulsed with 0.5 mCi/ml methionine for 1 h and then chased in medium containing 5% dialyzed serum and 25x excess cold methionine for the indicated times (0, 1, 10, and 20 h) before lysis in RIPA buffer. Immunoprecipitation of CD151 was done using anti-GFP polyclonal antibody, and samples were resolved on 4–12% SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions and transferred to PVDF membrane. To detect 35S signal, membrane was exposed to BioMax MS film using BioMax Transcreen LE system. Coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous 3 or 6 was not observed (left lanes). In this regard, levels of transfected 3 were 5-fold greater than endogenous 3, and transfected 6 was present at 2-fold greater levels than endogenous 6 as estimated by flow cytometry (not depicted). Comparable levels of CD151-GFP were present for each transfectant as indicated by blotting with anti-GFP reagent (not depicted). Due to a large preexisting pool of intracellular ?1, the integrin ?1 subunit is not well labeled with 35S, particularly at early time points.
CD151 associations independent of the QRD site and TS151r epitope
Association of the CD151–INF194–196 mutant with 3 and 6 integrins in Cos7 lysates was completely lost in Triton X-100 and greatly diminished in 1% Brij 96 conditions (Fig. 2). Nonetheless, the residual 3 (Fig. 2 A) and 6 (Fig. 2 B) remaining associated with CD151–INF194–196 indicates that in Brij96 conditions a QRD-independent alternative mechanism must exist. As established in Figs. 3 and 4, the TS151r antibody is a useful tool for exploring QRD-dependent (or -independent) integrin associations. The TS151r mAb failed to immunoprecipitate any integrin-like material from 1% Triton X-100 lysates of 35S metabolically labeled HT1080 (Fig. 6 C), consistent with the TS151r epitope being blocked by tightly associated 3 or 6 integrins. However, from 1% Brij96 lysate the TS151r antibody did immunoprecipitate a mixture of 3 and 6 integrins (Fig. 6 D). Thus, we have additional evidence for a TS151r/QRD-independent association mechanism that is maintained in 1% Brij96 but disrupted in 1% Triton X-100. Importantly, TS151r-independent integrin associations with CD151 observed in Brij96 were only seen at later metabolic labeling time points (25 and 56 h) and involved only the 110-kD reduced mature forms of the integrins (Fig. 6 D). In contrast, Triton X-100–resistant CD151–3 and CD151–6 associations (the type that are QRD/TS151r dependent) were observed at early time points (2.5 and 5 h) and involved uncleaved 140-kD integrin chain precursor forms (Fig. 6 B). Similar results were obtained when 3 integrin was directly immunoprecipitated with anti-3 antibody (Fig. 6 A).
Figure 6. Cell lysis in Triton X-100 and Brij 96 yields distinct populations of CD151-associated integrins. HT1080 cells were labeled with methionine for 2.5, 5, 25, and 56 h. Cells were lysed in 1% Triton X-100 or Brij 96, and then immunoprecipitations of 3, CD151, and CD81 were performed using the indicated antibodies. Samples were resolved on 8–15% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and exposed to BioMax MS film. Note that during maturation, integrin 3 and 6 subunits are proteolytically cleaved, but fragments remain disulfide bonded. In reducing conditions, one can observe conversion of the 150-kD precursor form to fragments of 120 and 30 kD (not depicted). Labeled ?1 subunit (110 kD), appearing at later time points, closely comigrates with 120 kD subunit fragments. As seen elsewhere, CD81 associated bands of 120 kD from HT1080 cells (such as in panel e) have been clearly identified as corresponding to 3 and 6, with 3 being 2–3-fold more abundant than 6 in HT1080 cells (Berditchevski et al., 1996, 1997; Stipp et al., 2001).
What is the mechanism for QRD/TS151r-independent linkage of CD151 to 3 and 6 integrins? Since tetraspanin–tetraspanin interactions are maintained in Brij96 detergent conditions (Berditchevski et al., 1996; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001), we suspected that the CD151–INF194–196 mutant may link to endogenous wild-type CD151, thereby allowing the CD151–INF194–196 to associate indirectly with integrins in a QRD/TS151r-independent manner. To probe for endogenous CD151 associated with CD151–INF194–196, we used anti-CD151 mAb 1A5, which blots wild-type CD151 (Fig. 7 A, middle lanes) but not CD151–INF194–196 itself (Fig. 7 A, right lanes) in either Triton X-100 or Brij96 conditions. As expected, anti-HA immunoprecipitation of wild-type CD151 from human HT1080 cells yielded abundant CD151 (transfected plus endogenous) as detected by mAb 1A5 (Fig. 7 B, top panel, middle lane) and abundant associated 3 integrin as blotted by anti-3 serum D23 (Fig. 7 B, middle panel, middle lane). In contrast, anti-HA immunoprecipitation of CD151–INF194–196 yielded a low level of endogenous human wild-type CD151 (Fig. 7 B, top panel, right lane) and a low level of 3 integrin subunit (Fig. 7 B, middle panel, right lane) that presumably is linked indirectly to CD151–INF194–196 via endogenous wild-type CD151.
Figure 7. QRD-independent CD151 associations. (A) Cos7 cells were transiently transfected with the indicated human CD151 constructs, lysed in the presence of 1% Triton X-100 or 1% Brij 96, and immunoprecipitated with anti-CD151 5C11 mAb. Resolved proteins were then immunoblotted using anti-CD151 mAb 1A5 in nonreducing conditions. Note that mAb 1A5 does not blot monkey CD151. (B) HT1080 cells were transiently transfected with the indicated HA-tagged CD151 constructs and immunoprecipitated using anti-HA mAb in a buffer containing 1% Brij 96. Immune complexes were resolved by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with anti-CD151 mAb 1A5 in nonreducing conditions, or anti-3 polyclonal (D23), and anti-HA mAb in reducing conditions.
Control experiments indicate that HA-tagged CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 were present in HT1080 cells at comparable levels (Fig. 7 B, bottom). To extend results in Fig. 7, separately tagged HA–CD151 and GFP–CD151 were coexpressed in Cos7 cells. From Brij96 lysate, anti-HA immunoprecipitation yielded an abundance of GFP–CD151. Similar amounts of associated GFP–CD151 were obtained regardless of whether QRD mutant or wild-type CD151 was immunoprecipitated (unpublished data). No CD151–CD151 association was seen in Triton X-100 lysate (unpublished data). These latter results confirm that in Brij96 lysate, CD151–CD151 association occurs and is unaffected by the QRD mutation and therefore could account for indirect, Brij96-resistant links to 3 integrins. In 1% Brij96, other tetraspanins could also link indirectly to integrins. In support of this, antibody to CD81 coimmunoprecipitated only the mature forms of 3 and 6 integrin and only at the later time points (Fig. 6 E). As expected (Berditchevski et al., 1996), CD81–integrin associations were not seen in Triton X-100 detergent (unpublished data).
Functional consequences of CD151–INF194–196 mutagenesis
Having established that CD151 associates strongly with both 3 and 6 integrins by a similar QRD/TS151r-dependent mechanism, we then examined the functional consequences of disrupting association. For this we used a Matrigel cellular cable formation assay shown previously to involve CD151–6 integrin complexes (Zhang et al., 2002). Mock- or human CD151–transfected Cos7 cells, grown on Matrigel for 18 h showed a similar pattern of cellular cable formation (Fig. 8 a, A and B). In marked contrast, expression of CD151–INF194–196 almost completely abolished cellular cable formation (Fig. 8 a, C). Confirming the functional role of CD151, anti–human CD151 mAb 5C11 had a pronounced inhibitory effect when human wild-type CD151 was present (Fig. 8 a, D) but had no effect on Cos7 cells lacking human CD151 (unpublished data). Treatment of CD151–INF194–196–transfected cells with 5C11 mAb resulted in perhaps a slight additional inhibition of cable formation that was already largely abolished due to the QRD mutation (unpublished data).
Figure 8. Functions of CD151–integrin complexes during cellular cable assembly. Human wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 mutant were highly expressed at comparable levels on the surface of Cos7 cells as determined by flow cytometry (not depicted). (a) Mock- or CD151-transfected cells (A–C) were plated on the surface of a thick layer of Matrigel in 5% FBS-DME at 5 x 104 cells per well in a 24-well plate, analyzed using a ZEISS Axiovert 135 microscope, and photographed after 18 h as described previously (Zhang et al., 2002). In one case (D), anti-CD151 mAb 5C11 was added (at 7.5 μg/ml) at the beginning of the experiment. mAb 5C11 does not bind to endogenous monkey CD151. (b) Cos7 cell stable transfectants were treated as in part a, except that mAbs to integrin 6 (GoH3) or 3 (A3IIF5) were added (at 7.5 μg/ml) at the beginning of the experiment. The GoH3 and A3IIF5 mAbs do recognize monkey 6 and 3 integrins. Note that compared with 3 levels in mock-transfected Cos7 cells (MFI = 222), 3 levels in mutant or wild-type CD151-transfected cells varied by 1.2-fold. Compared with 6 levels in mock-transfected Cos7 cells (MFI = 55), 6 levels in mutant or wild-type CD151-transfected cells varied by 1.9-fold. Previously we learned that twofold differences in 6 levels had essentially no effect on static cell adhesion or on cell cable formation on Matrigel (Zhang et al., 2002). (c) Stable NIH3T3 cell transfectants were grown in 5% FBS-DME at 105 cells per well (24 well plate) on the surface of Matrigel for 20 h before photographs were taken.
To determine which integrins are involved, antibody inhibition experiments were performed (Fig. 8 b). As indicated, anti-6 mAb GOH3 (binding to monkey 6) substantially inhibited cable formation by mock- and CD151-transfected Cos7 cells (Fig. 8 b, A and C). When GOH3 was added to Cos7–INF transfectants, even the residual cellular aggregates were now abolished (Fig. 8 a, C, compared with 8 b, E). Although slightly less potent than the anti-6 antibody, an anti-3 mAb (A3-IIF5) also had a strong inhibitory effect on mock- and CD151-transfected Cos7 cells (Fig. 8 b, B and D). The minimal cable formation by Cos7–INF cells was not further inhibited by mAb A3-IIF5 (Fig. 8 b, F). As shown previously (Zhang et al., 2002), antibodies to other highly expressed cell surface proteins (e.g., CD44 and CD9) had no inhibitory effects on cellular cable formation. In agreement with previous results (Zhang et al., 2002), NIH3T3–CD151 transfectants also formed a robust network of CD151–integrin cellular cables when plated on Matrigel for 20 h (Fig. 8 c, left). CD151–INF194–196 transfection again almost completely abolished this network (Fig. 8 c, right). Compared with endogenous CD151, the CD151–INF194–196 mutant was expressed at a level 1–3-fold higher (in Cos7) and 2–4-fold higher (in NIH3T3 cells). In both cases, this was sufficient to override functional contributions of endogenous CD151, consistent with CD151–INF194–196 exerting a dominant negative effect. As seen previously (Zhang et al., 2002), cell adhesion was essentially unaltered by transfection with either wild-type or mutant CD151. Also, 3 and 6 integrins were maintained at comparable levels in Cos7 cells (see Fig. 8 legend).
Although cell adhesion to a thin coating of Matrigel (containing laminin-1) was not different between wild-type and mutant CD151, we did observe pronounced differences in cell spreading on Matrigel. Compared with Cos7-CD151 wild-type cells, Cos7–CD151–INF cells showed markedly reduced spreading as indicated in photos of spread cells (Fig. 9) and by quantitation of the percentage of spread cells (Fig. 10). Spreading differences were especially obvious at early time points (Fig. 9, 20 min, and Fig. 10, 0–15 min). Even after the majority of the CD151–INF cells had spread (Fig. 9, 40 min), they were typically spread over a smaller area than the CD151 wild-type cells. In contrast to spreading on Matrigel, the rate of cell spreading on fibronectin was essentially identical (Fig. 10, bottom).
Figure 9. Morphology of CD151 transfectants on Matrigel. Cells were seeded onto coverslips with a thin coating of Matrigel (1/30 dilution of stock solution, according to manufacturer's instruction) and incubated in serum-free DME at 37°C. Photographs of spread cells were taken using a 20x lens of ZEISS Axiovert 135 microscope. Photos of individual cells are representative of the majority of CD151 wild-type (CD151wt) and CD151–INF transfectants at each of the time points.
Figure 10. Quantitation of cell spreading on Matrigel and fibronectin. Spread cells were defined as cells that lost phase bright appearance and increased their surface contact area by at least twofold. Coverslips were coated with Matrigel (as in the legend to Fig. 9) or with fibronectin (10 μg/ml). For each curve, 50 or more cells were counted. At 50 min and beyond, spreading on Matrigel was identical for both cell types (at 95%; not depicted). Results shown are representative of three separate experiments.
Discussion
Mapping 3 integrin association to the QRD region
To have a tool for definitive functional studies, we first needed to define a minimal CD151 mutation that would eliminate strong (Triton X-100–resistant) integrin association. Initially we used CD151–NAG-2 chimeras to define progressively smaller CD151 regions required for strong 3?1 association, thus focusing attention on CD151 residues 194–207. Subsequent point mutations indicated that C192 and QRD194–196 are each essential for strong CD151 association with 3?1. Because the cysteine mutation is potentially more disruptive to CD151 structure (due to disulfide bond elimination), we chose the QRD mutant for subsequent experiments. Our results are consistent with previous studies indicating a requirement for CD151 residues 186–216 (Yauch et al., 2000) or 195–205 (Berditchevski et al., 2001). Several experiments suggest that our QRDINF mutation does not appreciably disrupt CD151 structure. Wild-type CD151 and the QRD mutant were both well expressed at the cell surface, were synthesized at comparable rates, and showed similar protein stability. Also, the QRD mutant fully retained ability to associate with itself and other tetraspanins and retained the large extracellular loop epitope defined by mAb 5C11.
For all of our mutations, the TS151r epitope was retained or lost in parallel with strong 3 integrin association. Indeed, both the QRD and C192 mutations caused loss of the TS151r epitope. Concealment of this epitope upon 3 subunit expression previously suggested that the epitope is involved in 3 integrin association (Serru et al., 1999). Our new results now firmly establish the TS151r antibody as a tool that can complement and independently validate CD151 mutation results. Accordingly, the CD151 site for strong 3 integrin association is here called the QRD/TS151r site. The TS151r epitope on CD151 is also masked in many tissues (Sterk et al., 2002). Thus CD151–integrin complexes occur not only in lysates and in cell lines but also in vivo.
Within the QRD sequence, it is not yet clear which individual residues are essential. Conservation of R195 in CD151 from four different animal species (Table I) suggests that this residue may be particularly important. Conservative substitutions of Q194 and D196 by Lys and Glu appear in rodent CD151 (Table I), indicating some flexibility at those positions. So far, CD151 is the only tetraspanin that strongly associates with 3?1. None of other 26 tetraspanins mentioned in Table I (see also Table I legend) contain a fully aligned Q/K-R-D/E motif. The BAB22942, TM4-B, and TM4SF6 tetraspanins have some similarity in this region but have not yet been tested for integrin association. Although the QRD region is clearly necessary, it is not sufficient for strong integrin association. Indeed, transfer of aa 158–216 from CD151 into NAG-2 was still not sufficient to confer strong 3 integrin association (unpublished data). However, transfer of CD151 aa 149–213 into the backbone of another tetraspanin did confer strong 3 association (Berditchevski et al., 2001). In conclusion, although additional elements are required to fully reconstitute a strong 3 integrin association site, we nonetheless have achieved the goal of defining a minimal CD151 mutation that wholly eliminates strong integrin association.
Comparisons between 3 and 6 integrins
Our results indicate major similarities between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association properties. Both integrins can form Triton X-100–resistant CD151 complexes that require the QRD site, conceal the TS151r epitope, and occur early in biosynthesis. Association of CD151 with 3 and 6 precursor forms, including 3 that has not yet been proteolytically processed, is consistent with CD151 complex formation occurring in the ER. Covalent cross-linking results indicate that CD151 directly contacts the integrin 3 subunit and not ?1 (unpublished data). We predict that CD151 should also directly contact the integrin 6 subunit. Furthermore, although we have limited our studies here to the 6?1 heterodimer, our conclusions should also apply to CD151–6?4 complexes (Sterk et al., 2000). The similarity between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association is likely related to their overall protein sequence similarity. In this regard, the integrin 7 subunit is also structurally similar to the 3 and 6 subunits and also may associate strongly with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002). Thus, 7?1 association should also require the QRD region of CD151, but this has not yet been tested.
Given the major similarities between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association, then why are pronounced differences sometimes observed? For example, in K562 and NT2 cells, CD151 associates strongly with 3 but not with 6?1 or 6?4 integrins (Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000; Yauch et al., 2000). Also, compared with 3 integrin, 6 expression in K562 cells did not bring as much CD151 to the cell surface (Yauch et al., 2000) and not as much 6 associated with CD151 in 293 cells (Fig. 5). We suspect that in some cells (especially if CD151 is limiting), an abundance of weakly associating other tetraspanins could associate with 6 integrins and thereby block access to CD151, or if 3 is in excess, it could compete more favorably for CD151.
Multiple levels of association
Strong CD151–integrin association is Triton X-100 resistant, utilizes the QRD/TS151r site, occurs early in biosynthesis, and involves both precursor and mature 3 and 6 subunits. In contrast, a second level of CD151–integrin association is maintained in Brij 96 but not Triton X-100, does not use the QRD/TS151r site, occurs late in biosynthesis, and involves mature integrin chains. Our results reinforce the idea that strong QRD/TS151r-dependent integrin association is unique for CD151, whereas the QRD/TS151r site is not needed for weaker CD151 associations with itself, other tetraspanins (such as CD81) or 3 and 6 integrins in Brij 96 lysates. In this regard, we confirm and extend previous studies showing that the large extracellular loop of CD151 is needed for strong CD151–3 associations but not for second level CD151 associations. In fact, replacement of the entire large extracellular loop of CD151 with irrelevant protein did not prevent secondary interactions with itself, 3 integrin, or other tetraspanins (Berditchevski et al., 2001). The biochemical basis for these second level CD151 interactions is not yet entirely clear, although a role for tetraspanin palmitoylation has been established (Yang et al., 2002).
Functional studies
In a previous study involving neurite outgrowth, 3?1 integrin collaborated equally well with strongly associated CD151 and with more weakly associated CD81 (Stipp and Hemler, 2000). Such results suggested that strong, direct tetraspanin–integrin association was functionally indistinguishable from second level associations. The CD151–INF194–196 mutant now provides a tool to disrupt strong integrin association without affecting secondary CD151 engagement with CD81 and other components in the multicomponent tetraspanin web. Indeed, we demonstrate here that CD151–INF194–196 mutants failed to support Matrigel cellular cable formation by either Cos7 or NIH3T3 cells. Sensitivity of the assay to both anti-3 and -6 integrin antibodies indicates that strong CD151 associations with both 3 and 6 integrins are functionally relevant. Importantly, weak second level associations of CD151–INF194–196 that were retained as seen in Brij 96 conditions were not sufficient to overcome the QRD deficit.
Our anti-3 inhibition results with Cos7 cells are in contrast to previous results with human 3–NIH3T3 transfectants, in which mAb anti–human 3 failed to inhibit cell cable formation (Zhang et al., 2002). Possibly in the previous case, the inhibitory effects of anti–human 3 antibody on 3-transfected NIH3T3 cells were diminished due to an unknown contribution from murine 3. Furthermore, in the 3-NIH3T3 transfectants used previously, the ratio of 3 to 6 recognized by inhibitory antibodies was 2:1, whereas in Cos7 cells described here, the ratio of 3 to 6 is between 4:1 and 7:1. Because 3?1 is a poorer receptor for laminin-1 (Delwel et al., 1994; Eble et al., 1998), a higher ratio of 3 to 6 may be needed for the contribution of 3 integrin to become evident.
When plated on the surface of a malleable Matrigel thick layer, multiple cell types can exert tensional forces on the basement membrane and then migrate along these "matrix guidance pathways" until they are assembled into a network of cellular cables (Vernon et al., 1992; Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Vernon and Sage, 1995). In collagen gels, newly sprouted endothelial capillary cells organize into a very similar cellular network pattern, with cells aligning in the direction of tensional forces (Korff and Augustin, 1999). The generation of matrix tensional forces in model systems not only directs cell morphology but also reorganizes the matrix, thus providing insights into tissue morphogenesis and wound healing (Bell et al., 1979; Harris et al., 1981). On a very thin, nonmalleable layer of Matrigel, mechanical force transduction results in cell spreading rather than cable formation and matrix remodeling. Based on our cable formation and cell spreading results, CD151 potentially could play a critical role in mechanical force transduction wherever laminin-binding integrins are involved. For example, CD151 could affect mechanical force transmission by carcinoma and endothelial cells using 6?4 and 6?1 (Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Rabinovitz et al., 2001), and endothelial cell CD151 has already been shown to play a role during 6?1-dependent Matrigel cable network formation (Zhang et al., 2002). Interestingly, CD151 is colocalized with 7?1 in skeletal and cardiac muscle (Sterk et al., 2002), but a role in force generation remains to be investigated. Likewise, it remains to be seen how strong and specific association with CD151 may affect the many other functions of 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 integrins on both normal and transformed cells (Weitzman et al., 1996; Wei et al., 1997; Burkin and Kaufman, 1999; Kreidberg, 2000; Mercurio et al., 2001). Conversely, the role of CD151 as a regulator of cell migration (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Yauch et al., 1998), tumor cell metastasis (Testa et al., 1999; Kohno et al., 2002), neurite outgrowth (Stipp and Hemler, 2000), and other functions could be largely due to strong and specific association with laminin-binding integrins.
How does strong QRD/TS151r-dependent association of CD151 affect integrin function? Here we define an extracellular site (QRD194–196) that is essential for strong association with integrins, optimal cell spreading, and cell cable formation on Matrigel. Previously, we showed that the short (8 aa) COOH-terminal cytoplasmic tail of CD151 is also essential for integrin-dependent cell spreading and cable formation on Matrigel. Together these results support a transmembrane linker model in which the extracellular side of CD151 engages in strong lateral association with integrins, whereas the cytoplasmic tail connects with critical intracellular elements. Specific proteins associating with the COOH-terminal tail are not yet known but likely provide a connection to the cytoskeleton to facilitate force transduction. Association of CD151 with intracellular signaling enzymes such as phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and PKC could also play a key role, since these enzymes are recruited, via tetraspanins, into complexes with 3 and 6 integrins (Yauch et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2001).
Although antitetraspanin antibodies and mutant tetraspanins can dramatically alter the consequences of integrin-mediated cell adhesion, these reagents consistently have little effect on integrin-mediated cell adhesion itself (Hemler et al., 1996; Yauch et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2002). Thus, tetraspanins are selectively influencing "outside-in" integrin signaling. Previous studies of outside-in signaling have largely focused on integrin extracellular ligand-binding sites, and integrin cytoplasmic domains. Indeed, with respect to mechanical force transduction, specific integrin cytoplasmic domains do play a key role (Chan et al., 1992). However, our results now emphasize that a specific, membrane proximal CD151–integrin lateral association site is also playing a key role. Such specific lateral interactions (Woods and Couchman, 2000), mediated through novel sites, provide an important new dimension to our understanding of integrin signaling.
Materials and methods
Cell lines, transfectants, and antibodies
Erythroleukemic K562 cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS and antibiotics. Cos7, 293 cells, NIH3T3, and HT1080 cells were grown in DME with 10% FBS supplemented with sodium pyruvate and antibiotics. For transient transfection, 10 x 106 K562 cells were electroporated with 50 mg of plasmid DNA at 960 microfarads and 320 V (McCaffrey et al., 1997) and analyzed within 36–48 h. Transfection efficiency was 45–65% as estimated using GFP-containing expression vector. Cos7 and HT1080 cells were transiently transfected using FuGene6 reagent (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) according to manufacturer's instructions. 293 cells were transiently transfected using calcium phosphate, with 40–50% estimated efficiency, and transfectants were analyzed within 24–36 h. For stable CD151 expression, plasmid DNAs were transfected into Cos7 and NIH3T3 cells using FuGene6 reagent, cells were selected in media containing Zeocin (0.2 mg/ml) for 2 wk, and pooled cells were further sorted by flow cytometry using mAb 5C11.
The following antiintegrin mAbs were used: anti-2, A2-IIE10 (Bergelson et al., 1994); anti-3, A3-IIF5 and A3-X8 (Weitzman et al., 1993); and anti-6, A6-ELE (Lee et al., 1995). Other mAbs were anti-CD151, 5C11 (Yauch et al., 1998); TS151r (Serru et al., 1999), 1A5 (Testa et al., 1999); and anti-CD81, JS64 (Pesando et al., 1986). Polyclonal rabbit antiserum D23 recognizes 3 cytoplasmic domain (Dipersio et al., 1995), and 6843 (gift from Dr. V. Quaranta) recognizes the 6 cytoplasmic domain. Anti-HA mAb 3F10 was from Roche Molecular Biochemicals. HRP-conjugated goat anti–mouse, goat anti–rabbit and HRP-conjugated streptavidin were from Sigma-Aldrich.
Construction of HA-tagged CD151 mutants
Construction of HA-tagged wild-type CD151 and NAG-2 proteins and HA-tagged chimeric proteins, with exception of the last four proteins in Fig. 1, was done by recombinant PCR as described (Yauch et al., 2000). To construct new mutants, we used the same recombinant PCR approach and existing HA-tagged templates: for mutant C(193)-N-C(217), GTGGCTCTTTGTGGGCTGCAC, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on C(185)-N-C(217) template, and GTGCAGCCCACAAAGAGCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template; for mutant C(208)-N-C(217), GAGGGCGGCTGCTACGAGACGGTG, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on C(185)-N-C(217) template, and CGTCTCGTAGCAGCCGCCCTCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template; for mutant C(193)-N-C(208), AAGGCGCCGTGCATCACCAAGTTG, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on CD151 template, and CTTGGTGATGCACGGCGCCTTCCA, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on C(193)-N-C(217) template; for CD151–INF194–196, TGTGGAATTAATTTCCATGCCTCCAACATC, internal sense to amplify 3'region on CD151 template, and GGCATGGAAATTAATTCCACAAAGAGCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template. As the external primers, in each case we used either T3 or SP6 primers encoded by expression plasmid pZeoSV (Invitrogen). Final recombinant PCR was performed using purified PCR products and T3 and SP6 primers. Products were ligated into Spe1 and EcoR1 restriction sites of pZeoSV and confirmed by sequencing.
Cell labeling, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting
To determine association of CD151 with integrins during biosynthesis, 293 and HT1080 cells were labeled with L-methionine/L-cysteine mixture (NEN Life Science Products). Cells were washed twice in PBS, starved in methionine- and cysteine-free medium for 1 h, and then labeled using 0.5 mCi/ml of methionine/cysteine in methionine/cysteine-free medium supplemented with 5% dialyzed FBS. Subsequently, cells were collected (time 0 after labeling) or chased for various times by replacing labeling medium with chasing medium (5% dialyzed FBS and 25x excess of unlabeled L-methionine and L-cysteine). Labeled cells were washed in PBS several times and processed for immunoprecipitation.
For immunoprecipitation, cells were lysed for 1 h at 4°C in RIPA buffer (25 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS) or in 50 mM Hepes, pH 8.0, 5 mM MgCl2, 150 mM NaCl, with 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 20 mg/ml aprotinin, 10 mg/ml leupeptin, and detergent (1% Brij 96 ), or 1% Triton X-100 (Roche Molecular Biochemicals)]. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation, and lysates were immunoprecipitated with mAbs prebound to protein G–Sepharose (Amersham Biosciences) at 4°C overnight. Immune complexes were washed three to four times with the same buffer then resolved on acrylamide SDS-PAGE gel, transferred to nitrocellulose (Schleicher & Schuell) and blotted with primary antibody and HRP-conjugated secondary antibody, and then visualized with chemiluminescence reagent (NEN Life Science Products).
Footnotes
* Abbreviation used in this paper: mAb, monoclonal antibody.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants CA86712 and CA42368.Revised: 16 August 2002References
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Address correspondence to Martin E. Hemler, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Rm D1430, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115. Tel.: (617) 632-3410. Fax: (617) 632-2662. E-mail: martin_hemler@dfci.harvard.edu
Abstract
The 3?1 integrin shows strong, stoichiometric, direct lateral association with the tetraspanin CD151. As shown here, an extracellular CD151 site (QRD194–196) is required for strong (i.e., Triton X-100–resistant) 3?1 association and for maintenance of a key CD151 epitope (defined by monoclonal antibody TS151r) that is blocked upon 3 integrin association. Strong CD151 association with integrin 6?1 also required the QRD194–196 site and masked the TS151r epitope. For both 3 and 6 integrins, strong QRD/TS151r-dependent CD151 association occurred early in biosynthesis and involved subunit precursor forms. In contrast, weaker associations of CD151 with itself, integrins, or other tetraspanins (Triton X-100–sensitive but Brij 96–resistant) were independent of the QRD/TS151r site, occurred late in biosynthesis, and involved mature integrin subunits. Presence of the CD151–QRD194–196INF mutant disrupted 3 and 6 integrin–dependent formation of a network of cellular cables by Cos7 or NIH3T3 cells on basement membrane Matrigel and markedly altered cell spreading. These results provide definitive evidence that strong lateral CD151–integrin association is functionally important, identify CD151 as a key player during 3 and 6 integrin–dependent matrix remodeling and cell spreading, and support a model of CD151 as a transmembrane linker between extracellular integrin domains and intracellular cytoskeleton/signaling molecules.
Key Words: integrins; Matrigel; tetraspanin proteins; CD151 antigen; laminin
Introduction
The integrins are a major family of cell surface receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, whereas laminins are key components within the extracellular matrix. The major laminin-binding integrins are 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 (Belkin and Stepp, 2000). Cell adhesion mediated through these integrins controls cell migration, differentiation, signaling, cytoskeletal organization, mechanical force generation, and a many other functions (Wei et al., 1997; Burkin and Kaufman, 1999; Kreidberg, 2000; Mercurio et al., 2001). Consistent with the importance of the laminin-binding integrins, targeted deletion of the integrin 3 subunit led to lung, kidney, skin, and brain defects (Kreidberg et al., 1996; Dipersio et al., 1997; Anton et al., 1999), deletion of 6 caused severe blistering of skin and other epithelia (Georges-Labouesse et al., 1996), and absence of the 7 gene resulted in impaired function of myotendinous junctions (Mayer et al., 1997). Among the 24 known mammalian integrins, 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 not only are the best laminin-binding integrins but also form the strongest (i.e., most detergent-resistant) lateral associations with tetraspanin proteins (Hemler, 1998; Sterk et al., 2000, 2002; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001). Consistent with the specialized properties of these integrins, the 3, 6, and 7 subunits form a distinct subgroup among the 18 mammalian integrin subunits based on protein sequence similarity (Hynes, 1992).
The tetraspanin family includes 28 or more mammalian proteins, with at least a few members abundantly expressed on nearly all cell and tissue types. Despite association with integrins, tetraspanins do not modulate integrin-dependent cell adhesion but rather are linked to cell migration, fusion, and signaling (Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001; Hemler, 2001; Yánez-Mó et al., 2001). A key function of tetraspanins may be to organize other transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins into specific complexes (Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001; Hemler, 2001). Thus, tetraspanins may act as transmembrane adapters, with extracellular domains linking to other transmembrane proteins, whereas cytoplasmic tails link to intracellular components. However, this model needs to be definitively tested.
Studies of tetraspanin protein complexes are complicated by the tendency of tetraspanins to associate with each other and to form large vesicular aggregates containing many diverse proteins. This is especially obvious when tetraspanins are solubilized in detergents that are less hydrophobic such as Brij 99 and CHAPS (Hemler, 1998; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001). However, membrane solubilization by detergents that are more hydrophobic (e.g., Brij 96, digitonin, NP-40, and Triton X-100) yields tetraspanin complexes of more limited complexity and more amenable to specific biochemical analysis (Indig et al., 1997; Hemler, 1998; Serru et al., 1999; Berditchevski, 2001; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001).
Compared with most other complexes involving either integrins or tetraspanins, the CD151–3?1 complex shows a higher degree of stability (resistant to Triton X-100 and RIPA detergents), specificity, stoichiometry (nearly all 3 integrin bound to CD151), and proximity (as shown by direct covalent cross-linking) (Yauch et al., 1998, 2000; Berditchevski et al., 2001). Indeed, the 3?1 integrin has not yet been found in any cell or tissue in the absence of CD151 association (Yauch et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2002). Sites required for strong association have been mapped to specific regions within the extracellular loop of CD151 and the extracellular domain of 3 (Yauch et al., 2000; Berditchevski et al., 2001). Compared with most other integrins, 6 integrins also show a greater tendency to associate with CD151. However, compared with CD151–3?1, the CD151–6 integrin complexes are more sensitive to Triton X-100 or NP-40 (Yauch et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000), although this is not obvious in all cell types (Sincock et al., 1999). Also in contrast to 3, the 6 integrins sometimes do not associate with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002) and appear on cells such as lymphocytes that do not express CD151. The 7?1 integrin also shows strong, Triton X-100–resistant association with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002).
The CD151 protein, also known as SFA-1 (Hasegawa et al., 1996) and PETA-3 (Fitter et al., 1995), is highly expressed on epithelial cells, endothelium, platelets, megakaryocytes, and some immature hematopoietic cells. Up to 66% of CD151 may reside in an intracellular endosomal/lysosomal compartment in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (Sincock et al., 1999). On endothelial and epithelial cells, CD151 localizes to cell–cell junctions and modulates cell migration and invasion (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Sincock et al., 1999; Penas et al., 2000). In keratinocytes, CD151, but not other tetraspanins, colocalizes with 6?4 in hemidesmosomes (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Sterk et al., 2000). On tumor cells, CD151 contributes to invasion and metastasis (Testa et al., 1999; Kohno et al., 2002) and is correlated with a poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (Tokuhara et al., 2001). We hypothesize that CD151 collaboration with laminin-binding integrins is a key aspect of CD151 functions on tumor and normal cells.
The biological relevance of CD151–integrin complexes is supported by experiments in which antibodies to CD151 and associated integrin both showed selective inhibition of cell migration (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Yauch et al., 1998), neurite outgrowth (Stipp and Hemler, 2000), and cell morphology (Zhang et al., 2002). In the latter case, NIH3T3 cells plated on Matrigel assembled into a network of cellular cables. A CD151 cytoplasmic tail mutant exerted a dominant negative effect on this CD151 and 6?1-dependent function, consistent with the CD151–6?1 complex acting as a functional unit (Zhang et al., 2002). In our transmembrane adaptor model, the CD151 extracellular domain links to integrin extracellular domains, whereas CD151 cytoplasmic domains link to signaling enzymes, such as PKC and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and other unidentified cytoskeletal or cytoplasmic elements (Hemler, 1998, 2001). However, the functional consequence of a strong extracellular association between CD151 and integrins has not yet been definitively tested. Thus, we set out to (a) identify a minimal extracellular CD151 site needed for strong (i.e., Triton X-100–resistant) association with integrins, (b) compare 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association properties, and (c) determine the functional relevance of strong CD151–integrin associations mediated through a specific extracellular CD151 site. To assess function, we analyzed integrin-dependent cell spreading and also used a Matrigel cell cable formation assay that is dependent on CD151 and associated integrin (Zhang et al., 2002). This latter assay is an excellent readout for cellular exertion of tractional forces and extracellular matrix remodeling. Cells dispersed on the surface of Matrigel, a model basement membrane, exert mechanical force onto the Matrigel and subsequently migrate along lines of mechanical tension to assemble over the next 8–12 h into a pattern of intersecting cellular cables (Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Vernon and Sage, 1995). Thus, in addition to evaluating the relevance of strong CD151–integrin association we could test the hypothesis that CD151 provides a critical link between integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanical force generation.
Results
Identification of a minimal CD151 site needed for strong 3 integrin association
Previous studies using CD151–NAG-2 and CD151–CD9 tetraspanin chimeras showed that CD151 large extracellular loop residues 186–216 (Yauch et al., 2000) or 195–205 (Berditchevski et al., 2001) are required for strong 3 integrin association. A problem with CD151–CD9 chimeras is that CD9 lacks two critical cysteines and cannot readily be aligned with CD151 in the 194–207 region. We prefer CD151–NAG-2 chimeras because CD151 and NAG-2 both contain six extracellular cysteines (and presumably three disulfide bonds) and can be readily aligned in the key extracellular regions. To confirm and extend previous findings, three new CD151–NAG-2 chimeras were prepared (Fig. 1) and tested for 3 integrin association in HT1080 cells. As indicated, CD151 association with 3 integrin under stringent conditions (Triton X-100) was lost when CD151 residues 194–216 or 194–207 were replaced with the corresponding regions from NAG-2. In contrast, replacement of CD151 residues 209–216 did not abolish 3 integrin association.
Figure 1. Schematic representations of wild-type and mutant CD151 and NAG-2. For all HA-tagged molecules, transmembrane (TM, hatched) and extracellular (EC) domains are indicated. Numbers in parentheses refer to last and first CD151 residues adjacent to downstream and upstream NAG-2 sequences, respectively. Asterisks indicate new mutants, distinct from those described previously (Yauch et al., 2000). Arrowheads mark positions of CD151 point mutations (C192Y and QRD194–196INF) that completely abolish integrin association and the TS151r epitope. Anti-CD151 antibody staining (mAb 5C11, TS151r) of transfected Cos7 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Neither mAb binds to monkey CD151 in Cos7 cells. Association with 3 integrin was detected in coimmunoprecipitation experiments using transiently transfected HT1080 cells. Key results were confirmed in Cos7 cells (e.g., Fig. 2). From 1% Triton X-100 cell lysates, CD151 mutants were immunoprecipitated using mAb anti–HA tag, and 3 integrin was immunoblotted using polyclonal antiserum D23.
Figure 2. CD151–INF194–196 loses integrin association. (A) Cos7 cells were transiently cotransfected with 3 integrin together with pZeoSV vector, wild-type CD151, or CD151–INF194–196. After 24– 36 h, cells were lysed in 1% Triton X-100 or 1% Brij 96 and immunoprecipitated with anti-CD151 5C11 mAb. Immune complexes were resolved in SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with polyclonal anti-3 antibodies or monoclonal anti-HA in reducing conditions. (B) Experiments were performed exactly as in A, except that Cos7 cells were cotransfected with 6 integrin and polyclonal anti-6 antisera was used for immunoblotting in reducing conditions.
Within the 194–207 region, we next focused attention on CD151194–196 because that region is quite different from the corresponding region in NAG-2 (Table I). The CD151 QRD194–196 residues were replaced with "INF" (from the corresponding region in CD63), and this minimal human CD151–INF194–196 mutant was expressed in Cos7 cells together with the human 3 integrin subunit. Upon lysis in Triton X-100 and immunoprecipitation of CD151, no associated 3 was detected by immunoblotting (Fig. 2 A, top). In the same experiment, wild-type CD151 showed association with abundant 3 integrin (Fig. 2 A, top). Control 3 immunoblotting experiments indicate comparable 3 expression in Cos7 cells transfected with vector alone, wild-type CD151, or CD151–INF194–196. Also, anti-HA blotting indicates comparable expression of HA-tagged wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196. In a separate experiment, wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 were immunoprecipitated from Triton X-100 lysates of 35S metabolically labeled HT1080 cells. Again, 3 integrin was coimmunoprecipitated with wild-type CD151 but not with CD151–INF194–196 (unpublished data). In addition, metabolic labeling demonstrated that wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 are synthesized and maintained almost exactly in parallel at 30-min, 1-h, and 36-h time points (unpublished data). These results provide assurance that despite loss of 3 integrin association CD151–INF194–196 maintained its overall integrity.
Table I. Comparison of tetraspanin sequences in the CD151 QRD regiona,b
As shown previously (Serru et al., 1999) and again below (see Fig. 4 A), 3 integrin association specifically conceals a CD151 epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb)* TS151r. Accordingly, replacement of CD151 residues 185–216 abolished the TS151r epitope in parallel with loss of 3 association (Yauch et al., 2000). As indicated by flow cytometry (Fig. 3, bottom), the CD151–INF194–196 mutant also completely lost the TS151r epitope, whereas that epitope was retained by wild-type CD151. In contrast, the epitope defined by mAb 5C11 is not concealed by 3 association (Yauch et al., 2000) and is well expressed by both CD151–INF194–196 and wild-type CD151 (Fig. 3, top). During preparation of the previously described CD151(216)–N chimera (Yauch et al., 2000), a random mutation of Cys192 (CysTyr) occurred. That C192Y point mutation also caused a loss of both 3 integrin association and the TS151r epitope. Indeed, for all 10 tetraspanin structures summarized in Fig. 1, 3 integrin association (in Triton X-100 conditions) was retained or lost exactly in parallel with the TS151r epitope. Together, these biochemical and immunochemical results establish that the QRD/TS151r region of CD151 is required for strong 3 integrin association.
Figure 4. 3 and 6 integrins mask the TS151r epitope. (A) K562 cells were transiently transfected with 3 integrin or vector alone, and then the presence or absence of 3 was verified by flow cytometry using mAb IIF5. Cells lacking or expressing 3 were also stained using CD151 mAbs 5C11 (5) and TS151r (T) (middle and right, respectively). (B) Cos7 cells were transiently transfected with wild-type CD151, together with vector containing cDNA for 2 or 6 integrins, or vector alone. Cells were then stained for 2 integrin (mAb A2-IIE10), 6 subunit (mAb A6-ELE), or CD151 (mAbs 5C11 and TS151r). Negative control peaks were obtained using secondary antibody alone.
Figure 3. Loss of the TS151r epitope on CD151–INF194–196. Wild-type CD151, INF mutant, or pZeoSV vector alone were stably expressed in NIH3T3 cells, and then transfected cells were stained with mouse mAb 5C11 and TS151r and analyzed by flow cytometry as described (Zhang et al., 2002). Fluorescence histograms obtained using anti-CD151 mAb (5C11 and TS151r) are overlaid over negative control histograms obtained using cells transfected with vector alone (open histograms). Similar data was obtained to determine the presence or absence of TS151r and 5C11 binding to each tetraspanin structure shown in Fig. 1.
Do 3 and 6 integrins show similar CD151 association properties?
In some studies, CD151 associated similarly with 3 and 6 integrins (Serru et al., 1999; Sincock et al., 1999), whereas in other studies 3 association seemed substantially stronger (Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000; Yauch et al., 2000). Here we compared 3?1 and 6?1 integrins with respect to (a) dependence on the CD151 QRD motif, (b) concealment of the TS151r epitope, and (c) timing of CD151 association during biosynthesis. Similar to the 3 integrin (Fig. 2 A), 6 integrin also completely lost association with the CD151–INF194–196 mutant under Triton X-100 conditions (Fig. 2 B). By comparison, abundant 6 was recovered in association with wild-type CD151. Control experiments (Fig. 2 B, bottom) showed comparable levels of 6 integrin in the various transfectants and comparable levels of HA-tagged CD151–INF194–196 and wild-type CD151.
Fig. 4 A confirms that the 3 integrin suppresses the TS151r epitope. The ratio of TS151r to 5C11 anti-CD151 mAb staining was >1.0 for endogenous CD151 in mock-transfected K562 cells (Fig. 4 A, middle). In contrast, in K562-3 transfectants the TS151r to 5C11 ratio was markedly diminished (down to 0.2) (Fig. 4 A, right). The left panel confirms that 3 was indeed present in K562–3 cells. Expression of 6 in K652–6 cells was too low for definitive study of TS151r epitope masking. However, in Cos7 cells a strong and selective diminution of TS151r antibody binding was observed upon coexpression of human CD151 with human 6, but not with 2, or vector control (Fig. 4 B, right column). In contrast, binding of anti-CD151 mAb 5C11 was minimally altered by integrin subunits (Fig. 4 A, middle), indicating that the 5C11 epitope is insensitive to integrin association and that there are comparable levels of human CD151 in each cell.
To address integrin–CD151 association during biosynthesis, 293 cells were transiently transfected with CD151 together with integrin 3 or 6 or vector control. After a 1-h pulse of 35S metabolic labeling, followed by a 0- or 1-h chase with unlabeled cysteine and methionine, CD151 immunoprecipitation yielded nonreduced 140-kD precursor forms of both 3 and 6 integrins (Fig. 5). After a 10- or 20-h chase time, 3 and 6 precursor forms were converted to 150-kD mature forms that were more diffuse and less obvious (especially 6). In 293 cells transfected with CD151 but no integrin subunit, little or no association with endogenous integrin was apparent (Fig. 5, left lanes). Together, the results in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 indicate that CD151 association with 3 and with 6 integrins can occur by highly similar mechanisms.
Figure 5. Association of CD151 with both 3 and 6 integrins during biosynthesis. 293 cells were transiently transfected with wild-type CD151-GFP alone or in combination with 3 or 6 integrins. Cells were pulsed with 0.5 mCi/ml methionine for 1 h and then chased in medium containing 5% dialyzed serum and 25x excess cold methionine for the indicated times (0, 1, 10, and 20 h) before lysis in RIPA buffer. Immunoprecipitation of CD151 was done using anti-GFP polyclonal antibody, and samples were resolved on 4–12% SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions and transferred to PVDF membrane. To detect 35S signal, membrane was exposed to BioMax MS film using BioMax Transcreen LE system. Coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous 3 or 6 was not observed (left lanes). In this regard, levels of transfected 3 were 5-fold greater than endogenous 3, and transfected 6 was present at 2-fold greater levels than endogenous 6 as estimated by flow cytometry (not depicted). Comparable levels of CD151-GFP were present for each transfectant as indicated by blotting with anti-GFP reagent (not depicted). Due to a large preexisting pool of intracellular ?1, the integrin ?1 subunit is not well labeled with 35S, particularly at early time points.
CD151 associations independent of the QRD site and TS151r epitope
Association of the CD151–INF194–196 mutant with 3 and 6 integrins in Cos7 lysates was completely lost in Triton X-100 and greatly diminished in 1% Brij 96 conditions (Fig. 2). Nonetheless, the residual 3 (Fig. 2 A) and 6 (Fig. 2 B) remaining associated with CD151–INF194–196 indicates that in Brij96 conditions a QRD-independent alternative mechanism must exist. As established in Figs. 3 and 4, the TS151r antibody is a useful tool for exploring QRD-dependent (or -independent) integrin associations. The TS151r mAb failed to immunoprecipitate any integrin-like material from 1% Triton X-100 lysates of 35S metabolically labeled HT1080 (Fig. 6 C), consistent with the TS151r epitope being blocked by tightly associated 3 or 6 integrins. However, from 1% Brij96 lysate the TS151r antibody did immunoprecipitate a mixture of 3 and 6 integrins (Fig. 6 D). Thus, we have additional evidence for a TS151r/QRD-independent association mechanism that is maintained in 1% Brij96 but disrupted in 1% Triton X-100. Importantly, TS151r-independent integrin associations with CD151 observed in Brij96 were only seen at later metabolic labeling time points (25 and 56 h) and involved only the 110-kD reduced mature forms of the integrins (Fig. 6 D). In contrast, Triton X-100–resistant CD151–3 and CD151–6 associations (the type that are QRD/TS151r dependent) were observed at early time points (2.5 and 5 h) and involved uncleaved 140-kD integrin chain precursor forms (Fig. 6 B). Similar results were obtained when 3 integrin was directly immunoprecipitated with anti-3 antibody (Fig. 6 A).
Figure 6. Cell lysis in Triton X-100 and Brij 96 yields distinct populations of CD151-associated integrins. HT1080 cells were labeled with methionine for 2.5, 5, 25, and 56 h. Cells were lysed in 1% Triton X-100 or Brij 96, and then immunoprecipitations of 3, CD151, and CD81 were performed using the indicated antibodies. Samples were resolved on 8–15% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and exposed to BioMax MS film. Note that during maturation, integrin 3 and 6 subunits are proteolytically cleaved, but fragments remain disulfide bonded. In reducing conditions, one can observe conversion of the 150-kD precursor form to fragments of 120 and 30 kD (not depicted). Labeled ?1 subunit (110 kD), appearing at later time points, closely comigrates with 120 kD subunit fragments. As seen elsewhere, CD81 associated bands of 120 kD from HT1080 cells (such as in panel e) have been clearly identified as corresponding to 3 and 6, with 3 being 2–3-fold more abundant than 6 in HT1080 cells (Berditchevski et al., 1996, 1997; Stipp et al., 2001).
What is the mechanism for QRD/TS151r-independent linkage of CD151 to 3 and 6 integrins? Since tetraspanin–tetraspanin interactions are maintained in Brij96 detergent conditions (Berditchevski et al., 1996; Boucheix and Rubinstein, 2001), we suspected that the CD151–INF194–196 mutant may link to endogenous wild-type CD151, thereby allowing the CD151–INF194–196 to associate indirectly with integrins in a QRD/TS151r-independent manner. To probe for endogenous CD151 associated with CD151–INF194–196, we used anti-CD151 mAb 1A5, which blots wild-type CD151 (Fig. 7 A, middle lanes) but not CD151–INF194–196 itself (Fig. 7 A, right lanes) in either Triton X-100 or Brij96 conditions. As expected, anti-HA immunoprecipitation of wild-type CD151 from human HT1080 cells yielded abundant CD151 (transfected plus endogenous) as detected by mAb 1A5 (Fig. 7 B, top panel, middle lane) and abundant associated 3 integrin as blotted by anti-3 serum D23 (Fig. 7 B, middle panel, middle lane). In contrast, anti-HA immunoprecipitation of CD151–INF194–196 yielded a low level of endogenous human wild-type CD151 (Fig. 7 B, top panel, right lane) and a low level of 3 integrin subunit (Fig. 7 B, middle panel, right lane) that presumably is linked indirectly to CD151–INF194–196 via endogenous wild-type CD151.
Figure 7. QRD-independent CD151 associations. (A) Cos7 cells were transiently transfected with the indicated human CD151 constructs, lysed in the presence of 1% Triton X-100 or 1% Brij 96, and immunoprecipitated with anti-CD151 5C11 mAb. Resolved proteins were then immunoblotted using anti-CD151 mAb 1A5 in nonreducing conditions. Note that mAb 1A5 does not blot monkey CD151. (B) HT1080 cells were transiently transfected with the indicated HA-tagged CD151 constructs and immunoprecipitated using anti-HA mAb in a buffer containing 1% Brij 96. Immune complexes were resolved by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with anti-CD151 mAb 1A5 in nonreducing conditions, or anti-3 polyclonal (D23), and anti-HA mAb in reducing conditions.
Control experiments indicate that HA-tagged CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 were present in HT1080 cells at comparable levels (Fig. 7 B, bottom). To extend results in Fig. 7, separately tagged HA–CD151 and GFP–CD151 were coexpressed in Cos7 cells. From Brij96 lysate, anti-HA immunoprecipitation yielded an abundance of GFP–CD151. Similar amounts of associated GFP–CD151 were obtained regardless of whether QRD mutant or wild-type CD151 was immunoprecipitated (unpublished data). No CD151–CD151 association was seen in Triton X-100 lysate (unpublished data). These latter results confirm that in Brij96 lysate, CD151–CD151 association occurs and is unaffected by the QRD mutation and therefore could account for indirect, Brij96-resistant links to 3 integrins. In 1% Brij96, other tetraspanins could also link indirectly to integrins. In support of this, antibody to CD81 coimmunoprecipitated only the mature forms of 3 and 6 integrin and only at the later time points (Fig. 6 E). As expected (Berditchevski et al., 1996), CD81–integrin associations were not seen in Triton X-100 detergent (unpublished data).
Functional consequences of CD151–INF194–196 mutagenesis
Having established that CD151 associates strongly with both 3 and 6 integrins by a similar QRD/TS151r-dependent mechanism, we then examined the functional consequences of disrupting association. For this we used a Matrigel cellular cable formation assay shown previously to involve CD151–6 integrin complexes (Zhang et al., 2002). Mock- or human CD151–transfected Cos7 cells, grown on Matrigel for 18 h showed a similar pattern of cellular cable formation (Fig. 8 a, A and B). In marked contrast, expression of CD151–INF194–196 almost completely abolished cellular cable formation (Fig. 8 a, C). Confirming the functional role of CD151, anti–human CD151 mAb 5C11 had a pronounced inhibitory effect when human wild-type CD151 was present (Fig. 8 a, D) but had no effect on Cos7 cells lacking human CD151 (unpublished data). Treatment of CD151–INF194–196–transfected cells with 5C11 mAb resulted in perhaps a slight additional inhibition of cable formation that was already largely abolished due to the QRD mutation (unpublished data).
Figure 8. Functions of CD151–integrin complexes during cellular cable assembly. Human wild-type CD151 and CD151–INF194–196 mutant were highly expressed at comparable levels on the surface of Cos7 cells as determined by flow cytometry (not depicted). (a) Mock- or CD151-transfected cells (A–C) were plated on the surface of a thick layer of Matrigel in 5% FBS-DME at 5 x 104 cells per well in a 24-well plate, analyzed using a ZEISS Axiovert 135 microscope, and photographed after 18 h as described previously (Zhang et al., 2002). In one case (D), anti-CD151 mAb 5C11 was added (at 7.5 μg/ml) at the beginning of the experiment. mAb 5C11 does not bind to endogenous monkey CD151. (b) Cos7 cell stable transfectants were treated as in part a, except that mAbs to integrin 6 (GoH3) or 3 (A3IIF5) were added (at 7.5 μg/ml) at the beginning of the experiment. The GoH3 and A3IIF5 mAbs do recognize monkey 6 and 3 integrins. Note that compared with 3 levels in mock-transfected Cos7 cells (MFI = 222), 3 levels in mutant or wild-type CD151-transfected cells varied by 1.2-fold. Compared with 6 levels in mock-transfected Cos7 cells (MFI = 55), 6 levels in mutant or wild-type CD151-transfected cells varied by 1.9-fold. Previously we learned that twofold differences in 6 levels had essentially no effect on static cell adhesion or on cell cable formation on Matrigel (Zhang et al., 2002). (c) Stable NIH3T3 cell transfectants were grown in 5% FBS-DME at 105 cells per well (24 well plate) on the surface of Matrigel for 20 h before photographs were taken.
To determine which integrins are involved, antibody inhibition experiments were performed (Fig. 8 b). As indicated, anti-6 mAb GOH3 (binding to monkey 6) substantially inhibited cable formation by mock- and CD151-transfected Cos7 cells (Fig. 8 b, A and C). When GOH3 was added to Cos7–INF transfectants, even the residual cellular aggregates were now abolished (Fig. 8 a, C, compared with 8 b, E). Although slightly less potent than the anti-6 antibody, an anti-3 mAb (A3-IIF5) also had a strong inhibitory effect on mock- and CD151-transfected Cos7 cells (Fig. 8 b, B and D). The minimal cable formation by Cos7–INF cells was not further inhibited by mAb A3-IIF5 (Fig. 8 b, F). As shown previously (Zhang et al., 2002), antibodies to other highly expressed cell surface proteins (e.g., CD44 and CD9) had no inhibitory effects on cellular cable formation. In agreement with previous results (Zhang et al., 2002), NIH3T3–CD151 transfectants also formed a robust network of CD151–integrin cellular cables when plated on Matrigel for 20 h (Fig. 8 c, left). CD151–INF194–196 transfection again almost completely abolished this network (Fig. 8 c, right). Compared with endogenous CD151, the CD151–INF194–196 mutant was expressed at a level 1–3-fold higher (in Cos7) and 2–4-fold higher (in NIH3T3 cells). In both cases, this was sufficient to override functional contributions of endogenous CD151, consistent with CD151–INF194–196 exerting a dominant negative effect. As seen previously (Zhang et al., 2002), cell adhesion was essentially unaltered by transfection with either wild-type or mutant CD151. Also, 3 and 6 integrins were maintained at comparable levels in Cos7 cells (see Fig. 8 legend).
Although cell adhesion to a thin coating of Matrigel (containing laminin-1) was not different between wild-type and mutant CD151, we did observe pronounced differences in cell spreading on Matrigel. Compared with Cos7-CD151 wild-type cells, Cos7–CD151–INF cells showed markedly reduced spreading as indicated in photos of spread cells (Fig. 9) and by quantitation of the percentage of spread cells (Fig. 10). Spreading differences were especially obvious at early time points (Fig. 9, 20 min, and Fig. 10, 0–15 min). Even after the majority of the CD151–INF cells had spread (Fig. 9, 40 min), they were typically spread over a smaller area than the CD151 wild-type cells. In contrast to spreading on Matrigel, the rate of cell spreading on fibronectin was essentially identical (Fig. 10, bottom).
Figure 9. Morphology of CD151 transfectants on Matrigel. Cells were seeded onto coverslips with a thin coating of Matrigel (1/30 dilution of stock solution, according to manufacturer's instruction) and incubated in serum-free DME at 37°C. Photographs of spread cells were taken using a 20x lens of ZEISS Axiovert 135 microscope. Photos of individual cells are representative of the majority of CD151 wild-type (CD151wt) and CD151–INF transfectants at each of the time points.
Figure 10. Quantitation of cell spreading on Matrigel and fibronectin. Spread cells were defined as cells that lost phase bright appearance and increased their surface contact area by at least twofold. Coverslips were coated with Matrigel (as in the legend to Fig. 9) or with fibronectin (10 μg/ml). For each curve, 50 or more cells were counted. At 50 min and beyond, spreading on Matrigel was identical for both cell types (at 95%; not depicted). Results shown are representative of three separate experiments.
Discussion
Mapping 3 integrin association to the QRD region
To have a tool for definitive functional studies, we first needed to define a minimal CD151 mutation that would eliminate strong (Triton X-100–resistant) integrin association. Initially we used CD151–NAG-2 chimeras to define progressively smaller CD151 regions required for strong 3?1 association, thus focusing attention on CD151 residues 194–207. Subsequent point mutations indicated that C192 and QRD194–196 are each essential for strong CD151 association with 3?1. Because the cysteine mutation is potentially more disruptive to CD151 structure (due to disulfide bond elimination), we chose the QRD mutant for subsequent experiments. Our results are consistent with previous studies indicating a requirement for CD151 residues 186–216 (Yauch et al., 2000) or 195–205 (Berditchevski et al., 2001). Several experiments suggest that our QRDINF mutation does not appreciably disrupt CD151 structure. Wild-type CD151 and the QRD mutant were both well expressed at the cell surface, were synthesized at comparable rates, and showed similar protein stability. Also, the QRD mutant fully retained ability to associate with itself and other tetraspanins and retained the large extracellular loop epitope defined by mAb 5C11.
For all of our mutations, the TS151r epitope was retained or lost in parallel with strong 3 integrin association. Indeed, both the QRD and C192 mutations caused loss of the TS151r epitope. Concealment of this epitope upon 3 subunit expression previously suggested that the epitope is involved in 3 integrin association (Serru et al., 1999). Our new results now firmly establish the TS151r antibody as a tool that can complement and independently validate CD151 mutation results. Accordingly, the CD151 site for strong 3 integrin association is here called the QRD/TS151r site. The TS151r epitope on CD151 is also masked in many tissues (Sterk et al., 2002). Thus CD151–integrin complexes occur not only in lysates and in cell lines but also in vivo.
Within the QRD sequence, it is not yet clear which individual residues are essential. Conservation of R195 in CD151 from four different animal species (Table I) suggests that this residue may be particularly important. Conservative substitutions of Q194 and D196 by Lys and Glu appear in rodent CD151 (Table I), indicating some flexibility at those positions. So far, CD151 is the only tetraspanin that strongly associates with 3?1. None of other 26 tetraspanins mentioned in Table I (see also Table I legend) contain a fully aligned Q/K-R-D/E motif. The BAB22942, TM4-B, and TM4SF6 tetraspanins have some similarity in this region but have not yet been tested for integrin association. Although the QRD region is clearly necessary, it is not sufficient for strong integrin association. Indeed, transfer of aa 158–216 from CD151 into NAG-2 was still not sufficient to confer strong 3 integrin association (unpublished data). However, transfer of CD151 aa 149–213 into the backbone of another tetraspanin did confer strong 3 association (Berditchevski et al., 2001). In conclusion, although additional elements are required to fully reconstitute a strong 3 integrin association site, we nonetheless have achieved the goal of defining a minimal CD151 mutation that wholly eliminates strong integrin association.
Comparisons between 3 and 6 integrins
Our results indicate major similarities between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association properties. Both integrins can form Triton X-100–resistant CD151 complexes that require the QRD site, conceal the TS151r epitope, and occur early in biosynthesis. Association of CD151 with 3 and 6 precursor forms, including 3 that has not yet been proteolytically processed, is consistent with CD151 complex formation occurring in the ER. Covalent cross-linking results indicate that CD151 directly contacts the integrin 3 subunit and not ?1 (unpublished data). We predict that CD151 should also directly contact the integrin 6 subunit. Furthermore, although we have limited our studies here to the 6?1 heterodimer, our conclusions should also apply to CD151–6?4 complexes (Sterk et al., 2000). The similarity between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association is likely related to their overall protein sequence similarity. In this regard, the integrin 7 subunit is also structurally similar to the 3 and 6 subunits and also may associate strongly with CD151 (Sterk et al., 2002). Thus, 7?1 association should also require the QRD region of CD151, but this has not yet been tested.
Given the major similarities between 3 and 6 integrins in terms of CD151 association, then why are pronounced differences sometimes observed? For example, in K562 and NT2 cells, CD151 associates strongly with 3 but not with 6?1 or 6?4 integrins (Sterk et al., 2000; Stipp and Hemler, 2000; Yauch et al., 2000). Also, compared with 3 integrin, 6 expression in K562 cells did not bring as much CD151 to the cell surface (Yauch et al., 2000) and not as much 6 associated with CD151 in 293 cells (Fig. 5). We suspect that in some cells (especially if CD151 is limiting), an abundance of weakly associating other tetraspanins could associate with 6 integrins and thereby block access to CD151, or if 3 is in excess, it could compete more favorably for CD151.
Multiple levels of association
Strong CD151–integrin association is Triton X-100 resistant, utilizes the QRD/TS151r site, occurs early in biosynthesis, and involves both precursor and mature 3 and 6 subunits. In contrast, a second level of CD151–integrin association is maintained in Brij 96 but not Triton X-100, does not use the QRD/TS151r site, occurs late in biosynthesis, and involves mature integrin chains. Our results reinforce the idea that strong QRD/TS151r-dependent integrin association is unique for CD151, whereas the QRD/TS151r site is not needed for weaker CD151 associations with itself, other tetraspanins (such as CD81) or 3 and 6 integrins in Brij 96 lysates. In this regard, we confirm and extend previous studies showing that the large extracellular loop of CD151 is needed for strong CD151–3 associations but not for second level CD151 associations. In fact, replacement of the entire large extracellular loop of CD151 with irrelevant protein did not prevent secondary interactions with itself, 3 integrin, or other tetraspanins (Berditchevski et al., 2001). The biochemical basis for these second level CD151 interactions is not yet entirely clear, although a role for tetraspanin palmitoylation has been established (Yang et al., 2002).
Functional studies
In a previous study involving neurite outgrowth, 3?1 integrin collaborated equally well with strongly associated CD151 and with more weakly associated CD81 (Stipp and Hemler, 2000). Such results suggested that strong, direct tetraspanin–integrin association was functionally indistinguishable from second level associations. The CD151–INF194–196 mutant now provides a tool to disrupt strong integrin association without affecting secondary CD151 engagement with CD81 and other components in the multicomponent tetraspanin web. Indeed, we demonstrate here that CD151–INF194–196 mutants failed to support Matrigel cellular cable formation by either Cos7 or NIH3T3 cells. Sensitivity of the assay to both anti-3 and -6 integrin antibodies indicates that strong CD151 associations with both 3 and 6 integrins are functionally relevant. Importantly, weak second level associations of CD151–INF194–196 that were retained as seen in Brij 96 conditions were not sufficient to overcome the QRD deficit.
Our anti-3 inhibition results with Cos7 cells are in contrast to previous results with human 3–NIH3T3 transfectants, in which mAb anti–human 3 failed to inhibit cell cable formation (Zhang et al., 2002). Possibly in the previous case, the inhibitory effects of anti–human 3 antibody on 3-transfected NIH3T3 cells were diminished due to an unknown contribution from murine 3. Furthermore, in the 3-NIH3T3 transfectants used previously, the ratio of 3 to 6 recognized by inhibitory antibodies was 2:1, whereas in Cos7 cells described here, the ratio of 3 to 6 is between 4:1 and 7:1. Because 3?1 is a poorer receptor for laminin-1 (Delwel et al., 1994; Eble et al., 1998), a higher ratio of 3 to 6 may be needed for the contribution of 3 integrin to become evident.
When plated on the surface of a malleable Matrigel thick layer, multiple cell types can exert tensional forces on the basement membrane and then migrate along these "matrix guidance pathways" until they are assembled into a network of cellular cables (Vernon et al., 1992; Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Vernon and Sage, 1995). In collagen gels, newly sprouted endothelial capillary cells organize into a very similar cellular network pattern, with cells aligning in the direction of tensional forces (Korff and Augustin, 1999). The generation of matrix tensional forces in model systems not only directs cell morphology but also reorganizes the matrix, thus providing insights into tissue morphogenesis and wound healing (Bell et al., 1979; Harris et al., 1981). On a very thin, nonmalleable layer of Matrigel, mechanical force transduction results in cell spreading rather than cable formation and matrix remodeling. Based on our cable formation and cell spreading results, CD151 potentially could play a critical role in mechanical force transduction wherever laminin-binding integrins are involved. For example, CD151 could affect mechanical force transmission by carcinoma and endothelial cells using 6?4 and 6?1 (Davis and Camarillo, 1995; Rabinovitz et al., 2001), and endothelial cell CD151 has already been shown to play a role during 6?1-dependent Matrigel cable network formation (Zhang et al., 2002). Interestingly, CD151 is colocalized with 7?1 in skeletal and cardiac muscle (Sterk et al., 2002), but a role in force generation remains to be investigated. Likewise, it remains to be seen how strong and specific association with CD151 may affect the many other functions of 3?1, 6?1, 6?4, and 7?1 integrins on both normal and transformed cells (Weitzman et al., 1996; Wei et al., 1997; Burkin and Kaufman, 1999; Kreidberg, 2000; Mercurio et al., 2001). Conversely, the role of CD151 as a regulator of cell migration (Yánez-Mó et al., 1998; Yauch et al., 1998), tumor cell metastasis (Testa et al., 1999; Kohno et al., 2002), neurite outgrowth (Stipp and Hemler, 2000), and other functions could be largely due to strong and specific association with laminin-binding integrins.
How does strong QRD/TS151r-dependent association of CD151 affect integrin function? Here we define an extracellular site (QRD194–196) that is essential for strong association with integrins, optimal cell spreading, and cell cable formation on Matrigel. Previously, we showed that the short (8 aa) COOH-terminal cytoplasmic tail of CD151 is also essential for integrin-dependent cell spreading and cable formation on Matrigel. Together these results support a transmembrane linker model in which the extracellular side of CD151 engages in strong lateral association with integrins, whereas the cytoplasmic tail connects with critical intracellular elements. Specific proteins associating with the COOH-terminal tail are not yet known but likely provide a connection to the cytoskeleton to facilitate force transduction. Association of CD151 with intracellular signaling enzymes such as phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and PKC could also play a key role, since these enzymes are recruited, via tetraspanins, into complexes with 3 and 6 integrins (Yauch et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2001).
Although antitetraspanin antibodies and mutant tetraspanins can dramatically alter the consequences of integrin-mediated cell adhesion, these reagents consistently have little effect on integrin-mediated cell adhesion itself (Hemler et al., 1996; Yauch et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 2002). Thus, tetraspanins are selectively influencing "outside-in" integrin signaling. Previous studies of outside-in signaling have largely focused on integrin extracellular ligand-binding sites, and integrin cytoplasmic domains. Indeed, with respect to mechanical force transduction, specific integrin cytoplasmic domains do play a key role (Chan et al., 1992). However, our results now emphasize that a specific, membrane proximal CD151–integrin lateral association site is also playing a key role. Such specific lateral interactions (Woods and Couchman, 2000), mediated through novel sites, provide an important new dimension to our understanding of integrin signaling.
Materials and methods
Cell lines, transfectants, and antibodies
Erythroleukemic K562 cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS and antibiotics. Cos7, 293 cells, NIH3T3, and HT1080 cells were grown in DME with 10% FBS supplemented with sodium pyruvate and antibiotics. For transient transfection, 10 x 106 K562 cells were electroporated with 50 mg of plasmid DNA at 960 microfarads and 320 V (McCaffrey et al., 1997) and analyzed within 36–48 h. Transfection efficiency was 45–65% as estimated using GFP-containing expression vector. Cos7 and HT1080 cells were transiently transfected using FuGene6 reagent (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) according to manufacturer's instructions. 293 cells were transiently transfected using calcium phosphate, with 40–50% estimated efficiency, and transfectants were analyzed within 24–36 h. For stable CD151 expression, plasmid DNAs were transfected into Cos7 and NIH3T3 cells using FuGene6 reagent, cells were selected in media containing Zeocin (0.2 mg/ml) for 2 wk, and pooled cells were further sorted by flow cytometry using mAb 5C11.
The following antiintegrin mAbs were used: anti-2, A2-IIE10 (Bergelson et al., 1994); anti-3, A3-IIF5 and A3-X8 (Weitzman et al., 1993); and anti-6, A6-ELE (Lee et al., 1995). Other mAbs were anti-CD151, 5C11 (Yauch et al., 1998); TS151r (Serru et al., 1999), 1A5 (Testa et al., 1999); and anti-CD81, JS64 (Pesando et al., 1986). Polyclonal rabbit antiserum D23 recognizes 3 cytoplasmic domain (Dipersio et al., 1995), and 6843 (gift from Dr. V. Quaranta) recognizes the 6 cytoplasmic domain. Anti-HA mAb 3F10 was from Roche Molecular Biochemicals. HRP-conjugated goat anti–mouse, goat anti–rabbit and HRP-conjugated streptavidin were from Sigma-Aldrich.
Construction of HA-tagged CD151 mutants
Construction of HA-tagged wild-type CD151 and NAG-2 proteins and HA-tagged chimeric proteins, with exception of the last four proteins in Fig. 1, was done by recombinant PCR as described (Yauch et al., 2000). To construct new mutants, we used the same recombinant PCR approach and existing HA-tagged templates: for mutant C(193)-N-C(217), GTGGCTCTTTGTGGGCTGCAC, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on C(185)-N-C(217) template, and GTGCAGCCCACAAAGAGCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template; for mutant C(208)-N-C(217), GAGGGCGGCTGCTACGAGACGGTG, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on C(185)-N-C(217) template, and CGTCTCGTAGCAGCCGCCCTCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template; for mutant C(193)-N-C(208), AAGGCGCCGTGCATCACCAAGTTG, internal sense to amplify the 3' region on CD151 template, and CTTGGTGATGCACGGCGCCTTCCA, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on C(193)-N-C(217) template; for CD151–INF194–196, TGTGGAATTAATTTCCATGCCTCCAACATC, internal sense to amplify 3'region on CD151 template, and GGCATGGAAATTAATTCCACAAAGAGCCAC, internal antisense to amplify the 5' region on CD151 template. As the external primers, in each case we used either T3 or SP6 primers encoded by expression plasmid pZeoSV (Invitrogen). Final recombinant PCR was performed using purified PCR products and T3 and SP6 primers. Products were ligated into Spe1 and EcoR1 restriction sites of pZeoSV and confirmed by sequencing.
Cell labeling, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting
To determine association of CD151 with integrins during biosynthesis, 293 and HT1080 cells were labeled with L-methionine/L-cysteine mixture (NEN Life Science Products). Cells were washed twice in PBS, starved in methionine- and cysteine-free medium for 1 h, and then labeled using 0.5 mCi/ml of methionine/cysteine in methionine/cysteine-free medium supplemented with 5% dialyzed FBS. Subsequently, cells were collected (time 0 after labeling) or chased for various times by replacing labeling medium with chasing medium (5% dialyzed FBS and 25x excess of unlabeled L-methionine and L-cysteine). Labeled cells were washed in PBS several times and processed for immunoprecipitation.
For immunoprecipitation, cells were lysed for 1 h at 4°C in RIPA buffer (25 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, 150 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 1% deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS) or in 50 mM Hepes, pH 8.0, 5 mM MgCl2, 150 mM NaCl, with 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 20 mg/ml aprotinin, 10 mg/ml leupeptin, and detergent (1% Brij 96 ), or 1% Triton X-100 (Roche Molecular Biochemicals)]. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation, and lysates were immunoprecipitated with mAbs prebound to protein G–Sepharose (Amersham Biosciences) at 4°C overnight. Immune complexes were washed three to four times with the same buffer then resolved on acrylamide SDS-PAGE gel, transferred to nitrocellulose (Schleicher & Schuell) and blotted with primary antibody and HRP-conjugated secondary antibody, and then visualized with chemiluminescence reagent (NEN Life Science Products).
Footnotes
* Abbreviation used in this paper: mAb, monoclonal antibody.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants CA86712 and CA42368.Revised: 16 August 2002References
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