Role of Phosphorylation in the Control of Clathrin-Mediated Internalization of GPCR

The process by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are internalized through the clathrin-coated vesicles involves interactions of multifunctional adaptor proteins. These interactions are tightly controlled by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanisms resulting in the regulation of receptor endocytosis. However, the identities of the kinases involved in this process remained largely unknown until recently. This paper discusses advances in our knowledge of the important role played by protein phosphorylation in the regulation of the endocytic machinery and how phosphorylation controls the coated vesicle cycle

Control of anterior GRadient 2 (AGR2) dimerization links endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis to inflammation

International audienceAnterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a dimeric protein disulfide isomerase family member involved in the regulation of protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mouse AGR2 deletion increases intestinal inflammation and promotes the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although these biological effects are well established, the underlying molecular mechanisms of AGR2 function toward inflammation remain poorly defined. Here, using a protein-protein interaction screen to identify cellular regulators of AGR2 dimerization, we unveiled specific enhancers, including TMED2, and inhibitors of AGR2 dimerization, that control AGR2 functions. We demonstrate that modulation of AGR2 dimer formation, whether enhancing or inhibiting the process, yields pro-inflammatory phenotypes, through either autophagy-dependent processes or secretion of AGR2, respectively. We also demonstrate that in IBD and specifically in Crohn's disease, the levels of AGR2 dimerization modulators are selectively deregulated, and this correlates with severity of disease. Our study demonstrates that AGR2 dimers act as sensors of ER homeostasis which are disrupted upon ER stress and promote the secretion of AGR2 monomers. The latter might represent systemic alarm signals for pro-inflammatory responses

Regulation of the endocytic adaptor proteins [beta] arrestin and AP-2 during clathrin-mediated internalization of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell-surface receptors. They transduce the signals mediated by a diverse range of signalling molecules, including ions, amines, and peptides, as well as photons, to mediate intracellular functions. These receptors play a fundamental role in many physiological responses such as cardiovascular functions. To remain responsive to their environment, cells must find a way to rapidly desensitize and resensitize their activated GPCRs. Desensitization of receptors, for instance, involves the phosphorylation of receptors by G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRKs) followed by the recruitment of betaarrestin. This interferes with the binding of the G protein (the signalling effector). betaarrestin then targets the receptors to the clathrin endocytosis pathway, and serves as an adaptor linking receptors to other signalling pathways. Internalization of receptors serves not only to remove desensitized receptors from the plasma membrane, but also to engage receptors in the resensitization pathway.The internalization of Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) is controversial and poorly described. Therefore, our laboratory studies the mechanisms behind AT1R internalization. The agonist-induced internalization of AT1R begins with the formation of a complex including betaarrestin, the clathrin adaptor AP-2, and the tyrosine protein kinase, c-Src. In turn, this c-Src recruitment regulates the clathrin-mediated internalization of AT1R by controlling the formation of endocytic complexes during endocytosis. Indeed, the recruitment of c-Src is involved in the dissociation of AP-2 during receptor internalization. Based on our evidence that AP-2 and c-Src can be found in the same complex, we suggested that AP-2 could be phosphorylated by c-Src. Indeed, we found that Ang II induced the c-Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the beta-subunit of AP-2 (beta2-adaptin). We were able to map one of the tyrosines in beta2-adaptin and assess its role in regulating the binding of its principal partner: betaarrestin. The phosphorylation state of beta2-adaptin dictates its association profile with betaarrestin: when phosphorylated it reduces its binding to betaarrestin. Finally, we proposed a model for AT1R internalization. Overall, these studies are significant because they allow a better understanding of the underlying mechanism that regulates the initial steps of clathrin-coated vesicle endocytosis of AT1R

Les organoïdes normaux et leurs applications dans la recherche sur le cancer

National audienceThree-dimensional (3D) culture of organoids from primary cells (wild type) or tumoroids from tumor cells, is used to study the physiological mechanisms in vivo, in order to model normal or tumor tissues more accurately than conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture. The features of this 3D culture, such as the three-dimensional structure, the self-renewal capacity and differentiation are preserved and appropriate to cancer study since their cellular characteristics are very similar to in vivo models. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the rapidly evolving field of organoids and their applications to cancer biology, clinical research and personalized medicine.La culture tridimensionnelle (3D) des organoïdes à partir de cellules primaires (de type sauvage) et des tumoroïdes (d’origine tumorale) est utilisée pour l’étude et la compréhension des mécanismes physiologiques in vivo, afin de modéliser les tissus d’origine avec plus de précision que la culture bi-dimensionnelle classique (2D). Les caractéristiques de ce modèle, comme la structure tridimensionnelle, la capacité d’auto-renouvellement et de différenciation, rendent les organoïdes et les tumoroïdes éminemment mieux adaptés à l’étude du cancer, apportant des caractéristiques cellulaires très proches des modèles in vivo. Nous résumons ici les avancées récentes dans le domaine des organoïdes, en constante évolution, et les applications de ces modèles à la biologie du cancer, à la recherche clinique et à la médecine de précision

Integrative analysis of genomic and transcriptomic alterations of AGR2 and AGR3 in cancer

International audienceThe AGR2 and AGR3 genes have been shown by numerous groups to be functionally associated with adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis. In this paper, we explore the data available in databases concerning genomic and transcriptomic features of these two genes: the NCBI dbSNP database was used to explore the presence and roles of constitutional SNPs, and the NCI, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and TCGA databases were used to explore somatic mutations and copy number variations (CNVs), as well as mRNA expression of these genes in human cancer cell lines and tumours. Relationships of AGR2/3 expression with whole-genome mRNA expression and cancer features (i.e. mutations and CNVs of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (TSG)) were established using the CCLE and TCGA databases. In addition, the CCLE data concerning CRISPR gene extinction screens (Achilles project) of these two genes and a panel of oncogenes and TSG were explored. We observed that no functional polymorphism or recurrent mutation could be detected in AGR2 or AGR3. The expression of these genes was positively correlated with the expression of epithelial genes and inversely correlated with that of mesenchymal genes. It was also significantly associated with several cancer features, such as TP53 or SMAD4 mutations, depending on the gene and the cancer type. In addition, the CRISPR screens revealed the absence of cell fitness modification upon gene extinction, in contrast with oncogenes (cell fitness decrease) and TSG (cell fitness increase). Overall, these explorations revealed that AGR2 and AGR3 proteins appear as common non-genetic evolutionary factors in the process of human tumorigenesis

The Anterior GRadient (AGR) family proteins in epithelial ovarian cancer

International audienceEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common gynecologic disorder. Even with the recent progresses made towards the use of new therapeutics, it still represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in women from developed countries.The discovery of the anterior gradient proteins AGR2 and AGR3, which are highly related members belonging to the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, attracted researchers’ attention due to their putative involvement in adenocarcinoma development. This review compiles the current knowledge on the role of the AGR family and the expression of its members in EOC and discusses the potential clinical relevance of AGR2 and AGR3 for EOC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics.A better understanding of the role of the AGR family may thus provide new handling avenues for EOC patients

Patients Lung Derived Tumoroids (PLDTs) to model therapeutic response

International audiencePreclinical lung cancer models are essential for a basic understanding of lung cancer biology and its translation into efficient treatment options for affected patients. Lung cancer cell lines and xenografts derived directly from human lung tumors have proven highly valuable in fundamental oncology research and anticancer drug discovery. Both models inherently comprise advantages and caveats that have to be accounted for. Recently, we have enabled reliable in vitro culture techniques from lung cancer biopsies as Patients Lung Derived Tumoroids (PLDTs). This breakthrough provides the possibility of high-throughput drug screening covering the spectrum of lung cancer phenotypes seen clinically. We have adapted and optimized our in vitro three-dimensional model as a preclinical lung cancer model to recapitulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) using matrix reconstitution. Hence, we developed directly PLDTs to screen for chemotherapeutics and radiation treatment. This original model will enable precision medicine to become a reality, allowing a given patient sample to be screened for effective ex vivo therapeutics, aiming at tailoring of treatments specific to that individual. Hence, this tool can enhance clinical outcomes and avoid morbidity due to ineffective therapies

Extracellular AGR2 triggers lung tumour cell proliferation through repression of p21(CIP1)

International audienceThe human Anterior GRadient 2 (AGR2) protein is an Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-resident protein which belongs to the Protein-Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) superfamily and is involved to productive protein folding in the ER. As such AGR2, often found overexpressed in adenocarcinomas, contributes to tumour development by enhancing ER proteostasis. We previously demonstrated that AGR2 is secreted (extracellular AGR2 (eAGR2)) in the tumour microenvironment and plays extracellular roles independent of its ER functions. Herein, we show that eAGR2 triggers cell proliferation and characterize the underlying molecular mechanisms. We demonstrate that eAGR2 enhances tumour cell growth by repressing the tumour suppressor p21(CIP1). Our findings shed light on a novel mechanism through which eAGR2 behaves as a growth factor in the tumour microenvironment, independently of its ER function, thus promoting tumour cell growth through repression of p21(CIP1). Our results provide a rationale for targeting eAGR2/p21(CIP1)-based signalling as a potential therapeutic target to impede tumour growth