ABSTRACT
Osteoblasts receive regulatory signals from hormones, growth factors, calcium, extracellular matrix, and other cells through a variety of receptors that utilize an array of signaling pathways and cytoplasmic messengers. This article addresses the nonuniform distribution of important signaling molecules (platelet-derived growth factor receptors [PDGFRs], nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, tyrosine kinase adaptor proteins, G proteins, and nitric oxide synthases [NOSs]) in the surface membranes of human and murine osteoblasts. We show that particular inner leaflet signaling molecules (e.g., heterotrimeric G proteins and Src family tyrosine kinases) are clustered and concentrated in Triton X-100-insoluble membranes that are enriched in caveolin, the major structural component of caveolae (50- to 100-nm flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane that apparently are organized by oligomers of the protein caveolin). In addition, we show that a subset of highly ligand-responsive PDGFRs and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway effectors are present in the caveolin-enriched membrane fraction of osteoblasts.
Subject(s)
Caveolae/metabolism , Caveolins/metabolism , GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism , Osteoblasts/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism , Animals , Caveolin 1 , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Humans , Immunoblotting , Mice , Phosphorylation , Precipitin Tests , Rats , Signal Transduction , Tyrosine/metabolismABSTRACT
Caveolae are 50- to 100-nm plasmalemmal vesicles formed by oligomerized caveolin, a 22-kDa phosphoprotein. These organelles have been implicated in critical signal transduction and molecular transport processes. Here, we show for the first time that osteoblasts express caveolin and have abundant caveolae. Membrane fractionation techniques indicate that osteoblast caveolin is found in detergent-resistant membranes that have the buoyant density characteristic of caveolae, whereas immunoblotting and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) show that osteoblasts express both caveolin-1 and -2 isoforms. Electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence reveal the hallmarks of caveolae in osteoblasts: abundant 50- to 100-nm noncoated cell surface invaginations (caveolae) and abundant punctate clusters of immunostained caveolin.
