Involvement of FAK/Src complex in the processes of Escherichia coli phagocytosis by insect hemocytes.

Recently we demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide promotes activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein cascade in hemocytes and that phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by insect hemocytes is mediated by an integrin-dependent process [Foukas et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 14813--14818]. Here we report data concerning the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation status in hemocytes in response to E. coli. We demonstrate that E. coli-triggering stimulates a significant increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK in hemocytes. Furthermore, immunoblotting analysis using anti-Y397 demonstrated intense FAK activity at the Y397/SH2-binding site in hemocytes treated with E. coli. In addition, antibody-mediated inhibition of FAK and Src-kinase has been shown to abolish FAK phosphorylation and E. coli phagocytosis, indicating a specific role for the FAK/Src complex in the processes of promoting cell phagocytosis. These findings expand the known signaling functions of FAK and provide insight into signal transduction events associated with hemocyte phagocytosis in response to E. coli.

Phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by insect hemocytes requires both activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway for attachment and beta3 integrin for internalization.

Insect hemocytes in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria facilitate binding and internalization of either cell-associated or cell-free LPS (Charalambidis, N. D., Foukas L. C., and Marmaras V. J. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 236, 200-206). An early event in LPS signaling in hemocytes involves protein tyrosine phosphorylation (Charalambidis N. D., Zervas C. G., Lambropoulou M., Katsoris P. G., and Marmaras V. J.(1995) Eur. J. Cell Biol. 67, 32-41). Here we report further data of LPS-mediated signal transduction responsible for Escherichia coli phagocytosis. We demonstrate that both adhesion of hemocytes to substrata and LPS stimulation can cause activation of p44(MAPK) in Ceratitis capitata hemocytes but with distinct kinetics indicating different functions. In addition, we showed that Drk, a homolog protein to the mammalian GRB2, is implicated in the transmission of LPS signaling, indicating that the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is involved. Either the cell-free or the cell-associated LPS appears to attach to the hemocyte surface by the same mechanism that is based on the cross-linking of LPS to membrane-associated p47 via the intermediacy of tyrosine derivatives generated by the action of phenol oxidase. By contrast, the cell-free LPS internalization into the hemocytes differs from the cell-associated LPS internalization. For E. coli internalization integrin receptors as well as cytoskeletal rearrangements are required, as judged by inhibition of E. coli internalization in the presence of the RGD peptide, beta3-integrin antibodies, and cytochalasin D.

Hemocyte surface phenoloxidase (PO) and immune response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Ceratitis capitata.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) attachment at the hemocyte surface is based on the crosslinking of surface associated p47 to LPS, via the intermediacy of tyrosine derivatives generated by the action of phenoloxidase (PO). This attachment is an initial step for LPS internalization from hemocytes (Charalambidis et al., 1996). The results presented clearly show the critical role of hemocyte associated PO activity in the above processes. Biochemical and immunofluorescent analysis demonstrated unambiguously the presence of prophenoloxidase (proPO) on the hemocyte surface. The cell-surface expression of proPO appeared to be LPS-independent, whereas its activation was LPS-dependent. The activation of cell surface proPO involves a limited proteolysis, since upon activation with chymotrypsin proPO is converted to a set of smaller molecular weight proteins with PO activity. The activation appears to be due to enzyme activators, serine proteases, released upon LPS-stimulation. This hypothesis was supported from the activation of membrane proPO by the culture medium of hemocytes which have been triggered with LPS. In addition, proPO, activation was abolished by inhibitors of secretion and PMSF. The release of proPO activators upon LPS-stimulation is mediated via protein tyrosine phosphorylation, as genistein inhibited proPO activation, a situation similar to that reported by us for the release of the effector protein p47 (Charalambidis et al., 1995). The LPS-stimulated activation of cell-surface proPO is a prerequisite for LPS (either cell associated or cell free) internalization, as judged by the resistance of LPS binding to dissociation by proteinase K.

Covalent association of lipopolysaccharide at the hemocyte surface of insects is an initial step for its internalization--Protein-tyrosine phosphorylation requirement.

It is well known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria triggers antibacterial responses to mammalian macrophages [Weinstein, S., Gold, M. R. & DeFranco, A. (1991) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 88, 4148-4152] and insect hemocytes [Charalambidis, N.D., Zervas, C.G., Lambropoulou, M., Katsoris, P.G. & Marmaras, V.J. (1995) Eur J. Cell Biol. 67, 32-41], via protein-tyrosine phosphorylation. In this study we show that insect hemocytes in response to LPS facilitate internalization of LPS (either cell-associated or cell-free). According to our data, the recognition and covalent association of LPS (either cell-associated or cell-free) to the hemocyte surface are essential initial steps for LPS internalization. LPS (Escherichia coli) recognizes membrane effector 47-kDa protein (p47) and then crosslinks to membrane-associated p47 (mp47) via the intermediacy of tyrosine derivatives generated by the action of phenol oxidase, as is the case for cuticular protein-chitin crosslinks during sclerotization [Shaefer, J., Kramer, K.J., Garbow, J.R., Jacob, G.S., Stejskal, E.O., Hopkins, T.L. & Speirs, R.D. (1987) Science 235, 1200-1204]. The covalent association of LPS to the hemocyte surface appears to be a prerequisite for LPS internalization as judged by the resistance of LPS binding to dissociation by proteinase K. In addition, our results show that the effector molecules participating in LPS covalent association at the cell surface and LPS internalization are not involved in LPS-induced activation of hemocytes. However, the fact that genistein, as well as the inhibitors of LPS-dependent secretion, block LPS covalent association at the cell surface and LPS internalization provides a preliminary characterization of an LPS signal-transduction-dependent process which is apparently involved.

Immune response in insects: the role of phenoloxidase in defense reactions in relation to melanization and sclerotization.

It is well known that activated prophenoloxidase (proPO) plays an important role in cuticular melanization and sclerotization. In addition, studies dealing with immune response of insects suggest that phenoloxidase (PO) is also critical in the defense reactions of insects against invaders. proPO is activated by elicitors derived from microbial cell wall components such as peptidoglycan, beta-1,3-glucan, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). According to our recent studies we proposed a model clarifying the role of PO in both cellular and humoral immune responses. LPS triggers Ceratitis capitata hemocytes via induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation to release biologically active molecules, including p47 and proPO-activators. Furthermore, hemocytes in response to LPS facilitate clearance of LPS from the hemocoel of medfly. The effector molecules involved in the LPS clearance are hemocyte surface-associated p47 (mp47), soluble p47 (sp47), activated proPO, and tyrosine. A similar LPS clearance system in the integument of medfly in vitro was also demonstrated. According to our data, the proposed mechanism for LPS clearance from hemocoel and from integument is the crosslinking of LPS to p47 or certain integumental proteins via the intermediacy of reactive tyrosine derivatives generated by PO activity, as is the case for cuticular protein-chitin crosslinks during sclerotization. We also demonstrated that metabolites of the eumelanin biosynthesis and not melanin itself or N-acetyldopamine (NADA), the key precursor of sclerotizing agent, were necessary for the immune responses by hemocytes and integument.

Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated exocytosis of nonself recognition protein from insect hemocytes depend on protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Insect hemocytes (blood cells) synthesize the major nonself recognition protein (47 kDa) during 3rd instar larvae (V.J. Marmaras, S. Tsakas, Dev. Biol. 129, 294-303 (1988)). In this study we show the presence of the 47 kDa protein in plasmatocytes (main hemocyte type) and prohemocytes. In plasmatocytes this protein appears to be localized both in vesicles and in the cell surface. The cell surface-associated 47 kDa protein was released from membrane fraction by 1 M NaCl, indicating that it is not tightly bound. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can function on isolated hemocytes from Ceratitis capitata larvae, inducing their spreading and degranulation. During degranulation (exocytosis) the plasmatocytes release the 47 kDa protein, among others. This protein could not be normally traced in serum, nor is it released by basal secretion. The secretion of the 47 kDa protein was found to be LPS-dependent, whereas its presence on plasmatocyte surface is LPS independent. LPS-stimulated exocytosis of the 47 kDa protein appears to be dependent on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. We have now demonstrated that LPS increases tyrosine phosphorylation of 19 and 22 kDa polypeptides in C. capitata hemocytes. Inhibition of the LPS-induced tyrosine phosphorylation mediated by tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, was accompanied by the inhibition of the secretion of the 47 kDa protein. These results support the hypothesis that tyrosine protein phosphorylation is a signal reaction in hemocytes after LPS exposure. These LPS responses of insect plasmatocytes show strong similarities to mammalian macrophages (S. Weinstein et al., J. Immunol. 151, 3829-3838 (1993)). In a model we propose that the LPS-independent cell surface-associated 47 kDa protein is responsible for the phagocytosis and for the formation of nodules and capsules, whereas the LPS-dependent secreting counterpart is responsible for the extracellular killing of bacteria.

Defense and melanization depend on the eumelanin pathway, occur independently and are controlled differentially in developing Ceratitis capitata.

A defense mechanism in the hemocytes and cuticle of developing Ceratitis capitata has been demonstrated (Marmaras and Charalambidis, 1992; Marmaras et al., 1993a; Marmaras et al., 1993b). To elucidate further the mechanism and the regulation of defense reactions, we studied this process in relation to melanization in the major larval tissues, in two distinct developmental stages; the feeding and wandering larval stages. The results demonstrate that defense reaction depends on reactive tyrosine derivatives of either early or late stages of the sequence of reactions involved in eumelanin biosynthesis. However, defense and melanization occur independently e.g. hemocytes exhibit a high degree of Escherichia coli immobilization and entrapment, but not any ability to biosynthesize melanin. Serum on the other hand, showed a high degree of melanin formation in wandering stage larvae, but had not any ability for E. coli immobilization. In integuments of wandering stage larvae, both processes occur simultaneously. These findings suggest independent control mechanisms for these processes. Indeed, our results suggest that defense seems to be controlled by the presence of proteins responsible for nonself recognition and melanization by developmental regulation of dopachrome conversion factor.

Mutation "white pupae" in the integument of Ceratitis capitata affects both defense and melanogenesis.

Studying defense and melanogenesis processes in the cuticle of the "white pupae" (wp) and "dark pupae" (dp) mutant strains of Ceratitis capitata, we showed that both processes function equally well only in the cuticle of dp mutants, as in the wild-type cuticle. The cuticle of wp mutants lacks the ability to form Escherichia coli aggregates and to melanize in vivo. However, in this mutant, tyrosinase and dopachrome conversion factor activities, as well as melanin content and nonself-recognition proteins are expressed as in the wild strain. The present results indicate that the inability of wp mutant cuticle to immobilize E. coli seems to be due to lack of suitable site(s) on nonself-recognition proteins for adduct formation with tyrosine derivatives by the action of tyrosinase, and the inability to melanize, very probably due to deficiency of tyrosine derivatives (tanning precursors).

Cellular defense mechanisms in C. capitata: recognition and entrapment of E. coli by hemocytes.

The mechanism of recognition of foreignness and entrapment of invaders by the immune system of insects is unknown. In this report using hemocyte monolayer preparations and biochemical analysis we demonstrate the requirements for recognition of E. coli in vitro, their entrapment by hemocytes, and nodule formation. A model system consisting of an isolated hemocyte protein (47 KDa), isolated hemocyte tyrosinase, isolated hemocytes, tyrosine, and E. coli was used to obtain these results. The 47 kDa polypeptide has the ability to form adducts with tyrosine derivatives generated by the action of tyrosinase and to attach to the E. coli surface. The latter process takes place independently of tyrosinase activity. When the E. coli-47KDa protein complex was overlaid on hemocyte monolayers followed by tyrosine and tyrosinase or vice versa, the bacteria were entrapped by hemocytes. The same results were obtained when the monolayers were overlaid with 47 KDa protein, followed by E. coli-47 KDa protein complex and then tyrosine and tyrosinase. The same experimental procedure in test tubes resulted in nodule formation. These results permit us to propose that the most likely explanation for the entrapment of E. coli to hemocytes and the formation of nodules is the production of E. coli-47 KDa complexes, and their crosslinking through a quinone intermediate generated by the action of tyrosinase on hemocytes.

Biochemical and genetic studies on alkaline phosphatase of Ceratitis capitata.

Two forms of alkaline phosphatase exist in the integument of the "white pupae" (wp) and dark pupae (dp) mutant strains of Ceratitis capitata, during transition from larvae to pupae. They were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Both isoenzymes have a molecular weight of approximately 180,000 and two pH optima, at 9.4 and at 11.0. The isoenzymes of the "dark pupae" mutant catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphotyrosine and beta-glycerophosphate but not phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, ATP, and AMP. In contrast, the isoenzymes of the white pupae mutant hydrolyze all the substrates tested. The ALPase 1 of the dark pupae mutant was inhibited by L-tyrosine, but L-phenylalanine had no effect on either isoenzyme. The effects of divalent cations, EDTA, temperature, urea, and 2-mercaptoethanol were also investigated. Electrophoretic analysis did not reveal any variants of the larval and pupal isoenzymes, but ALPase A, an adult stage-specific isoenzyme, was found to be polymorphic. The electrophoretic variants were shown to be controlled by three codominant alleles located on the third chromosome of Ceratitis capitata. Since we found no hybrid enzyme, we conclude that ALPase A is monomeric.

Defense mechanisms in insects: certain integumental proteins and tyrosinase are responsible for nonself-recognition and immobilization of Escherichia coli in the cuticle of developing Ceratitis capitata.

A defense mechanism in the cuticle of developing C. capitata was demonstrated using an in vitro system consisting of isolated cuticular tyrosinase from C. capitata, cuticular tyrosinase-free proteins, tyrosine, and E. coli. The simultaneous presence of the above components resulted in the formation of large immobilized E. coli aggregates. By contrast, omission of any of the above components failed to produce such aggregates. In other words, E. coli retained their mobility and viability. The results indicate that certain cuticular proteins are responsible for the nonself-recognition, since they are able to bind to the E. coli surface in vitro, and a reactive tyrosine derivative is generated by the action of cuticular tyrosinase for the immobilization and probably killing of E. coli. Based on these studies the most likely explanation for the nonself-recognition and immobilization and/or killing of bacteria is the production of E. coli-protein complexes and their crosslinking through quinone intermediate.

Integumental phosphatase isoenzymes from white puparia of Ceratitis capitata: isolation and characterization.

Two specific alkaline phosphatase forms were identified in the integument of wild-type Ceratitis capitata during transition of larvae to pupae. The separation was achieved by DEAE-cellulose chromatography; alkaline phosphatase 1 and alkaline phosphatase 2 were eluted in 0.1 and 0.4 M KCl, respectively. Both isoenzymes have a molecular weight of approximately 180,000. The pH curve reveals two peaks for both alkaline phosphatases: one at 9.4 and the other at 11.0. The two isoenzymes at both pH optima catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphotyrosine and beta-glycerophosphate, but not phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, ATP, or AMP. However, at pH 9.4, alkaline phosphatase 1 is more effective than ALPase 2 and exhibits a preference for phosphotyrosine. The divalent cations Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ba2+ activate the enzymes, while Cu2+ and Zn2+ are inhibitors for both isoenzymes. Both isoenzymes are inactivated by EDTA. The effect of amino acids on enzyme activity was also tested. Alkaline phosphatase 1 is inhibited by L-tyrosine, while alkaline phosphatase 2 is unaffected. L-Phenylalanine has no effect on either isoenzyme. Both isoenzymes are inhibited by urea and 2-mercaptoethanol. Simultaneous addition of urea and 2-mercaptoethanol reveals that ALPase 1 is more sensitive to these inhibitors than ALPase 2.

Isolation and identification of free amino acids as crystalline N-t-butyloxycarbonyl, O-phenacyl derivatives.

A general and efficient method for the quantitative isolation of free amino acids from natural sources and their identification as crystalline N-t-butyloxycarbonyl amino acid phenacyl esters is described. The applicability of this method is illustrated in the isolation and characterization of major free amino acids from the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata.

Temporally regulated protein synthesis in cultured haemocytes of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata during larval and prepupal development: internalization of larval serum proteins into the haemocytes.

Detailed analysis of haemocyte proteins by one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis during the late larval stages and white pupae of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata reveals more than 50 polypeptides. A numbering system is established based on molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Detailed examination leads to the conclusion that each protein resolved by our methods has its own characteristic kinetics of accumulation. The most abundant protein is unequivocally the 36-kDa band with an isoelectric point at 5.07, followed by the 47- and 54-kDa proteins. The 36-kDa band constitutes approximately 9% of total haemocyte protein. Comparison of the haemocyte protein pattern to that of cell-free haemolymph clearly shows that the protein bands at 81, 82, 85, and 87 kDa are common in both sources. We demonstrated by immunoblotting and pulse-labeled experiments followed by 2D SDS-PAGE that these protein bands which constitute the larval serum proteins were internalized into the haemocytes from the serum. By pulse labeling cells with [35S]methionine, separating polypeptides by one-dimensional PAGE electrophoresis, and comparing the rates of synthesis of over 50 individual polypeptides by fluorography, the following results were obtained: Three protein groups with distinct patterns of synthesis were noted: (1) proteins that are synthesized throughout the developmental period studied, (2) proteins whose synthesis begins at the wandering stage, and (3) proteins that are synthesized only during the feeding period. The 47-kDa protein shows the highest relative rate of synthesis, but since it is not the most accumulated band it must have a high turnover rate. Most of the labeled proteins were secreted into the incubation medium. The intracellular transit time was estimated to be about 11 min. Patterns of protein synthesis in haemocytes are regulated in a precise temporal sequence during the transformation of larvae to pupae. Their study yields a useful system for the analysis of molecular events in gene control.

Translation of the mRNAs coding for the major hemolymph proteins of Ceratitis capitata in cell-free system: comparison of the translatable mRNA levels to the respective biosynthetic levels of the proteins in the fat body during development.

Four major hemolymph polypeptides (ceratitins) with molecular weights between 8.1 X 10(4) and 8.7 X 10(4) daltons have been identified in the fat body of late Ceratitis capitata larvae. Total fat body RNA from late larvae was translated in reticulocyte lysate, and the predominant in vitro translation products were shown to be the ceratitin precursors. The biosynthesis of these proteins during postembryonic development was studied in both tissue culture and cell-free system. Comparison of the biosynthetic patterns obtained in the two systems suggests a linear relationship between messenger concentration and protein synthesis. Three of these polypeptides show a coordinate pattern of synthesis and are immunologically related. After pupation, all four ceratitins are reabsorbed by the fat body where they accumulate.