Induction of filopodia-like protrusions in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells by diacylglycerol kinase γ independent of its enzymatic activity: potential novel function of the C-terminal region containing the catalytic domain of diacylglycerol kinase γ

Mol Cell Biochem. 2013 Jan;373(1-2):85-93. doi: 10.1007/s11010-012-1477-6. Epub 2012 Oct 8.

Abstract

Type I diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) isozymes (α, β, and γ) contain recoverin homology domains and calcium-binding EF-hand motifs at their N-termini. The γ-isoform of DGK is abundantly expressed in retinal and Purkinje cells; however, its function in neuronal cells remains unknown. Here, we report that the mRNA and protein levels of DGKγ, but not DGKα or β, were markedly increased in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells upon cellular differentiation by serum starvation. Interestingly, overexpression of wild-type DGKγ, which was partially located at the plasma membrane, considerably induced the formation of slender, filopodia-like cytoplasmic projections from N1E-115 cell bodies. Deletion of the recoverin homology domain and the EF-hand motifs, which potentiated the plasma membrane localization of the isozyme, significantly enhanced the formation of the filopodia-like protrusions. Intriguingly, the catalytic activity of the isozyme is not essential for the protrusion formation. The N-terminal half of the catalytic domain and a short stretch of amino acid residues at the C-terminus are responsible for plasma membrane localization and filopodia-like process formation. Taken together, we have described a potentially novel morphological function of the C-terminal DGKγ catalytic region that is independent of its enzymatic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / enzymology
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Diacylglycerol Kinase / genetics
  • Diacylglycerol Kinase / metabolism*
  • Diacylglycerol Kinase / physiology
  • Gene Expression
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Protein Transport
  • Pseudopodia / enzymology*
  • Sequence Deletion

Substances

  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Isoenzymes
  • Diacylglycerol Kinase