Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) detects stimulus-dependent phosphorylation of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in primary neurons

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Oct 13;349(1):24-30. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.07.212. Epub 2006 Aug 14.

Abstract

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a large, endocytic receptor involved in intracellular signalling. LRP acts as a co-receptor with the PDGF-receptor (PDGF-r) for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). PDGF-r and Src-kinases induce tyrosine-phosphorylation of LRP. We used fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to specifically detect LRP phosphorylation, measure its extent and localization in intact cells, and assess its effects upon LRP-APP interaction. Robust phosphorylation of LRP throughout the cell was observed after overexpression of Src-kinase. This depended on LRP's distal NPXY domain. By contrast, activation of the PDGF-r resulted in phosphorylation of the subpopulation of LRP at or near the cell surface. PDGF activation triggered phosphorylation of endogenous LRP in primary neurons. LRP is also a trafficking receptor for the Alzheimer-related molecule amyloid-precursor-protein (APP). PDGF stimulation did not affect LRP-APP interactions. This approach allows exquisite subcellular resolution of specific LRP post-translational changes and protein-protein interactions of endogenous proteins in intact cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 / chemistry
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor