Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) Tethers EPAC1 in a vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cad)-based signaling complex and controls cAMP-mediated vascular permeability

J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 29;285(44):33614-22. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.140004. Epub 2010 Aug 23.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) permeability is largely dependent on the integrity of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin or VE-Cad)-based intercellular adhesions. Activators of protein kinase A (PKA) or of exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) reduce VEC permeability largely by stabilizing VE-Cad-based intercellular adhesions. Currently, little is known concerning the nature and composition of the signaling complexes that allow PKA or EPAC to regulate VE-Cad-based structures and through these actions control permeability. Using pharmacological, biochemical, and cell biological approaches we identified and determined the composition and functionality of a signaling complex that coordinates cAMP-mediated control of VE-Cad-based adhesions and VEC permeability. Thus, we report that PKA, EPAC1, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) enzymes integrate into VE-Cad-based signaling complexes in human arterial endothelial cells. Importantly, we show that protein-protein interactions between EPAC1 and PDE4D serve to foster their integration into VE-Cad-based complexes and allow robust local regulation of EPAC1-based stabilization of VE-Cad-based adhesions. Of potential translational importance, we mapped the EPAC1 peptide motif involved in binding PDE4D and show that a cell-permeable variant of this peptide antagonizes EPAC1-PDE4D binding and directly alters VEC permeability. Collectively, our data indicate that PDE4D regulates both the activity and subcellular localization of EPAC1 and identify a novel mechanism for regulated EPAC1 signaling in these cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3 / metabolism*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Junctions / metabolism
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Permeability
  • Signal Transduction
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Peptides
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • cadherin 5
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4
  • PDE4D protein, human