Transformations of phosphatidylinositol phosphates in the outer and inner nuclear membrane are linked to synthesis and restitution of cellular membranes

Abstract

The ultimate goal in phosphoinositides cellular metabolism is to decipher their global functional organization and coordination of the com- partmentalized signaling processes. In this report we present evidence linking nuclear phos- phoinositides cycle with endoplasmic reticulum synthesis and function. The rapid transformation of [3H]inositol-labeled phosphoinositides in the intact nuclei (IN) was captured in chase studies for 0-5 min, followed by examination of phosphatidylinositides in the inner nuclear me- mbrane (INM), the outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We revealed that synthesis of phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) occurs in ONM and the de- phosphorylation takes place in the INM. The rapid transformation of the radiolabeled PIPs in ONM reverberated in their appearance and successive transformation in INM, and in the 5min chased nuclei was tracked to ONM as the re- emerging radiolabeled phosphatidylinositol (PI). These chase-uncovered changes in ONM and INM PIPs profiles allow us to conclude that the observed conversions in the nuclear membrane continuum are induced by the lateral movement of the membrane and its transit from the cytosolic to nuclear and back to cytosolic environment. The suggested membrane synthesisinduced movement provides the means to transport the membrane- and the membrane lipid ligand-associated cytosolic proteins to the intranuclear spaces and renewal of INM. Export of the nuclear components interacting with the modified INM, by exiting from nuclear to cytosolic site, endows ER with a steady influx of the membrane that is conditioned to generate vesicles according to the nucleus delivered templates.