Diacylglycerol-induced translocation of diacylglycerol kinase: use of affinity-purified enzyme in a reconstitution system

Abstract

Diacylglycerol-induced translocation of diacylglycerol kinase (ATP:1,2-diacylglycerol 3-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.107) from the soluble to the membrane-bound compartments was demonstrated both in crude tissue homogenates and in a reconstituted enzyme-membrane model system. In homogenates of either rat brain or liver, incubation with diacylglycerol or phospholipase C, but not phospholipase A2 or phospholipase D, resulted in the translocation of diacylglycerol kinase activity from the soluble to the particulate fraction. This observation formed the basis for the first step in a two-step purification of diacylglycerol kinase. Enzyme extracted in 1 M salt from membranes of rat brain homogenates made in the presence of phospholipase C was purified further by affinity chromatography on a column containing phosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol, and cholesterol immobilized in polyacrylamide. This step yielded an enzyme preparation (step 2 enzyme) that was 500- to 750-fold purified (relative to the tissue homogenate) and required phosphatidylserine for stability. All other lipids tested failed to stabilize the enzyme. The properties of the enzyme preparation were similar to those of mammalian diacylglycerol kinases described by others. Reconstitution experiments showed that the soluble step 2 enzyme bound to inside-out vesicles of human erythrocytes only in the presence of diacylglycerol or phospholipase C but not phospholipase A2 or D. Redistribution of the kinase from soluble to vesicle-bound forms occurred rapidly and was dependent on the concentration of phospholipase C used to treat the vesicles. Physiological concentrations of calcium (50-1000 nM) did not enhance the phospholipase C-mediated translocation of the kinase. Thus, diacylglycerol kinase can translocate from cytosol to membranes in a manner dependent on the content of membrane-bound diacylglycerol but independent of the ambient concentration of calcium.