Phosphoinositide 3-kinase in rat liver nuclei

Biochemical and immunochemical data from the present investigation reveal the existence of a p85/p110 phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in rat liver nuclei. ³²P-Labeling of membrane phosphoinositides by incubating intact nuclei with [γ-³²P]ATP results in the formation of [³²P]phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃], accompanied by small quantities of [³²P]phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P]. Studies with subnuclear fractions indicate that the PI 3- kinase is not confined to nuclear membranes. The nuclear soluble fraction also contains PI 3-kinase and an array of inositidemetabolizing enzymes, including phospholipase C (PLC), phosphoinositide phosphatase, and diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase. As a result, exposure of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] to the nuclear extract in the presence of [γ-³²P]ATP generates a series of ³²P-labeled D-3 phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid (PA) in an interdependent manner. On the basis of the immunological reactivity and kinetic behavior, the nuclear PI 3-kinase is analogous, if not identical, to PI 3-kinase α, and constitutes about 5% of the total PI 3-kinase in the cell. Moreover, we test the premise that nuclear PI 3-kinase may, in part, be regulated through the control of substrate availability by PtdIns(4,5)P₂-binding proteins. Effect of CapG, a nuclear actin-regulatory protein, on PI 3-kinase activity is examined in view of its unique Ca²⁺-dependent PtdIns(4,5)P₂-binding capability. In vitro data show that the CapG-mediated inhibition of nuclear PI 3-kinase is prompted by PKC phosphorylation of CapG and elevated [Ca²⁺]. This CapG-dependent regulation provides a plausible link between nuclear PLC and PI 3-kinase pathways for cross-communications. Taken together, these findings provide definite data concerning the presence of an autonomous PI 3-kinase cycle in rat liver nuclei. The nuclear location of PI 3-kinase may lead to a better understanding regarding its functional role in transducing signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in response to diverse physiological stimuli.