Cited by 154Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and EffectsCholesterol and Lipid MetabolismLipid Membrane Structure and Behavior

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 8 of the 23 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Sigma-2 Receptor/TMEM97 and PGRMC-1 Increase the Rate of Internalization of LDL by LDL Receptor through the Formation of a Ternary Complex

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Abstract

CRISPR/Cas gene studies were conducted in HeLa cells where either PGRMC1, TMEM97 or both proteins were removed via gene editing. A series of radioligand binding studies, confocal microscopy studies, and internalization of radiolabeled or fluorescently tagged LDL particles were then conducted in these cells. The results indicate that PGRMC1 knockout (KO) did not reduce the density of binding sites for the sigma-2 receptor (σ2R) radioligands, [ 125 I] RHM-4 or [ 3 H]DTG, but a reduction in the receptor affinity of both radioligands was observed. TMEM97 KO resulted in a complete loss of binding of [ 125 I] RHM-4 and a significant reduction in binding of [ 3 H]DTG. TMEM97 KO and PGRMC1 KO resulted in an equal reduction in the rate of uptake of fluorescently-tagged or 3 H-labeled LDL, and knocking out both proteins did not result in a further rate of reduction of LDL uptake. Confocal microscopy and Proximity Ligation Assay studies indicated a clear co-localization of LDLR, PGRMC1 and TMEM97. These data indicate that the formation of a ternary complex of LDLR-PGRMC1-TMEM97 is necessary for the rapid internalization of LDL by LDLR.

Overview

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

CRISPR knockout of TMEM97/σ2R or PGRMC1 in HeLa cells equally slows LDL internalization, and double knockout is not additive, indicating both proteins are needed in a ternary complex with LDLR for rapid LDL uptake. Radioligand binding shows TMEM97 is required for [125I]RHM-4 binding and most [3H]DTG binding, while PGRMC1 loss lowers σ2R ligand affinity without changing Bmax.

Key findings

  • PGRMC1 KO did not reduce Bmax for [125I]RHM-4 or [3H]DTG but increased Kd: [3H]DTG Kd rose from 14.8 ± 1.8 nM to 27.5 ± 2.5 nM, and [125I]RHM-4 Kd rose from 0.88 ± 0.04 nM to 2.66 ± 0.12 nM.
  • TMEM97 KO eliminated [125I]RHM-4 binding and reduced [3H]DTG binding; residual [3H]DTG binding had Kd 302 ± 80 nM and Bmax 1218 ± 148 fmol/mg, with similar values in double KO (Kd 402.6 ± 109.8 nM; Bmax 1374 ± 192 fmol/mg).
  • LDL uptake was significantly decreased in PGRMC1 KO, TMEM97 KO, and double KO cells, with no further reduction in double KO; LDL binding at 4 °C was similar across cell lines, and somatostatin/insulin uptake was unaffected.
  • Confocal microscopy and proximity ligation assays showed co-localization/interaction of LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97, supporting a ternary complex required for rapid LDL internalization.

Methods

  • HeLa cells were gene-edited with CRISPR/Cas9 to generate control, TMEM97 KO, PGRMC1 KO, and TMEM97/PGRMC1 double KO lines; knockout was confirmed by western blot.
  • Saturation radioligand binding used [3H]DTG and [125I]RHM-4 with σ1R masking; LDL uptake was measured with [3H]cholesterol-labeled LDL or DiI-LDL, plus [125I]somatostatin and [125I]insulin uptake assays.
  • Confocal microscopy and proximity ligation assays assessed LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97 localization/interaction; pharmacological inhibitors included RHM-4, RHM-1, siramesine, SW43, and AG-205.

Limitations

  • Stated: residual [3H]DTG binding in TMEM97 KO and double KO cells was not attributed to σ1R or PGRMC1; the authors state whether it represents a third, uncharacterized sigma receptor or another off-target site remains to be determined.
  • Stated: a population of PGRMC1 was not co-localized with LDLR and TMEM97, consistent with PGRMC1 also associating with other membrane-bound receptors.
  • Evident, not stated as a limitation: findings are from HeLa cells and in vitro assays, with no in vivo validation or testing in other cell types reported.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41598-018-35430-3

Cites

43 of 43 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Figures

Figure 1 Western blot analysis for control, TMEM97 KO, PGRMC1 KO, and double KO cell lines. All the four cell lines were generated by sequential plasmid transfection and lentivirus-infection procedures. Single clones were isolated for all cell lines. (A) A representative western blot showing that TMEM97 or/and PGRMC1 were completely deleted in the knockout cell lines. (B) TMEM97 and (C) PGRMC1 protein levels measured as the expression ratio of TMEM97 or PGRMC1 to GAPDH, respectively, were quantified in control and knockout cell lines. Six clones from each cell line were analyzed. The data showed that TMEM97 KO did not affect the PRGMC1 protein level and vice versa.
Figure 1 Western blot analysis for control, TMEM97 KO, PGRMC1 KO, and double KO cell lines. All the four cell lines were generated by sequential plasmid transfection and lentivirus-infection procedures. Single clones were isolated for all cell lines. (A) A representative western blot showing that TMEM97 or/and PGRMC1 were completely deleted in the knockout cell lines. (B) TMEM97 and (C) PGRMC1 protein levels measured as the expression ratio of TMEM97 or PGRMC1 to GAPDH, respectively, were quantified in control and knockout cell lines. Six clones from each cell line were analyzed. The data showed that TMEM97 KO did not affect the PRGMC1 protein level and vice versa.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 In vitro binding studies in control, TMEM97 KO, PGRMC1 KO, and double KO cell lines. (A) [125I]RHM-4 binding was completely eliminated in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells. (B) [3H]DTG binding was significantly reduced in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells, but some residual specific binding was observed. (C) Saturation binding curves were obtained using a ligand concentration of [3H]DTG (1 nM - 750 nM) to obtain Kd and Bmax values for the residual binding site in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells.
Figure 2 In vitro binding studies in control, TMEM97 KO, PGRMC1 KO, and double KO cell lines. (A) [125I]RHM-4 binding was completely eliminated in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells. (B) [3H]DTG binding was significantly reduced in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells, but some residual specific binding was observed. (C) Saturation binding curves were obtained using a ligand concentration of [3H]DTG (1 nM - 750 nM) to obtain Kd and Bmax values for the residual binding site in the TMEM97 KO and double KO cells.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Uptake of [3H]cholesterol labeled LDL (50 μg/mL LDL labeled with 3 μCi/mL [3H]cholesterol) expressed as cpm /μg cell protein. (A) Uptake over time. (B) Uptake over time with the addition of excess unlabeled LDL (250 μg/mL). (C) Incubation at 4 °C to indicate similar capacity of LDL binding to LDL receptor. (D) Percent Inhibition of radiolabeled LDL uptake by incubation with 500 nM Siramesine, RHM-4, SW43, RHM-1, and AG-205. Significance indicated by a 2-way Anova for comparison between cell lines. *Indicates p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001, n = 4.
Figure 3 Uptake of [3H]cholesterol labeled LDL (50 μg/mL LDL labeled with 3 μCi/mL [3H]cholesterol) expressed as cpm /μg cell protein. (A) Uptake over time. (B) Uptake over time with the addition of excess unlabeled LDL (250 μg/mL). (C) Incubation at 4 °C to indicate similar capacity of LDL binding to LDL receptor. (D) Percent Inhibition of radiolabeled LDL uptake by incubation with 500 nM Siramesine, RHM-4, SW43, RHM-1, and AG-205. Significance indicated by a 2-way Anova for comparison between cell lines. *Indicates p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001, n = 4.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Confocal microscopy on HeLa cell lines labeled with antibodies against LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97. (A) Cells were plated and imaged under standard, non-lipoprotein depleted conditions. (B) Cells were plated and sterol starved by incubation with lipoprotein-depleted serum for 24 hours. (C) Cells were sterol starved for 24 hours, followed by treatment with 50 μg/mL LDL for 3 hours.
Figure 4 Confocal microscopy on HeLa cell lines labeled with antibodies against LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97. (A) Cells were plated and imaged under standard, non-lipoprotein depleted conditions. (B) Cells were plated and sterol starved by incubation with lipoprotein-depleted serum for 24 hours. (C) Cells were sterol starved for 24 hours, followed by treatment with 50 μg/mL LDL for 3 hours.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 5 Proximity Ligation Assay on Scramble/Cas9 HeLa cells showing interactions between TMEM97 and PGRMC1, LDLR and PGRMC1, and LDLR and TMEM97. (A) standard, non-lipoprotein depleted conditions, (B) sterol-starved conditions, and (C) sterol-starved conditions followed with treatment with 50 μg/mL LDL for 3 hours. Inserts represent an enlarged region focusing on a single cell.
Figure 5 Proximity Ligation Assay on Scramble/Cas9 HeLa cells showing interactions between TMEM97 and PGRMC1, LDLR and PGRMC1, and LDLR and TMEM97. (A) standard, non-lipoprotein depleted conditions, (B) sterol-starved conditions, and (C) sterol-starved conditions followed with treatment with 50 μg/mL LDL for 3 hours. Inserts represent an enlarged region focusing on a single cell.CC BY · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

33 Own result · 15 Own interpretation · 9 Own method · 5 Not checked yet · 3 Supported so far · 2 Partly supported · 2 No full text of the sources · 2 No basis given · 1 Supported · 1 Sources not found · accuracy not yet measured

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Show all 44 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 13
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 19
29 of 29
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The CRISPR/Cas9 knockout cell lines do not carry off-target mutations or compensatory changes that could account for the observed reductions in LDL uptake and radioligand binding.

    “All the four cell lines were generated using the same plasmid transfection and lentivirus-infection procedures. Single clones were isolated for all knockout cell lines and used throughout the current study.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The antibodies used in confocal microscopy and proximity ligation assays specifically recognize LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97.

    “To confirm that the observed associations between the protein was indeed a complex formed, proximity ligation assays were conducted pairwise between LDLR, PGRMC1, and TMEM97.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Excess unlabeled LDL competes with radiolabeled LDL for binding to LDLR.

    “Under these conditions the excess LDL competes with radiolabeled LDL for binding with LDLR, resulting in significantly decreased internalization (Fig. 3B).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The σ2R radioligand binding assays measure specific binding to σ2R/TMEM97 under the conditions used, with 1 μM (+)-pentazocine masking σ1R.

    “The in vitro binding studies were done in the presence of 1 μM (+)−pentazocine to mask σ1R.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The pharmacological inhibitors used (RHM-4, RHM-1, Siramesine, SW43, AG-205) act selectively on their intended targets at the concentrations used.

    “Since TMEM97 is the protein which contains the σ2R, we used two ligands previously described selective σ2R antagonists RHM-4 (Kd ~ 0.2 nM) and RHM-1 (Kd ~ 0.66 nM); two ligands previously described as being σ2R agonists Siramesine (Kd ~ 1.6 nM) and SW43 (Kd ~ 12 nM). We also used AG-205 a PGRMC1 inhibitor (Kd ~ 1 μM against σ2R and Ki~1263 ± 325 to the σ2R for displacing DTG).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    TMEM97 is the sigma-2 receptor (σ2R).

    “The involvement of TMEM97/σ2R in the internalization and trafficking of cholesterol via LDL”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of PGRMC1 and TMEM97 is specific and does not produce off-target effects that affect the results.

    “PGRMC1 was knocked out in HeLa cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The antibodies used in confocal microscopy and proximity ligation assays are specific for LDLR, TMEM97, and PGRMC1.

    “incubated with goat anti-PGRMC1 (Abcam ab48012) 1:200 in PBST +1% BSA overnight”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The radiolabeled LDL uptake assay measures LDL internalization specifically via LDLR.

    “Cells were incubated with radiolabeled LDL for 10–240 minutes at 37° for uptake studies”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The σ2R ligands used (e.g., RHM-4) bind specifically to TMEM97/σ2R and not to other targets.

    “with RHM-4, Siramesine, SW43, RHM-1, or AG-205 (1 nM - 500 nM)”
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Metadata

Authors
Riad, A., Zeng, C., Weng, C.-C., Winters, H., Xu, K., Makvandi, M., Metz, T., Carlin, S., & Mach, R. H.
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (US)
Corresponding author
Mach, Robert H.
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2018-11-15
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
16845-16845
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2899553700
Cited by
147
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 7
FWCI
11.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
Keywords
sigma-2 receptor, TMEM97, PGRMC1, LDL receptor, LDL internalization, ternary complex, receptor internalization, receptor binding affinity, protein colocalization, cholesterol absorption, DTG
MeSH terms
Gene Editing, Endocytosis, HeLa Cells, Humans, Insulin, Ligands, Membrane Proteins, Protein Binding, Receptors, LDL, Receptors, Progesterone, Somatostatin, Receptors, sigma, CRISPR-Cas Systems

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