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LPP, a LIM protein highly expressed in smooth muscle
Isabelle Gorenne1, Robert K Nakamoto, Clayton P Phelps
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|May 23, 2003
Summary
Lipoma-preferred partner (LPP) protein is selectively expressed in smooth muscle, localizing to the plasma membrane and focal adhesions. LPP influences vascular smooth muscle cell migration and may shuttle to the nucleus.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The lipoma-preferred partner (LPP) gene product is an 80-kDa protein.
- LPP is prominently expressed in smooth muscle tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the expression and localization of LPP in smooth muscle.
- To investigate the function of LPP in vascular smooth muscle cell motility and its potential nuclear translocation.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy using a specific anti-LPP antibody.
- Analysis of LPP localization in cultured and freshly isolated smooth muscle cells.
- Transwell migration assays and treatment with Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and leptomycin B.
Main Results:
- LPP is selectively expressed in vascular and visceral smooth muscles, with trace amounts in other tissues.
- LPP localizes to the plasma membrane, associated with vinculin at focal adhesions in cultured cells.
- Overexpression of LPP enhances EGF-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell migration.
- Rho-kinase inhibition affects LPP localization and enhances nuclear accumulation of LPP.
Conclusions:
- LPP is a smooth muscle-associated protein involved in cell motility.
- LPP exhibits dynamic localization, potentially shuttling to the nucleus via a Rho-kinase-sensitive mechanism.