Previous studies have demonstrated that G protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting-1 protein (GIT1) associates with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to regulate nitric oxide production in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). Here, we hypothesized that GIT1's tightly associated binding partner, β-PIX (p21-activated kinase-interacting exchange factor β, ARHGEF7) is specifically important in the regulation of eNOS activity. We examined β-PIX expression in normal rat liver by immunohistochemistry and explored β-PIX protein-protein interactions using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. The role of β-PIX in regulating eNOS enzymatic activity was studied in GIT1-deficient SECs. Finally, structural analysis of interaction sites in GIT1 and β-PIX required to regulate eNOS activity were mapped. β-PIX was expressed primarily in SECs in normal liver and was either absent or expressed at extremely low levels in other liver cells (stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes). β-PIX interacted with GIT1 and eNOS to form a trimolecular signaling module in normal SECs and was important in stimulating eNOS activity. Of note, GIT1-β-PIX interaction led to synergistic enhancement of eNOS activity, and β-PIX-driven increase in eNOS activity was GIT1 dependent. Disruption of β-PIX or GIT1 in normal SECs using β-PIX siRNA or GIT1-deficient SECs led to reduced eNOS activity. Finally, specific GIT1 domains [Spa2 homology domain (SHD) and synaptic localization domain (SLD), aa 331-596] and the β-PIX COOH terminal (aa 496-555) appeared to be critical in the regulation eNOS activity. The data indicate that β-PIX regulates eNOS phosphorylation and function in normal SECs and highlight the importance of the GIT1/β-PIX/eNOS trimolecular complex in normal liver SEC function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY β-PIX is a multidomain protein known to be a GIT1 binding partner. We report here that in the normal liver, the distribution and cellular localization of β-PIX are restricted largely to sinusoidal endothelial cells. Furthermore, β-PIX interacts with eNOS and GIT1 promotes eNOS activity and NO production and therefore exerts a novel posttranslational regulatory function on eNOS activity in sinusoidal endothelial cells. We also have identified specific molecular domains important in GIT1 and β-PIX's interaction with eNOS, which may represent novel therapeutic targets in the control of sinusoidal blood flow and intrahepatic resistance.
Keywords: injury; liver; nitric oxide; portal hypertension.