Regulation of ecto-5′-nucleotidase activity via Ca²⁺-dependent, annexin 2-mediated membrane rearrangement?

The spatial segregation of the plasma membrane plays a prominent role in distinguishing and sorting a large number of signals a cell receives simultaneously. The plasma membrane comprises regions known as lipid rafts, which serve as signal-transduction hubs and platforms for sorting membrane-associated proteins. Ca²⁺-binding proteins of the annexin family have been ascribed a role in the regulation of raft dynamics. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored 5′-nucleotidase is an extracellular, raft-associated enzyme responsible for conversion of extracellular ATP into adenosine. Our results point to a regulation of ecto-5′-nucleotidase activity by Ca²⁺-dependent, annexin-mediated stabilization of membrane rafts.