The ral gene: a new ras related gene isolated by the use of a synthetic probe

Exploring Covalent Bond Formation at Tyr-82 for Inhibition of Ral GTPase Activation

Ral RAS GTPases are directly activated by KRAS through a trimeric complex with a guanine exchange factor. Ral is considered undruggable and lacks an accessible cysteine for covalent drug development. Previously we had reported an aryl sulfonyl fluoride fragment that formed a covalent bond at Tyr-82 on Ral and created a deep and well-defined pocket. Here, we explore this pocket further through design and synthesis of several fragment derivatives. The fragment core is modified by introducing tetrahydronaphthalene or benzodioxane rings to enhance affinity and stability of the sulfonyl fluoride reactive group. The deep pocket in the Switch II region is also explored by modifying the aromatic ring of the fragment that is ensconced into the pocket. Compounds 19 (SOF-658) and 26 (SOF-648) formed a single robust adduct specifically at Tyr-82, inhibited Ral GTPase exchange in buffer and in mammalian cells, and blocked invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer cells. Compound 19 (SOF-658) was stable in buffer, mouse, and human microsomes suggesting that further optimization could lead to small molecules to probe Ral activity in tumor models.

Regulation of cargo exocytosis by a Reps1-Ralbp1-RalA module

Surface levels of membrane proteins are determined by a dynamic balance between exocytosis-mediated surface delivery and endocytosis-dependent retrieval from the cell surface. Imbalances in surface protein levels perturb surface protein homeostasis and cause major forms of human disease such as type 2 diabetes and neurological disorders. Here, we found a Reps1-Ralbp1-RalA module in the exocytic pathway broadly regulating surface protein levels. Reps1 and Ralbp1 form a binary complex that recognizes RalA, a vesicle-bound small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPase) promoting exocytosis through interacting with the exocyst complex. RalA binding results in Reps1 release and formation of a Ralbp1-RalA binary complex. Ralbp1 selectively recognizes GTP-bound RalA but is not a RalA effector. Instead, Ralbp1 binding maintains RalA in an active GTP-bound state. These studies uncovered a segment in the exocytic pathway and, more broadly, revealed a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism for small GTPases, GTP state stabilization.

Single-cell resolution reveals RalA GTPase expanding hematopoietic stem cells and facilitating of BCR-ABL1-driven leukemogenesis in a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing mouse model

BCR-ABL oncogene-mediated Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is suggested to originate from leukemic stem cells (LSCs); however, factors regulating self-renewal of LSC and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are largely unclear. Here, we show that RalA, a small GTPase in the Ras downstream signaling pathway, has a critical effect on regulating the self-renewal of LSCs and HSCs. A RalA knock-in mouse model (RalA^Rosa26-Tg/+) was initially constructed on the basis of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) assay to analyze normal hematopoietic differentiation frequency using single-cell resolution and flow cytometry. RalA overexpression promoted cell cycle progression and increased the frequency of granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs), HSCs and multipotent progenitors (MPPs). The uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) plot revealed heterogeneities in HSCs and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and identified the subclusters of HSCs and GMPs with a distinct molecular signature. RalA also promoted BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis and self-renewal of primary LSCs and shortened the survival of leukemic mice. RalA knockdown prolonged survival and promoted sensitivity to imatinib in a patient-derived tumor xenograft model. Immunoprecipitation plus single-cell RNA sequencing of the GMP population confirmed that RalA induced this effect by interacting with RAC1. RAC1 inhibition by azathioprine effectively reduced the self-renewal, colony formation ability of LSCs and prolonged the survival in BCR-ABL1-driven RalA overexpression CML mice. Collectively, RalA was detected to be a vital factor that regulates the abilities of HSCs and LSCs, thus facilitating BCR-ABL-triggered leukemia in mice. RalA inhibition serves as the therapeutic approach to eradicate LSCs in CML.

Ral GTPases are critical regulators of spinal cord myelination and homeostasis

Efficient myelination supports nerve conduction and axonal health throughout life. In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes (OLs) carry out this demanding anabolic duty in part through biosynthetic pathways controlled by mTOR. We identify Ral GTPases as critical regulators of mouse spinal cord myelination and myelin maintenance. Ablation of Ral GTPases (RalA, RalB) in OL-lineage cells impairs timely onset and radial growth of developmental myelination, accompanied by increased endosomal/lysosomal abundance. Further examinations, including transcriptomic analyses of Ral-deficient OLs, were consistent with mTORC1-related deficits. However, deletion of the mTOR signaling-repressor Pten in Ral-deficient OL-lineage cells is unable to rescue mTORC1 activation or developmental myelination deficiencies. Induced deletion of Ral GTPases in OLs of adult mice results in late-onset myelination defects and tissue degeneration. Together, our data indicate critical roles for Ral GTPases to promote developmental spinal cord myelination, to ensure accurate mTORC1 signaling, and to protect the healthy state of myelin-axon units over time.

Dysregulation of RalA signaling through dual regulatory mechanisms exerts its oncogenic functions in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ras-like (Ral) small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), RalA and RalB, are proto-oncogenes directly downstream of Ras and cycle between the active guanosine triphosphate-bound and inactive guanosine diphosphate-bound forms. RalGTPase-activating protein (RalGAP) complex exerts a negative regulation. Currently, the role of Ral up-regulation in cancers remains unclear. We aimed to examine the clinical significance, functional implications, and underlying mechanisms of RalA signaling in HCC.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Our in-house and The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA sequencing data and quantitative PCR data revealed significant up-regulation of RalA in patients' HCCs. Up-regulation of RalA was associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and poorer prognosis. Consistently, knockdown of RalA in HCC cells attenuated cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumorigenicity and metastasis in vivo. We found that RalA up-regulation was driven by copy number gain and uncovered that SP1 and ETS proto-oncogene 2 transcription factor cotranscriptionally drove RalA expression. On the other hand, RalGAPA2 knockdown increased the RalA activity and promoted intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis in vivo. Consistently, we observed significant RalGAPA2 down-regulation in patients' HCCs. Intriguingly, HCC tumors showing simultaneous down-regulation of RalGAPA2 and up-regulation of RalA displayed a significant association with more aggressive tumor behavior in terms of more frequent venous invasion, more advanced tumor stage, and poorer overall survival. Of note, Ral inhibition by a Ral-specific inhibitor RBC8 suppressed the oncogenic functions in a dose-dependent manner and sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib treatment, with an underlying enhanced inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide biological insight that dysregulation of RalA signaling through dual regulatory mechanisms supports its oncogenic functions in HCC. Targeting RalA may serve as a potential alternative therapeutic approach alone or in combination with currently available therapy.

The RAL Enigma: Distinct Roles of RALA and RALB in Cancer

RALA and RALB are highly homologous small G proteins belonging to the RAS superfamily. Like other small GTPases, the RALs are molecular switches that can be toggled between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states to regulate diverse and critical cellular functions such as vesicle trafficking, filopodia formation, mitochondrial fission, and cytokinesis. The RAL paralogs are activated and inactivated by a shared set of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and utilize similar sets of downstream effectors. In addition to their important roles in normal cell biology, the RALs are known to be critical mediators of cancer cell survival, invasion, migration, and metastasis. However, despite their substantial similarities, the RALs often display striking functional disparities in cancer. RALA and RALB can have redundant, unique, or even antagonistic functions depending on cancer type. The molecular basis for these discrepancies remains an important unanswered question in the field of cancer biology. In this review we examine the functions of the RAL paralogs in normal cellular physiology and cancer biology with special consideration provided to situations where the roles of RALA and RALB are non-redundant.

RalA and PLD1 promote lipid droplet growth in response to nutrient withdrawal

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that undergo dynamic changes in response to changing cellular conditions. During nutrient depletion, LD numbers increase to protect cells against toxic fatty acids generated through autophagy and provide fuel for beta-oxidation. However, the precise mechanisms through which these changes are regulated have remained unclear. Here, we show that the small GTPase RalA acts downstream of autophagy to directly facilitate LD growth during nutrient depletion. Mechanistically, RalA performs this function through phospholipase D1 (PLD1), an enzyme that converts phosphatidylcholine (PC) to phosphatidic acid (PA) and that is recruited to lysosomes during nutrient stress in a RalA-dependent fashion. RalA inhibition prevents recruitment of the LD-associated protein perilipin 3, which is required for LD growth. Our data support a model in which RalA recruits PLD1 to lysosomes during nutrient deprivation to promote the localized production of PA and the recruitment of perilipin 3 to expanding LDs.

Ral GTPase is essential for actin dynamics and Golgi apparatus distribution in mouse oocyte maturation

Background

Ral family is a member of Ras-like GTPase superfamily, which includes RalA and RalB. RalA/B play important roles in many cell biological functions, including cytoskeleton dynamics, cell division, membrane transport, gene expression and signal transduction. However, whether RalA/B involve into the mammalian oocyte meiosis is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the roles of RalA/B during mouse oocyte maturation.

Results

Our results showed that RalA/B expressed at all stages of oocyte maturation, and they were enriched at the spindle periphery area after meiosis resumption. The injection of RalA/B siRNAs into the oocytes significantly disturbed the polar body extrusion, indicating the essential roles of RalA/B for oocyte maturation. We observed that in the RalA/B knockdown oocytes the actin filament fluorescence intensity was significantly increased at the both cortex and cytoplasm, and the chromosomes were failed to locate near the cortex, indicating that RalA/B regulate actin dynamics for spindle migration in mouse oocytes. Moreover, we also found that the Golgi apparatus distribution at the spindle periphery was disturbed after RalA/B depletion.

Conclusions

In summary, our results indicated that RalA/B affect actin dynamics for chromosome positioning and Golgi apparatus distribution in mouse oocytes.

The RAL signaling network: Cancer and beyond

The RAL proteins RALA and RALB belong to the superfamily of small RAS-like GTPases (guanosine triphosphatases). RAL GTPases function as molecular switches in cells by cycling through GDP- and GTP-bound states, a process which is regulated by several guanine exchange factors (GEFs) and two heterodimeric GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Since their discovery in the 1980s, RALA and RALB have been established to exert isoform-specific functions in central cellular processes such as exocytosis, endocytosis, actin organization and gene expression. Consequently, it is not surprising that an increasing number of physiological functions are discovered to be controlled by RAL, including neuronal plasticity, immune response, and glucose and lipid homeostasis. The critical importance of RAL GTPases for oncogenic RAS-driven cellular transformation and tumorigenesis still attracts most research interest. Here, RAL proteins are key drivers of cell migration, metastasis, anchorage-independent proliferation, and survival. This chapter provides an overview of normal and pathological functions of RAL GTPases and summarizes the current knowledge on the involvement of RAL in human disease as well as current therapeutic targeting strategies. In particular, molecular mechanisms that specifically control RAL activity and RAL effector usage in different scenarios are outlined, putting a spotlight on the complexity of the RAL GTPase signaling network and the emerging theme of RAS-independent regulation and relevance of RAL.

Small-molecule covalent bond formation at tyrosine creates a binding site and inhibits activation of Ral GTPases

Ral (Ras-like) GTPases are directly activated by oncogenic Ras GTPases. Mutant K-Ras (G12C) has enabled the development of covalent K-Ras inhibitors currently in clinical trials. However, Ral, and the overwhelming majority of mutant oncogenic K-Ras, are devoid of a druggable pocket and lack an accessible cysteine for the development of a covalent inhibitor. Here, we report that covalent bond formation by an aryl sulfonyl fluoride electrophile at a tyrosine residue (Tyr-82) inhibits guanine exchange factor Rgl2-mediated nucleotide exchange of Ral GTPase. A high-resolution 1.18-Å X-ray cocrystal structure shows that the compound binds to a well-defined binding site in RalA as a result of a switch II loop conformational change. The structure, along with additional high-resolution crystal structures of several analogs in complex with RalA, confirm the importance of key hydrogen bond anchors between compound sulfone oxygen atoms and Ral backbone nitrogen atoms. Our discovery of a pocket with features found on known druggable sites and covalent modification of a bystander tyrosine residue present in Ral and Ras GTPases provide a strategy that could lead to therapeutic agent targeting oncogenic Ras mutants that are devoid of a cysteine nucleophile.

Ral GTPases in Schwann cells promote radial axonal sorting in the peripheral nervous system

Small GTPases of the Rho and Ras families are important regulators of Schwann cell biology. The Ras-like GTPases RalA and RalB act downstream of Ras in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. However, the physiological role of Ral proteins in Schwann cell development is unknown. Using transgenic mice with ablation of one or both Ral genes, we report that Ral GTPases are crucial for axonal radial sorting. While lack of only one Ral GTPase was dispensable for early peripheral nerve development, ablation of both RalA and RalB resulted in persistent radial sorting defects, associated with hallmarks of deficits in Schwann cell process formation and maintenance. In agreement, ex vivo-cultured Ral-deficient Schwann cells were impaired in process extension and the formation of lamellipodia. Our data indicate further that RalA contributes to Schwann cell process extensions through the exocyst complex, a known effector of Ral GTPases, consistent with an exocyst-mediated function of Ral GTPases in Schwann cells.

RAL GTPases: Biology and Potential as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer

More than a hundred proteins comprise the RAS superfamily of small GTPases. This family can be divided into RAS, RHO, RAB, RAN, ARF, and RAD subfamilies, with each shown to play distinct roles in human cells in both health and disease. The RAS subfamily has a well-established role in human cancer with the three genes, HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS being the commonly mutated in tumors. These RAS mutations, most often functionally activating, are especially common in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers. Efforts to inhibit RAS and related GTPases have produced inhibitors targeting the downstream effectors of RAS signaling, including inhibitors of the RAF-mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-ERK kinase pathway and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-AKT-mTOR kinase pathway. A third effector arm of RAS signaling, mediated by RAL (RAS like) has emerged in recent years as a critical driver of RAS oncogenic signaling and has not been targeted until recently. RAL belongs to the RAS branch of the RAS superfamily and shares a high structural similarity with RAS. In human cells, there are two genes, RALA and RALB, both of which have been shown to play roles in the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of a variety of human cancers, including lung, colon, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and bladder cancers. In this review, we summarize the latest knowledge of RAL in the context of human cancer and the recent advancements in the development of cancer therapeutics targeting RAL small GTPases.

Ral signaling pathway in health and cancer

The Ral (Ras-Like) signaling pathway plays an important role in the biology of cells. A plethora of effects is regulated by this signaling pathway and its prooncogenic effectors. Our team has demonstrated the overactivation of the RalA signaling pathway in a number of human malignancies including cancers of the liver, ovary, lung, brain, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Additionally, we have shown that the activation of RalA in cancer stem cells is higher in comparison with differentiated cancer cells. In this article, we review the role of Ral signaling in health and disease with a focus on the role of this multifunctional protein in the generation of therapies for cancer. An improved understanding of this pathway can lead to development of a novel class of anticancer therapies that functions on the basis of intervention with RalA or its downstream effectors.

Multifactorial Regulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Endocytosis

Endocytosis is a process by which cells absorb extracellular materials via the inward budding of vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a highly selective process where receptors with specific binding sites for extracellular molecules internalize via vesicles. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest single family of plasma-membrane receptors with more than 1000 family members. But the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of GPCRs are believed to be highly conserved. For example, receptor phosphorylation in collaboration with β-arrestins plays major roles in desensitization and endocytosis of most GPCRs. Nevertheless, a number of subsequent studies showed that GPCR regulation, such as that by endocytosis, occurs through various pathways with a multitude of cellular components and processes. This review focused on i) functional interactions between homologous and heterologous pathways, ii) methodologies applied for determining receptor endocytosis, iii) experimental tools to determine specific endocytic routes, iv) roles of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins in GPCR endocytosis, and v) role of post-translational modification of the receptors in endocytosis.

Inhibition of skeletal muscle atrophy during torpor in ground squirrels occurs through downregulation of MyoG and inactivation of Foxo4

Foxo4 and MyoG proteins regulate the transcription of numerous genes, including the E3 ubiquitin ligases MAFbx and MuRF1, which are activated in skeletal muscle under atrophy-inducing conditions. In the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, there is little muscle wasting that occurs during hibernation, a process characterized by bouts of torpor and arousal, despite virtual inactivity. Consequently, we were interested in studying the regulatory role of Foxo4 and MyoG on ubiquitin ligases throughout torpor-arousal cycles. Findings indicate that MAFbx and MuRF1 decreased during early torpor (ET) by 42% and 40%, respectively, relative to euthermic control (EC), although MuRF1 expression subsequently increased at late torpor (LT). The expression pattern of MyoG most closely resembled that of MAFbx, with levels decreasing during LT. In addition, the phosphorylation of Foxo4 at Thr-451 showed an initial increase during EN, followed by a decline throughout the remainder of the torpor-arousal cycle, suggesting Foxo4 inhibition. This trend was mirrored by inhibition of the Ras-Ral pathway, as the Ras and Ral proteins were decreased by 77% and 41% respectively, at ET. Foxo4 phosphorylation at S197 was depressed during entrance and torpor, suggesting Foxo4 nuclear localization, and possibly regulating the increase in MuRF1 levels at LT. These findings indicate that signaling pathways involved in regulating muscle atrophy, such as MyoG and Foxo4 through the Ras-Ral pathway, contribute to important muscle-specific changes during hibernation. Therefore, this data provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating muscle remodeling in a hibernator model.

RalA employs GRK2 and β-arrestins for the filamin A-mediated regulation of trafficking and signaling of dopamine D2 and D3 receptor

Filamin A (FLNA) is known to act as platform for the signaling and intracellular trafficking of various GPCRs including dopamine D2 and D3 receptors (D2R, D3R). To understand molecular mechanisms involved in the FLNA-mediated regulation of D2R and D3R, comparative studies were conducted on the signaling and intracellular trafficking of the D2R and D3R in FLNA-knockdown cells, with a specific focus on the roles of the proteins that interact with FLNA and the D2R and D3R. Lowering the level of cellular FLNA caused an elevation in RalA activity and resulted in selective interference with the normal intracellular trafficking and signaling of the D2R and D3R, through GRK2 and β-arrestins, respectively. Knockdown of FLNA or coexpression of active RalA interfered with the recycling of the internalized D2R and resulted in the development of receptor tolerance. Active RalA was found to interact with GRK2 to sequester it from D2R. Knockdown of FLNA or coexpression of active RalA prevented D3R from coupling with G protein. The selective involvement of GRK2- and β-arrestins in the RalA-mediated cellular processes of the D2R and D3R was achieved via their different modes of interactions with the receptor and their distinct functional roles in receptor regulation. Our results show that FLNA is a multi-functional protein that acts as a platform on which D2R and D3R can interact with various proteins, through which selective regulation of these receptors occurs in combination with GRK2 and β-arrestins.

Agonist-induced changes in RalA activities allows the prediction of the endocytosis of G protein-coupled receptors

GTP binding proteins are classified into two families: heterotrimeric large G proteins which are composed of three subunits, and one subunit of small G proteins. Roles of small G proteins in the intracellular trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were studied. Among various small G proteins tested, GTP-bound form (G23V) of RalA inhibited the internalization of dopamine D2 receptor independently of the previously reported downstream effectors of RalA, such as Ral-binding protein 1 and PLD. With high affinity for GRK2, active RalA inhibited the GPCR endocytosis by sequestering the GRK2 from receptors. When it was tested for several GPCRs including an endogenous GPCR, lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1, agonist-induced conversion of GTP-bound to GDP-bound RalA, which presumably releases the sequestered GRK2, was observed selectively with the GPCRs which have tendency to undergo endocytosis. Conversion of RalA from active to inactive state occurred by translocation of RGL, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, from the plasma membrane to cytosol as a complex with Gβγ. These results suggest that agonist-induced Gβγ-mediated conversion of RalA from the GTP-bound form to the GDP-bound form could be a mechanism to facilitate agonist-induced internalization of GPCRs.

TD-60 links RalA GTPase function to the CPC in mitosis

TD-60 (also known as RCC2) is a highly conserved protein that structurally resembles the Ran guanine exchange factor (GEF) RCC1, but has not previously been shown to have GEF activity. TD-60 has a typical chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) distribution in mitotic cells, but associates with integrin complexes and is involved in cell motility during interphase. Here we show that TD-60 exhibits GEF activity, in vitro and in cells, for the small GTPase RalA. TD-60 or RalA depletion causes spindle abnormalities in prometaphase associated with abnormal centromeric accumulation of CPC components. TD-60 and RalA apparently work together to contribute to the regulation of kinetochore-microtubule interactions in early mitosis. Importantly, several mitotic phenotypes caused by TD-60 depletion are reverted by the expression of a GTP-locked mutant, RalA (Q72L). The demonstration that a small GTPase participates in the regulation of the CPC reveals a level of mitotic regulation not suspected in previous studies.

Expression of miRNAs in non-small-cell lung carcinomas and their association with clinicopathological features

Lung cancer is recognized as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Over the past several years, evidence emerged that microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression at posttranscriptional level, play an important role in cell functioning, as well as in human diseases. Here, we analyzed expression of miR-15a/16, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-128, and miR-210 at transcriptional level in 30 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tumor tissues compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues and their correlation with clinicopathological features of the patients. Samples were collected from the NSCLC patients undergoing surgery before radiotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic treatment. Expression levels of miRNAs were assessed by TaqMan RT-PCR assay. The data obtained in this study were processed using REST 2009 and SPSS statistical software. The graphs were designed by GraphPad prism 5.0. In tumor samples, we found downregulation of miR-15a/16 (50/83.3%), miR-34a (83.3%), miR-126 (70%), and miR-128 (63.3%). At the same time, miR-21 and miR-210 were upregulated by 53.3 and 66.6% in cancer tissue versus matched adjacent normal tissues, respectively. No significant correlation was found between the expression levels of miR-15a/16, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-128, and miR-210 and lymph node, tumor size, sex, and smoking. However, the study demonstrated a correlation between a change in expression of miR-15, miR-16, miR-34a, miR-126, and miR-210 compared to normal tissues and TNM staging (P < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-126 expression level was different in adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) subtype (P < 0.1). Detailed analysis revealed significant change in expression of miR-15a/16, miR-34a, miR-126, and miR-210 in NSCLC tumor samples indicating involvement of these miRNAs in lung cancer pathogenesis. miR-210 demonstrated the most consistent increase in tumor tissues between different patients, suggesting its potential significance for NSCLC.

Palmitoylation pilots ras to recycling endosomes

We recently showed that palmitoylated Ras proteins (H-Ras and N-Ras) localize intracellularly at recycling endosomes (REs) and that REs act as a way-station for Ras proteins as they move along the post-Golgi exocytic pathway to the plasma membrane (PM). Palmitoylation is essential for H-Ras/N-Ras targeting to REs. H-Ras requires two palmitoyl groups for RE targeting. A lack of either or both palmitoyl groups causes H-Ras to be mislocalized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi apparatus, or the PM. In this commentary, we summarize recent progress about the Ras trafficking cycle between the endomembranes (endosomes/ER/Golgi) and the PM. We further discuss (1) the critical determinants of RE targeting of lipidated proteins and (2) possible Ras-mediated signaling pathways that originate from REs.

Ras history: The saga continues

Although the roots of Ras sprouted from the rich history of retrovirus research, it was the discovery of mutationally activated RAS genes in human cancer in 1982 that stimulated an intensive research effort to understand Ras protein structure, biochemistry and biology. While the ultimate goal has been developing anti-Ras drugs for cancer treatment, discoveries from Ras have laid the foundation for three broad areas of science. First, they focused studies on the origins of cancer to the molecular level, with the subsequent discovery of genes mutated in cancer that now number in the thousands. Second, elucidation of the biochemical mechanisms by which Ras facilitates signal transduction established many of our fundamental concepts of how a normal cell orchestrates responses to extracellular cues. Third, Ras proteins are also founding members of a large superfamily of small GTPases that regulate all key cellular processes and established the versatile role of small GTP-binding proteins in biology. We highlight some of the key findings of the last 28 years.

Ral small GTPase signaling and oncogenesis: More than just 15minutes of fame

Since their discovery in 1986, Ral (Ras-like) GTPases have emerged as critical regulators of diverse cellular functions. Ral-selective guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RalGEFs) function as downstream effectors of the Ras oncoprotein, and the RalGEF-Ral signaling network comprises the third best characterized effector of Ras-dependent human oncogenesis. Because of this, Ral GTPases as well as their effectors are being explored as possible therapeutic targets in the treatment of RAS mutant cancer. The two Ral isoforms, RalA and RalB, interact with a variety of downstream effectors and have been found to play key and distinct roles in both normal and neoplastic cell physiology including regulation of vesicular trafficking, migration and invasion, tumor formation, metastasis, and gene expression. In this review we provide an overview of Ral biochemistry and biology, and we highlight recent discoveries.

Small GTPase and regulation of inflammation response in atherogenesis

Small GTPases are key signal transducers from extracellular stimuli to the nucleus that regulate a variety of cellular responses, including changes in gene expression and cell adhesion and migration. Accumulating data have demonstrated that abnormal activation of these small GTPases plays a critical role in the atherosclerosis characterized by vascular abnormalities, especially endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Here, we discuss the linkage between small GTPases, inflammation, and atherogenesis. First, small GTPases affect gene expression of inflammatory cytokines through proinflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-κB, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interlukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Then, these molecules regulate the vascular inflammation through cell adhesion and migration. In turn, small GTPases are also regulated by extracellular stimuli, such as L-selectin, thrombin, oxidized phospholipids, and interleukins. Thus, these inflammatory cytokines generate a vicious cycle for small GTPases and inflammatory responses in the atherogenesis.

Nodal signals via β-arrestins and RalGTPases to regulate trophoblast invasion

Placentation is critical for establishing a healthy pregnancy. Trophoblasts mediate implantation and placentation and certain subtypes, most notably extravillous cytotrophoblast, are highly invasive. Trophoblast invasion is tightly regulated by microenvironmental cues that dictate placental morphology and depth. In choriocarcinomas, malignant trophoblast cells become hyperinvasive, breaching the myometrium and leading to major complications. Nodal, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is expressed throughout the endometrium during the peri-implantation period and in invasive trophoblast cells. Nodal promotes the invasion of numerous types of cancer cells. However, Nodal's role in trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cell invasion is unclear. Here we show that Nodal stimulates the invasion of both the non-malignant HTR-8SV/neo trophoblast and JAR choriocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. We found that endogenous β-arrestins and Ral GTPases, key regulators of the cell cytoskeleton, are constitutively associated with Nodal receptors (ALK4 and ALK7) in trophoblast cells and that RalA is colocalized with ALK4 in endocytic vesicles. Nodal stimulates endogenous β-arrestin2 to associate with phospho-ERK1/2, and knockdown of β-arrestin or Ral proteins impairs Nodal-induced trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cell invasion. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that β-arrestins and RalGTPases are important regulators of Nodal-induced invasion.

Ral GTPases in tumorigenesis: emerging from the shadows

Oncogenic Ras proteins rely on a series of key effector pathways to drive the physiological changes that lead to tumorigenic growth. Of these effector pathways, the RalGEF pathway, which activates the two Ras-related GTPases RalA and RalB, remains the most poorly understood. This review will focus on key developments in our understanding of Ral biology, and will speculate on how aberrant activation of the multiple diverse Ral effector proteins might collectively contribute to oncogenic transformation and other aspects of tumor progression.

β-Arrestins: modulators of small GTPase activation and function

Most cellular events responsible for accurate G protein-coupled receptor trafficking involve small GTP-binding proteins. For example, trafficking of receptors via the endocytic and exocytic pathways requires activation of ADP-ribosylation factors and Rab proteins, while receptor-mediated complex responses such as migration are well characterized to be dependent upon Rho family members. Because β-arrestin proteins are recruited to activated receptors and now considered as key signaling molecules, whether they act to control small GTPase activity remains a subject of great interest. Over the years, considerable evidence has suggested that β-arrestins and GTPases might be effectors of the same signaling pathways. One example is the roles of both β-arrestin and Ras, the prototypical GTPase, in coordinating activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Recently developed tools effective in suppressing the expression of β-arrestins will help define whether they are essential for small G protein activation. Furthermore, novel approaches to identify protein complexes will greatly advance our understanding of the possible cross talk between β-arrestin and small GTPases.

Different metastasis promotive potency of small G-proteins RalA and RalB in in vivo hamster tumor model

Background

Previously we have shown that oncogenic Ha-Ras stimulated in vivo metastasis through RalGEF-Ral signaling. RalA and RalB are highly homologous small G proteins belonging to Ras superfamily. They can be activated by Ras-RalGEF signaling pathway and influence cellular growth and survival, motility, vesicular transport and tumor progression in humans and in animal models. Here we first time compared the influence of RalA and RalB on tumorigenic, invasive and metastatic properties of RSV transformed hamster fibroblasts.

Methods

Retroviral vectors encoding activated forms or effector mutants of RalA or RalB proteins were introduced into the low metastatic HET-SR cell line. Tumor growth and spontaneous metastatic activity (SMA) were evaluated on immunocompetent hamsters after subcutaneous injection of cells. The biological properties of cells, including proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and invasion were determined using MTT, wound healing, colony formation and Boyden chamber assays respectively. Protein expression and phosphorylation was detected by Westen blot analysis. Extracellular proteinases activity was assessed by substrate-specific zymography.

Results

We have showed that although both Ral proteins stimulated SMA, RalB was more effective in metastasis stimulation in vivo as well as in potentiating of directed movement and invasion in vitro. Simultaneous expression of active RalA and RalB didn't give synergetic effect on metastasis formation. RalB activity decreased expression of Caveolin-1, while active RalA stimulated MMP-1 and uPA proteolytic activity, as well as CD24 expression. Both Ral proteins were capable of Cyclin D1 upregulation, JNK1 kinase activation, and stimulation of colony growth and motility. Among three main RalB effectors (RalBP1, exocyst complex and PLD1), PLD1 was essential for RalB-dependent metastasis stimulation.

Conclusions

Presented results are the first data on direct comparison of RalA and RalB impact as well as of RalA/RalB simultaneous expression influence on in vivo cell metastatic activity. We showed that RalB activation significantly more than RalA stimulates SMA. This property correlates with the ability of RalB to stimulate in vitro invasion and serum directed cell movement. We also found that RalB-PLD1 interaction is necessary for the acquisition of RalB-dependent high metastatic cell phenotype. These findings contribute to the identification of molecular mechanisms of metastasis and tumor progression.

Structural study of the Cdc25 domain from Ral-specific guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RalGPS1a

The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) RalGPS1a activates small GTPase Ral proteins such as RalA and RalB by stimulating the exchange of Ral bound GDP to GTP, thus regulating various downstream cellular processes. RalGPS1a is composed of an Nterminal Cdc25-like catalytic domain, followed by a PXXP motif and a C-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. The Cdc25 domain of RalGPS1a, which shares about 30% sequence identity with other Cdc25-domain proteins, is thought to be directly engaged in binding and activating the substrate Ral protein. Here we report the crystal structure of the Cdc25 domain of RalGPS1a. The bowl shaped structure is homologous to the Cdc25 domains of SOS and RasGRF1. The most remarkable difference between these three Cdc25 domains lies in their active sites, referred to as the helical hairpin region. Consistent with previous enzymological studies, the helical hairpin of RalGPS1a adopts a conformation favorable for substrate binding. A modeled RalGPS1a-RalA complex structure reveals an extensive binding surface similar to that of the SOS-Ras complex. However, analysis of the electrostatic surface potential suggests an interaction mode between the RalGPS1a active site helical hairpin and the switch 1 region of substrate RalA distinct from that of the SOS-Ras complex.

The human Rgr oncogene is overexpressed in T-cell malignancies and induces transformation by acting as a GEF for Ras and Ral

The Ras superfamily of GTPases is involved in the modification of many cellular processes including cellular motility, proliferation and differentiation. Our laboratory has previously identified the RalGDS-related (Rgr) oncogene in a DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene)-induced rabbit squamous cell carcinoma and its human orthologue, hRgr. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of the human hRgr transcript in a panel of human hematopoietic malignancies and found that a truncated form (diseased-truncated (Dtr-hrgr)) was significantly overexpressed in many T-cell-derived neoplasms. Although the Rgr proto-oncogene belongs to the RalGDS family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), we show that upon the introduction of hRgr into fibroblast cell lines, it is able to elicit the activation of both Ral and Ras GTPases. Moreover, in vitro guanine nucleotide exchange assays confirm that hRgr promotes Ral and Ras activation through GDP dissociation, which is a critical characteristic of GEF proteins. hRgr has guanine nucleotide exchange activity for both small GTPases and this activity was reduced when a point mutation within the catalytic domain (CDC25) of the protein, (cd) Dtr-hRgr, was utilized. These observations prompted the analysis of the biological effects of hRgr and (cd) hRgr expression in cultured cells. Here, we show that hRgr increases proliferation in low serum, increases invasion, reduces anchorage dependence and promotes the progression into the S phase of the cell cycle; properties that are abolished or severely reduced in the presence of the catalytic dead mutant. We conclude that the ability of hRgr to activate both Ral and Ras is responsible for its transformation-inducing phenotype and it could be an important contributor in the development of some T-cell malignancies.

Phosphorylation of RalB is important for bladder cancer cell growth and metastasis

RalA and RalB are monomeric G proteins that are 83% identical in amino acid sequence but have paralogue-specific effects on cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Using in vitro kinase assays and phosphosite-specific antibodies, here we show phosphorylation of RalB by protein kinase C (PKC) and RalA by protein kinase A. We used mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis to identify S198 as the primary PKC phosphorylation site in RalB. Phorbol ester [phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)] treatment of human bladder carcinoma cells induced S198 phosphorylation of stably expressed FLAG-RalB as well as endogenous RalB. PMA treatment caused RalB translocation from the plasma membrane to perinuclear regions in a S198 phosphorylation-dependent manner. Using RNA interference depletion of RalB followed by rescue with wild-type RalB or RalB(S198A) as well as overexpression of wild-type RalB or RalB(S198A) with and without PMA stimulation, we show that phosphorylation of RalB at S198 is necessary for actin cytoskeletal organization, anchorage-independent growth, cell migration, and experimental lung metastasis of T24 or UMUC3 human bladder cancer cells. In addition, UMUC3 cells transfected with a constitutively active RalB(G23V) exhibited enhanced subcutaneous tumor growth, whereas those transfected with phospho-deficient RalB(G23V-S198A) were indistinguishable from control cells. Our data show that RalA and RalB are phosphorylated by different kinases, and RalB phosphorylation is necessary for in vitro cellular functions and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis.

Sec5 and Exo84 foster oncogenic ras-mediated tumorigenesis

The genes encoding the Ras family of small GTPases are mutated to yield constitutively active GTP-bound oncogenic proteins in one third of all human cancers. Oncogenic Ras binds to and activates a number of proteins that promote tumorigenic phenotypes, including the family of Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RalGEF). Activated RalGEFs convert the Ral family of small GTPases, composed of RalA and RalB, from an inactive GDP-bound state to an active GTP-bound state. As both RalA and RalB have been implicated in a variety of tumorigenic phenotypes, we sought to determine which proteins downstream of Rals promote transformation and tumorigenesis. Here, we report that shRNA-mediated knockdown of the Ral effector proteins Sec5 and Exo84, but less so in the case of RalBP1, reduced oncogenic RalGEF-mediated transformation and oncogenic Ras-driven tumorigenic growth of human cells. These results suggest that Rals promote oncogenic Ras-mediated tumorigenesis through, at least in part, Sec5 and Exo84.

The PH-PxxP domain of RalGPS2 promotes PC12 cells differentiation acting as a dominant negative for RalA GTPase activation

RalGPS2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for RalA GTPase characterized by a C-terminal Pleckstrin Homology (PH) domain; this GEF is endogenously expressed in PC12 cells and in rat brain but its role in PC12 cells and in cell differentiation is actually unknown. Here we have shown that transient expression of RalGPS2-PH-PxxP domain in PC12 and PC12-TrkA cells induces high level of neurite outgrowth; this differentiation is comparable with that of PC12 cells treated with RalGPS2 siRNA. Stable PC12 cell lines expressing the PH-PxxP domain of RalGPS2 have been generated; in these cell lines the PH-PxxP domain acts as a dominant negative for RalA activation, promotes cells differentiation and re-directs NGF signals towards MAPKs. Furthermore it has been also demonstrated that the PH-PxxP domain of RalGPS2 induces microspikes formation a typical feature of cells in which the Cdc42 GTPase is constitutively activated.

The RalA GTPase is a central regulator of insulin exocytosis from pancreatic islet beta cells

RalA is a small GTPase that is thought to facilitate exocytosis through its direct interaction with the mammalian exocyst complex. In this study, we report an essential role for RalA in regulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. We employed lentiviral-mediated delivery of RalA short hairpin RNAs to deplete endogenous RalA protein in mouse pancreatic islets and INS-1 beta cells. Perifusion of mouse islets depleted of RalA protein exhibited inhibition of both first and second phases of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Consistently, INS-1 cells depleted of RalA caused a severe inhibition of depolarization-induced insulin exocytosis determined by membrane capacitance, including a reduction in the size of the ready-releasable pool of insulin granules and a reduction in the subsequent mobilization and exocytosis of the reserve pool of granules. Collectively, these data suggest that RalA is a critical component in biphasic insulin release from pancreatic beta cells.

Ral GTPases and cancer: linchpin support of the tumorigenic platform

A confluence of recent observations has indicted the Ras-family G-proteins RALA and RALB as key offenders in the subversion of core biological systems driving oncogenic transformation. Here, we will focus on current developments highlighting the pivotal contribution of Ral proteins to the regulatory framework supporting tumorigenesis, and evaluate mechanistic connections between Ral effector activation and generation of this framework.

Characterization of RalB-Sec5-TBK1 function in human oncogenesis

The Ras-like GTPases, RalA and RalB, are key components of the oncogenic Ras signaling network. Recent evidence suggests that RalA and RalB collaborate to support tumorigenic transformation through distinct cell regulatory events. While RalA is apparently required to bypass normal restraints on cell proliferation, RalB is required to bypass normal restraints on cell survival. A direct Ral effector protein, Sec5, is a subunit of the exocyst complex, and is required to mediate RalB-dependent survival signals in transformed cells. Further analysis identified TBK1, a key mediator of the host defense response to viral challenge, as a novel Sec5 interacting protein essential for the capacity of RalB and Sec5 to deflect cell death in transformed cells. RalB activation promotes a direct interaction between Sec5 and TBK1 that results in TBK1 kinase activation via an unknown mechanism. Accordingly, both RalB and Sec5 are required for initiating host defense pathway activation upon virus infection. These observations revealed a novel relationship between molecular components of cell-autonomous innate immune signaling pathways and oncogenic transformation, and identified TBK1 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in cancer. Here we describe details of methods, including protein complex analysis, protein kinase assays, host defense-response pathway activation, and cell transformation analysis, that can be used to investigate the contribution of the RalB-Sec5-TBK1 signaling cascade to both innate immune signaling and cell transformation.

The small GTPases Rab5 and RalA regulate intracellular traffic of P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a plasma membrane glycoprotein that can cause multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells by acting as an ATP-dependent drug efflux pump. The regulatory effects of the small GTPases Rab5 and RalA on the intracellular trafficking of P-gp were investigated in HeLa cells. As expected, overexpressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged P-gp (P-gp-EGFP) is mainly localised to the plasma membrane. However, upon cotransfection of either dominant negative Rab5 (Rab5-S34N) or constitutively active RalA (RalA-G23V) the intracellular P-gp-EGFP levels increased approximately 9 and 13 fold, respectively, compared to control P-gp-EGFP cells. These results suggest that Rab5 and RalA regulate P-gp trafficking between the plasma membrane and an intracellular compartment. In contrast, coexpression of constitutively active Rab5 (Rab5-Q79L) or dominant negative RalA (RalA-S28N) had no effect on the localisation of P-gp-EGFP. Furthermore, the intracellular accumulation of daunorubicin, a substrate for P-gp, increased significantly with an increased intracellular localisation of P-gp-EGFP. These results imply that it may be possible to overcome MDR by controlling the plasma membrane localisation of P-gp.

The synaptic vesicle proteome

Synaptic vesicles are key organelles in neurotransmission. Vesicle integral or membrane-associated proteins mediate the various functions the organelle fulfills during its life cycle. These include organelle transport, interaction with the nerve terminal cytoskeleton, uptake and storage of low molecular weight constituents, and the regulated interaction with the pre-synaptic plasma membrane during exo- and endocytosis. Within the past two decades, converging work from several laboratories resulted in the molecular and functional characterization of the proteinaceous inventory of the synaptic vesicle compartment. However, up until recently and due to technical difficulties, it was impossible to screen the entire organelle thoroughly. Recent advances in membrane protein identification and mass spectrometry (MS) have dramatically promoted this field. A comparison of different techniques for elucidating the proteinaceous composition of synaptic vesicles revealed numerous overlaps but also remarkable differences in the protein constituents of the synaptic vesicle compartment, indicating that several protein separation techniques in combination with differing MS approaches are required to identify and characterize the synaptic vesicle proteome. This review highlights the power of various gel separation techniques and MS analyses for the characterization of the proteome of highly purified synaptic vesicles. Furthermore, the newly detected protein assignments to synaptic vesicles, especially those proteins which are new to the inventory of the synaptic vesicle proteome, are critically discussed.

RalA regulates vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) synthesis in prostate cancer cells during androgen ablation

Prostate cancer mortality is primarily due to failure to cure patients with metastatic disease. In its early stages, prostate cancer growth is enhanced by androgens. As such, the primary therapy for advanced (locally extensive or metastatic) prostate cancer consists of androgen deprivation therapy by pharmacotherapeutic or surgical means. Eventually, the tumor recurs owing to a transition from androgen-dependence to a highly metastatic and androgen refractory (androgen depletion-independent) phenotype. As the detailed molecular mechanism underlying this transition to a more aggressive phenotype is poorly understood, it has been difficult to develop effective treatments for this advanced stage of the disease. We have previously reported an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in human prostate cancer cells after androgen withdrawal. We have also shown increased expression of the androgen receptor co-activator BAG-1L by VEGF-C, suggesting the involvement of this growth factor in transactivation of the androgen receptor, even at low concentrations of androgen. In our present study, we show that androgen deprivation of human prostate carcinoma cells activates the small GTPase, RalA, a molecule important for human oncogenesis. RalA activation leads to VEGF-C upregulation. We also show that elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species in prostate cancer cells under androgen-ablated conditions is the major inducer of RalA activation and VEGF-C synthesis.

Crystal structure of the C3bot-RalA complex reveals a novel type of action of a bacterial exoenzyme

C3 exoenzymes from bacterial pathogens ADP-ribosylate and inactivate low-molecular-mass GTPases of the Rho subfamily. Ral, a Ras subfamily GTPase, binds the C3 exoenzymes from Clostridium botulinum and C. limosum with high affinity without being a substrate for ADP ribosylation. In the complex, the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of C3 is blocked, while binding of NAD and NAD-glycohydrolase activity remain. Here we report the crystal structure of C3 from C. botulinum in a complex with GDP-bound RalA at 1.8 A resolution. C3 binds RalA with a helix-loop-helix motif that is adjacent to the active site. A quaternary complex with NAD suggests a mode for ADP-ribosyltransferase inhibition. Interaction of C3 with RalA occurs at a unique interface formed by the switch-II region, helix alpha3 and the P loop of the GTPase. C3-binding stabilizes the GDP-bound conformation of RalA and blocks nucleotide release. Our data indicate that C. botulinum exoenzyme C3 is a single-domain toxin with bifunctional properties targeting Rho GTPases by ADP ribosylation and Ral by a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor-like effect, which blocks nucleotide exchange.

Regulation of Phospholipase C-δ1 through Direct Interactions with the Small GTPase Ral and Calmodulin

Second messengers generated from membrane lipids play a critical role in signaling and control diverse cellular processes. Despite being one of the most evolutionarily conserved of all the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isoforms, a family of enzymes responsible for hydrolysis of the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, the mechanism of PLC-delta1 activation is still poorly understood. Here we report a novel regulatory mechanism for PLC-delta1 activation that involves direct interaction of the small GTPase Ral and the universal calcium-signaling molecule calmodulin (CaM) with PLC-delta1. In addition, we have identified a novel IQ type CaM binding motif within the catalytic region of PLC-delta1 that is not found in other PLC isoforms. Binding of CaM at the IQ motif inhibits PLC-delta1 activity, while addition of Ral reverses the inhibition. The overexpression of various Ral mutants in cells potentiates PLC-delta1 activity. Thus, the Ral-CaM complex defines a multifaceted regulatory mechanism for PLC-delta1 activation.

Molecular recognition of an ADP-ribosylating Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme by RalA GTPase

C3 exoenzymes (members of the ADP-ribosyltranferase family) are produced by Clostridium botulinum (C3bot1 and -2), Clostridium limosum (C3lim), Bacillus cereus (C3cer), and Staphylococcus aureus (C3stau1-3). These exoenzymes lack a translocation domain but are known to specifically inactivate Rho GTPases in host target cells. Here, we report the crystal structure of C3bot1 in complex with RalA (a GTPase of the Ras subfamily) and GDP at a resolution of 2.66 A. RalA is not ADP-ribosylated by C3 exoenzymes but inhibits ADP-ribosylation of RhoA by C3bot1, C3lim, and C3cer to different extents. The structure provides an insight into the molecular interactions between C3bot1 and RalA involving the catalytic ADP-ribosylating turn-turn (ARTT) loop from C3bot1 and helix alpha4 and strand beta6 (which are not part of the GDP-binding pocket) from RalA. The structure also suggests a molecular explanation for the different levels of C3-exoenzyme inhibition by RalA and why RhoA does not bind C3bot1 in this manner.

The small G-protein RalA stimulates metastasis of transformed cells

RAS oncogenes play a critical role in oncogenic transformation and metastases formation. Here we show that Ha-ras greatly stimulates spontaneous metastatic activity of transformed cells through the Ras/RalGDS/RalA intracellular signaling pathway. Introduction of RalA alone leads to a drastic increase of metastatic activity of transformed cells. We demonstrate that metastatic ability of cells could be dramatically enhanced by RalA stimulation or, conversely, hampered by RalA suppression. Furthermore, we found that during in vivo selection cells acquire high metastatic properties as a result of endogenous RalA activation. The ability of RalA to induce metastasis was demonstrated in spontaneously transformed as well as in virus transformed fibroblasts.

RalA but not RalB enhances polarized delivery of membrane proteins to the basolateral surface of epithelial cells

RalA and RalB constitute a family of highly similar (85% identity) Ras-related GTPases. Recently, active forms of both RalA and RalB have been shown to bind to the exocyst complex, implicating them in the regulation of cellular secretion. However, we show here that only active RalA enhances the rate of delivery of E-cadherin and other proteins to their site in the basolateral membrane of MDCK cells, consistent with RalA being a regulator of exocyst function. One reason for this difference is that RalA binds more effectively to the exocyst complex than active RalB does both in vivo and in vitro. Another reason is that active RalA localizes to perinuclear recycling endosomes, where regulation of vesicle sorting is thought to take place, while active RalB does not. Strikingly, analysis of chimeras made between RalA and RalB reveals that high-affinity exocyst binding by RalA is due to unique amino acid sequences in RalA that are distal to the common effector-binding domains shared by RalA and RalB. Moreover, these chimeras show that the perinuclear localization of active RalA is due in part to its unique variable domain near the C terminus. This distinct localization appears to be important for RalA effects on secretion because all RalA mutants tested that failed to localize to the perinuclear region also failed to promote basolateral delivery of E-cadherin. Interestingly, one of these inactive mutants maintained binding to the exocyst complex, suggesting that RalA binding to the exocyst is necessary but not sufficient for RalA to promote basolateral delivery of membrane proteins.