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Wong DCP, Pan CQ, Er SY, Thivakar T, Rachel TZY, Seah SH, Chua PJ, Jiang T, Chew TW, Chaudhuri PK, Mukherjee S, Salim A, Aye TA, Koh CG, Lim CT, Tan PH, Bay BH, Ridley AJ, Low BC. The scaffold RhoGAP protein ARHGAP8/BPGAP1 synchronizes Rac and Rho signaling to facilitate cell migration. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar13. [PMID: 36598812 PMCID: PMC10011724 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-03-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases regulate cell morphogenesis and motility under the tight control of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). However, the underlying mechanism(s) that coordinate their spatiotemporal activities, whether separately or together, remain unclear. We show that a prometastatic RhoGAP, ARHGAP8/BPGAP1, binds to inactive Rac1 and localizes to lamellipodia. BPGAP1 recruits the RacGEF Vav1 under epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation and activates Rac1, leading to polarized cell motility, spreading, invadopodium formation, and cell extravasation and promotes cancer cell migration. Importantly, BPGAP1 down-regulates local RhoA activity, which influences Rac1 binding to BPGAP1 and its subsequent activation by Vav1. Our results highlight the importance of BPGAP1 in recruiting Vav1 and Rac1 to promote Rac1 activation for cell motility. BPGAP1 also serves to control the timing of Rac1 activation with RhoA inactivation via its RhoGAP activity. BPGAP1, therefore, acts as a dual-function scaffold that recruits Vav1 to activate Rac1 while inactivating RhoA to synchronize both Rho and Rac signaling in cell motility. As epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Vav1, RhoA, Rac1, and BPGAP1 are all associated with cancer metastasis, BPGAP1 could provide a crucial checkpoint for the EGFR-BPGAP1-Vav1-Rac1-RhoA signaling axis for cancer intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shi Yin Er
- Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558
| | - T. Thivakar
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | - Tan Zi Yi Rachel
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | - Sock Hong Seah
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | - Pei Jou Chua
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 117594
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558
| | - Ti Weng Chew
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | | | - Somsubhro Mukherjee
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | - Agus Salim
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Thike Aye Aye
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169856
| | - Cheng Gee Koh
- Division of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169856
| | - Boon Huat Bay
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 117594
| | - Anne J. Ridley
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Boon Chuan Low
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
- Cell Signaling and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558
- NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138593
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Wang X, Hills LB, Huang YH. Lipid and Protein Co-Regulation of PI3K Effectors Akt and Itk in Lymphocytes. Front Immunol 2015; 6:117. [PMID: 25821452 PMCID: PMC4358224 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase, PI3K) pathway transduces signals critical for lymphocyte function. PI3K generates the phospholipid PIP3 at the plasma membrane to recruit proteins that contain pleckstrin homology (PH) domains – a conserved domain found in hundreds of mammalian proteins. PH domain–PIP3 interactions allow for rapid signal propagation and confer a spatial component to these signals. The kinases Akt and Itk are key PI3K effectors that bind PIP3 via their PH domains and mediate vital processes – such as survival, activation, and differentiation – in lymphocytes. Here, we review the roles and regulation of PI3K signaling in lymphocytes with a specific emphasis on Akt and Itk. We also discuss these and other PH domain-containing proteins as they relate more broadly to immune cell function. Finally, we highlight the emerging view of PH domains as multifunctional protein domains that often bind both lipid and protein substrates to exert their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- California Institute for Biomedical Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Leonard Benjamin Hills
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Lebanon, NH , USA
| | - Yina Hsing Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Lebanon, NH , USA ; Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Lebanon, NH , USA
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3
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Interaction of microtubules and actin with the N-terminus of βPix-b(L) directs cellular pinocytosis. Mol Cell Biochem 2011; 351:207-15. [PMID: 21249427 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-011-0728-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
βPix is a Rac/Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is known to be a regulator of actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Recently, a novel splicing isoform, βPix-b(L), was identified as an alternative translational product of the βPix-b mRNA with an extended N-terminus comprising a partial calponin homology (CH) domain and a serine-rich (SR) domain. However, the cellular function of βPix-b(L) is largely unknown. In the current study, we analyzed the genomic DNA structure and cellular functions of βPix-b(L). The results of this study demonstrate that βPix is composed of 24 exons and 21 introns spanning around 100 kb. RT-PCR experiments revealed that there are two forms of βPix mRNA with distinct 5' UTRs that are the result of alternative splicing of exon 1 and 2 from βPix genomic DNA. In addition, affinity chromatography analysis and a pull-down assay with the N-terminal region of βPix-b(L) revealed that βPix-b(L) interacts with tubulin and actin via its N-terminal CH and SR domains, respectively. Interaction with tubulin enabled βPix-b(L) to bundle the microtubule and form membrane protrusions. Furthermore, the N-terminus of βPix-b(L) was also critical for its localization to cellular vesicles. Functionally, βPix-b(L) induced pinocytosis through cooperative action of the CH and Dbl homology (DH) domains, demonstrating the role of βPix-b(L) in the regulation of membrane dynamics.
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4
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Modulation of Rho guanine exchange factor Lfc activity by protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation. Mol Cell Biol 2009; 29:5963-73. [PMID: 19667072 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01268-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lfc is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rho that demonstrates an unusual ability to associate with microtubules. While several phosphorylated residues have been detected in the Lfc polypeptide, the mechanism(s) by which phosphorylation regulates the exchange activity of Lfc remains unclear. We confirm that Lfc is a phosphorylated protein and demonstrate that 14-3-3 interacts directly and in a phosphorylation-dependent manner with Lfc. We identify AKAP121 as an Lfc-binding protein and show that Lfc is phosphorylated in an AKAP-dependent manner by protein kinase A (PKA). Forskolin treatment induced 14-3-3 binding to Lfc and suppressed the exchange activity of wild-type Lfc on RhoA. Importantly, a mutant of Lfc that is unable to associate with 14-3-3 proteins was resistant to inhibition by forskolin. Tctex-1, a dynein motor light chain, binds to Lfc in a competitive manner with 14-3-3.
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5
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Lazer G, Idelchuk Y, Schapira V, Pikarsky E, Katzav S. The haematopoietic specific signal transducer Vav1 is aberrantly expressed in lung cancer and plays a role in tumourigenesis. J Pathol 2009; 219:25-34. [DOI: 10.1002/path.2579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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6
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Abstract
In order to generate coherent biological responses to extracellular stimuli, cells have established synergistic and antagonistic crosstalk between pathways with similar or opposing functions, respectively. Two routes cooperating in the generation of mitogenic and cytoskeletal functions are those induced by Ras and Rho/Rac GTPases. In these signaling interactions, Rho/Rac proteins have been always placed in a downstream position respect to Ras in all cell systems analysed so far. In this report, we describe that such signaling hierarchy does not apply to T-lymphocytes. Thus, we show that both Rac1 GDP/GTP exchange factors such as Vav and constitutively active versions of Rac1 can promote the effective stimulation of the Ras pathway in T-lymphocytes. The molecular link for this new type of pathway interconnectivity is RasGRP1, a diacylglycerol-dependent GDP/GTP exchange factor for Ras that translocates to the plasma membrane in a Vav- and Rac1-dependent manner. The effect of the Vav/Rac1 pathway on the Ras pathway is highly dependent on the activity of phospholipase C-gamma, the key cellular supplier of intracellular diacylglycerol. Signaling experiments suggest that this crosstalk represents a signaling strategy used by the T-cell receptor to promote robust biological responses of both the Rac/Rho and Ras pathways upon antigen engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Zugaza
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, University of Salamanca-CSIC, Campus Unamuno, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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7
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Abstract
Cysteine-rich proteins (CRPs) have been shown to be involved in cell differentiation, transcriptional regulation and the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton. Thus far, the latter function has been inferred solely from the in vitro interaction of CRP1, CRP2, and CRP3 with alpha-actinin and zyxin. We show here that purified, recombinant CRP2 binds directly to F-actin in vitro in co-sedimentation assays. Using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged construct of CRP2 we analysed its localisation and dynamics in A7r5 rat smooth muscle cells. CRP2 was associated with the actin cytoskeleton and decorated actin stress fibres in a continuous fashion, unlike the periodic labelling pattern observed for alpha-actinin and zyxin, which also accumulate in focal adhesions. Using live video fluorescence microscopy we observed the behaviour of GFP-CRP2 during the dynamic rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton in phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-treated A7r5 cells. In contrast to the actin-binding proteins SM22alpha and alpha-actinin, GFP-CRP2 did not translocate into the podosomes induced by this treatment, but remained preferentially bound to the stress fibres, suggesting an actin filament-stabilising role for CRP2. When fused to the mitochondrial targeting sequence from the Listeria protein ActA, GFP-CRP2 was almost completely localised to mitochondria, but no significant recruitment of either alpha-actinin or zyxin could be observed. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CRP2 can bind to F-actin directly and that the association with the actin cytoskeleton is independent of alpha-actinin or zyxin localisation in the cell, thus questioning the role of CRP2 as a regulator of alpha-actinin function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Grubinger
- Department of Cell Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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8
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Hornstein I, Mortin MA, Katzav S. DroVav, the Drosophila melanogaster homologue of the mammalian Vav proteins, serves as a signal transducer protein in the Rac and DER pathways. Oncogene 2003; 22:6774-84. [PMID: 14555990 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian Vav signal transducer proteins couple receptor tyrosine kinase signals to the activation of the Rho/Rac GTPases, leading to cell differentiation and/or proliferation. The unique and complex structure of mammalian Vav proteins is preserved in the Drosophila melanogaster homologue, DroVav. We demonstrate that DroVav functions as a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for DRac. Drosophila cells overexpressing wild-type (wt) DroVav exhibited a normal morphology. However, overexpression of a truncated DroVav mutant (that functions as an oncogene when expressed in NIH3T3 cells) results in striking changes in the actin cytoskeleton, resembling those usually visible following Rac activation. Dominant-negative DRac abrogated these morphological changes, suggesting that the effect of the truncated DroVav mutant is mediated by activation of DRac. In Drosophila cells, we find that stimulation of the Drosophila EGF receptor (DER) increases tyrosine phosphorylation of DroVav, which in turn associates with tyrosine-phosphorylated DER. In addition, the following results imply that DroVav participates in downstream DER signalling, such as ERK phosphorylation: (a) overexpression of DroVav induces ERK phosphorylation; and (b) 'knockout' of DroVav by RNA interference blocks ERK phosphorylation induced by DER stimulation. Unlike mammalian Vav proteins, DroVav was not found to induce Jnk phosphorylation under the experimental circumstances tested in fly cells. These results establish the role of DroVav as a signal transducer that participates in receptor tyrosine kinase pathways and functions as a GEF for the small RhoGTPase, DRac.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idit Hornstein
- The Hubert H Humphrey Center for Experimental Medicine & Cancer Research, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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9
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McGee K, Holmfeldt P, Fällman M. Microtubule-dependent regulation of Rho GTPases during internalisation of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. FEBS Lett 2003; 533:35-41. [PMID: 12505155 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03745-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Internalisation of the human pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis via interaction of bacterial invasin with host beta1 integrins depends on the actin cytoskeleton and involves Src family kinases, focal adhesion kinase, p130Crk-associated substrate, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2, Rac, Arp 2/3 complex and WASP family members. We show here that Rho GTPases are regulated by the microtubule system during bacterial uptake. Interfering with microtubule organisation using nocodazole or paclitaxel suppressed uptake by HeLa cells. The nocodazole effect on microtubule depolymerisation was partially inhibited through overexpression of Rac, Cdc42, RhoG or RhoA and completely prevented by expression of Vav2. This suggests that microtubules influence Rho GTPases during invasin-mediated phagocytosis and in the absence of functional microtubules Vav2 can mimic their effect on one, or more, of the Rho family GTPases. Lastly, overexpression of p50 dynamitin partially inhibited bacterial uptake and this effect was also blocked by co-expression of Vav2, thus further implicating this guanine nucleotide exchange factor in activating Rho GTPases for internalisation during loss of microtubule function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen McGee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
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10
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Turner M, Billadeau DD. VAV proteins as signal integrators for multi-subunit immune-recognition receptors. Nat Rev Immunol 2002; 2:476-86. [PMID: 12094222 DOI: 10.1038/nri840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, substantial progress has been made towards the identification of intracellular signalling molecules that couple multi-subunit immune-recognition receptors (MIRRs) to their various effector functions. Among these, the VAV proteins have been observed to have a crucial role in regulating some of the earliest events in receptor signalling. VAV proteins function, in part, as guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for the RHO/RAC family of GTPases. This review focuses on the role of VAV proteins in the regulation of lymphocyte development and function, and emphasizes the regulatory roles that these proteins have through both GEF-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Turner
- Lymphocyte Signalling and Development Laboratory, Molecular Immunology Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK.
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11
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Coleman ML, Olson MF. Rho GTPase signalling pathways in the morphological changes associated with apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 2002; 9:493-504. [PMID: 11973608 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2001] [Revised: 10/26/2001] [Accepted: 11/05/2001] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The killing and removal of superfluous cells is an important step during embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, wound repair and the resolution of inflammation. A specific sequence of biochemical events leads to a form of cell death termed apoptosis, and ultimately to the disassembly of the dead cell for phagocytosis. Dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton are central to the morphological changes observed both in apoptosis and phagocytosis. Recent research has highlighted the importance of Rho GTPase signalling pathways to these changes in cellular architecture. In this review, we will discuss how these signal transduction pathways affect the structure of the actin cytoskeleton and allow for the efficient clearance of apoptotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Coleman
- Cancer Research Campaign Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
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12
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Abstract
With the refinement of algorithms for the identification of distinct motifs from sequence databases, especially those using secondary structure predictions, new protein modules have been determined in recent years. Calponin homology (CH) domains were identified in a variety of proteins ranging from actin cross-linking to signaling and have been proposed to function either as autonomous actin binding motifs or serve a regulatory function. Despite the overall structural conservation of the unique CH domain fold, the individual modules display a quite striking functional variability. Analysis of the actopaxin/parvin protein family suggests the existence of novel (type 4 and type 5) CH domain families which require special attention, as they appear to be a good example for how CH domains may function as scaffolds for other functional motifs of different properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Gimona
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Salzburg, Austria.
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13
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Kranewitter WJ, Danninger C, Gimona M. GEF at work: Vav in protruding filopodia. CELL MOTILITY AND THE CYTOSKELETON 2001; 49:154-60. [PMID: 11668584 DOI: 10.1002/cm.1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Dbl family proto-oncogene vav is a nucleotide exchange factor for Rho family GTPases and is involved in triggering cytoskeletal changes contributing to the alterations of cell shape and motility, as well as in the induction of gene expression. In vitro and in vivo Vav is regulated by multiple tyrosine phosphorylation and binding to phosphatidylinositol phosphates. Although recruitment of Vav to the plasma membrane appears important for the activation of Vav function, there is little information on the precise subcellular localization of Vav in living cells. Employing live video fluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we show that GFP-tagged full-length Vav, and several mutants in which the N-terminal regulatory calponin homology (CH) domain has been deleted, specifically localize to the tips of filopodia. This localization was congruent with a high content of tyrosine phosphorylation in these regions. Consistent with earlier observations, mutants lacking the C-terminal SH domain region were unable to translocate to the filopodia tips. The enrichment in filopodial tips persisted despite their lateral movement but was dependent on forward growth. Upon retraction, the signal was rapidly lost, indicating that Vav undergoes a specific and transient translocation in response to actin-based, protrusive events in filopodia.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Kranewitter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Salzburg, Austria
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14
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Zeng L, Sachdev P, Yan L, Chan JL, Trenkle T, McClelland M, Welsh J, Wang LH. Vav3 mediates receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling, regulates GTPase activity, modulates cell morphology, and induces cell transformation. Mol Cell Biol 2000; 20:9212-24. [PMID: 11094073 PMCID: PMC102179 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.20.24.9212-9224.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A recently reported new member of the Vav family proteins, Vav3 has been identified as a Ros receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK) interacting protein by yeast two-hybrid screening. Northern analysis shows that Vav3 has a broad tissue expression profile that is distinct from those of Vav and Vav2. Two species of Vav3 transcripts, 3.4 and 5.4 kb, were detected with a differential expression pattern in various tissues. Transient expression of Vav in 293T and NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated that ligand stimulation of several RPTKs (epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], Ros, insulin receptor [IR], and insulin-like growth factor I receptor [IGFR]) led to tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav3 and its association with the receptors as well as their downstream signaling molecules, including Shc, Grb2, phospholipase C (PLC-gamma), and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase. In vitro binding assays using glutathione S-transferase-fusion polypeptides containing the GTPase-binding domains of Rok-alpha, Pak, or Ack revealed that overexpression of Vav3 in NIH 3T3 cells resulted in the activation of Rac-1 and Cdc42 whereas a deletion mutant lacking the N-terminal calponin homology and acidic region domains activated RhoA and Rac-1 but lost the ability to activate Cdc42. Vav3 induced marked membrane ruffles and microspikes in NIH 3T3 cells, while the N-terminal truncation mutants of Vav3 significantly enhanced membrane ruffle formation but had a reduced ability to induce microspikes. Activation of IR further enhanced the ability of Vav3 to induce membrane ruffles, but IGFR activation specifically promoted Vav3-mediated microspike formation. N-terminal truncation of Vav3 activated its transforming potential, as measured by focus-formation assays. We conclude that Vav3 mediates RPTK signaling and regulates GTPase activity, its native and mutant forms are able to modulate cell morphology, and it has the potential to induce cell transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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15
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López-Lago M, Lee H, Cruz C, Movilla N, Bustelo XR. Tyrosine phosphorylation mediates both activation and downmodulation of the biological activity of Vav. Mol Cell Biol 2000; 20:1678-91. [PMID: 10669745 PMCID: PMC85351 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.20.5.1678-1691.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vav works as a GDP/GTP exchange factor for Rac GTPases, thereby facilitating the transition of these proteins from the inactive (GDP-bound) into the active (GTP-bound) state. The stimulation of Vav exchange activity during cell signaling is mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation. To understand the roles of phosphorylation in the regulation of Vav activity, we have initiated the characterization of the residues of Vav that are phosphorylated during signal transduction. Here we show that a Y-to-F mutation in one of these residues, Y174, leads to the oncogenic activation of Vav and to the enhancement of other Vav-mediated signals such as those for cytoskeletal reorganization, JNK activation, and stimulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells. The effect induced by the Y174F mutation is further accentuated by mutations in residue Y142 or Y160. The Y174F mutation has no effect on the exchange activity of Vav in vitro but results in higher levels of phosphorylation in vivo. Using a phosphospecific antibody, we found that Y174 is phosphorylated following stimulation of mitogenic and antigenic receptors. This phosphorylation event is conserved in Vav-2 and Vav-3, the other two members of the Vav family. These results identify a previously unknown mechanism for the oncogenic activation of Vav and suggest that the activity of this exchange factor is modulated by two antagonistic phosphorylation events, one involved in Vav activation and a second one implicated in Vav inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M López-Lago
- Department of Pathology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-7025, USA
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- X R Bustelo
- Department of Pathology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA.
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