RasGAPs: a crucial regulator of extracellular stimuli for homeostasis of cellular functions

Methanol fixed feeder layers altered the pluripotency and metabolism of bovine pluripotent stem cells

The pluripotency maintenance of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) requires the suitable microenvironment, which commonly provided by feeder layers. However, the preparation of feeder layers is time consuming and labor exhaustive, and the feeder cells treated with mitomycin C or γ-ray irradiation bring heterologous contamination. In this study, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were treated by methanol to generate chemical fixed feeder cells, and bovine embryonic stem cells F7 (bESC-F7) cultured on this feeder layer. Then the pluripotency and metabolism of bESC-F7 cultured on methanol-fixed MEFs (MT-MEFs) named MT-F7 was compared with mitomycin C treated MEFs (MC-MEFs). The results showed that bESC-F7 formed alkaline phosphatase positive colonies on MT-MEFs, the relative expression of pluripotent markers of these cells was different from the bESCs cultured on the MC-MEFs (MC-F7). The long-term cultured MT-F7 formed embryoid bodies, showed the ability to differentiate into three germ layers similar to MC-F7. The analyses of RNA-seq data showed that MT-MEFs lead bESCs to novel steady expression patterns of genes regulating pluripotency and metabolism. Furthermore, the bovine expanded pluripotent stem cells (bEPSCs) cultured on MT-MEFs formed classical colonies, maintained pluripotency, and elevated metabolism. In conclusion, MT-MEFs were efficient feeder layer that maintain the distinctive pluripotency and metabolism of PSCs.

TMPRSS3 regulates cell viability and apoptosis processes of HEI-OC1 cells via regulation of the circ-Slc4a2, miR-182 and Akt cascade

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the functions and regulation mechanism of the transmembrane protease, serine 3 (TMPRSS3), which plays an important role in sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODS

House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells, comprising auditory-related cells, were used in the present study. An overexpression vector and small hairpin RNA target on TMPRSS3 were designed and transfected into HEI-OC1 cells. Circular RNA (circRNA) sequencing was conducted and expression profiles were obtained. The circular structure of circRNAs was validated with a polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing using convergent and divergent primers.

RESULTS

Overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased cell viability, whereas suppression of TMPRSS3 increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and decreased cell viability, compared to the control group. circRNA sequencing provided expression profiles indicating that the overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased the expression level of 195 circRNAs. Results of GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) studies indicated that the circRNAs are focused on the RAS signaling pathway. The pathway, circ-Slc41a2 (chr10: 82744115|82767120), miR-182 and Akt, might comprise one of the key cascades of TMPRSS3.

CONCLUSIONS

TMPRSS3 is an important molecule in the regulation of cell viability and cell apoptosis of HEI-OC1 cells. Its functions are dependent on the circ-Slc41a2, miR-182 and Akt cascade.

Efficient CD4Cre-Mediated Conditional KRas Expression in Alveolar Macrophages and Alveolar Epithelial Cells Causes Fatal Hyperproliferative Pneumonitis

The CD4Cre transgenic model has been widely used for T cell-specific gene manipulation. We report unexpected highly efficient Cre-mediated recombination in alveolar macrophages (AMFs), bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), and alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in this strain of mice. Different from CD4 T cells, AMFs, AECs, and BECs do not express detectable Cre protein, suggesting that Cre protein is either very transiently expressed in these cells or only expressed in their precursors. Mice carrying a conditional constitutively active KRas (caKRas) allele and the CD4Cre transgene contain not only hyperactivated T cells but also develop severe AMF accumulation, AEC and BEC hyperplasia, and adenomas in the lung, leading to early lethality correlated with caKRas expression in these cells. We propose that caKRas-CD4Cre mice represent, to our knowledge, a novel model of proliferative pneumonitis involving macrophages and epithelial cells and that the CD4Cre model may offer unique usefulness for studying gene functions simultaneously in multilineages in the lung. Our observations, additionally, suggest that caution in data interpretation is warranted when using the CD4Cre transgenic model for T cell-specific gene manipulation, particularly when lung pathophysiological status is being examined.

Ras-Specific GTPase-Activating Proteins-Structures, Mechanisms, and Interactions

Ras-specific GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs) down-regulate the biological activity of Ras proteins by accelerating their intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis, basically by a transition state stabilizing mechanism. Oncogenic Ras is commonly not sensitive to RasGAPs caused by interference of mutants with the electronic or steric requirements of the transition state, resulting in up-regulation of activated Ras in respective cells. RasGAPs are modular proteins containing a helical catalytic RasGAP module surrounded by smaller domains that are frequently involved in the subcellular localization or contributing to regulatory features of their host proteins. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about RasGAP structure, mechanism, regulation, and dual-substrate specificity and discuss in some detail neurofibromin, one of the most important negative Ras regulators in cellular growth control and neuronal function.

The leucine-rich region of Flightless I interacts with R-ras to regulate cell extension formation

Flightless I (FliI) is a calcium-dependent, actin severing and capping protein that localizes to cell matrix adhesions, contributes to the generation of cell extensions, and colocalizes with Ras. Currently, the mechanism by which FliI interacts with Ras to enable assembly of actin-based cell protrusions is not defined. R-Ras, but not K-ras, H-ras, or N-ras, associated with the leucine-rich region (LRR) of FliI. Mutations of the proline-rich region of R-ras (P202A, P203A) prevented this association. Knockdown of Ras GTPase-activating SH3 domain-binding protein (G3BP1) or Rasgap¹²⁰ by small interfering RNA inhibited the formation of cell extensions and prevented interaction of R-ras and G3BP1 in FliI wild-type (WT) cells. Pull-down assays using G3BP1 fusion proteins showed a strong association of R-ras with the C-terminus of G3BP1 (amino acids 236-466), which also required the LRR of FliI. In cells that expressed the truncated N-terminus or C-terminus of G3BP1, the formation of cell extensions was blocked. Endogenous Rasgap¹²⁰ interacted with the N-terminus of G3BP1 (amino acids 1-230). We conclude that in cells plated on collagen FliI-LRR interacts with R-ras to promote cell extension formation and that FliI is required for the interaction of Rasgap¹²⁰ with G3BP1 to regulate R-ras activity and growth of cell extensions.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Evolving Controversies and Uncertainties

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a permanent dilatation of the abdominal aorta that exceeds 3 cm. Most AAAs arise in the portion of abdominal aorta distal to the renal arteries and are defined as infrarenal. Most AAAs are totally asymptomatic until catastrophic rupture. The strongest predictor of AAA rupture is the diameter. Surgery is indicated to prevent rupture when the risk of rupture exceeds the risk of surgery. In this review, we aim to analyze this disease comprehensively, starting from an epidemiological perspective, exploring etiology and pathophysiology, and concluding with surgical controversies. We will pursue these goals by addressing eight specific questions regarding AAA: (1) Is the incidence of AAA increasing? (2) Are ultrasound screening programs for AAA effective? (3) What causes AAA: Genes versus environment? (4) Animal models: Are they really relevant? (5) What pathophysiology leads to AAA? (6) Indications for AAA surgery: Are surgeons over-eager to operate? (7) Elective AAA repair: Open or endovascular? (8) Emergency AAA repair: Open or endovascular?

Complement Receptor 3-Mediated Inhibition of Inflammasome Priming by Ras GTPase-Activating Protein During Francisella tularensis Phagocytosis by Human Mononuclear Phagocytes

Francisella tularensis is a remarkably infectious facultative intracellular bacterium of macrophages that causes tularemia. Early evasion of host immune responses contributes to the success of F. tularensis as a pathogen. F. tularensis entry into human monocytes and macrophages is mediated by the major phagocytic receptor, complement receptor 3 (CR3, CD11b/CD18). We recently determined that despite a significant increase in macrophage uptake following C3 opsonization of the virulent Type A F. tularensis spp. tularensis Schu S4, this phagocytic pathway results in limited pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Notably, MAP kinase/ERK activation is suppressed immediately during C3-opsonized Schu S4-CR3 phagocytosis. A mathematical model of CR3-TLR2 crosstalk predicted early involvement of Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) in immune suppression by CR3. Here, we link CR3-mediated uptake of opsonized Schu S4 by human monocytes and macrophages with inhibition of early signal 1 inflammasome activation, evidenced by limited caspase-1 cleavage and IL-18 release. This inhibition is due to increased RasGAP activity, leading to a reduction in the Ras-ERK signaling cascade upstream of the early inflammasome activation event. Thus, our data uncover a novel signaling pathway mediated by CR3 following engagement of opsonized virulent F. tularensis to limit inflammasome activation in human phagocytic cells, thereby contributing to evasion of the host innate immune system.

R-Ras contributes to LTP and contextual discrimination

The ability to discriminate between closely related contexts is a specific form of hippocampal-dependent learning that may be impaired in certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Down Syndrome. However, signaling pathways regulating this form of learning are poorly understood. Previous studies have shown that the calcium-dependent exchange factor Ras-GRF1, an activator of Rac, Ras and R-Ras GTPases, is important for this form of learning and memory. Moreover, the ability to discriminate contexts was linked to the ability of Ras-GRF1 to promote high-frequency stimulation long-term potentiation (HFS-LTP) via the activation of p38 Map kinase. Here, we show that R-Ras is involved in this form of learning by using virally-delivered miRNAs targeting R-Ras into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus and observing impaired contextual discrimination. Like the loss of GRF1, knockdown of R-Ras in the CA1 also impairs the induction of HFS-LTP and p38 Map kinase. Nevertheless, experiments indicate that this involvement of R-Ras in HFS-LTP that is required for contextual discrimination is independent of Ras-GRF1. Thus, R-Ras is a novel regulator of a form of hippocampal-dependent LTP as well as learning and memory that is affected in certain forms of neurodegenerative diseases.

RASAL1 influences the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells by regulating the RAS/ERK signaling pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological characteristics of the RASAL1 gene in a well-differentiated gastric cancer cell line MKN-28 and a poorly differentiated gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 cells, using RNA interference and gene transfection technology, respectively. MKN-28 cells were transfected with the shRNA of RASAL1 and BGC-823 cells were transfected with the pcDNA 3.1 plasmid vector containing RASAL1. RT-PCR and western blotting were then used to detect the expression of RASAL1 mRNA and protein. The activities of RAS and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 were analyzed by the pull-down method and western blotting. The proliferate capacity, apoptosis rate, invasive and migratory potentials of MKN-28 or BGC-823 cells were also measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 cell proliferation assay, propidium iodide/Annexin V staining coupled with flow cytometry, and transwell chamber assays, respectively. Measurement of RASAL1 mRNA and protein expression in two cells revealed successful transfection of the shRNA of RASAL1 and RASAL1-pcDNA3.1 plasmid into these two cells. Moreover, decreased expression of RASAL1 in MKN-28 cells resulted in increased expression of RAS-GTP and p-ERK1/2. Interestingly, decreased expression of RASAL1 inhibited apoptosis and facilitated cell proliferation, invasion and migration. The increased expression of RASAL1 in BGC-823 cells caused declined expression of RAS-GTP and p-ERK1/2, as well as promoted apoptosis and restrained cell proliferation, invasion and migration. The down-regulation of RASAL1 promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer MKN-28 cells, and up-regulation of RASAL1 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of BGC-823 gastric cancer cells by regulating the RAS/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, our results suggest that RASAL1 may play an important role as a tumor suppressor gene in gastric cancer.

Alternative Splicing Regulation of Cancer-Related Pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans: An In Vivo Model System with a Powerful Reverse Genetics Toolbox

Alternative splicing allows for the generation of protein diversity and fine-tunes gene expression. Several model systems have been used for the in vivo study of alternative splicing. Here we review the use of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to study splicing regulation in vivo. Recent studies have shown that close to 25% of genes in the worm genome undergo alternative splicing. A big proportion of these events are functional, conserved, and under strict regulation either across development or other conditions. Several techniques like genome-wide RNAi screens and bichromatic reporters are available for the study of alternative splicing in worms. In this review, we focus, first, on the main studies that have been performed to dissect alternative splicing in this system and later on examples from genes that have human homologs that are implicated in cancer. The significant advancement towards understanding the regulation of alternative splicing and cancer that the C. elegans system has offered is discussed.

Decreased expression of DAB2IP in pancreatic cancer with wild-type KRAS

BACKGROUND

KRAS mutation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. However, the role of wild-type KRAS in the progression of pancreatic cancer remains unknown. The present study was to investigate the expression of the Ras GTPase activating protein (DAB2IP) in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance.

METHODS

The expression of DAB2IP in pancreatic cancer cell lines and normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells was analyzed by Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The KRAS mutational types of pancreatic cancer tissues obtained from pancreatic cancer patients (n=20) were also analyzed. Subsequently, DAB2IP expression was detected in pancreatic cancer tissues, adjacent and normal pancreatic tissues (n=2) by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between DAB2IP expression and the clinical characteristics of patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

Western blotting and qRT-PCR results showed that DAB2IP expression in pancreatic cancer cells with wild-type KRAS was lower than that in those with mutation-type KRAS and normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that DAB2IP expression was lower in pancreatic cancer tissues than that in adjacent and normal pancreatic tissues (Z=-4.000, P=0.000). DAB2IP expression was lower in pancreatic cancer patients with the wild-type KRAS gene than that in those with KRAS mutations (WilcoxonW=35.000, P=0.042). Furthermore, DAB2IP expression in patients with perineurial invasion was lower than that in those without invasion (WilcoxonW=71.500, P=0.028). DAB2IP expression was lower in patients with more advanced stage than that in those with early clinical stage (WilcoxonW=54.000, P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

DAB2IP expression was reduced in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with those with no cancer. DAB2IP expression was correlated with the KRAS gene, perineurial invasion and clinical stage of the disease. Our data indicated that DAP2IP expression can be used as a potential prognostic indicator and a promising molecular target for therapeutic intervention in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Inflammation and Hras signaling control epithelial-mesenchymal transition during skin tumor progression

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be an important, possibly essential, component of the process of tumor dissemination and metastasis. About 20%-30% of Hras mutant mouse skin carcinomas induced by chemical initiation/promotion protocols have undergone EMT. Reduced exposure to TPA-induced chronic inflammation causes a dramatic reduction in classical papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), but the mice still develop highly invasive carcinomas with EMT properties, reduced levels of Hras and Egfr signaling, and frequent Ink4/Arf deletions. Deletion of Hras from the mouse germline also leads to a strong reduction in squamous tumor development, but tumors now acquire activating Kras mutations and exhibit more aggressive metastatic properties. We propose that invasive carcinomas can arise by different genetic and biological routes dependent on exposure to chronic inflammation and possibly from different target cell populations within the skin. Our data have implications for the use of inhibitors of inflammation or of Ras/Egfr pathway signaling for prevention or treatment of invasive cancers.

Association of the variant rs2243421 of human DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein gene (hDAB2IP) with gastric cancer in the Chinese Han population

Human DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein (hDAB2IP) gene is a novel member of the Ras GTPase-activating family and has been demonstrated to be a tumor-suppressor gene that inhibits cell survival and proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. It was reported that the expression level of hDAB2IP in gastric cancer tissue was highly correlated with tumor progression, however, whether hDAB2IP genetic variants are associated with the risk of gastric cancer remains yet unknown. In this case-control study, we conducted a genetic analysis for hDAB2IP variants in 311 patients with gastric cancer and 425 controls from the Chinese Han population. We found that the SNP rs2243421 of hDAB2IP gene with the minor allele C significantly revealed strong association with decreased gastric cancer susceptibility (P=0.007, adjusted odds ratio [OR]=0.734, 95%CI=0.586-0.919). Haplotypes rs2243421 and rs10985332 (HaploType: CC, P=0.012, aOR=0.760) and haplotypes rs2243421 and rs555996 (HaploType: CG, P=0.034, aOR=0.788) represented the decreased risk of gastric cancer, respectively. On the contrary, rs2243421 and rs555996 showed an elevated susceptibility (HaploType: TG, P=0.010, aOR=1.320). Our results for the first time provided new insight into susceptibility factors of hDAB2IP gene variants in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

The universally conserved prokaryotic GTPases

Members of the large superclass of P-loop GTPases share a core domain with a conserved three-dimensional structure. In eukaryotes, these proteins are implicated in various crucial cellular processes, including translation, membrane trafficking, cell cycle progression, and membrane signaling. As targets of mutation and toxins, GTPases are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and infectious diseases. In prokaryotes also, it is hard to overestimate the importance of GTPases in cell physiology. Numerous papers have shed new light on the role of bacterial GTPases in cell cycle regulation, ribosome assembly, the stress response, and other cellular processes. Moreover, bacterial GTPases have been identified as high-potential drug targets. A key paper published over 2 decades ago stated that, "It may never again be possible to capture [GTPases] in a family portrait" (H. R. Bourne, D. A. Sanders, and F. McCormick, Nature 348:125-132, 1990) and indeed, the last 20 years have seen a tremendous increase in publications on the subject. Sequence analysis identified 13 bacterial GTPases that are conserved in at least 75% of all bacterial species. We here provide an overview of these 13 protein subfamilies, covering their cellular functions as well as cellular localization and expression levels, three-dimensional structures, biochemical properties, and gene organization. Conserved roles in eukaryotic homologs will be discussed as well. A comprehensive overview summarizing current knowledge on prokaryotic GTPases will aid in further elucidating the function of these important proteins.

In vivo and in vitro expression of the RASAL1 gene in human gastric adenocarcinoma and its clinicopathological significance

Recent studies have suggested that the RAS protein activator like-1 (RASAL1) is a potential tumor suppressor, which is found to be reduced in certain human cancers. Its downregulation is involved in the progression of malignancies. However, whether or not RASAL1 plays a role in the development of gastric cancer remains to be determined. Our study aimed to clarify the role of RASAL1 in the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma. The expression of RASAL1 in primary gastric adenocarcinoma tissue specimens was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of RASAL1 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and western blotting in gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines with varying differentiation statuses, including well-differentiated MKN-28, moderately differentiated SGC-7901 and poorly differentiated BGC-823, respectively. A normal gastric epithelial cell line, GES-l, was used as the control line. The immunohistochemical results revealed that the expression of the RASAL1 protein was mainly observed in the cytoplasm. Among 50 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma tissues, 12 cases were identified as (-), 23 cases (+), 13 cases (++) and 2 cases (+++). Among 50 cases of normal gastric tissues, 16 cases were (++) and 34 cases (+++). The expression of the RASAL1 protein was found to be decreased in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue compared with normal gastric tissue (p<0.01). Moreover, in the gastric carcinoma tissues, the expression of RASAL1 was correlated with carcinoma diameter, differentiation grades, invasive depth, lymph node metastasis and TNM. Additionally, the RASAL1 mRNA and proteins were decreased in the three gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines compared with the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-l. In addition, the downregulation of RASAL1 correlated with the differentiation status of cancer cell lines. Based on the above investigation, we conclude that expression of the RASAL1 gene is decreased in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines. The results indicate that RASAL1 may be important in the tumorigenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.

Inactivation of Ras GTPase-activating proteins promotes unrestrained activity of wild-type Ras in human liver cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Aberrant activation of the RAS pathway is ubiquitous in human hepatocarcinogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms leading to RAS induction in the absence of RAS mutations remain under-investigated. We defined the role of Ras GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) in the constitutive activity of Ras signaling during human hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODS

The mutation status of RAS genes and RAS effectors was assessed in a collection of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Levels of RAS GAPs (RASA1-4, RASAL1, nGAP, SYNGAP1, DAB2IP, and NF1) and the RASAL1 upstream inducer PITX1 were determined by real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting. The promoter and genomic status of RASAL1, DAB2IP, NF1, and PITX1 were assessed by methylation assays and microsatellite analysis. Effects of RASAL1, DAB2IP, and PITX1 on HCC growth were evaluated by transfection and siRNA analyses of HCC cell lines.

RESULTS

In the absence of Ras mutations, downregulation of at least one RAS GAP (RASAL1, DAB2IP, or NF1) was found in all HCC samples. Low levels of DAB2IP and PITX1 were detected mostly in a HCC subclass from patients with poor survival, indicating that these proteins control tumor aggressiveness. In HCC cells, reactivation of RASAL1, DAB2IP, and PITX1 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis, whereas their silencing increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective suppression of RASAL1, DAB2IP, or NF1 RAS GAPs results in unrestrained activation of Ras signaling in the presence of wild-type RAS in HCC.

Genome-wide association study identifies a sequence variant within the DAB2IP gene conferring susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm

We performed a genome-wide association study on 1,292 individuals with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and 30,503 controls from Iceland and The Netherlands, with a follow-up of top markers in up to 3,267 individuals with AAAs and 7,451 controls. The A allele of rs7025486 on 9q33 was found to associate with AAA, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.21 and P = 4.6 x 10(-10). In tests for association with other vascular diseases, we found that rs7025486[A] is associated with early onset myocardial infarction (OR = 1.18, P = 3.1 x 10(-5)), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 1.14, P = 3.9 x 10(-5)) and pulmonary embolism (OR = 1.20, P = 0.00030), but not with intracranial aneurysm or ischemic stroke. No association was observed between rs7025486[A] and common risk factors for arterial and venous diseases-that is, smoking, lipid levels, obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Rs7025486 is located within DAB2IP, which encodes an inhibitor of cell growth and survival.

Inactivation of Ras by p120GAP via focal adhesion kinase dephosphorylation mediates RGMa-induced growth cone collapse

The repulsive guidance molecule RGMa performs several functions in the developing and adult CNSs. RGMa, through its receptor neogenin, induces growth cone collapse and neurite outgrowth inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that RGMa binding to neogenin leads to the inactivation of Ras, which is required for the RGMa-mediated repulsive function in cortical neurons. This signal transduction is mediated by the Ras-specific GTPase-activating protein (GAP) p120GAP. The SH2 domain of p120GAP interacts with focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which is phosphorylated at Tyr-397. When the cells are stimulated with RGMa, FAK undergoes dephosphorylation at Tyr-397 and is dissociated from p120GAP, and this dissociation is followed by an increase in the interaction between p120GAP and GTP-Ras. In addition, the knockdown of p120GAP prevents RGMa-induced growth cone collapse and neurite outgrowth inhibition. Furthermore, RGMa stimulation induces Akt inactivation through p120GAP, and the expression of the constitutively active Akt prevents RGMa-induced growth cone collapse. Thus, RGMa binding to neogenin regulates p120GAP activity through FAK Tyr-397 dephosphorylation, leading to the inactivation of Ras and its downstream effector Akt, and this signal transduction plays a role in the RGMa-mediated repulsive function.