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Song Q, Geng H, Zhen H, Liu H, Deng H, Yuan Z, Zhang J, Cao Z, Pang Q, Zhao B. DjFARP Contributes to the Regeneration and Maintenance of the Brain through Activation of DjRac1 in Dugesia japonica. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6294-6306. [PMID: 37442859 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
FERM, RhoGEF, and Pleckstrin domain protein (FARP) mediated RhoGTPase pathways are involved in diverse biological processes, such as neuronal development and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about their role in neural regeneration. We uncovered for the first time that FARP-Rac1 signaling plays an important role in neural regeneration in Dugesia japonica, a planarian that possesses unparalleled regenerative capacities. The planarian FARP homolog DjFARP was primarily expressed in both intact and regenerating brain and pharynx tissue. Functional studies suggested that downregulation of DjFARP with dsRNA in Dugesia japonica led to smaller brain sizes, defects in brain lateral branches, and loss of cholinergic, GABAergic, and dopaminergic neurons in both intact and regenerating animals. Moreover, the Rho GTPase DjRac1 was shown to play a similar role in neural regeneration and maintenance. Rac1 activation assay showed that DjFARP acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for DjRac1. Together, these findings indicate that the brain defects seen in DjFARP knockdown animals may be attributable to DjRac1 inactivation. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that DjFARP-DjRac1 signaling was required for the maintenance and proper regeneration of the brain in Dugesia japonica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Song
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China
| | - Huazhi Geng
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - Hui Zhen
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjin Liu
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Hongkuan Deng
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Zuoqing Yuan
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Zhonghong Cao
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Qiuxiang Pang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China
| | - Bosheng Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shandong University of Technology, 266 Xincun West Road, Zibo, 255049, People's Republic of China.
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, 255000, China.
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Ma N, Xu E, Luo Q, Song G. Rac1: A Regulator of Cell Migration and A Potential Target for Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28072976. [PMID: 37049739 PMCID: PMC10096471 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28072976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is crucial for physiological and pathological processes such as morphogenesis, wound repair, immune response and cancer invasion/metastasis. There are many factors affecting cell migration, and the regulatory mechanisms are complex. Rac1 is a GTP-binding protein with small molecular weight belonging to the Rac subfamily of the Rho GTPase family. As a key molecule in regulating cell migration, Rac1 participates in signal transduction from the external cell to the actin cytoskeleton and promotes the establishment of cell polarity which plays an important role in cancer cell invasion/metastasis. In this review, we firstly introduce the molecular structure and activity regulation of Rac1, and then summarize the role of Rac1 in cancer invasion/metastasis and other physiological processes. We also discuss the regulatory mechanisms of Rac1 in cell migration and highlight it as a potential target in cancer therapy. Finally, the current state as well as the future challenges in this area are considered. Understanding the role and the regulatory mechanism of Rac1 in cell migration can provide fundamental insights into Rac1-related cancer progression and further help us to develop novel intervention strategies for cancer therapy in clinic.
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Scala M, Nishikawa M, Nagata KI, Striano P. Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Rac GTPases Dysregulation: What's behind Neuro-RACopathies. Cells 2021; 10:3395. [PMID: 34943902 PMCID: PMC8699292 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho family guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) regulate cellular signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics, playing a pivotal role in cell adhesion, migration, and cell cycle progression. The Rac subfamily of Rho GTPases consists of three highly homologous proteins, Rac 1-3. The proper function of Rac1 and Rac3, and their correct interaction with guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) are crucial for neural development. Pathogenic variants affecting these delicate biological processes are implicated in different medical conditions in humans, primarily neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In addition to a direct deleterious effect produced by genetic variants in the RAC genes, a dysregulated GTPase activity resulting from an abnormal function of GEFs and GAPs has been involved in the pathogenesis of distinctive emerging conditions. In this study, we reviewed the current pertinent literature on Rac-related disorders with a primary neurological involvement, providing an overview of the current knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the neuro-RACopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Masashi Nishikawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
| | - Koh-ichi Nagata
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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