scholarly journals β-Pix-dependent cellular protrusions propel collective mesoderm migration in the mouse embryo

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Omelchenko ◽  
Alan Hall ◽  
Kathryn V. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Tracking ◽  
Volumetric Analysis ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
The Body ◽  
Paraxial Mesoderm ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Live Embryo

AbstractCoordinated directional migration of cells in the mesoderm layer of the early embryo is essential for organization of the body plan. Here we show that mesoderm organization in mouse embryos depends on β-Pix (Arhgef7), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1 and Cdc42. As early as E7.5, β-Pix mutants have an abnormally thick mesoderm layer; later, paraxial mesoderm fails to organize into somites. To define the mechanism of action of β-Pix in vivo, we optimize single-cell live-embryo imaging, cell tracking, and volumetric analysis of individual and groups of mesoderm cells. Use of these methods shows that wild-type cells move in the same direction as their neighbors, whereas adjacent β-Pix mutant cells move in random directions. Wild-type mesoderm cells have long polarized filopodia-like protrusions, which are absent in β-Pix mutants. The data indicate that β-Pix-dependent cellular protrusions drive and coordinate collective migration of the mesoderm in vivo.

scholarly journals Sil1, a nucleotide exchange factor for BiP, is not required for antibody assembly or secretion

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viraj P. Ichhaporia ◽  
Tyler Sanford ◽  
Jenny Howes ◽  
Tony N. Marion ◽  
Linda M. Hendershot
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Antibody Production ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Exchange Factor ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone

Sil1 is a nucleotide exchange factor for the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP, and mutations in this gene lead to Marinesco–Sjögren syndrome (MSS), a debilitating autosomal recessive disease characterized by multisystem defects. A mouse model for MSS was previously produced by disrupting Sil1 using gene-trap methodology. The resulting Sil1Gt mouse phenocopies several pathologies associated with MSS, although its ability to assemble and secrete antibodies, the best-characterized substrate of BiP, has not been investigated. In vivo antigen-specific immunizations and ex vivo LPS stimulation of splenic B cells revealed that the Sil1Gt mouse was indistinguishable from wild-type age-matched controls in terms of both the kinetics and magnitude of antigen-specific antibody responses. There was no significant accumulation of BiP-associated Ig assembly intermediates or evidence that another molecular chaperone system was used for antibody production in the LPS-stimulated splenic B cells from Sil1Gt mice. ER chaperones were expressed at the same level in Sil1WT and Sil1Gt mice, indicating that there was no evident compensation for the disruption of Sil1. Finally, these results were confirmed and extended in three human EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines from individuals with MSS, leading us to conclude that the BiP cofactor Sil1 is dispensable for antibody production.

The number of ribosomes on simian virus 40 late 16S mRNA is determined in part by the nucleotide sequence of its leader

1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-816
Author(s):  
A Barkan ◽  
J E Mertz
Keyword(s):  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
The Body ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Leader Protein ◽  
16S Rna

The size distributions of polyribosomes containing each of three simian virus 40 late 16S mRNA species that differ in nucleotide sequence only within their leaders were determined. The two 16S RNA species with shorter leaders were incorporated into polysomes that were both larger (on average) and narrower in size distribution than was the predominant wild-type 16S RNA. Therefore, the nucleotide sequence of the leader can influence the number of ribosomes present on the body of an mRNA molecule. We propose a model in which the excision from leaders of sizeable translatable regions permits more frequent utilization of internally located translation initiation signals, thereby enabling genes encoded within the bodies of polygenic mRNAs to be translated at higher rates. In addition, the data provide the first direct evidence that VP1 can, indeed, be synthesized in vivo from the species of 16S mRNA that also encodes the 61-amino acid leader protein.

scholarly journals Vav3-induced cytoskeletal dynamics contribute to heterotypic properties of endothelial barriers

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 (8) ◽  
pp. 2813-2830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Hilfenhaus ◽  
Dai Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Jonathan Freshman ◽  
Divya Prajapati ◽  
Feiyang Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Large Artery ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Endothelial Barriers ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Barrier Resistance ◽  
Cell Matrix Interactions

Through multiple cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, epithelial and endothelial sheets form tight barriers. Modulators of the cytoskeleton contribute to barrier stability and act as rheostats of vascular permeability. In this study, we sought to identify cytoskeletal regulators that underlie barrier diversity across vessels. To achieve this, we correlated functional and structural barrier features to gene expression of endothelial cells (ECs) derived from different vascular beds. Within a subset of identified candidates, we found that the guanosine nucleotide exchange factor Vav3 was exclusively expressed by microvascular ECs and was closely associated with a high-resistance barrier phenotype. Ectopic expression of Vav3 in large artery and brain ECs significantly enhanced barrier resistance and cortical rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, we found that the barrier effect of Vav3 is dependent on its Dbl homology domain and downstream activation of Rap1. Importantly, inactivation of Vav3 in vivo resulted in increased vascular leakage, highlighting its function as a key regulator of barrier stability.

Expression of mutant eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha subunit (eIF-2 alpha) reduces inhibition of guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF-2B mediated by eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 4546-4553
Author(s):  
K V Ramaiah ◽  
M V Davies ◽  
J J Chen ◽  
R J Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Eukaryotic Initiation Factor ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Initiation Factor 2 ◽  
Exchange Activity

The inhibition of protein synthesis that occurs upon phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2 alpha) at serine 51 correlates with reduced guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF-2B in vivo and inhibition of eIF-2B activity in vitro, although it is not known if phosphorylation is the cause of the reduced eIF-2B activity in vivo. To characterize the importance of eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation in the regulation of eIF-2B activity, we studied the overexpression of mutant eIF-2 alpha subunits in which serine 48 or 51 was replaced by an alanine (48A or 51A mutant). Previous studies demonstrated that the 51A mutant was resistant to phosphorylation, whereas the 48A mutant was a substrate for phosphorylation. Additionally, expression of either mutant partially protected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells from the inhibition of protein synthesis in response to heat shock treatment (P. Murtha-Riel, M. V. Davies, J. B. Scherer, S. Y. Choi, J. W. B. Hershey, and R. J. Kaufman, J. Biol. Chem. 268:12946-12951, 1993). In this study, we show that eIF-2B activity was inhibited in parental CHO cell extracts upon addition of purified reticulocyte heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), an eIF-2 alpha kinase that phosphorylates Ser-51. Preincubation with purified HRI also reduced the eIF-2B activity in extracts from cells overexpressing wild-type eIF-2 alpha. In contrast, the eIF-2B activity was not readily inhibited in extracts from cells overexpressing either the eIF-2 alpha 48A or 51A mutant. In addition, eIF-2B activity was decreased in extracts prepared from heat-shocked cells overexpressing wild-type eIF-2 alpha, whereas the decrease in eIF-2B activity was less in heat-shocked cells overexpressing either mutant 48A or mutant 51A. While the phosphorylation at serine 51 in eIF-2 alpha impairs the eIF-2B activity, we propose that serine 48 acts to maintain a high affinity between phosphorylated eIF-2 alpha and eIF-2B, thereby inactivating eIF-2B activity. These findings support the hypothesis that phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha inhibits protein synthesis directly through reducing eIF-2B activity and emphasize the importance of both serine 48 and serine 51 in the interaction with eIF-2B and regulation of eIF-2B activity.

Apical-basal pattern formation in the Arabidopsis embryo: studies on the role of the gnom gene

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Mayer ◽  
G. Buttner ◽  
G. Jurgens
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Formation ◽  
Root Formation ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Early Effect ◽  
Normal Number ◽  
Mutant Seedling

gnom is one of several genes that make substantial contributions to pattern formation along the apical-basal axis of polarity in the Arabidopsis embryo as indicated by the mutant seedling phenotype. The apical and basal end regions of the body pattern, which include the meristems of the shoot and the root, fail to form, and a minority of mutant embryos lack morphological features of apical-basal polarity. We have investigated the developmental basis of the gnom mutant phenotype, taking advantage of a large number of EMS-induced mutant alleles. The seedling phenotype has been traced back to the early embryo in which the asymmetric division of the zygote is altered, now producing two nearly equal-sized cells. The apical daughter cell then undergoes abnormal divisions, resulting in an octant embryo with about twice the normal number of cells while the uppermost derivative of the basal cell fails to become the hypophysis, which normally contributes to root development. Consistent with this early effect, gnom appears to be epistatic to monopteros in doubly mutant embryos, suggesting that, without prior gnom activity, the monopteros gene cannot promote root and hypocotyl development. On the other hand, when root formation was induced in bisected seedlings, wild-type responded whereas gnom mutants failed to produce a root but formed callus instead. These results suggest that gnom activity promotes asymmetric cell division which we believe is necessary both for apical-basal pattern formation in the early embryo and for root formation in tissue culture.

scholarly journals Development of Noonan syndrome by deregulation of allosteric SOS autoactivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (39) ◽  
pp. 13651-13663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope Gloria Umutesi ◽  
Hanh My Hoang ◽  
Hope Elizabeth Johnson ◽  
Kwangho Nam ◽  
Jongyun Heo
Keyword(s):  
Noonan Syndrome ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Active Form ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Allosteric Site ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Son Of Sevenless ◽  
Ras Family

Ras family proteins play an essential role in several cellular functions, including growth, differentiation, and survival. The mechanism of action of Ras mutants in Costello syndrome and cancers has been identified, but the contribution of Ras mutants to Noonan syndrome, a genetic disorder that prevents normal development in various parts of the body, is unknown. Son of Sevenless (SOS) is a Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor. In response to Ras-activating cell signaling, SOS autoinhibition is released and is followed by accelerative allosteric feedback autoactivation. Here, using mutagenesis-based kinetic and pulldown analyses, we show that Noonan syndrome Ras mutants I24N, T50I, V152G, and D153V deregulate the autoactivation of SOS to populate their active form. This previously unknown process has been linked so far only to the development of Noonan syndrome. In contrast, other Noonan syndrome Ras mutants—V14I, T58I, and G60E—populate their active form by deregulation of the previously documented Ras GTPase activities. We propose a novel mechanism responsible for the deregulation of SOS autoactivation, where I24N, T50I, V152G, and D153V Ras mutants evade SOS autoinhibition. Consequently, they are capable of forming a complex with the SOS allosteric site, thus aberrantly promoting SOS autoactivation, resulting in the population of active Ras mutants in cells. The results of this study elucidate the molecular mechanism of the Ras mutant–mediated development of Noonan syndrome.

scholarly journals Targeted Disruption of Ras-Grf2 Shows Its Dispensability for Mouse Growth and Development

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 2498-2504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Fernández-Medarde ◽  
Luis M. Esteban ◽  
Alejandro Núñez ◽  
Ángel Porteros ◽  
Lino Tessarollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Loss ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Null Mutant ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Elevated Expression ◽  
Null Mutant Mice ◽  
Histopathological Studies

ABSTRACT The mammalian Grf1 and Grf2 proteins are Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) sharing a high degree of structural homology, as well as an elevated expression level in central nervous system tissues. Such similarities raise questions concerning the specificity and/or redundancy at the functional level between the two Grf proteins. grf1-null mutant mice have been recently described which showed phenotypic growth reduction and long-term memory loss. To gain insight into the in vivo function of Grf2, we disrupted its catalytic CDC25-H domain by means of gene targeting. Breeding among grf2 +/− animals gave rise to viable grf2 −/− adult animals with a normal Mendelian pattern, suggesting that Grf2 is not essential for embryonic and adult mouse development. In contrast to Grf1-null mice, analysis of grf2 −/− litters showed similar size and weight as their heterozygous or wild-type grf2 counterparts. Furthermore, adult grf2 −/− animals reached sexual maturity at the same age as their wild-type littermates and showed similar fertility levels. No specific pathology was observed in adult Grf2-null animals, and histopathological studies showed no observable differences between null mutant and wild-type Grf2 mice. These results indicate that grf2 is dispensable for mouse growth, development, and fertility. Furthermore, analysis of double grf1/grf2 null animals did not show any observable phenotypic difference with single grf1 −/− animals, further indicating a lack of functional overlapping between the two otherwise highly homologous Grf1 and Grf2 proteins.

scholarly journals Phosphoinositide 3-kinase activates Rac by entering in a complex with Eps8, Abi1, and Sos-1

2003 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metello Innocenti ◽  
Emanuela Frittoli ◽  
Isabella Ponzanelli ◽  
John R. Falck ◽  
Saskia M. Brachmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Signaling Complex ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are implicated in many cellular responses controlled by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including actin cytoskeletal remodeling. Within this pathway, Rac is a key downstream target/effector of PI3K. However, how the signal is routed from PI3K to Rac is unclear. One possible candidate for this function is the Rac-activating complex Eps8–Abi1–Sos-1, which possesses Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity. Here, we show that Abi1 (also known as E3b1) recruits PI3K, via p85, into a multimolecular signaling complex that includes Eps8 and Sos-1. The recruitment of p85 to the Eps8–Abi1–Sos-1 complex and phosphatidylinositol 3, 4, 5 phosphate (PIP3), the catalytic product of PI3K, concur to unmask its Rac-GEF activity in vitro. Moreover, they are indispensable for the activation of Rac and Rac-dependent actin remodeling in vivo. On growth factor stimulation, endogenous p85 and Abi1 consistently colocalize into membrane ruffles, and cells lacking p85 fail to support Abi1-dependent Rac activation. Our results define a mechanism whereby propagation of signals, originating from RTKs or Ras and leading to actin reorganization, is controlled by direct physical interaction between PI3K and a Rac-specific GEF complex.

scholarly journals Ras-Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Sos2 Is Dispensable for Mouse Growth and Development

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 6410-6413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis M. Esteban ◽  
Alberto Fernández-Medarde ◽  
Eva López ◽  
Kate Yienger ◽  
Carmen Guerrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange

ABSTRACT The mammalian sos1 and sos2 genes encode highly homologous members of the Son-of-sevenless family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors. They are ubiquitously expressed and play key roles in transmission of signals initiated by surface protein tyrosine kinases that are transduced into the cell through the action of membrane-associated Ras proteins. Recent reports showed that targeted disruption of the sos1 locus results in embryonic lethality. To gain insight into the in vivo function ofsos2, we disrupted its catalytic CDC25-H domain by means of gene targeting techniques. Mating among heterozygous sos2+/− mice produced viablesos2 −/− offspring with a normal Mendelian pattern of inheritance, indicating that the loss of sos2does not interfere with embryo viability in the uterus. Adult homozygous mutant sos2−/− mice reached sexual maturity at the same age as their wild-type littermates, and both male and female null mutants were fertile. Histopathological analysis showed no observable differences between mutant and wild-type mice. Our results show that unlike the case for sos1,sos2 gene function is dispensable for normal mouse development, growth, and fertility.

scholarly journals The RAC1 activator Tiam1 regulates centriole duplication through controlling PLK4 levels

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Porter ◽  
Gavin R. M. White ◽  
Erinn-Lee Ogg ◽  
Helen J. Whalley ◽  
Angeliki Malliri
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Centriole Duplication ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
F Box Protein

SummaryCentriole duplication is tightly controlled to maintain correct centriole number through the cell cycle. A key component of this control is the regulated degradation of PLK4, the master regulator of centriole duplication. Here we show that the Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Tiam1 localises to centrosomes during S-phase, where it is required for maintenance of normal centriole number. Depletion of Tiam1 leads to an increase in centrosomal PLK4, centriole overduplication and ultimately to lagging chromosomes at anaphase and aneuploidy. The effects of Tiam1 depletion can be rescued by re-expression of wild-type Tiam1 and catalytically inactive (GEF*) Tiam1, but not by Tiam1 mutants unable to bind to the F-box protein βTRCP, implying that Tiam1 regulates PLK4 levels through promoting βTRCP-mediated degradation.

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