Calmodulin extracts the Ras family protein RalA from lipid bilayers by engagement with two membrane-targeting motifs

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (36) ◽  
pp. e2104219118
Author(s):  
Samuel G. Chamberlain ◽  
Andrea Gohlke ◽  
Arooj Shafiq ◽  
Iolo J. Squires ◽  
Darerca Owen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Membrane Targeting ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Ras Family ◽  
Membrane Attachment

RalA is a small GTPase and a member of the Ras family. This molecular switch is activated downstream of Ras and is widely implicated in tumor formation and growth. Previous work has shown that the ubiquitous Ca2+-sensor calmodulin (CaM) binds to small GTPases such as RalA and K-Ras4B, but a lack of structural information has obscured the functional consequences of these interactions. Here, we have investigated the binding of CaM to RalA and found that CaM interacts exclusively with the C terminus of RalA, which is lipidated with a prenyl group in vivo to aid membrane attachment. Biophysical and structural analyses show that the two RalA membrane-targeting motifs (the prenyl anchor and the polybasic motif) are engaged by distinct lobes of CaM and that CaM binding leads to removal of RalA from its membrane environment. The structure of this complex, along with a biophysical investigation into membrane removal, provides a framework with which to understand how CaM regulates the function of RalA and sheds light on the interaction of CaM with other small GTPases, including K-Ras4B.

scholarly journals Analysis of RAS protein interactions in living cells reveals a mechanism for pan-RAS depletion by membrane-targeted RAS binders

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (22) ◽  
pp. 12121-12130
Author(s):  
Yao-Cheng Li ◽  
Nikki K. Lytle ◽  
Seth T. Gammon ◽  
Luke Wang ◽  
Tikvah K. Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Ras Proteins ◽  
Ras Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Ras Family ◽  
Ras Isoforms

HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS4A/KRAS4B comprise the RAS family of small GTPases that regulate signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. RAS pathway abnormalities cause developmental disorders and cancers. We found that KRAS4B colocalizes on the cell membrane with other RAS isoforms and a subset of prenylated small GTPase family members using a live-cell quantitative split luciferase complementation assay. RAS protein coclustering is mainly mediated by membrane association-facilitated interactions (MAFIs). Using the RAS–RBD (CRAF RAS binding domain) interaction as a model system, we showed that MAFI alone is not sufficient to induce RBD-mediated RAS inhibition. Surprisingly, we discovered that high-affinity membrane-targeted RAS binding proteins inhibit RAS activity and deplete RAS proteins through an autophagosome–lysosome-mediated degradation pathway. Our results provide a mechanism for regulating RAS activity and protein levels, a more detailed understanding of which should lead to therapeutic strategies for inhibiting and depleting oncogenic RAS proteins.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of plasma membrane targeting of formin mDia2 through its amino terminal domains

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Gorelik ◽  
Changsong Yang ◽  
Vasumathi Kameswaran ◽  
Roberto Dominguez ◽  
Tatyana Svitkina
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Coincidence Detection ◽  
Membrane Targeting ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
N Terminus

The formin mDia2 mediates the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia during cell locomotion. The subcellular localization of activated mDia2 depends on interactions with actin filaments and the plasma membrane. We investigated the poorly understood mechanism of plasma membrane targeting of mDia2 and found that the entire N-terminal region of mDia2 preceding the actin-polymerizing formin homology domains 1 and 2 (FH1–FH2) module was potently targeted to the membrane. This localization was enhanced by Rif, but not by other tested small GTPases, and depended on a positively charged N-terminal basic domain (BD). The BD bound acidic phospholipids in vitro, suggesting that in vivo it may associate with the plasma membrane through electrostatic interactions. Unexpectedly, a fragment consisting of the GTPase-binding region and the diaphanous inhibitory domain (G-DID), thought to mediate the interaction with GTPases, was not targeted to the plasma membrane even in the presence of constitutively active Rif. Addition of the BD or dimerization/coiled coil domains to G-DID rescued plasma membrane targeting in cells. Direct binding of Rif to mDia2 N terminus required the presence of both G and DID. These results suggest that the entire N terminus of mDia2 serves as a coincidence detection module, directing mDia2 to the plasma membrane through interactions with phospholipids and activated Rif.

scholarly journals The small GTPases ARL-13 and ARL-3 coordinate intraflagellar transport and ciliogenesis

2010 ◽  
Vol 189 (6) ◽  
pp. 1039-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Li ◽  
Qing Wei ◽  
Yuxia Zhang ◽  
Kun Ling ◽  
Jinghua Hu
Keyword(s):  
Intraflagellar Transport ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
Joubert Syndrome ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Causal Gene ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Bidirectional Movement ◽  
Dependent Pathway

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery mediates the bidirectional movement of cargos that are required for the assembly and maintenance of cilia. However, little is known about how IFT is regulated in vivo. In this study, we show that the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor–like protein 13 (ARL-13) encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of the human Joubert syndrome causal gene ARL13B, localizes exclusively to the doublet segment of the cilium. arl-13 mutants have shortened cilia with various ultrastructural deformities and a disrupted association between IFT subcomplexes A and B. Intriguingly, depletion of ARL-3, another ciliary small GTPase, partially suppresses ciliogenesis defects in arl-13 mutants by indirectly restoring binding between IFT subcomplexes A and B. Rescue of arl-13 mutants by ARL-3 depletion is mediated by an HDAC6 deacetylase-dependent pathway. Thus, we propose that two conserved small GTPases, ARL-13 and ARL-3, coordinate to regulate IFT and that perturbing this balance results in cilia deformation.

scholarly journals The C-terminus of cytochrome b5 confers endoplasmic reticulum specificity by preventing spontaneous insertion into membranes

2007 ◽  
Vol 401 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. A. Henderson ◽  
Yeen Ting Hwang ◽  
John M. Dyer ◽  
Robert T. Mullen ◽  
David W. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Fusion Proteins ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cytochrome B5 ◽  
Terminal Sequence ◽  
C Terminus

The molecular mechanisms that determine the correct subcellular localization of proteins targeted to membranes by tail-anchor sequences are poorly defined. Previously, we showed that two isoforms of the tung oil tree [Vernicia (Aleurites) fordii] tail-anchored Cb5 (cytochrome b5) target specifically to ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membranes both in vivo and in vitro [Hwang, Pelitire, Henderson, Andrews, Dyer and Mullen (2004) Plant Cell 16, 3002–3019]. In the present study, we examine the targeting of various tung Cb5 fusion proteins and truncation mutants to purified intracellular membranes in vitro in order to assess the importance of the charged CTS (C-terminal sequence) in targeting to specific membranes. Removal of the CTS from tung Cb5 proteins resulted in efficient binding to both ER and mitochondria. Results from organelle competition, liposome-binding and membrane proteolysis experiments demonstrated that removal of the CTS results in spontaneous insertion of tung Cb5 proteins into lipid bilayers. Our results indicate that the CTSs from plant Cb5 proteins provide ER specificity by preventing spontaneous insertion into incorrect subcellular membranes.

scholarly journals Evidence for Two CRIB Domains in Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) That the Enzyme Uses to Specifically Bind to the Small GTPase Rac2

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (18) ◽  
pp. 16308-16320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Juan Peng ◽  
Karen M. Henkels ◽  
Madhu Mahankali ◽  
Mary C. Dinauer ◽  
Julian Gomez-Cambronero
Keyword(s):  
Specific Binding ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Ph Domain ◽  
Phospholipase D2

Phospholipase D (PLD) and small GTPases are vital to cell signaling. We report that the Rac2 and the PLD2 isoforms exist in the cell as a lipase-GTPase complex that enables the two proteins to elicit their respective functionalities. A strong association between the two molecules was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and was confirmed in living cells by FRET with CFP-Rac2 and YFP-PLD2 fluorescent chimeras. We have identified the amino acids in PLD2 that define a specific binding site to Rac2. This site is composed of two CRIB (Cdc42-and Rac-interactive binding) motifs that we have named “CRIB-1” and “CRIB-2” in and around the PH domain in PLD2. Deletion mutants PLD2-ΔCRIB-1/2 negate co-immunoprecipitation with Rac2 and diminish the FRET signal in living cells. The PLD2-Rac2 association was further confirmed in vitro using affinity-purified recombinant proteins. Binding was saturable with an apparent Kd of 3 nm and was diminished with PLD2-ΔCRIB mutants. Furthermore, PLD2 bound more efficiently to Rac2-GTP than to Rac2-GDP or to a GDP-constitutive Rac2-N17 mutant. Increasing concentrations of recombinant Rac2 in vitro and in vivo during cell adhesion inhibit PLD2. Conversely, Rac2 activity is increased in the presence of PLD2-WT but not in PLD2-ΔCRIB. We propose that in activated cells PLD2 affects Rac2 in an initial positive feedback, but as Rac2-GTP accumulates in the cell, this constitutes a “termination signal” leading to PLD2 inactivation.

scholarly journals Exoenzyme S shows selective ADP-ribosylation and GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activities towards small GTPases in vivo

2002 ◽  
Vol 367 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria L. HENRIKSSON ◽  
Charlotta SUNDIN ◽  
Anna L. JANSSON ◽  
Åke FORSBERG ◽  
Ruth H. PALMER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Exoenzyme S ◽  
Adp Ribosylation ◽  
Intracellular Targeting ◽  
Gtp Binding ◽  
Adp Ribosyltransferase

Intracellular targeting of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxins exoenzyme S (ExoS) and exoenzyme T (ExoT) initially results in disruption of the actin microfilament structure of eukaryotic cells. ExoS and ExoT are bifunctional cytotoxins, with N-terminal GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and C-terminal ADP-ribosyltransferase activities. We show that ExoS can modify multiple GTPases of the Ras superfamily in vivo. In contrast, ExoT shows no ADP-ribosylation activity towards any of the GTPases tested in vivo. We further examined ExoS targets in vivo and observed that ExoS modulates the activity of several of these small GTP-binding proteins, such as Ras, Rap1, Rap2, Ral, Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42. We suggest that ExoS is the major ADP-ribosyltransferase protein modulating small GTPase function encoded by P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, we show that the GAP activity of ExoS abrogates the activation of RhoA, Cdc42 and Rap1.

scholarly journals Membrane tethering potency of Rab-family small GTPases is defined by the C-terminal hypervariable regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanae Ueda ◽  
Naoki Tamura ◽  
Joji Mima
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Rab Family ◽  
Membrane Tethering

AbstractMembrane tethering is a crucial step to determine the spatiotemporal specificity of secretory and endocytic trafficking pathways in all eukaryotic endomembrane systems. Recent biochemical studies by a chemically-defined reconstitution approach reveal that, in addition to the structurally-diverse classic tethering factors such as coiled-coil tethering proteins and multisubunit tethering complexes, Rab-family small GTPases also retain the inherent membrane tethering functions to directly and physically bridge two distinct lipid bilayers by themselves. Although Rab-mediated membrane tethering reactions are fairly efficient and specific in the physiological context, its mechanistic basis is yet to be understood. Here, to explore whether and how the intrinsic tethering potency of Rab GTPases is controlled by their C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR) domains that link the conserved small GTPase domains (G-domains) to membrane anchors at the C-terminus, we quantitatively compared tethering activities of two representative Rab isoforms in humans (Rab5a, Rab4a) and their HVR-deleted mutant forms. Strikingly, deletion of the HVR linker domains enabled both Rab5a and Rab4a isoforms to enhance their intrinsic tethering potency, exhibiting 5-to 50-fold higher initial velocities of tethering for the HVR-deleted mutants than those for the full-length, wild-type Rabs. Furthermore, we revealed that the tethering activity of full-length Rab5a was significantly reduced by the omission of anionic lipids and cholesterol from membrane lipids and, however, membrane tethering driven by HVR-deleted Rab5a mutant was completely insensitive to the headgroup composition of lipids. Reconstituted membrane tethering assays with the C-terminally-truncated mutants of Rab4a further uncovered that the N-terminal residues in the HVR linker, located adjacent to the G-domain, are critical for regulating the intrinsic tethering activity. In conclusion, our current findings establish that the non-conserved, flexible C-terminal HVR linker domains define membrane tethering potency of Rab-family small GTPases through controlling the close attachment of the globular G-domains to membrane surfaces, which confers the active tethering-competent state of the G-domains on lipid bilayers.

scholarly journals A non-linear system patterns Rab5 GTPase on the membrane

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Cezanne ◽  
J Lauer ◽  
A Solomatina ◽  
IF Sbalzarini ◽  
M Zerial
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Lipid Membrane ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Universal System ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Non Linear System

AbstractProteins can self-organize into spatial patterns via non-linear dynamic interactions on cellular membranes. Modelling and simulations have shown that small GTPases can generate patterns by coupling guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) to effector binding, generating a positive feedback of GTPase activation and membrane recruitment. Here, we reconstituted the patterning of the small GTPase Rab5 and its GEF/effector complex Rabex5/Rabaptin5 on supported lipid bilayers as a model system for membrane patterning. We show that there is a “handover” of Rab5 from Rabex5 to Rabaptin5 upon nucleotide exchange. A minimal system consisting of Rab5, RabGDI and a complex of full length Rabex5/Rabaptin5 was necessary to pattern Rab5 into membrane domains. Surprisingly, a lipid membrane composition mimicking that of the early endosome was required for Rab5 patterning. The prevalence of GEF/effector coupling in nature suggests a possible universal system for small GTPase patterning involving both protein and lipid interactions.

scholarly journals Human Rab small GTPase- and class V myosin-mediated membrane tethering in a chemically defined reconstitution system

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoki Inoshita ◽  
Joji Mima
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Class V ◽  
Rab Family ◽  
Membrane Tethering

AbstractMembrane tethering is a fundamental process essential for compartmental specificity of intracellular membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Rab-family small GTPases and specific sets of Rab-interacting effector proteins, including coiled-coil tethering proteins and multisubunit tethering complexes, have been reported to be responsible for membrane tethering. However, whether and how these key components directly and specifically tether subcellular membranes still remains enigmatic. Using chemically defined proteoliposomal systems reconstituted with purified human Rab proteins and synthetic liposomal membranes to study the molecular basis of membrane tethering, we established here that Rab-family GTPases have a highly conserved function to directly mediate membrane tethering, even in the absence of any types of Rab effectors such as the so-called tethering proteins. Moreover, we demonstrate that membrane tethering mediated by endosomal Rab11a is drastically and selectively stimulated by its cognate Rab effectors, class V myosins (Myo5A and Myo5B), in a GTP-dependent manner. Of note, Myo5A and Myo5B exclusively recognized and cooperated with the membrane-anchored form of their cognate Rab11a to support membrane tethering mediated by trans-Rab assemblies on apposing membranes. Our findings support the novel concept that Rab-family proteins provide a bona fide membrane tether to physically and specifically link two distinct lipid bilayers of subcellular membranes. They further indicate that Rab-interacting effector proteins, including class V myosins, can regulate these Rab-mediated membrane tethering reactions.

scholarly journals Genetic disruption of the small GTPase RAC1 prevents plexiform neurofibroma formation in mice with neurofibromatosis type 1

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (29) ◽  
pp. 9948-9958
Author(s):  
Julie A. Mund ◽  
SuJung Park ◽  
Abbi E. Smith ◽  
Yongzheng He ◽  
Li Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schwann Cells ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 ◽  
Plexiform Neurofibroma ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Cancer Predisposition Syndrome

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. NF1 encodes neurofibromin, a GTPase-activating protein for RAS proto-oncogene GTPase (RAS). Plexiform neurofibromas are a hallmark of NF1 and result from loss of heterozygosity of NF1 in Schwann cells, leading to constitutively activated p21RAS. Given the inability to target p21RAS directly, here we performed an shRNA library screen of all human kinases and Rho-GTPases in a patient-derived NF1−/− Schwann cell line to identify novel therapeutic targets to disrupt PN formation and progression. Rho family members, including Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1), were identified as candidates. Corroborating these findings, we observed that shRNA-mediated knockdown of RAC1 reduces cell proliferation and phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) in NF1−/− Schwann cells. Genetically engineered Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre+ mice, which develop multiple PNs, also exhibited increased RAC1-GTP and phospho-ERK levels compared with Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre– littermates. Notably, mice in which both Nf1 and Rac1 loci were disrupted (Nf1flox/floxRac1flox/flox;PostnCre+) were completely free of tumors and had normal phospho-ERK activity compared with Nf1flox/flox;PostnCre+ mice. We conclude that the RAC1-GTPase is a key downstream node of RAS and that genetic disruption of the Rac1 allele completely prevents PN tumor formation in vivo in mice.

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