scholarly journals Distinct Effects of Rac1 on Differentiation of Primary Avian Myoblasts

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3137-3150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Gallo ◽  
Marco Serafini ◽  
Loriana Castellani ◽  
Germana Falcone ◽  
Stefano Alemà
Keyword(s):  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Differentiation ◽  
Rho Family Gtpases ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Selective Disassembly ◽  
Jnk Activation ◽  
Constitutively Active

Rho family GTPases have been implicated in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in response to extracellular cues and in the transduction of signals from the membrane to the nucleus. Their role in development and cell differentiation, however, is little understood. Here we show that the transient expression of constitutively active Rac1 and Cdc42 in unestablished avian myoblasts is sufficient to cause inhibition of myogenin expression and block of the transition to the myocyte compartment, whereas activated RhoA affects myogenic differentiation only marginally. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) appears not to be essential for block of differentiation because, although Rac1 and Cdc42 GTPases modestly activate JNK in quail myoblasts, a Rac1 mutant defective for JNK activation can still inhibit myogenic differentiation. Stable expression of active Rac1, attained by infection with a recombinant retrovirus, is permissive for terminal differentiation, but the resulting myotubes accumulate severely reduced levels of muscle-specific proteins. This inhibition is the consequence of posttranscriptional events and suggests the presence of a novel level of regulation of myogenesis. We also show that myotubes expressing constitutively active Rac1 fail to assemble ordered sarcomeres. Conversely, a dominant-negative Rac1 variant accelerates sarcomere maturation and inhibits v-Src–induced selective disassembly of I-Z-I complexes. Collectively, our findings provide a role for Rac1 during skeletal muscle differentiation and strongly suggest that Rac1 is required downstream of v-Src in the signaling pathways responsible for the dismantling of tissue-specific supramolecular structures.

scholarly journals Rho family GTPases and neuronal growth cone remodelling: relationship between increased complexity induced by Cdc42Hs, Rac1, and acetylcholine and collapse induced by RhoA and lysophosphatidic acid.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1201-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kozma ◽  
S Sarner ◽  
S Ahmed ◽  
L Lim
Keyword(s):  
Lysophosphatidic Acid ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Dominant Negative Mutant ◽  
Neurite Retraction ◽  
Rho Family Gtpases ◽  
C3 Exoenzyme ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Neurite Development

Rho family GTPases have been assigned important roles in the formation of actin-based morphologies in nonneuronal cells. Here we show that microinjection of Cdc42Hs and Rac1 promoted formation of filopodia and lamellipodia in N1E-115 neuroblastoma growth cones and along neurites. These actin-containing structures were also induced by injection of Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme, which abolishes RhoA-mediated functions such as neurite retraction. The C3 response was inhibited by coinjection with the dominant negative mutant Cdc42Hs(T17N), while the Cdc42Hs response could be competed by coinjection with RhoA. We also demonstrate that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) can induce filopodia and lamellipodia on neuroblastoma growth cones via muscarinic ACh receptor activation, but only when applied in a concentration gradient. ACh-induced formation of filopodia and lamellipodia was inhibited by preinjection with the dominant negative mutants Cdc42Hs(T17N) and Rac1(T17N), respectively. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced neurite retraction, which is mediated by RhoA, was inhibited by ACh, while C3 exoenzyme-mediated neurite outgrowth was inhibited by injection with Cdc42Hs(T17N) or Rac1(T17N). Together these results suggest that there is competition between the ACh- and LPA-induced morphological pathways mediated by Cdc42Hs and/or Rac1 and by RhoA, leading to either neurite development or collapse.

scholarly journals Control of expression of the lectin-like protein Reg-1 by gastrin: role of the Rho family GTPase RhoA and a C-rich promoter element

2004 ◽  
Vol 381 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity J. ASHCROFT ◽  
Andrea VARRO ◽  
Rod DIMALINE ◽  
Graham J. DOCKRAY
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Luciferase Expression ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Constitutively Active

The expression of members of the Reg family of secreted lectin-like proteins is increased in response to stress, inflammation and damage in many tissues. In the stomach, Reg is located in enterochromaffin-like cells, where its expression is stimulated by the gastric hormone gastrin. We have examined the mechanisms by which gastrin stimulates expression of Reg-1. Deletional mutations of 2.1 to 0.1 kb of the rat Reg-1 promoter in a luciferase reporter vector were transiently transfected into gastric cancer AGS-GR cells. All promoter fragments tested showed similar relative increases in luciferase expression in response to gastrin (1 nM). The response to gastrin of the smallest (104 bp) construct was 4.2±0.4-fold over basal. These responses were reduced by Ro-32-0432, a protein kinase C inhibitor, by C3-transferase, a Clostridium botulinum toxin and a selective inhibitor of the Rho family GTPase RhoA, and by co-transfection with a dominant negative form of RhoA. Co-transfection with a constitutively active form of RhoA stimulated expression 11.6±1.7-fold over basal. Mutations through the 104 bp construct identified a C-rich element (C−79CCCTCCC−72) required for responses to gastrin, PKC (protein kinase C) and L63RhoA (the constitutively active form of human RhoA protein containing a glutamine-to-leucine substitution at position 63). EMSAs (electrophoretic-mobility-shift assays) using nuclear extracts of control and gastrin-stimulated AGS-GR cells and a probe spanning −86 to −64 bp revealed multiple binding proteins. There was no effect of gastrin on the pattern of binding. Supershift assays indicated that transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 bound the C-rich sequence. We conclude that gastrin stimulates Reg expression via activation of PKC and RhoA, that a C-rich region (−79 to −72) is critical for the response and that Sp-family transcription factors bind to this region of the promoter.

Rac is a dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly that is activated by adhesive ligation independently of Tiam1

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (3) ◽  
pp. C1061-C1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Kraemer ◽  
Marita Goodwin ◽  
Suzie Verma ◽  
Alpha S. Yap ◽  
Radiya G. Ali
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Rho Family Gtpases ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Signaling Receptors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
E Cadherin

Classic cadherins function as adhesion-activated cell signaling receptors. On adhesive ligation, cadherins induce signaling cascades leading to actin cytoskeletal reorganization that is imperative for cadherin function. In particular, cadherin ligation activates actin assembly by the actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 complex, a process that critically affects the ability of cells to form and extend cadherin-based contacts. However, the signaling pathway(s) that activate Arp2/3 downstream of cadherin adhesion remain poorly understood. In this report we focused on the Rho family GTPases Rac and Cdc42, which can signal to Arp2/3. We found that homophilic engagement of E-cadherin simultaneously activates both Rac1 and Cdc42. However, by comparing the impact of dominant-negative Rac1 and Cdc42 mutants, we show that Rac1 is the dominant regulator of cadherin-directed actin assembly and homophilic contact formation. To pursue upstream elements of the Rac1 signaling pathway, we focused on the potential contribution of Tiam1 to cadherin-activated Rac signaling. We found that Tiam1 or the closely-related Tiam2/STEF1 was recruited to cell-cell contacts in an E-cadherin-dependent fashion. Moreover, a dominant-negative Tiam1 mutant perturbed cell spreading on cadherin-coated substrata. However, disruption of Tiam1 activity with dominant-negative mutants or RNA interference did not affect the ability of E-cadherin ligation to activate Rac1. We conclude that Rac1 critically influences cadherin-directed actin assembly as part of a signaling pathway independent of Tiam1.

scholarly journals Vav2 Activates Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA Downstream from Growth Factor Receptors but Not β1 Integrins

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 7160-7169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty P. Liu ◽  
Keith Burridge
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
Growth Factor Receptors ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Constitutively Active

ABSTRACT The Rho family of GTPases plays a major role in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. These G proteins are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors that stimulate the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. In their GTP-bound state, these G proteins interact with downstream effectors. Vav2 is an exchange factor for Rho family GTPases. It is a ubiquitously expressed homologue of Vav1, and like Vav1, it has previously been shown to be activated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Because Vav1 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and activated following integrin engagement in hematopoietic cells, we investigated the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav2 in response to integrin-mediated adhesion in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. However, no tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav2 was detected in response to integrin engagement. In contrast, treating cells with either epidermal growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav2. We have examined the effects of overexpressing either wild-type or amino-terminally truncated (constitutively active) forms of Vav2 as fusion proteins with green fluorescent protein. Overexpression of either wild-type or constitutively active Vav2 resulted in prominent membrane ruffles and enhanced stress fibers. These cells revealed elevated rates of cell migration that were inhibited by expression of dominant negative forms of Rac1 and Cdc42. Using a binding assay to measure the activity of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, we found that overexpression of Vav2 resulted in increased activity of each of these G proteins. Expression of a carboxy-terminal fragment of Vav2 decreased the elevation of Rac1 activity induced by epidermal growth factor, consistent with Vav2 mediating activation of Rac1 downstream from growth factor receptors.

scholarly journals Small GTPase RhoG Is a Key Regulator for Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 7378-7387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironori Katoh ◽  
Hidekazu Yasui ◽  
Yoshiaki Yamaguchi ◽  
Junko Aoki ◽  
Hirotada Fujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurite Outgrowth ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Constitutively Active

ABSTRACT The Rho family of small GTPases has been implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization and subsequent morphological changes in various cell types. Among them, Rac and Cdc42 have been shown to be involved in neurite outgrowth in neuronal cells. In this study, we examined the role of RhoG, another member of Rho family GTPases, in nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Expression of wild-type RhoG in PC12 cells induced neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF, and the morphology of wild-type RhoG-expressing cells was similar to that of NGF-differentiated cells. Constitutively active RhoG-transfected cells extended short neurites but developed large lamellipodial or filopodial structures at the tips of neurites. RhoG-induced neurite outgrowth was inhibited by coexpression with dominant-negative Rac1 or Cdc42. In addition, expression of constitutively active RhoG elevated endogenous Rac1 and Cdc42 activities. We also found that the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth was enhanced by expression of wild-type RhoG whereas expression of dominant-negative RhoG suppressed the neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, constitutively active Ras-induced neurite outgrowth was also suppressed by dominant-negative RhoG. Taken together, these results suggest that RhoG is a key regulator in NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, acting downstream of Ras and upstream of Rac1 and Cdc42 in PC12 cells.

scholarly journals Adenovirus Endocytosis Requires Actin Cytoskeleton Reorganization Mediated by Rho Family GTPases

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 8806-8812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erguang Li ◽  
Dwayne Stupack ◽  
Gary M. Bokoch ◽  
Glen R. Nemerow
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Lipid Kinase ◽  
Ras Protein ◽  
Cytoskeleton Reorganization ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Rho Family Gtpases ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACT Adenovirus (Ad) endocytosis via αv integrins requires activation of the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K). Previous studies have linked PI3K activity to both the Ras and Rho signaling cascades, each of which has the capacity to alter the host cell actin cytoskeleton. Ad interaction with cells also stimulates reorganization of cortical actin filaments and the formation of membrane ruffles (lamellipodia). We demonstrate here that members of the Rho family of small GTP binding proteins, Rac and CDC42, act downstream of PI3K to promote Ad endocytosis. Ad internalization was significantly reduced in cells treated with Clostridium difficile toxin B and in cells expressing a dominant-negative Rac or CDC42 but not a H-Ras protein. Viral endocytosis was also inhibited by cytochalasin D as well as by expression of effector domain mutants of Rac or CDC42 that impair cytoskeletal function but not JNK/MAP kinase pathway activation. Thus, Ad endocytosis requires assembly of the actin cytoskeleton, an event initiated by activation of PI3K and, subsequently, Rac and CDC42.

scholarly journals The histone methyltransferase Set7/9 promotes myoblast differentiation and myofibril assembly

2011 ◽  
Vol 194 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazhong Tao ◽  
Ronald L. Neppl ◽  
Zhan-Peng Huang ◽  
Jianfu Chen ◽  
Ru-Hang Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Muscle Differentiation ◽  
Histone Methyltransferase ◽  
Contractile Proteins ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Myoblast Differentiation ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Differentiation ◽  
Muscle Gene Expression

The molecular events that modulate chromatin structure during skeletal muscle differentiation are still poorly understood. We report in this paper that expression of the H3-K4 histone methyltransferase Set7 is increased when myoblasts differentiate into myotubes and is required for skeletal muscle development, expression of muscle contractile proteins, and myofibril assembly. Knockdown of Set7 or expression of a dominant-negative Set7 mutant impairs skeletal muscle differentiation, accompanied by a decrease in levels of histone monomethylation (H3-K4me1). Set7 directly interacts with MyoD to enhance expression of muscle differentiation genes. Expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2 and genes encoding contractile proteins is decreased in Set7 knockdown myocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Set7 also activates muscle gene expression by precluding Suv39h1-mediated H3-K9 methylation on the promoters of myogenic differentiation genes. Together, our experiments define a biological function for Set7 in muscle differentiation and provide a molecular mechanism by which Set7 modulates myogenic transcription factors during muscle differentiation.

scholarly journals DA-Raf1, a competent intrinsic dominant-negative antagonist of the Ras–ERK pathway, is required for myogenic differentiation

2007 ◽  
Vol 177 (5) ◽  
pp. 781-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Yokoyama ◽  
Kazunori Takano ◽  
Akira Yoshida ◽  
Fumiko Katada ◽  
Peng Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Erk Pathway ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Extracellular Regulated Kinase ◽  
Kinase Pathway

Ras activates Raf, leading to the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)–mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which is involved in a variety of cellular, physiological, and pathological responses. Thus, regulators of this Ras–Raf interaction play crucial roles in these responses. In this study, we report a novel regulator of the Ras–Raf interaction named DA-Raf1. DA-Raf1 is a splicing isoform of A-Raf with a wider tissue distribution than A-Raf. It contains the Ras-binding domain but lacks the kinase domain, which is responsible for activation of the ERK pathway. As inferred from its structure, DA-Raf1 bound to activated Ras as well as M-Ras and interfered with the ERK pathway. The Ras–ERK pathway is essential for the negative regulation of myogenic differentiation induced by growth factors. DA-Raf1 served as a positive regulator of myogenic differentiation by inducing cell cycle arrest, the expression of myogenin and other muscle-specific proteins, and myotube formation. These results imply that DA-Raf1 is the first identified competent, intrinsic, dominant-negative antagonist of the Ras–ERK pathway.

scholarly journals Activated PAK4 Regulates Cell Adhesion and Anchorage-Independent Growth

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3523-3533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Qu ◽  
Marta S. Cammarano ◽  
Qing Shi ◽  
Kenneth C. Ha ◽  
Primal de Lanerolle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Oncogenic Transformation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Focus Formation ◽  
Rho Family Gtpases ◽  
Rho Family

ABSTRACT The serine/threonine kinase PAK4 is an effector molecule for the Rho GTPase Cdc42. PAK4 differs from other members of the PAK family in both sequence and function. Previously we have shown that an important function of this kinase is to mediate the induction of filopodia in response to activated Cdc42. Since previous characterization of PAK4 was carried out only with the wild-type kinase, we have generated a constitutively active mutant of the kinase to determine whether it has other functions. Expression of activated PAK4 in fibroblasts led to a transient induction of filopodia, which is consistent with its role as an effector for Cdc42. In addition, use of the activated mutant revealed a number of other important functions of this kinase that were not revealed by studying the wild-type kinase. For example, activated PAK4 led to the dissolution of stress fibers and loss of focal adhesions. Consequently, cells expressing activated PAK4 had a defect in cell spreading onto fibronectin-coated surfaces. Most importantly, fibroblasts expressing activated PAK4 had a morphology that was characteristic of oncogenic transformation. These cells were anchorage independent and formed colonies in soft agar, similar to what has been observed previously in cells expressing activated Cdc42. Consistent with this, dominant-negative PAK4 mutants inhibited focus formation by oncogenic Dbl, an exchange factor for Rho family GTPases. These results provide the first demonstration that a PAK family member can transform cells and indicate that PAK4 may play an essential role in oncogenic transformation by the GTPases. We propose that the morphological changes and changes in cell adhesion induced by PAK4 may play a direct role in oncogenic transformation by Rho family GTPases and their exchange factors.

scholarly journals The GTPase RhoA increases utrophin expression and stability, as well as its localization at the plasma membrane

2005 ◽  
Vol 391 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armelle Bonet-Kerrache ◽  
Mathieu Fortier ◽  
Franck Comunale ◽  
Cécile Gauthier-Rouvière
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Differentiation ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Rhoa Activation ◽  
Rho Family

The Rho family of small GTPases are signalling molecules involved in cytoskeleton remodelling and gene transcription. Their activities are important for many cellular processes, including myogenesis. In particular, RhoA positively regulates skeletal-muscle differentiation. We report in the present study that the active form of RhoA increases the expression of utrophin, the autosomal homologue of dystrophin in the mouse C2C12 and rat L8 myoblastic cell lines. Even though this RhoA-dependent utrophin increase is higher in proliferating myoblasts, it is maintained during myogenic differentiation. This occurs via two mechanisms: (i) transcriptional activation of the utrophin promoter A and (ii) post-translational stabilization of utrophin. In addition, RhoA increases plasma-membrane localization of utrophin. Thus RhoA activation up-regulates utrophin levels and enhances its localization at the plasma membrane.

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