scholarly journals ADictyosteliumHomologue of WASP Is Required for Polarized F-Actin Assembly during Chemotaxis

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 2191-2206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Myers ◽  
Ji W. Han ◽  
Yoonsung Lee ◽  
Richard A. Firtel ◽  
Chang Y. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Temporal Control ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Syndrome Protein

The actin cytoskeleton controls the overall structure of cells and is highly polarized in chemotaxing cells, with F-actin assembled predominantly in the anterior leading edge and to a lesser degree in the cell's posterior. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) has emerged as a central player in controlling actin polymerization. We have investigated WASP function and its regulation in chemotaxing Dictyostelium cells and demonstrated the specific and essential role of WASP in organizing polarized F-actin assembly in chemotaxing cells. Cells expressing very low levels of WASP show reduced F-actin levels and significant defects in polarized F-actin assembly, resulting in an inability to establish axial polarity during chemotaxis. GFP-WASP preferentially localizes at the leading edge and uropod of chemotaxing cells and the B domain of WASP is required for the localization of WASP. We demonstrated that the B domain binds to PI(4,5)P2and PI(3,4,5)P3with similar affinities. The interaction between the B domain and PI(3,4,5)P3plays an important role for the localization of WASP to the leading edge in chemotaxing cells. Our results suggest that the spatial and temporal control of WASP localization and activation is essential for the regulation of directional motility.

Cross-Talk between Rho GTPases Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton and Chemotaxis of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 266-266
Author(s):  
Hee-Don Chae ◽  
Katherine E. Lee ◽  
Aparna C. Jasti ◽  
David A. Williams ◽  
Yi Gu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Movement of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells into (engraftment) and out of (mobilization) the bone marrow involves actin cytoskeleton and chemotaxis. Members of the Rho GTPase family have been well known for their critical roles in morphogenesis and cell migration via regulating actin assembly. Loss of Rac1 and Rac2 alleles leads to defective engraftment and massive mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), which are associated with impaired chemotaxis and cortical filamentous (F)-actin polymerization (Gu et al., Science 302: 445–449). RhoH, a hematopoietic-specific member of the RhoE subfamily, negatively regulates HPC engraftment, chemotaxis, F-actin polymerization and Rac activities (Gu et al., Blood 105: 1467–1475). These findings suggest that RhoH may antagonize Rac function in regulating these cellular processes. However, molecular mechanism of the cross-talk between these Rho GTPases is not defined. In this study, we examined the role of RhoH in actin cytoskeleton organization, chemotaxis and Rac membrane translocation in response to stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) using RhoH-deficient HPCs and retrovirus-mediated expression of EGFP-fusion proteins. RhoH−/− HPCs exhibit increased migration in response to SDF-1α, especially at low concentration, as compared with wild-type (WT) cells [10ng/ml SDF-1α: 3.5 +/− 0.9 vs. 12.3 +/− 1.8; 100ng/ml SDF-1α: 21.4 +/− 1.7 vs. 32.3 +/− 3.4, migrated cells (%), WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=3, p< 0.01]. Migration without SDF-1α stimulation of RhoH−/− cells is also enhanced. RhoH−/− HPCs assemble cortical F-actin without SDF-1α stimulation, under conditions in which WT cells do not show F-actin polymerization [cells with F-actin (%): 8.9 +/− 0.9 vs. 72.8 +/− 4, WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=6, p<0.001]. Additionally, RhoH−/− HPCs exhibit increased active, GTP-bound Rac GTPases. PAK, a known downstream effector of Rac in regulating actin cytoskeleton, also shows hyperphosphorylation in RhoH-/− HPCs, suggesting that RhoH may regulate actin assembly and cell migration through Rac-mediated pathway. In support of this, expression of a dominant negative Rac1N17 mutant blocks cortical F-actin assembly in RhoH−/− cells [cells with F-actin (%): 60 +/− 1 vs. 19 +/− 7, EGFP-Rac1 vs. Rac1N17, n=2]. To further address the mechanism by which RhoH cross-talks to affect Rac signaling, we examine the role of RhoH in subcellular localization of EGFP-Rac proteins. SDF-1α induces activation of Rac, leading to translocation to the cell membrane where it co-localizes with lipid rafts and mediates cortical F-actin assembly in HPCs. In contrast, the dominant negative Rac1N17 does not localize to the cell membrane after SDF-1α stimulation. In RhoH−/− HPCs, EGFP-Rac protein presents at the cell membrane in the absence of SDF-1α [cells with membrane-localized EGFP-Rac1 (%): 7.5 +/− 3.9 vs. 44.5 +/− 6.4, WT vs. RhoH−/−, n=2]. In contrast, overexpression of RhoH in HPCs blocks translocation to the cell membrane after SDF-1α stimulation of Rac1, Rac2 and active Rac1V12. Finally, we found that RhoH, a constitutively active, GTP-bound protein, preferentially localizes to the cell membrane even in the absence of SDF-1α. This localization is dependent upon the prenylation site and the c-terminal domains of RhoH. Lack of membrane localization is associated with defective biological function. Together, our data suggest that RhoH is essential for proper cortical F-actin assembly and chemotaxis of HPCs via regulating Rac activation and membrane localization, and implicates a functional cross-talk between RhoH and Rac.

Tyrosine Phosphorylation of WASP Promotes Calpain-Mediated Podosome Disassembly In Myeloid Cells.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1498-1498
Author(s):  
Lee Macpherson ◽  
James Monypenny ◽  
Michael P Blundell ◽  
Giles O Cory ◽  
Jessica Tomé-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
Open Conformation ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Syndrome Protein

Abstract Abstract 1498 We have previously shown that a point mutation (Ile294Thr) in the Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) detected in a Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) patient led to enhanced actin polymerising activity of WASP 1 and well as increased instability2. We also showed that macrophages from this patient displayed an increased number of actin based adhesion structures called podosomes. Additionally, podosomes in macrophages from this patient were extremely dynamic with a high rate of turnover. Based on these results we proposed that the active open conformation of WASP promotes actin polymerisation but it also induces podosome disassembly and adhesion turnover. Although the idea that the same open conformation of WASP leads to both assembly and disassembly of podosomes may be counterintuitive at first, it is possible that for termination of podosomes actin polymerisation and integrin recruitment have to be discontinued and the same constituents of growing podosomes such as active WASP may contribute to the disassembly process. We have also shown that the rapid turn-over of podosomes involves cleavage of WASP by the protease calpain, further supporting a role of WASP in both podosome formation and disassembly. However, the specific signalling mechanisms that make active WASP susceptible to cleavage by calpain leading to podosome disassembly remain unknown and need further clarification. Phosphorylation of WASP Y291 (human) or Y293 (mouse) promotes the open conformation of WASP and results in enhanced actin polymerisation. We now report that in myeloid cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP negatively regulates the stability of podosomes, leading to their calpain-dependent disassembly. Additionally, we found that constitutive phosphorylation of WASP results in extensive degradation in a process that involves calpain. Our data also indicate that phosphorylation of WASP sustains the open/active conformation that promotes cleavage of WASP by calpain. Interestingly, phosphorylated WASP can bind to the WASP interacting protein (WIP) and other proteins that form a complex with WASP in podosomes such as Nck, cortactin. Taken together, our data indicate that in myeloid cells, tyrosine phosphorylation sustains the open conformation of WASP and it enhances its susceptibility to calpain-mediated cleavage preventing accumulation of actin filaments and integrin associated proteins in podosomes. This process facilitates podosome disassembly and cell translocation. These new findings support the key role of WASP as a protein that integrates actin polymerisation and cell adhesion required for mobilisation of myeloid cells during the immune response. Reference List 1. Ancliff PJ, Blundell MP, Cory GO et al. Two novel activating mutations in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein result in congenital neutropenia. Blood 2006;108:2182-2189. 2. Moulding DA, Blundell MP, Spiller DG et al. Unregulated actin polymerization by WASp causes defects of mitosis and cytokinesis in X-linked neutropenia. J Exp. Med 2007;204:2213–2224. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Essential and unique roles of PIP5K-γ and -α in Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 184 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuntao S. Mao ◽  
Masaki Yamaga ◽  
Xiaohui Zhu ◽  
Yongjie Wei ◽  
Hui-Qiao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Type I ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Fcγ Receptor ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 4 ◽  
Syndrome Protein ◽  
Pharmacological Manipulations

The actin cytoskeleton is dynamically remodeled during Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated phagocytosis in a phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2)-dependent manner. We investigated the role of type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) γ and α isoforms, which synthesize PIP2, during phagocytosis. PIP5K-γ−/− bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMM) have a highly polymerized actin cytoskeleton and are defective in attachment to IgG-opsonized particles and FcγR clustering. Delivery of exogenous PIP2 rescued these defects. PIP5K-γ knockout BMM also have more RhoA and less Rac1 activation, and pharmacological manipulations establish that they contribute to the abnormal phenotype. Likewise, depletion of PIP5K-γ by RNA interference inhibits particle attachment. In contrast, PIP5K-α knockout or silencing has no effect on attachment but inhibits ingestion by decreasing Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein activation, and hence actin polymerization, in the nascent phagocytic cup. In addition, PIP5K-γ but not PIP5K-α is transiently activated by spleen tyrosine kinase–mediated phosphorylation. We propose that PIP5K-γ acts upstream of Rac/Rho and that the differential regulation of PIP5K-γ and -α allows them to work in tandem to modulate the actin cytoskeleton during the attachment and ingestion phases of phagocytosis.

scholarly journals Capping Protein Terminates but Does Not Initiate Chemoattractant-induced Actin Assembly in Dictyostelium

1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 1243-1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Eddy ◽  
J. Han ◽  
J.S. Condeelis
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Capping Protein ◽  
End Capping

The first step in the directed movement of cells toward a chemotactic source involves the extension of pseudopods initiated by the focal nucleation and polymerization of actin at the leading edge of the cell. We have previously isolated a chemoattractant-regulated barbed-end capping activity from Dictyostelium that is uniquely associated with capping protein, also known as cap32/34. Although uncapping of barbed ends by capping protein has been proposed as a mechanism for the generation of free barbed ends after stimulation, in vitro and in situ analysis of the association of capping protein with the actin cytoskeleton after stimulation reveals that capping protein enters, but does not exit, the cytoskeleton during the initiation of actin polymerization. Increased association of capping protein with regions of the cell containing free barbed ends as visualized by exogenous rhodamine-labeled G-actin is also observed after stimulation. An approximate threefold increase in the number of filaments with free barbed ends is accompanied by increases in absolute filament number, whereas the average filament length remains constant. Therefore, a mechanism in which preexisting filaments are uncapped by capping protein, in response to stimulation leading to the generation of free barbed ends and filament elongation, is not supported. A model for actin assembly after stimulation, whereby free barbed ends are generated by either filament severing or de novo nucleation is proposed. In this model, exposure of free barbed ends results in actin assembly, followed by entry of free capping protein into the actin cytoskeleton, which acts to terminate, not initiate, the actin polymerization transient.

scholarly journals WASP-interacting Protein Is Important for Actin Filament Elongation and Prompt Pseudopod Formation in Response to a Dynamic Chemoattractant Gradient

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 4564-4575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Myers ◽  
Laura R. Leeper ◽  
Chang Y. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Interacting Protein

The role of WASP-interacting protein (WIP) in the process of F-actin assembly during chemotaxis of Dictyostelium was examined. Mutations of the WH1 domain of WASP led to a reduction in binding to WIPa, a newly identified homolog of mammalian WIP, a reduction of F-actin polymerization at the leading edge, and a reduction in chemotactic efficiency. WIPa localizes to sites of new pseudopod protrusion and colocalizes with WASP at the leading edge. WIPa increases F-actin elongation in vivo and in vitro in a WASP-dependent manner. WIPa translocates to the cortical membrane upon uniform cAMP stimulation in a time course that parallels F-actin polymerization. WIPa-overexpressing cells exhibit multiple microspike formation and defects in chemotactic efficiency due to frequent changes of direction. Reduced expression of WIPa by expressing a hairpin WIPa (hp WIPa) construct resulted in more polarized cells that exhibit a delayed response to a new chemoattractant source due to delayed extension of pseudopod toward the new gradient. These results suggest that WIPa is required for new pseudopod protrusion and prompt reorientation of cells toward a new gradient by initiating localized bursts of actin polymerization and/or elongation.

scholarly journals Activation of Arp2/3 Complex by Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Is Linked to Enhanced Binding of ATP to Arp2

2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (50) ◽  
pp. 46689-46692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Le Clainche ◽  
Dominique Didry ◽  
Marie-France Carlier ◽  
Dominique Pantaloni
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Functional Assays ◽  
Cell Protrusion ◽  
Atp Analogs ◽  
Functional States ◽  
Syndrome Protein ◽  
Related Proteins

In response to signaling, the Arp2/3 complex (actin-related proteins 2 and 3 complex) is activated by binding the C-terminal (WA) domain of proteins of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome family to promote the formation of a branched actin filament array, responsible for cell protrusion. The Arp2/3 complex exists in different structural/functional states: the inactive Arp2/3, the activated WA·Arp2/3 complex, the ternary G-actin·WA·Arp2/3 complex, which branches the filaments. This work addresses the role of ATP binding in Arp2/3 function. Using photo-cross-linking, hydrodynamic, and fluorescence techniques, we show that in the inactive Arp2/3 complex only one rapidly exchangeable ATP is tightly bound to Arp3 with an affinity of 108m−1. Upon activation of the Arp2/3 complex by WA, ATP binds to Arp2 with high affinity (107m−1), implying that a large structural change of Arp2 is linked to Arp2/3 activation. ATP is rapidly exchangeable on Arp2 and Arp3 in WA·Arp2/3 and G-actin·WA·Arp2/3 complexes. ATP is not hydrolyzed in inactive Arp2/3, in WA·Arp2/3, nor in G-actin·WA·Arp2/3. Arp2 has a greater specificity than Arp3 for ATPversusATP analogs. Using functional assays of actin polymerization in branched filaments, we show that binding of ATP to Arp2 is required for filament branching.

Actin cytoskeletal function is spared, but apoptosis is increased, in WAS patient hematopoietic cells

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 1283-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Rengan ◽  
Hans D. Ochs ◽  
Leonard I. Sweet ◽  
Michael L. Keil ◽  
William T. Gunning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
Cell Death Pathway ◽  
Cytoskeletal Function ◽  
Fas Pathway ◽  
Syndrome Protein ◽  
Increased Activity

Mutations in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) have been hypothesized to cause defective actin cytoskeletal function. This resultant dysfunction of the actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS). In contrast, it was found that stimulated actin polymerization is kinetically normal in the hematopoietic lineages affected in WAS. It was also found that the actin cytoskeleton in WAS platelets is capable of producing the hallmark cytoarchitectural features associated with activation. Further analysis revealed accelerated cell death in WAS lymphocytes as evidenced by increased caspase-3 activity. This increased activity resulted in accelerated apoptosis of these cells. CD95 expression was also increased in these cells, suggesting an up-regulation in the FAS pathway in WAS lymphocytes. Additionally, inhibition of actin polymerization in lymphocytes using cytochalasin B did not accelerate apoptosis in these cells. This suggests that the accelerated apoptosis observed in WAS lymphocytes was not secondary to an underlying defect in actin polymerization caused by mutation of the WAS gene. These data indicate that WASP does not play a universal role in signaling actin polymerization, but does play a role in delaying cell death. Therefore, the principal consequence of mutations in theWAS gene is to accelerate lymphocyte apoptosis, potentially through up-regulation of the FAS-mediated cell death pathway. This accelerated apoptosis may ultimately give rise to the clinical manifestations observed in WAS.

scholarly journals SCAR knockouts in Dictyostelium: WASP assumes SCAR’s position and upstream regulators in pseudopods

2012 ◽  
Vol 198 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douwe M. Veltman ◽  
Jason S. King ◽  
Laura M. Machesky ◽  
Robert H. Insall
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Traveling Waves ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Coated Pits ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Syndrome Protein ◽  
Upstream Regulators

Under normal conditions, the Arp2/3 complex activator SCAR/WAVE controls actin polymerization in pseudopods, whereas Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) assembles actin at clathrin-coated pits. We show that, unexpectedly, Dictyostelium discoideum SCAR knockouts could still spread, migrate, and chemotax using pseudopods driven by the Arp2/3 complex. In the absence of SCAR, some WASP relocated from the coated pits to the leading edge, where it behaved with similar dynamics to normal SCAR, forming split pseudopods and traveling waves. Pseudopods colocalized with active Rac, whether driven by WASP or SCAR, though Rac was activated to a higher level in SCAR mutants. Members of the SCAR regulatory complex, in particular PIR121, were not required for WASP regulation. We thus show that WASP is able to respond to all core upstream signals and that regulators coupled through the other members of SCAR’s regulatory complex are not essential for pseudopod formation. We conclude that WASP and SCAR can regulate pseudopod actin using similar mechanisms.

scholarly journals Fyn and PTP-PEST–mediated Regulation of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASp) Tyrosine Phosphorylation Is Required for Coupling T Cell Antigen Receptor Engagement to WASp Effector Function and T Cell Activation

2004 ◽  
Vol 199 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Badour ◽  
Jinyi Zhang ◽  
Fabio Shi ◽  
Yan Leng ◽  
Michael Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Synapse Formation ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome ◽  
Syndrome Protein

Involvement of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) in promoting cell activation requires its release from autoinhibitory structural constraints and has been attributed to WASp association with activated cdc42. Here, however, we show that T cell development and T cell receptor (TCR)-induced proliferation and actin polymerization proceed normally in WASp−/− mice expressing a WASp transgene lacking the cdc42 binding domain. By contrast, mutation of tyrosine residue Y291, identified here as the major site of TCR-induced WASp tyrosine phosphorylation, abrogated induction of WASp tyrosine phosphorylation and its effector activities, including nuclear factor of activated T cell transcriptional activity, actin polymerization, and immunological synapse formation. TCR-induced WASp tyrosine phosphorylation was also disrupted in T cells lacking Fyn, a kinase shown here to bind, colocalize with, and phosphorylate WASp. By contrast, WASp was tyrosine dephosphorylated by protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-PEST, a tyrosine phosphatase shown here to interact with WASp via proline, serine, threonine phosphatase interacting protein (PSTPIP)1 binding. Although Fyn enhanced WASp-mediated Arp2/3 activation and was required for synapse formation, PTP-PEST combined with PSTPIP1 inhibited WASp-driven actin polymerization and synapse formation. These observations identify key roles for Fyn and PTP-PEST in regulating WASp and imply that inducible WASp tyrosine phosphorylation can occur independently of cdc42 binding, but unlike the cdc42 interaction, is absolutely required for WASp contributions to T cell activation.

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