scholarly journals Rho GTPase–independent regulation of mitotic progression by the RhoGEF Net1

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 2655-2667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarita Menon ◽  
Wonkyung Oh ◽  
Heather S. Carr ◽  
Jeffrey A. Frost
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Human Cancers ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Chromosome Congression ◽  
P21 Activated Kinase

Neuroepithelial transforming gene 1 (Net1) is a RhoA-subfamily–specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor that is overexpressed in multiple human cancers and is required for proliferation. Molecular mechanisms underlying its role in cell proliferation are unknown. Here we show that overexpression or knockdown of Net1 causes mitotic defects. Net1 is required for chromosome congression during metaphase and generation of stable kinetochore microtubule attachments. Accordingly, inhibition of Net1 expression results in spindle assembly checkpoint activation. The ability of Net1 to control mitosis is independent of RhoA or RhoB activation, as knockdown of either GTPase does not phenocopy effects of Net1 knockdown on nuclear morphology, and effects of Net1 knockdown are effectively rescued by expression of catalytically inactive Net1. We also observe that Net1 expression is required for centrosomal activation of p21-activated kinase and its downstream kinase Aurora A, which are critical regulators of centrosome maturation and spindle assembly. These results identify Net1 as a novel regulator of mitosis and indicate that altered expression of Net1, as occurs in human cancers, may adversely affect genomic stability.

scholarly journals An Overview of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Status in Oral Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Henrique Teixeira ◽  
Patrícia Manuela Silva ◽  
Rita Margarida Reis ◽  
Inês Moranguinho Moura ◽  
Sandra Marques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
The Status ◽  
Human Solid Tumors ◽  
Core Components

Abnormal chromosome number, or aneuploidy, is a common feature of human solid tumors, including oral cancer. Deregulated spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is thought as one of the mechanisms that drive aneuploidy. In normal cells, SAC prevents anaphase onset until all chromosomes are correctly aligned at the metaphase plate thereby ensuring genomic stability. Significantly, the activity of this checkpoint is compromised in many cancers. While mutations are rather rare, many tumors show altered expression levels of SAC components. Genomic alterations such as aneuploidy indicate a high risk of oral cancer and cancer-related mortality, and the molecular basis of these alterations is largely unknown. Yet, our knowledge on the status of SAC components in oral cancer remains sparse. In this review, we address the state of our knowledge regarding the SAC defects and the underlying molecular mechanisms in oral cancer, and discuss their therapeutic relevance, focusing our analysis on the core components of SAC and its target Cdc20.

scholarly journals ErbB2 directly activates the exchange factor Dock7 to promote Schwann cell migration

2008 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junji Yamauchi ◽  
Yuki Miyamoto ◽  
Jonah R. Chan ◽  
Akito Tanoue
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Schwann Cell ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Exchange Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Schwann Cell Migration ◽  
Subsequent Activation

The cellular events that precede myelination in the peripheral nervous system require rapid and dynamic morphological changes in the Schwann cell. These events are thought to be mainly controlled by axonal signals. But how signals on the axons are coordinately organized and transduced to promote proliferation, migration, radial sorting, and myelination is unknown. We describe that the axonal signal neuregulin-1 (NRG1) controls Schwann cell migration via activation of the atypical Dock180-related guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Dock7 and subsequent activation of the Rho guanine triphosphatases (GTPases) Rac1 and Cdc42 and the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase. We show that the NRG1 receptor ErbB2 directly binds and activates Dock7 by phosphorylating Tyr-1118. Dock7 knockdown, or expression of Dock7 harboring the Tyr-1118–to–Phe mutation in Schwann cells, attenuates the effects of NRG1. Thus, Dock7 functions as an intracellular substrate for ErbB2 to promote Schwann cell migration. This provides an unanticipated mechanism through which ligand-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation can trigger the activation of Rho GTPase-GEFs of the Dock180 family.

scholarly journals Dysregulation of Rho GTPases in Human Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyoung Jung ◽  
Suk Ran Yoon ◽  
Jeewon Lim ◽  
Hee Jun Cho ◽  
Hee Gu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Human Cancers ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics

Rho GTPases play central roles in numerous cellular processes, including cell motility, cell polarity, and cell cycle progression, by regulating actin cytoskeletal dynamics and cell adhesion. Dysregulation of Rho GTPase signaling is observed in a broad range of human cancers, and is associated with cancer development and malignant phenotypes, including metastasis and chemoresistance. Rho GTPase activity is precisely controlled by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, GTPase-activating proteins, and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors. Recent evidence demonstrates that it is also regulated by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of Rho GTPases, and the precise mechanisms controlling their activity in the regulation of cancer progression. In addition, we discuss targeting strategies for the development of new drugs to improve cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Targeting and activation of Rac1 are mediated by the exchange factor β-Pix

2006 ◽  
Vol 172 (5) ◽  
pp. 759-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Paul ten Klooster ◽  
Zahara M. Jaffer ◽  
Jonathan Chernoff ◽  
Peter L. Hordijk
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Exchange Factor ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Intracellular Targeting ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
P21 Activated Kinase ◽  
Gtpase Activation

Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) are critical regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics and control complex functions such as cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and cell division. It is generally accepted that localized GTPase activation is required for the proper initiation of downstream signaling events, although the molecular mechanisms that control targeting of Rho GTPases are unknown. In this study, we show that the Rho GTPase Rac1, via a proline stretch in its COOH terminus, binds directly to the SH3 domain of the Cdc42/Rac activator β-Pix (p21-activated kinase [Pak]–interacting exchange factor). The interaction with β-Pix is nucleotide independent and is necessary and sufficient for Rac1 recruitment to membrane ruffles and to focal adhesions. In addition, the Rac1–β-Pix interaction is required for Rac1 activation by β-Pix as well as for Rac1-mediated spreading. Finally, using cells deficient for the β-Pix–binding kinase Pak1, we show that Pak1 regulates the Rac1–β-Pix interaction and controls cell spreading and adhesion-induced Rac1 activation. These data provide a model for the intracellular targeting and localized activation of Rac1 through its exchange factor β-Pix.

scholarly journals Structure of the C-terminal guanine nucleotide exchange factor module of Trio in an autoinhibited conformation reveals its oncogenic potential

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (569) ◽  
pp. eaav2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit J. Bandekar ◽  
Nadia Arang ◽  
Ena S. Tully ◽  
Brittany A. Tang ◽  
Brenna L. Barton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Ph Domain ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Exchange Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Factor Module

The C-terminal guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) module of Trio (TrioC) transfers signals from the Gαq/11subfamily of heterotrimeric G proteins to the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) RhoA, enabling Gαq/11-coupled G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) to control downstream events, such as cell motility and gene transcription. This conserved signal transduction axis is crucial for tumor growth in uveal melanoma. Previous studies indicate that the GEF activity of the TrioC module is autoinhibited, with release of autoinhibition upon Gαq/11binding. Here, we determined the crystal structure of TrioC in its basal state and found that the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain interacts with the Dbl homology (DH) domain in a manner that occludes the Rho GTPase binding site, thereby suggesting the molecular basis of TrioC autoinhibition. Biochemical and biophysical assays revealed that disruption of the autoinhibited conformation destabilized and activated the TrioC module in vitro. Last, mutations in the DH-PH interface found in patients with cancer activated TrioC and, in the context of full-length Trio, led to increased abundance of guanosine triphosphate–bound RhoA (RhoA·GTP) in human cells. These mutations increase mitogenic signaling through the RhoA axis and, therefore, may represent cancer drivers operating in a Gαq/11-independent manner.

scholarly journals PDZRhoGEF and myosin II localize RhoA activity to the back of polarizing neutrophil-like cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (6) ◽  
pp. 1141-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kit Wong ◽  
Alexandra Van Keymeulen ◽  
Henry R. Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Rhoa Activity ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Long Tails ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Atpase Inhibition

Chemoattractants such as formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) induce neutrophils to polarize by triggering divergent pathways that promote formation of a protrusive front and contracting back and sides. RhoA, a Rho GTPase, stimulates assembly of actomyosin contractile complexes at the sides and back. We show here, in differentiated HL60 cells, that PDZRhoGEF (PRG), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RhoA, mediates RhoA-dependent responses and determines their spatial distribution. As with RNAi knock-down of PRG, a GEF-deleted PRG mutant blocks fMLP-dependent RhoA activation and causes neutrophils to exhibit multiple fronts and long tails. Similarly, inhibition of RhoA, a Rho-dependent protein kinase (ROCK), or myosin II produces the same morphologies. PRG inhibition reduces or mislocalizes monophosphorylated myosin light chains in fMLP-stimulated cells, and myosin II ATPase inhibition reciprocally disrupts normal localization of PRG. We propose a cooperative reinforcing mechanism at the back of cells, in which PRG, RhoA, ROCK, myosin II, and actomyosin spatially cooperate to consolidate attractant-induced contractility and ensure robust cell polarity.

scholarly journals Hsp110 is required for spindle length control

2012 ◽  
Vol 198 (4) ◽  
pp. 623-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taras Makhnevych ◽  
Philip Wong ◽  
Oxana Pogoutse ◽  
Franco J. Vizeacoumar ◽  
Jack F. Greenblatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Affinity Purification ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Chaperone Complex

Systematic affinity purification combined with mass spectrometry analysis of N- and C-tagged cytoplasmic Hsp70/Hsp110 chaperones was used to identify new roles of Hsp70/Hsp110 in the cell. This allowed the mapping of a chaperone–protein network consisting of 1,227 unique interactions between the 9 chaperones and 473 proteins and highlighted roles for Hsp70/Hsp110 in 14 broad biological processes. Using this information, we uncovered an essential role for Hsp110 in spindle assembly and, more specifically, in modulating the activity of the widely conserved kinesin-5 motor Cin8. The role of Hsp110 Sse1 as a nucleotide exchange factor for the Hsp70 chaperones Ssa1/Ssa2 was found to be required for maintaining the proper distribution of kinesin-5 motors within the spindle, which was subsequently required for bipolar spindle assembly in S phase. These data suggest a model whereby the Hsp70–Hsp110 chaperone complex antagonizes Cin8 plus-end motility and prevents premature spindle elongation in S phase.

scholarly journals Identification of a Novel Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for the Rho GTPase

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (41) ◽  
pp. 25452-25458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Hart ◽  
Sanju Sharma ◽  
Nadia elMasry ◽  
Rong-Guo Qiu ◽  
Peter McCabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Exchange Factor ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor

scholarly journals Rac GEF Dock4 interacts with cortactin to regulate dendritic spine formation

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1602-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhei Ueda ◽  
Manabu Negishi ◽  
Hironori Katoh
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Spine Formation ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factor ◽  
Important Interaction

In neuronal development, dendritic spine formation is important for the establishment of excitatory synaptic connectivity and functional neural circuits. Developmental deficiency in spine formation results in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Dock4, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac, has been reported as a candidate genetic risk factor for autism, dyslexia, and schizophrenia. We previously showed that Dock4 is expressed in hippocampal neurons. However, the functions of Dock4 in hippocampal neurons and the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that Dock4 is highly concentrated in dendritic spines and implicated in spine formation via interaction with the actin-binding protein cortactin. In cultured neurons, short hairpin RNA (shRNA)–mediated knockdown of Dock4 reduces dendritic spine density, which is rescued by coexpression of shRNA-resistant wild-type Dock4 but not by a GEF-deficient mutant of Dock4 or a truncated mutant lacking the cortactin-binding region. On the other hand, knockdown of cortactin suppresses Dock4-mediated spine formation. Taken together, the results show a novel and functionally important interaction between Dock4 and cortactin for regulating dendritic spine formation via activation of Rac.

scholarly journals Dissection of the NUP107 nuclear pore subcomplex reveals a novel interaction with spindle assembly checkpoint protein MAD1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 930-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Ródenas ◽  
Cristina González-Aguilera ◽  
Cristina Ayuso ◽  
Peter Askjaer
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Pore Complexes

Nuclear pore complexes consist of several subcomplexes. The NUP107 complex is important for nucleocytoplasmic transport, nuclear envelope assembly, and kinetochore function. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the roles of individual complex members remain elusive. We report the first description of a genetic disruption of NUP107 in a metazoan. Caenorhabditis elegans NUP107/npp-5 mutants display temperature-dependent lethality. Surprisingly, NPP-5 is dispensable for incorporation of most nucleoporins into nuclear pores and for nuclear protein import. In contrast, NPP-5 is essential for proper kinetochore localization of NUP133/NPP-15, another NUP107 complex member, whereas recruitment of NUP96/NPP-10C and ELYS/MEL-28 is NPP-5 independent. We found that kinetochore protein NUF2/HIM-10 and Aurora B/AIR-2 kinase are less abundant on mitotic chromatin upon NPP-5 depletion. npp-5 mutants are hypersensitive to anoxia, suggesting that the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is compromised. Indeed, NPP-5 interacts genetically and physically with SAC protein MAD1/MDF-1, whose nuclear envelope accumulation requires NPP-5. Thus our results strengthen the emerging connection between nuclear pore proteins and chromosome segregation.

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