Participation of small GTPases in dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo: distinct roles for Rho subfamily proteins in epithelial morphogenesis

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Harden ◽  
M. Ricos ◽  
Y.M. Ong ◽  
W. Chia ◽  
L. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Contractile Apparatus ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Cellular Events

The Rho subfamily of Ras-related small GTPases participates in a variety of cellular events including organization of the actin cytoskeleton and signalling by c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 kinase cascades. These functions of the Rho subfamily are likely to be required in many developmental events. We have been studying the participation of the RHO subfamily in dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo, a process involving morphogenesis of the epidermis. We have previously shown that Drac1, a Rho subfamily protein, is required for the presence of an actomyosin contractile apparatus believed to be driving the cell shape changes essential to dorsal closure. Expression of a dominant negative Drac1 transgene causes a loss of this contractile apparatus from the leading edge of the advancing epidermis and dorsal closure fails. We now show that two other Rho subfamily proteins, Dcdc42 and RhoA, as well as Ras1 are also required for dorsal closure. Dcdc42 appears to have conflicting roles during dorsal closure: establishment and/or maintenance of the leading edge cytoskeleton versus its down regulation. Down regulation of the leading edge cytoskeleton may be controlled by the serine/threonine kinase DPAK, a potential Drac1/Dcdc42 effector. RhoA is required for the integrity of the leading edge cytoskeleton specifically in cells flanking the segment borders. We have begun to characterize the interactions of the various small GTPases in regulating dorsal closure and find no evidence for the hierarchy of Rho subfamily activity described in some mammalian cell types. Rather, our results suggest that while all Ρ subfamily p21s tested are required for dorsal closure, they act largely in parallel.

Drac1 and Crumbs participate in amnioserosa morphogenesis during dorsal closure in Drosophila

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (10) ◽  
pp. 2119-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Harden ◽  
Michael Ricos ◽  
Kelly Yee ◽  
Justina Sanny ◽  
Caillin Langmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Apical Cell ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Epithelial Morphogenesis ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Contractile Apparatus ◽  
Constitutively Active

Dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryo involves morphological changes in two epithelia, the epidermis and the amnioserosa, and is a popular system for studying the regulation of epithelial morphogenesis. We previously implicated the small GTPase Drac1 in the assembly of an actomyosin contractile apparatus, contributing to cell shape change in the epidermis during dorsal closure. We now present evidence that Drac1 and Crumbs, a determinant of epithelial polarity, are involved in setting up an actomyosin contractile apparatus that drives amnioserosa morphogenesis by inducing apical cell constriction. Expression of constitutively active Drac1 causes excessive constriction of amnioserosa cells and contraction of the tissue, whereas expression of dominant-negative Drac1 impairs amnioserosa morphogenesis. These Drac1 transgenes may be acting through their effects on the amnioserosa cytoskeleton, as constitutively active Drac1 causes increased staining for F-actin and myosin, whereas dominant-negative Drac1 reduces F-actin levels. Overexpression of Crumbs causes premature cell constriction in the amnioserosa, and dorsal closure defects are seen in embryos homozygous for hypomorphic crumbs alleles. The ability of constitutively active Drac1 to cause contraction of the amnioserosa is impaired in a crumbsmutant background. We propose that amnioserosa morphogenesis is a useful system for studying the regulation of epithelial morphogenesis by Drac1.

scholarly journals Cell Attachment to the Extracellular Matrix Induces Proteasomal Degradation of p21CIP1 via Cdc42/Rac1 Signaling

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 4587-4597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Bao ◽  
Minna Thullberg ◽  
Hongquan Zhang ◽  
Anatoli Onischenko ◽  
Staffan Strömblad
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Proteasomal Degradation ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Rapid Reduction

ABSTRACT The cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) inhibitors p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 are negatively regulated by anchorage during cell proliferation, but it is unclear how integrin signaling may affect these Cdk2 inhibitors. Here, we demonstrate that integrin ligation led to rapid reduction of p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 protein levels in three distinct cell types upon attachment to various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including fibronectin (FN), or to immobilized agonistic anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies. Cell attachment to FN did not rapidly influence p21CIP1 mRNA levels, while the protein stability of p21CIP1 was decreased. Importantly, the down-regulation of p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 was completely blocked by three distinct proteasome inhibitors, demonstrating that integrin ligation induced proteasomal degradation of these Cdk2 inhibitors. Interestingly, ECM-induced proteasomal proteolysis of a ubiquitination-deficient p21CIP1 mutant (p21K6R) also occurred, showing that the proteasomal degradation of p21CIP1 was ubiquitin independent. Concomitant with our finding that the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 were activated by attachment to FN, constitutively active (ca) Cdc42 and ca Rac1 promoted down-regulation of p21CIP1. However, dominant negative (dn) Cdc42 and dn Rac1 mutants blocked the anchorage-induced degradation of p21CIP1, suggesting that an integrin-induced Cdc42/Rac1 signaling pathway activates proteasomal degradation of p21CIP1. Our results indicate that integrin-regulated proteasomal proteolysis might contribute to anchorage-dependent cell cycle control.

scholarly journals The AF-6 Homolog Canoe Acts as a Rap1 Effector During Dorsal Closure of the Drosophila Embryo

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-169
Author(s):  
Benjamin Boettner ◽  
Phoebe Harjes ◽  
Satoshi Ishimaru ◽  
Michael Heke ◽  
Hong Qing Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Cell Sheets ◽  
Jnk Pathway

Abstract Rap1 belongs to the highly conserved Ras subfamily of small GTPases. In Drosophila, Rap1 plays a critical role in many different morphogenetic processes, but the molecular mechanisms executing its function are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Canoe (Cno), the Drosophila homolog of mammalian junctional protein AF-6, acts as an effector of Rap1 in vivo. Cno binds to the activated form of Rap1 in a yeast two-hybrid assay, the two molecules colocalize to the adherens junction, and they display very similar phenotypes in embryonic dorsal closure (DC), a process that relies on the elongation and migration of epithelial cell sheets. Genetic interaction experiments show that Rap1 and Cno act in the same molecular pathway during DC and that the function of both molecules in DC depends on their ability to interact. We further show that Rap1 acts upstream of Cno, but that Rap1, unlike Cno, is not involved in the stimulation of JNK pathway activity, indicating that Cno has both a Rap1-dependent and a Rap1-independent function in the DC process.

scholarly journals A Drosophila homolog of the Rac- and Cdc42-activated serine/threonine kinase PAK is a potential focal adhesion and focal complex protein that colocalizes with dynamic actin structures.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1896-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Harden ◽  
J Lee ◽  
H Y Loh ◽  
Y M Ong ◽  
I Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Focal Adhesions ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Threonine Kinase ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Drosophila Homolog

Changes in cell morphology are essential in the development of a multicellular organism. The regulation of the cytoskeleton by the Rho subfamily of small GTP-binding proteins is an important determinant of cell shape. The Rho subfamily has been shown to participate in a variety of morphogenetic processes during Drosophila melanogaster development. We describe here a Drosophila homolog, DPAK, of the serine/threonine kinase PAK, a protein which is a target of the Rho subfamily proteins Rac and Cdc42. Rac, Cdc42, and PAK have previously been implicated in signaling by c-Jun amino-terminal kinases. DPAK bound to activated (GTP-bound) Drosophila Rac (DRacA) and Drosophila Cdc42. Similarities in the distributions of DPAK, integrin, and phosphotyrosine suggested an association of DPAK with focal adhesions and Cdc42- and Rac-induced focal adhesion-like focal complexes. DPAK was elevated in the leading edge of epidermal cells, whose morphological changes drive dorsal closure of the embryo. We have previously shown that the accumulation of cytoskeletal elements initiating cell shape changes in these cells could be inhibited by expression of a dominant-negative DRacA transgene. We show that leading-edge epidermal cells flanking segment borders, which express particularly large amounts of DPAK, undergo transient losses of cytoskeletal structures during dorsal closure. We propose that DPAK may be regulating the cytoskeleton through its association with focal adhesions and focal complexes and may be participating with DRacA in a c-Jun amino-terminal kinase signaling pathway recently demonstrated to be required for dorsal closure.

scholarly journals ACK Family Tyrosine Kinase Activity Is a Component of Dcdc42 Signaling during Dorsal Closure in Drosophila melanogaster

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 3685-3697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Ping Sem ◽  
Baharak Zahedi ◽  
Ivan Tan ◽  
Maria Deak ◽  
Louis Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase Activity ◽  
Amino Terminal

ABSTRACT We have characterized Drosophila melanogaster ACK (DACK), one of two members of the ACK family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in Drosophila. The ACKs are likely effectors for the small GTPase Cdc42, but signaling by these proteins remains poorly defined. ACK family tyrosine kinase activity functions downstream of Drosophila Cdc42 during dorsal closure of the embryo, as overexpression of DACK can rescue the dorsal closure defects caused by dominant-negative Dcdc42. Similar to known participants in dorsal closure, DACK is enriched in the leading edge cells of the advancing epidermis, but it does not signal through activation of the Jun amino-terminal kinase cascade operating in these cells. Transcription of DACK is responsive to changes in Dcdc42 signaling specifically at the leading edge and in the amnioserosa, two tissues involved in dorsal closure. Unlike other members of the ACK family, DACK does not contain a conserved Cdc42-binding motif, and transcriptional regulation may be one route by which Dcdc42 can affect DACK function. Expression of wild-type and kinase-dead DACK transgenes in embryos, and in the developing wing and eye, reveals that ACK family tyrosine kinase activity is involved in a range of developmental events similar to that of Dcdc42.

scholarly journals Multiple Forces Contribute to Cell Sheet Morphogenesis for Dorsal Closure in Drosophila

2000 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Kiehart ◽  
Catherine G. Galbraith ◽  
Kevin A. Edwards ◽  
Wayne L. Rickoll ◽  
Ruth A. Montague
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Cell Sheet ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Purse String ◽  
Ultraviolet Laser

The molecular and cellular bases of cell shape change and movement during morphogenesis and wound healing are of intense interest and are only beginning to be understood. Here, we investigate the forces responsible for morphogenesis during dorsal closure with three approaches. First, we use real-time and time-lapsed laser confocal microscopy to follow actin dynamics and document cell shape changes and tissue movements in living, unperturbed embryos. We label cells with a ubiquitously expressed transgene that encodes GFP fused to an autonomously folding actin binding fragment from fly moesin. Second, we use a biomechanical approach to examine the distribution of stiffness/tension during dorsal closure by following the response of the various tissues to cutting by an ultraviolet laser. We tested our previous model (Young, P.E., A.M. Richman, A.S. Ketchum, and D.P. Kiehart. 1993. Genes Dev. 7:29–41) that the leading edge of the lateral epidermis is a contractile purse-string that provides force for dorsal closure. We show that this structure is under tension and behaves as a supracellular purse-string, however, we provide evidence that it alone cannot account for the forces responsible for dorsal closure. In addition, we show that there is isotropic stiffness/tension in the amnioserosa and anisotropic stiffness/tension in the lateral epidermis. Tension in the amnioserosa may contribute force for dorsal closure, but tension in the lateral epidermis opposes it. Third, we examine the role of various tissues in dorsal closure by repeated ablation of cells in the amnioserosa and the leading edge of the lateral epidermis. Our data provide strong evidence that both tissues appear to contribute to normal dorsal closure in living embryos, but surprisingly, neither is absolutely required for dorsal closure. Finally, we establish that the Drosophila epidermis rapidly and reproducibly heals from both mechanical and ultraviolet laser wounds, even those delivered repeatedly. During healing, actin is rapidly recruited to the margins of the wound and a newly formed, supracellular purse-string contracts during wound healing. This result establishes the Drosophila embryo as an excellent system for the investigation of wound healing. Moreover, our observations demonstrate that wound healing in this insect epidermal system parallel wound healing in vertebrate tissues in situ and vertebrate cells in culture (for review see Kiehart, D.P. 1999. Curr. Biol. 9:R602–R605).

scholarly journals The Arf-GEF Steppke promotes F-actin accumulation, cell protrusions and tissue sealing during Drosophila dorsal closure

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junior J. West ◽  
Tony J. C. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Ph Domain ◽  
Actin Networks

AbstractCytohesin Arf-GEFs promote actin polymerization and protrusions of cultured cells, whereas the Drosophila cytohesin, Steppke, antagonizes actomyosin networks in several developmental contexts. To reconcile these findings, we analyzed epidermal leading edge actin networks during Drosophila embryo dorsal closure. Here, Steppke is required for F-actin of the actomyosin cable and for actin-based protrusions. steppke mutant defects in the leading edge actin networks are associated with improper sealing of the dorsal midline, but are distinguishable from effects of myosin mis-regulation. Steppke localizes to leading edge cell-cell junctions with accumulations of the F-actin regulator Enabled emanating from either side. Enabled requires Steppke for full leading edge recruitment, and genetic interaction shows the proteins cooperate for dorsal closure. Steppke over-expression induces ectopic, actin-rich, lamellar cell protrusions, an effect dependent on the Arf-GEF activity and PH domain of Steppke, but independent of Steppke recruitment to myosin-rich AJs via its coiled-coil domain. Thus, Steppke promotes actin polymerization and cell protrusions, effects that occur in conjunction with Steppke’s previously reported regulation of myosin contractility during dorsal closure.

Drosophila RhoA regulates the cytoskeleton and cell-cell adhesion in the developing epidermis

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (13) ◽  
pp. 3173-3183 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Bloor ◽  
Daniel P. Kiehart
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Dorsal Closure ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Actin Organization ◽  
On Line ◽  
Cell Cell

The small GTPase Rho is a molecular switch that is best known for its role in regulating the actomyosin cytoskeleton. We have investigated its role in the developing Drosophila embryonic epidermis during the process of dorsal closure. By expressing the dominant negative DRhoAN19 construct in stripes of epidermal cells, we confirm that Rho function is required for dorsal closure and demonstrate that it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the ventral epidermis. We show that defects in actin organization, nonmuscle myosin II localization, the regulation of gene transcription, DE-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion and cell polarity underlie the effects of DRhoAN19 expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these changes in cell physiology have a differential effect on the epidermis that is dependent upon position in the dorsoventral axis. In the ventral epidermis, cells either lose their adhesiveness and fall out of the epidermis or undergo apoptosis. At the leading edge, cells show altered adhesive properties such that they form ectopic contacts with other DRhoAN19-expressing cells. Movies available on-line

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.

Hypotonicity induces membrane protrusions and actin remodeling via activation of small GTPases Rac and Cdc42 in Rat-1 fibroblasts

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. C935-C944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Carton ◽  
Diane Hermans ◽  
Jan Eggermont
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Toxin B ◽  
Rhodamine Phalloidin ◽  
Actin Reorganization ◽  
Membrane Protrusions

An important consequence of cell swelling is the reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton in different cell types. We demonstrate in this study by means of rhodamine-phalloidin labeling and fluorescence microscopy that a drastic reorganization of F-actin occurs in swollen Rat-1 fibroblasts: stress fibers disappear and F-actin patches are formed in peripheral extensions at the cell border. Moreover, we demonstrate that activation of both Rac and Cdc42, members of the family of small Rho GTPases, forms the link between the hypotonic stimulation and F-actin reorganization. Indeed, inhibition of the small GTPases RhoA, Rac, and Cdc42 (by Clostridium difficile toxin B) prevents the hypotonicity-induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, whereas inhibition of RhoA alone (by C. limosum C3 exoenzyme) does not preclude this rearrangement. Second, a direct activation and translocation toward the actin patches underneath the plasma membrane is observed for endogenous Rac and Cdc42 (but not for RhoA) during cell swelling. Finally, transfection of Rat-1 fibroblasts with constitutively active RhoA, dominant negative Rac, or dominant negative Cdc42 abolishes the swelling-induced actin reorganization. Interestingly, application of cRGD, a competitor peptide for fibronectin-integrin association, induces identical membrane protrusions and changes in the F-actin cytoskeleton that are also inhibited by C. difficile toxin B and dominant negative Rac or Cdc42. Moreover, cRGD also induces a redistribution of endogenous Rac and Cdc42 to the newly formed submembranous F-actin patches. We therefore conclude that hypotonicity and cRGD remodel the F-actin cytoskeleton in Rat-1 fibroblasts in a Rac/Cdc42-dependent way.

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