scholarly journals A putative structural mechanism underlying the antithetic effect of homologous RND1 and RhoD GTPases in mammalian plexin regulation

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Liu ◽  
Pu Ke ◽  
Yi-Chun Kuo ◽  
Yuxiao Wang ◽  
Xuewu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Structural Mechanism ◽  
Charged Membrane ◽  
Dimerization Interface ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Gtpase Binding Domain ◽  
Positively Charged

Plexins are semaphorin receptors that play essential roles in mammalian neuronal axon guidance and in many other important mammalian biological processes. Plexin signaling depends on a semaphorin-induced dimerization mechanism, and is modulated by small GTPases of the Rho family, of which RND1 serves as a plexin activator yet its close homolog RhoD an inhibitor. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations we showed that RND1 reinforces the plexin dimerization interface whereas RhoD destabilizes it due to their differential interaction with the cell membrane. Upon binding plexin at the Rho-GTPase binding domain (RBD), RND1 and RhoD interact differently with the inner leaflet of the cell membrane, and exert opposite effects on the dimerization interface via an allosteric network involving the RBD, RBD linkers, and a buttress segment adjacent to the dimerization interface. The differential membrane interaction is attributed to the fact that, unlike RND1, RhoD features a short C-terminal tail and a positively charged membrane interface.

scholarly journals The structural mechanism underlying the antithetic effect of homologous RND1 and RhoD GTPases in plexin regulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Liu ◽  
Pu Ke ◽  
Yi-chun Kuo ◽  
Yuxiao Wang ◽  
Xuewu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Membrane Interface ◽  
Structural Mechanism ◽  
Charged Membrane ◽  
Dimerization Interface ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Close Homolog ◽  
Positively Charged

AbstractPlexins are semaphorin receptors that play essential roles in neuronal axon guidance and in many other important biological processes. Plexin signaling depends on a semaphorin-induced dimerization mechanism, and is modulated by small signaling GTPases of the Rho family, of which RND1 serves as a plexin activator yet its close homolog RhoD an inhibitor. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations we showed that RND1 reinforces plexin dimerization interface whereas RhoD destabilizes it due to their differential interaction with cell membrane. Upon binding plexin dimers at the Rho-GTPase binding (RBD) domains, RND1 and RhoD interact differently with the inner leaflet of cell membrane, and exert opposite effects on the dimerization interface via an allosteric network involving the RBD domain, RBD linkers, and a buttress segment adjacent to the dimerization interface. The differential membrane interaction is attributed to the fact that, unlike RND1, RhoD features a short C-terminal tail and a positively-charged membrane interface.

scholarly journals Identification and characterization of a new isoform of small GTPase RhoE

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Dai ◽  
Weijia Luo ◽  
Xiaojing Yue ◽  
Wencai Ma ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Alternative Translation ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Binding Capability ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Abstract The Rho family of GTPases consists of 20 members including RhoE. Here, we discover the existence of a short isoform of RhoE designated as RhoEα, the first Rho GTPase isoform generated from alternative translation. Translation of this new isoform is initiated from an alternative start site downstream of and in-frame with the coding region of the canonical RhoE. RhoEα exhibits a similar subcellular distribution while its protein stability is higher than RhoE. RhoEα contains binding capability to RhoE effectors ROCK1, p190RhoGAP and Syx. The distinct transcriptomes of cells with the expression of RhoE and RhoEα, respectively, are demonstrated. The data propose distinctive and overlapping biological functions of RhoEα compared to RhoE. In conclusion, this study reveals a new Rho GTPase isoform generated from alternative translation. The discovery provides a new scope of understanding the versatile functions of small GTPases and underlines the complexity and diverse roles of small GTPases.

scholarly journals Grit, a GTPase-Activating Protein for the Rho Family, Regulates Neurite Extension through Association with the TrkA Receptor and N-Shc and CrkL/Crk Adapter Molecules

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 8721-8734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Nakamura ◽  
Misako Komiya ◽  
Kiyoaki Sone ◽  
Eiji Hirose ◽  
Noriko Gotoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
High Affinity Receptor ◽  
Rho Family

ABSTRACT Neurotrophins are key regulators of the fate and shape of neuronal cells and act as guidance cues for growth cones by remodeling the actin cytoskeleton. Actin dynamics is controlled by Rho GTPases. We identified a novel Rho GTPase-activating protein (Grit) for Rho/Rac/Cdc42 small GTPases. Grit was abundant in neuronal cells and directly interacted with TrkA, a high-affinity receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF). Another pool of Grit was recruited to the activated receptor tyrosine kinase through its binding to N-Shc and CrkL/Crk, adapter molecules downstream of activated receptor tyrosine kinases. Overexpression of the TrkA-binding region of Grit inhibited NGF-induced neurite elongation. Further, we found some tendency for neurite promotion in full-length Grit-overexpressing PC12 cells upon NGF stimulation. These results suggest that Grit, a novel TrkA-interacting protein, regulates neurite outgrowth by modulating the Rho family of small GTPases.

scholarly journals Rho family GTPases control entry of Shigella flexneri into epithelial cells but not intracellular motility

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (13) ◽  
pp. 2069-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mounier ◽  
V. Laurent ◽  
A. Hall ◽  
P. Fort ◽  
M.F. Carlier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Comet Tail ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Intracellular Motility

Shigella flexneri, an invasive bacterial pathogen, promotes formation of two cytoskeletal structures: the entry focus that mediates bacterial uptake into epithelial cells and the actin-comet tail that enables the bacteria to spread intracellularly. During the entry step, secretion of bacterial invasins causes a massive burst of subcortical actin polymerization leading the formation of localised membrane projections. Fusion of these membrane ruffles leads to bacterial internalization. Inside the cytoplasm, polar expression of the IcsA protein on the bacterial surface allows polymerization of actin filaments and their organization into an actin-comet tail leading to bacterial spread. The Rho family of small GTPases plays an essential role in the organization and regulation of cellular cytoskeletal structures (i.e. filopodia, lamellipodia, adherence plaques and intercellular junctions). We show here that induction of Shigella entry foci is controlled by the Cdc42, Rac and Rho GTPases, but not by RhoG. In contrast, actin-driven intracellular motility of Shigella does not require Rho GTPases. Therefore, Shigella appears to manipulate the epithelial cell cytoskeleton both by Rho GTPase-dependent and -independent processes.

scholarly journals Activation of STAT transcription factors by the Rho-family GTPases

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 2213-2227
Author(s):  
Jessica Corry ◽  
Helen R. Mott ◽  
Darerca Owen
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cellular Morphology ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Family Control ◽  
Signal Transducers ◽  
Downstream Effectors ◽  
Rho Family

The Rho-family of small GTPases are biological molecular switches that are best known for their regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Through their activation and stimulation of downstream effectors, the Rho-family control pathways involved in cellular morphology, which are commonly activated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. While this makes them excellent potential therapeutic targets, a deeper understanding of the downstream signalling pathways they influence will be required for successful drug targeting. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a family of transcription factors that are hyper-activated in most cancer types and while STATs are widely understood to be activated by the JAK family of kinases, many additional activators have been discovered. A growing number of examples of Rho-family driven STAT activation, largely of the oncogenic family members, STAT3 and STAT5, are being identified. Cdc42, Rac1, RhoA, RhoC and RhoH have all been implicated in STAT activation, contributing to Rho GTPase-driven changes in cellular morphology that lead to cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. This highlights the importance and therapeutic potential of the Rho-family as regulators of non-canonical activation of STAT signalling.

scholarly journals RNA Interference Screening Identifies Novel Roles for RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3 in Membrane Trafficking Events in Mammalian Cells

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maeve Long ◽  
Tilen Kranjc ◽  
Margaritha M. Mysior ◽  
Jeremy C. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Membrane Traffic ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Endomembrane System ◽  
Rho Family

In the endomembrane system of mammalian cells, membrane traffic processes require a high degree of regulation in order to ensure their specificity. The range of molecules that participate in trafficking events is truly vast, and much attention to date has been given to the Rab family of small GTPases. However, in recent years, a role in membrane traffic for members of the Rho GTPase family, in particular Cdc42, has emerged. This prompted us to develop and apply an image-based high-content screen, initially focussing on the Golgi complex, using RNA interference to systematically perturb each of the 21 Rho family members and assess their importance to the overall organisation of this organelle. Analysis of our data revealed previously unreported roles for two atypical Rho family members, RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3, in membrane traffic events. We find that depletion of RhoBTB3 affects the morphology of the Golgi complex and causes changes in the trafficking speeds of carriers operating at the interface of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, RhoBTB3 was found to be present on these carriers. Depletion of RhoBTB1 was also found to cause a disturbance to the Golgi architecture, however, this phenotype seems to be linked to endocytosis and retrograde traffic pathways. RhoBTB1 was found to be associated with early endosomal intermediates, and changes in the levels of RhoBTB1 not only caused profound changes to the organisation and distribution of endosomes and lysosomes, but also resulted in defects in the delivery of two different classes of cargo molecules to downstream compartments. Together, our data reveal new roles for these atypical Rho family members in the endomembrane system.

scholarly journals Cdc42 GTPase regulates ESCRTs in nuclear envelope sealing and ER remodeling

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle S. Lu ◽  
David G. Drubin
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Molecular Switches ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cytoskeletal Remodeling ◽  
Rho Family

AbstractSmall GTPases of the Rho family are binary molecular switches that regulate a variety of processes including cell migration and oriented cell divisions. Known Cdc42 effectors include proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodeling and kinase-dependent transcription induction, but none involved in the maintenance of nuclear envelope integrity or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology. Maintenance of nuclear envelope integrity requires the EndoSomal Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRT) proteins, but how they are regulated in this process remains unknown. Here we show by live-cell imaging a novel Cdc42 localization with ESCRT proteins at sites of nuclear envelope and ER fission, and by genetic analysis, uncover a unique Cdc42 function in regulation of ESCRT proteins at the nuclear envelope and sites of ER tubule fission. Our findings implicate Cdc42 in nuclear envelope sealing and ER remodeling, where it regulates ESCRT disassembly to maintain nuclear envelope integrity and proper ER architecture.SummaryThe small Rho GTPase Cdc42 is a well-known regulator of cytoskeletal rearrangement and polarity development in all eukaryotic cell types. Here, Lu and Drubin report the serendipitous discovery of a novel Cdc42-ESCRT-nuclear envelope/endoplasmic reticulum connection.

scholarly journals The PAK system links Rho GTPase signaling to thrombin-mediated platelet activation

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (5) ◽  
pp. C519-C528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Aslan ◽  
Sandra M. Baker ◽  
Cassandra P. Loren ◽  
Kristina M. Haley ◽  
Asako Itakura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Signaling ◽  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Rho Family

Regulation of the platelet actin cytoskeleton by the Rho family of small GTPases is essential for the proper maintenance of hemostasis. However, little is known about how intracellular platelet activation from Rho GTPase family members, including Rac, Cdc42, and Rho, translate into changes in platelet actin structures. To better understand how Rho family GTPases coordinate platelet activation, we identified platelet proteins associated with Rac1, a Rho GTPase family member, and actin regulatory protein essential for platelet hemostatic function. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that upon platelet activation with thrombin, Rac1 associates with a set of effectors of the p21-activated kinases (PAKs), including GIT1, βPIX, and guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEFH1. Platelet activation by thrombin triggered the PAK-dependent phosphorylation of GIT1, GEFH1, and other PAK effectors, including LIMK1 and Merlin. PAK was also required for the thrombin-mediated activation of the MEK/ERK pathway, Akt, calcium signaling, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. Inhibition of PAK signaling prevented thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and blocked platelet focal adhesion and lamellipodia formation in response to thrombin. Together, these results demonstrate that the PAK signaling system is a key orchestrator of platelet actin dynamics, linking Rho GTPase activation downstream of thrombin stimulation to PAK effector function, MAP kinase activation, calcium signaling, and PS exposure in platelets.

scholarly journals Prepatterning by RhoGEFs governs Rho GTPase spatiotemporal dynamics during wound repair

2017 ◽  
Vol 216 (12) ◽  
pp. 3959-3969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsutoshi Nakamura ◽  
Jeffrey M. Verboon ◽  
Susan M. Parkhurst
Keyword(s):  
Wound Repair ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Cytoskeletal Remodeling ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Membrane Resealing

Like tissues, single cells are subjected to continual stresses and damage. As such, cells have a robust wound repair mechanism comprised of dynamic membrane resealing and cortical cytoskeletal remodeling. One group of proteins, the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), is critical for this actin and myosin cytoskeletal response in which they form distinct dynamic spatial and temporal patterns/arrays surrounding the wound. A key mechanistic question, then, is how these GTPase arrays are formed. Here, we show that in the Drosophila melanogaster cell wound repair model Rho GTPase arrays form in response to prepatterning by Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), a family of proteins involved in the activation of small GTPases. Furthermore, we show that Annexin B9, a member of a class of proteins associated with the membrane resealing, is involved in an early, Rho family–independent, actin stabilization that is integral to the formation of one RhoGEF array. Thus, Annexin proteins may link membrane resealing to cytoskeletal remodeling processes in single cell wound repair.

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