DH-PH Domain Research Articles

ARHGEF40 promotes non-small cell lung cancer proliferation and invasion via the AKT-Wnt axis by binding to RhoA.

Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 40 (ARHGEF40) is a member of the Dbl-family of guanine nucleotide factor proteins. However, its expression pattern and biological function in malignant tumors, notably in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are currently unknown. The present study demonstrated that ARHGEF40 was highly expressed in NSCLC specimens and that its expression was significantly associated with advanced TNM stage (p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002), and poor prognosis (p = 0.0056). In addition, ARHGEF40 accelerated nuclear translocation of the key component β-catenin and increased the expression levels of the Wnt signaling pathway targets c-myc, cyclin D1 and MMP7. Moreover, it promoted lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism, the current study demonstrated that ARHGEF40 could induce activation of the Wnt signaling pathway by increasing the phosphorylation levels of AKT and GSK3β via interaction with RhoA. Moreover, the Dbl homology (DH)-pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of ARHGEF40 was responsible for this interaction. Its deletion abolished the binding, which blocked the activation of the Wnt signaling. Taken together, the data indicated that ARHGEF40 promoted the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells by activating the AKT-Wnt axis. This was achieved by its interaction with RhoA via the DH-PH domain. ARHGEF40 may serve as a novel target for NSCLC treatment.

Identification of guanine nucleotide exchange factors that increase Cdc42 activity in primary human endothelial cells

ABSTRACT The Rho GTPase family is involved in actin dynamics and regulates the barrier function of the endothelium. One of the main barrier-promoting Rho GTPases is Cdc42, also known as cell division control protein 42 homolog. Currently, regulation of Cdc42-based signalling networks in endothelial cells (ECs) lack molecular details. To examine these, we focused on a subset of 15 Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which are expressed in the endothelium. By performing single cell FRET measurements with Rho GTPase biosensors in primary human ECs, we monitored GEF efficiency towards Cdc42 and Rac1. A new, single cell-based analysis was developed and used to enable the quantitative comparison of cellular activities of the overexpressed full-length GEFs. Our data reveal GEF dependent activation of Cdc42, with the most efficient Cdc42 activation induced by PLEKHG2, FGD1, PLEKHG1 and PREX1 and the highest selectivity for FGD1. Additionally, we generated truncated GEF constructs that comprise only the catalytic dbl homology (DH) domain or together with the adjacent pleckstrin homology domain (DHPH). The DH domain by itself did not activate Cdc42, whereas the DHPH domain of ITSN1, ITSN2 and PLEKHG1 showed activity towards Cdc42. Together, our study characterized endothelial GEFs that may directly or indirectly activate Cdc42, which will be of great value for the field of vascular biology.

SGEF GEF Activity and its Regulation by Scribble and Dlg1

We discovered a cell polarity complex comprised of SGEF, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the RhoG GTPase, and the scaffolding proteins Scribble and Dlg1. SGEF binds the Scribble PDZ1 domain and the guanylate kinase (GUK) domain of Dlg1. SGEF-catalyzed nucleotide exchange of RhoG is critical for cell junction polarity. Complications with cell polarity are associated with metastasis in cancer. However, the mechanism(s) for SGEF regulation and the role of Scribble and Dlg1 in this regulation remain unknown. Previous work by Ellerbroek et. al. (2004) suggests that the N-terminus of SGEF is auto-inhibitory to its GEF activity. We hypothesize that the N-terminus of SGEF blocks the GEF catalytic site from RhoG and that SGEF binding to Scribble and/or Dlg1 relieves this auto-inhibition. Here, we begin to test this model using in-vitro GEF exchange assays with SGEF constructs in the presence and absence of the Scribble PDZ1 domain and Dlg1 GUK. The SGEF catalytic domain (DH-PH domain) was expressed, the FL-SGEFΔ5, the Scribble PDZ1 and Dlg1 GUK domains. Next, we conducted GEF-exchange assays that measure the change in fluorescence upon the incorporation of MANT-GDP into RhoG. These assays showed that purified RhoG was active and that the SGEF DH-PH region increased the rate of nucleotide exchange. As a control, we used SGEF DH-PH in the presence of Scribble PDZ1 and Dlg1 GUK. Unexpectedly, the rate of RhoG nucleotide exchange increased further. A preliminary assay of the FL-SGEFΔ5 showed a marked decrease in the rate of nucleotide exchange compared to the DH-PH construct, consistent with auto-inhibition. Future experiments will focus on examining the nucleotide exchange rate of FL-SGEFΔ5 in the presence of Scribble PDZ1 and/or Dlg1 GUK. These studies will help understand the role of SGEF/Scribble/Dlg1-polarity-complex in regulating SGEF GEF activity.

Rho-specific Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho-GEFs) inhibition affects macrophage phenotype and disrupts Golgi complex.

Macrophages play crucial role in tissue homeostasis and the innate and adaptive immune response. Depending on the state of activation macrophages acquire distinct phenotypes that depend on actin, which is regulated by small GTPase RhoA. The naive M0 macrophages are slightly elongated, pro-inflammatory M1 are round and M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages are elongated. We showed previously that interference with RhoA pathway (RhoA deletion or RhoA/ROCK kinase inhibition) disrupted actin, produced extremely elongated (hummingbird) macrophage phenotype and inhibited macrophage movement toward transplanted hearts. The RhoA function depends on the family of guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP and activate RhoA that reorganizes actin cytoskeleton. Using actin staining, immunostaining, Western blotting, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy we studied how a direct inhibition of Rho-GEFs with Rhosin (Rho GEF-binding domain blocker) and Y16 (Rho GEF DH-PH domain blocker) affects M0, M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes. We also studied how Rho-GEFs inhibition and RhoA deletion affects organization of Golgi complex that is crucial for normal macrophage functions such as phagocytosis, antigen presentation and receptor recycling. We found that GEFs inhibition differently affected M0, M1 and M2 macrophages phenotype and that GEFs inhibition and RhoA deletion both caused changes in the ultrastructure of the Golgi complex. These results suggest that actin/RhoA- dependent shaping of macrophage phenotype has different requirements for activity of RhoA/GEFs pathway in M0, M1 and M2 macrophages, and that RhoA and Rho-GEFs functions are necessary for the maintenance of actin-dependent organization of Golgi complex.

Optogenetic control of cellular forces and mechanotransduction

Contractile forces are the end effectors of cell migration, division, morphogenesis, wound healing and cancer invasion. Here we report optogenetic tools to upregulate and downregulate such forces with high spatiotemporal accuracy. The technology relies on controlling the subcellular activation of RhoA using the CRY2/CIBN light-gated dimerizer system. We fused the catalytic domain (DHPH domain) of the RhoA activator ARHGEF11 to CRY2-mCherry (optoGEF-RhoA) and engineered its binding partner CIBN to bind either to the plasma membrane or to the mitochondrial membrane. Translocation of optoGEF-RhoA to the plasma membrane causes a rapid and local increase in cellular traction, intercellular tension and tissue compaction. By contrast, translocation of optoGEF-RhoA to mitochondria results in opposite changes in these physical properties. Cellular changes in contractility are paralleled by modifications in the nuclear localization of the transcriptional regulator YAP, thus showing the ability of our approach to control mechanotransductory signalling pathways in time and space.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Structural, Biochemical and Signaling Differences of the p210 and p185 Isoforms of Bcr-Abl in CML and B-ALL

Distinct chromosomal translocation breakpoints result in the expression of two major isoforms of Bcr-Abl - p210 and p185 - from the Philadelphia (Ph)-chromosome. While p210 is the molecular hallmark of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), in Ph-positive B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), ~1/3 of the patients express p210 and ~2/3 express p185. In mouse models, under certain experimental conditions, expression of p185 causes disease with a shorter latency and more B-ALL than CML-like leukemias as did p210. Ph-positive B-ALL patients show a poorer response and frequent resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy as compared to CML patients. Specific intrinsic differences in p185 and p210 Bcr-Abl signaling have long been hypothesized, but have never been studied in a comparative, unbiased and comprehensive manner. We have now:(i) Mapped the differences in the p210 and p185 protein interaction network: We performed an unbiased proteomics analysis of the composition of the endogenous p210 and p185 protein complexes in murine cell lines using SILAC (stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture) quantification. The interactome analysis confirmed previously reported p210 interactors in human CML cells and identified unexpectedly many interactors that preferentially associate with either p185 or p210, including an endocytosis-regulating complex (enriched in p185) and a phosphatase complex (enriched in p210). Several differential interactors were validated in a panel of nine human CML and B-ALL cell lines.(ii) Performed a comprehensive phospho-proteomics study in p210 and p185 cell lines: Using phospho-tyrosine, as well as general phospho-peptide enrichment strategies coupled to SILAC quantification, we mapped >800 phosphorylation sites and identified differentially activated signaling by p210 and p185, including differential activation of the STAT5 and STAT3 transcription factors, SRC kinases and ERK1/2 signaling. These findings were validated in a panel of nine human CML and B-ALL cell lines.(iii) Determined the atomic structures of the Dbl-homology (DH) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of p210: The DH-PH domain unit of p210 is the only structural difference to p185 and has remained the only structurally uncharacterized region of Bcr-Abl. We solved different structures of these domains by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, as well as Small-Angle X-ray scattering, alone and in complex with an engineered monobody inhibitor targeting the DH domain. While the DH-PH structural motif is found in Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEF), our results have not provided evidence that the p210 DH-PH domain acts as a Rho GEF or binds Rho GTPases, in contrast to previous reports. On the other hand, we found the PH domain to be important for specific membrane binding of p210 and we determined the binding specificity of the PH domain to certain phospho-inositide lipids.Our results provide the first systematic insight showing critical differences in protein-protein interactions, signaling and structure of p210 and p185 Bcr-Abl. This will contribute to a better understanding of Bcr-Abl dependent signaling, mechanisms of oncogenic transformation, resulting disease pathobiology and responses to TKIs. DisclosuresHantschel:Ariad Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria.

Crystal structure of triple-BRCT-domain of ECT2 and insights into the binding characteristics to CYK-4

Homo sapiens ECT2 is a cell cycle regulator that plays critical roles in cytokinesis. ECT2 activity is restrained during interphase via intra-molecular interactions that involve its N-terminal triple-BRCT-domain and its C-terminal DH–PH domain. At anaphase, this self-inhibitory mechanism is relieved by Plk1-phosphorylated CYK-4, which directly engages the ECT2 BRCT domain. To provide a structural perspective for this auto-inhibitory property, we solved the crystal structure of the ECT2 triple-BRCT-domain. In addition, we systematically analyzed the interaction between the ECT2 BRCT domains with phospho-peptides derived from its binding partner CYK-4, and have identified Ser164 as the major phospho-residue that links CYK-4 to the second ECT2 BRCT domain.

The Dynamics of P-Rex 2 Membrane and Protein Interactions

P-Rex 2 (phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate Rac exchanger 2) protein is a Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) whose activity is tightly regulated through activation by PI(3,4,5)P3 (phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate) and G-protein βγ subunits along with phosphorylation and domain-domain interactions. A previous study has shown that P-Rex 2 DH-PH domains interacts with PTEN (phosphate and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10), which is a frequently mutated tumor suppressor in human cancer that dephosphorylates PI(3,4,5)P3 and antagonizes PI3K signaling. P-Rex 2 binds to PTEN through its DH-PH domain, inhibits PTEN's lipid phosphatase activity and activates the PI3K pathway. This suggests that P-Rex 2 may function as a regulator of PTEN and activator of the PI3K pathway, thereby, contributing to a variety of pathological and physiological processes, such as tumorigenesis, diabetes, and aging. We are investigating the role of P-Rex 2 DH-PH domains in lipid binding and PTEN protein binding using steady-state fluorescence, stopped flow photometry, and ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry). This study aims to delineate P-Rex 2 membrane and protein interactions at the molecular level.

Small-molecule inhibitors targeting G-protein–coupled Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors

The G-protein–mediated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)–Rho GTPase signaling axis has been implicated in human pathophysiology and is a potential therapeutic target. By virtual screening of chemicals that fit into a surface groove of the DH-PH domain of LARG, a G-protein–regulated Rho GEF involved in RhoA activation, and subsequent validations in biochemical assays, we have identified a class of chemical inhibitors represented by Y16 that are active in specifically inhibiting LARG binding to RhoA. Y16 binds to the junction site of the DH-PH domains of LARG with a ∼80 nM K d and suppresses LARG catalyzed RhoA activation dose dependently. It is active in blocking the interaction of LARG and related G-protein–coupled Rho GEFs with RhoA without a detectable effect on other DBL family Rho GEFs, Rho effectors, or a RhoGAP. In cells, Y16 selectively inhibits serum-induced RhoA activity and RhoA-mediated signaling, effects that can be rescued by a constitutively active RhoA or ROCK mutant. By suppressing RhoA activity, Y16 inhibits mammary sphere formation of MCF7 breast cancer cells but does not affect the nontransforming MCF10A cells. Significantly, Y16 works synergistically with Rhosin/G04, a Rho GTPase activation site inhibitor, in inhibiting LARG–RhoA interaction, RhoA activation, and RhoA-mediated signaling functions. Thus, our studies show that Rho GEFs can serve as selective targets of small chemicals and present a strategy of dual inhibition of the enzyme–substrate pair of GEF–RhoA at their binding interface that leads to enhanced efficacy and specificity.

Structural Determinants of RGS-RhoGEF Signaling Critical to Entamoeba histolytica Pathogenesis

G protein signaling pathways, as key components of physiologic responsiveness and timing, are frequent targets for pharmacologic intervention. Here, we identify an effector for heterotrimeric G proteinα subunit (EhGα1) signaling from Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebic colitis. EhGα1 interacts with this effector and guanosine triphosphatase-accelerating protein, EhRGS-RhoGEF, in a nucleotide state-selective fashion. Coexpression of EhRGS-RhoGEF with constitutively active EhGα1 and EhRacC leads to Rac-dependent spreading in Drosophila S2 cells. EhRGS-RhoGEF overexpression in E.histolytica trophozoites leads to reduced migration toward serum and lower cysteine protease activity, as well as reduced attachment to, and killingof, host cells. A 2.3Å crystal structure of thefull-length EhRGS-RhoGEF reveals a putative inhibitory helix engaging the Dbl homology domain Rho-binding surface and the pleckstrin homology domain. Mutational analysis of the EhGα1/EhRGS-RhoGEF interface confirms a canonical "regulator of G protein signaling" domain rather than a RhoGEF-RGS ("rgRGS") domain, suggesting a convergent evolution toward heterotrimeric and small G protein cross-talk.

The Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio controls leukocyte transendothelial migration by promoting docking structure formation

Leukocyte transendothelial migration involves the active participation of the endothelium through the formation of apical membrane protrusions that embrace adherent leukocytes, termed docking structures. Using live-cell imaging, we find that prior to transmigration, endothelial docking structures form around 80% of all neutrophils. Previously we showed that endothelial RhoG and SGEF control leukocyte transmigration. In this study, our data reveal that both full-length Trio and the first DH-PH (TrioD1) domain of Trio, which can activate Rac1 and RhoG, interact with ICAM-1 and are recruited to leukocyte adhesion sites. Moreover, upon clustering of ICAM-1, the Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio activates Rac1, prior to activating RhoG, in a filamin-dependent manner. We further show that docking structure formation is initiated by ICAM-1 clustering into ring-like structures, which is followed by apical membrane protrusion. Interestingly, we find that Rac1 is required for ICAM-1 clustering, whereas RhoG controls membrane protrusion formation. Finally, silencing endothelial Trio expression or reducing TrioD1 activity without affecting SGEF impairs both docking structure formation and leukocyte transmigration. We conclude that Trio promotes leukocyte transendothelial migration by inducing endothelial docking structure formation in a filamin-dependent manner through the activation of Rac1 and RhoG.

The N-Terminal DH-PH Domain of Trio Induces Cell Spreading and Migration by Regulating Lamellipodia Dynamics in a Rac1-Dependent Fashion

The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor Trio encodes two DH-PH domains that catalyze nucleotide exchange on Rac1, RhoG and RhoA. The N-terminal DH-PH domain is known to activate Rac1 and RhoG, whereas the C-terminal DH-PH domain can activate RhoA. The current study shows that the N-terminal DH-PH domain, upon expression in HeLa cells, activates Rac1 and RhoG independently from each other. In addition, we show that the flanking SH3 domain binds to the proline-rich region of the C-terminus of Rac1, but not of RhoG. However, this SH3 domain is not required for Rac1 or RhoG GDP-GTP exchange. Rescue experiments in Trio-shRNA-expressing cells showed that the N-terminal DH-PH domain of Trio, but not the C-terminal DH-PH domain, restored fibronectin-mediated cell spreading and migration defects that are observed in Trio-silenced cells. Kymograph analysis revealed that the N-terminal DH-PH domain, independent of its SH3 domain, controls the dynamics of lamellipodia. Using siRNA against Rac1 or RhoG, we found that Trio-D1-induced lamellipodia formation required Rac1 but not RhoG expression. Together, we conclude that the GEF Trio is responsible for lamellipodia formation through its N-terminal DH-PH domain in a Rac1-dependent manner during fibronectin-mediated spreading and migration.

A bacterial effector targets host DH-PH domain RhoGEFs and antagonizes macrophage phagocytosis

Bacterial pathogens often harbour a type III secretion system (TTSS) that injects effector proteins into eukaryotic cells to manipulate host processes and cause diseases. Identification of host targets of bacterial effectors and revealing their mechanism of actions are crucial for understating bacterial virulence. We show that EspH, a type III effector conserved in enteric bacterial pathogens including enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Citrobacter rodentium, markedly disrupts actin cytoskeleton structure and induces cell rounding up when ectopically expressed or delivered into HeLa cells by the bacterial TTSS. EspH inactivates host Rho GTPase signalling pathway at the level of RhoGEF. EspH directly binds the DH-PH domain in multiple RhoGEFs, which prevents their binding to Rho and thereby inhibits nucleotide exchange-mediated Rho activation. Consistently, infection of mouse macrophages with EPEC harbouring EspH attenuates phagocytosis of the bacteria as well as FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis. EspH represents the first example of targeting RhoGEFs by bacterial effectors, and our results also reveal an unprecedented mechanism used by enteric pathogens to counteract the host defence system.

Real-time NMR Study of Guanine Nucleotide Exchange and Activation of RhoA by PDZ-RhoGEF

Small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) become activated when GDP is replaced by GTP at the highly conserved nucleotide binding site. This process is intrinsically very slow in most GTPases but is significantly accelerated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Nucleotide exchange in small GTPases has been widely studied using spectroscopy with fluorescently tagged nucleotides. However, this method suffers from effects of the bulky fluorescent moiety covalently attached to the nucleotide. Here, we have used a newly developed real-time NMR-based assay to monitor small GTPase RhoA nucleotide exchange by probing the RhoA conformation. We compared RhoA nucleotide exchange from GDP to GTP and GTP analogues in the absence and presence of the catalytic DH-PH domain of PDZ-RhoGEF (DH-PH(PRG)). Using the non-hydrolyzable analogue guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), which we found to be a reliable mimic of GTP, we obtained an intrinsic nucleotide exchange rate of 5.5 x 10(-4) min(-1). This reaction is markedly accelerated to 1179 x 10(-4) min(-1) in the presence of DH-PH(PRG) at a ratio of 1:8,000 relative to RhoA. Mutagenesis studies confirmed the importance of Arg-868 near a conserved region (CR3) of the Dbl homology (DH) domain and revealed that Glu-741 in CR1 is critical for full activity of DH-PH(PRG), together suggesting that the catalytic mechanism of PDZ-RhoGEF is similar to Tiam1. Mutation of the single RhoA (E97A) residue that contacts the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain rendered the mutant 10-fold less sensitive to the activity of DH-PH(PRG). Interestingly, this mutation does not affect RhoA activation by leukemia-associated RhoGEF (LARG), indicating that the PH domains of these two homologous GEFs may play different roles.

The solution structure and dynamics of the DH-PH module of PDZRhoGEF in isolation and in complex with nucleotide-free RhoA.

The DH-PH domain tandems of Dbl-homology guanine nucleotide exchange factors catalyze the exchange of GTP for GDP in Rho-family GTPases, and thus initiate a wide variety of cellular signaling cascades. Although several crystal structures of complexes of DH-PH tandems with cognate, nucleotide free Rho GTPases are known, they provide limited information about the dynamics of the complex and it is not clear how accurately they represent the structures in solution. We used a complementary combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS) to study the solution structure and dynamics of the DH-PH tandem of RhoA-specific exchange factor PDZRhoGEF, both in isolation and in complex with nucleotide free RhoA. We show that in solution the DH-PH tandem behaves as a rigid entity and that the mutual disposition of the DH and PH domains remains identical within experimental error to that seen in the crystal structure of the complex, thus validating the latter as an accurate model of the complex in vivo. We also show that the nucleotide-free RhoA exhibits elevated dynamics when in complex with DH-PH, a phenomenon not observed in the crystal structure, presumably due to the restraining effects of crystal contacts. The complex is readily and rapidly dissociated in the presence of both GDP and GTP nucleotides, with no evidence of intermediate ternary complexes.

Specificity in Ras and Rap Signaling

Ras and Rap proteins are closely related small GTPases. Whereas Ras is known for its role in cell proliferation and survival, Rap1 is predominantly involved in cell adhesion and cell junction formation. Ras and Rap are regulated by different sets of guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase-activating proteins, determining one level of specificity. In addition, although the effector domains are highly similar, Rap and Ras interact with largely different sets of effectors, providing a second level of specificity. In this review, we discuss the regulatory proteins and effectors of Ras and Rap, with a focus on those of Rap.

Complex and Novel Associations of the Guanine Exchange Factors Cool- 1 and Cool-2 with the Scaffolding Proteins GIT1 and GIT2 in Human Platelets

A major signaling pathway that regulates platelet shape change and reorganization of the cytoskeleton involves the Rho family of GTPases; CDC42 (fillapodia), Rac1 (lamellapodia) and RhoA (focal adhesions). These GTPases are converted from their inactive or GDP-loaded state to the active or GTP-loaded state by a class of enzymes called Guanine Exchange Factors (GEFs). GEFs are a family of multi-domain proteins that contain a GDP-GTP exchange domain (DH-PH) as well as other protein interacting domains that are regulated by the activation of receptors present on the platelet surface. We used an affinity binding technique followed by mass spectroscopy to identify novel Rho family binding GEFs in platelet lysates. Recombinant GST-Rho fusion proteins bound to agarose beads were prepared in the GTP, GDP and nucleotide-free states and incubated with clarified human platelet lysates. Platelet lysate proteins associated with the different GST-Rho preparations were eluted and run on SDS-PAGE. Gel slices were then cut out, trypsin digested and analyzed by Mass Spectroscopy. Platelet GEFs were identified by the presence of a DH-PH domain. Using this technique we found Cool-1 and Cool-2, two closely related GEFs that regulate Rac1 and CDC42 activation in nucleated cells. Cool-1 has not been previously described in platelets. Homodimeric Cool-1 specifically activates CDC42, whereas Cool-2 is capable of activating Rac1 as a homodimer or CDC42 as a monomer. The substrate specificity of Cool-2 is regulated by complex interactions with p21-activated kinases (PAK) and Gb/g proteins. In nucleated cells, Cool-1 and Cool-2 are localized to focal adhesions by the GPCR-kinase-interacting proteins 1 and 2 (GIT1 and GIT2). GIT binding to the Cool proteins has been shown to inhibit their GEF activity. Here we show that Cool-1 is present only in the membrane fraction of resting platelet lysates while Cool-2 is present in both the membrane and cytoplasmic fractions. Upon activation with thrombin, about half the membrane bound Cool-1 and all the membrane bound Cool- 2 migrate to the cytoplasm. Precipitation experiments in thrombin activated platelets with anti-GIT1 and anti-GIT2 antibodies show GIT-1 avidly binds Cool-2 whereas GIT2 binds a small amount of Cool-1. These data suggest a complex mechanism of CDC42 and Rac1 activation in platelets by the Cool proteins. Based on our findings and the current understanding of the regulation of Cool proteins in nucleated cells, we hypothesize that early after thrombin activation, the CDC42 and Rac1 GEF activities of Cool-1 and Cool-2 result in fillapodia (CDC42) and lamellapodia (Rac1) formation. As integrant mediated focal adhesions are formed, the GEF activities of Cool-1 and Cool-2 are inhibited by the scaffolding proteins GIT2 and GIT1, respectively. In this manner, Rac1 and CDC42 mediated fillapodia and lamellapodia formation may be regulated by the extent of integrin engagement and platelet spreading.

How is SOS activated? Let us count the ways

New work shows that activation of the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor SOS is dependent upon the membrane density of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and GTP-bound Ras. These signals synergize to release the autoinhibitory DH-PH domain, while the histone domain fine-tunes SOS activation in response to PIP2.

P-REX1: A Novel RAC Activing Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor in Human Platelets.

A major signaling pathway that regulates platelet shape change and reorganization of the cytoskeleton involves the Rho family of GTPases whose members include Rac, CDC42 and RhoA. These GTPases are converted from their inactive or GDP-loaded state to the active or GTP-loaded state by a class of enzymes called Guanine-nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs). GEFs are a family of multi-domain proteins that contain a GDP-GTP exchange domain (DH-PH) as well as other protein interacting domains that are regulated by the activation of receptors present on the platelet surface. We used an affinity binding technique followed by mass spectrometry analysis to identify novel Rac binding GEFs from platelet lysates. Recombinant GST-Rac fusion proteins bound to agarose beads were prepared in the GTP, GDP and nucleotide-free states and incubated with human platelet lysates. Platelet lysate proteins associated with the different GST-Rac preparations (GTP-bound, GDP-bound or nucleotide-free) were eluted and run on SDS-PAGE. Gel slices were then cut out, trypsin digested and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Platelet GEFs were identified by the presence of a DH-PH domain. Using this technique we identified three novel Rac-associated platelet GEFs including P-REX1, a G-βγ protein and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate regulated GEF previously found in neutrophils and neurons (Welch, H.C.E et al., Cell 108;809–822, 2002). PREX-1 is a 196kDa peptide composed of 1659 amino that specifically activates Rac in neutrophils. In addition to the DH-PH exchange domain, PREX-1 also contains tandem PDZ and DEP domains as well as significant similarity over its C-terminal half to Inositol Polyphosphate 4-Phosphatase. Western analysis with anti-P-REX1 antibody (gift of H.C. Welch, Barbraham Institute, U.K.) showed that PREX-1 is present in purified whole platelet lysates. We have also shown that platelet PREX-1 specifically associates with GST-Rac by affinity pull-down experiments. Functional studies to characterize the exchange activity of platelet PREX-1 are ongoing. PREX-1 is the only known GEF that is directly regulated by G-βγ protein (Hill, K. et al., J Biol Chem 280(6):4166–4173, 2005) and represents a novel pathway for platelet G protein coupled receptor signaling through Rac in human platelets.

The p21-activated Kinase 3 Implicated in Mental Retardation Regulates Spine Morphogenesis through a Cdc42-dependent Pathway

The p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) is one of the recently identified genes for which mutations lead to nonsyndromic mental retardation. PAK3 is implicated in dendritic spine morphogenesis and is a key regulator of synaptic functions. However, the underlying roles of PAK3 in these processes remain poorly understood. We report here that the three mutations R419X, A365E, and R67C, responsible for mental retardation have different effects on the biological functions of PAK3. The R419X and A365E mutations completely abrogate the kinase activity. The R67C mutation drastically decreases the binding of PAK3 to the small GTPase Cdc42 and impairs its subsequent activation by this GTPase. We also report that PAK3 binds significantly more Cdc42 than Rac1 and is selectively activated by endogenous Cdc42, suggesting that PAK3 is a specific effector of Cdc42. Interestingly, the expression of the three mutated proteins in hippocampal neurons affects spinogenesis differentially. Both kinase-dead mutants slightly decrease the number of spines but profoundly alter spine morphology, whereas expression of the R67C mutant drastically decreases spine density. These results demonstrate that the Cdc42/PAK3 is a key module in dendritic spine formation and synaptic plasticity.