Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Activity Research Articles

Complementary biosensors reveal different G-protein signaling modes triggered by GPCRs and non-receptor activators

It has become evident that activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins by cytoplasmic proteins that are not G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays a role in physiology and disease. Despite sharing the same biochemical guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity as GPCRs in vitro, the mechanisms by which these cytoplasmic proteins trigger G-protein-dependent signaling in cells have not been elucidated. Heterotrimeric G-proteins can give rise to two active signaling species, Gα-GTP and dissociated Gβγ, with different downstream effectors, but how non-receptor GEFs affect the levels of these two species in cells is not known. Here, a systematic comparison of GPCRs and three unrelated non-receptor proteins with GEF activity in vitro (GIV/Girdin, AGS1/Dexras1, and Ric-8A) revealed high divergence in their contribution to generating Gα-GTP and free Gβγ in cells directly measured with live-cell biosensors. These findings demonstrate fundamental differences in how receptor and non-receptor G-protein activators promote signaling in cells despite sharing similar biochemical activities in vitro.

Double inhibition and activation mechanisms of Ephexin family RhoGEFs

Ephexin family guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) transfer signals from Eph tyrosine kinase receptors to Rho GTPases, which play critical roles in diverse cellular processes, as well as cancers and brain disorders. Here, we elucidate the molecular basis underlying inhibition and activation of Ephexin family RhoGEFs. The crystal structures of partially and fully autoinhibited Ephexin4 reveal that the complete autoinhibition requires both N- and C-terminal inhibitory modes, which can operate independently to impede Ras homolog family member G (RhoG) access. This double inhibition mechanism is commonly employed by other Ephexins and SGEF, another RhoGEF for RhoG. Structural, enzymatic, and cell biological analyses show that phosphorylation of a conserved tyrosine residue in its N-terminal inhibitory domain and association of PDZ proteins with its C-terminal PDZ-binding motif may respectively relieve the two autoinhibitory modes in Ephexin4. Our study provides a mechanistic framework for understanding the fine-tuning regulation of Ephexin4 GEF activity and offers possible clues for its pathological dysfunction.

An Arf/Rab cascade controls the growth and invasiveness of glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly malignant brain cancer. We now demonstrate that loss of function of the endosomal GTPase Rab35 in human brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) increases glioblastoma growth and decreases animal survival following BTIC implantation in mouse brains. Mechanistically, we identify that the GTPase Arf5 interacts with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab35, DENND1/connecdenn, and allosterically enhances its GEF activity toward Rab35. Knockdown of either Rab35 or Arf5 increases cell migration, invasiveness, and self-renewal in culture and enhances the growth and invasiveness of BTIC-initiated brain tumors in mice. RNAseq of the tumors reveals up-regulation of the tumor-promoting transcription factor SPOCD1, and disruption of the Arf5/Rab35 axis in glioblastoma cells leads to strong activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, with resulting enhancement of SPOCD1 levels. These discoveries reveal an unexpected cascade between an Arf and a Rab and indicate a role for the cascade, and thus endosomal trafficking, in brain tumors.

Corrigendum to: Phosphatidic acid binds to and regulates guanine nucleotide exchange factor 8 (GEF8) activity in Arabidopsis

Phosphatidic acid (PA) forms part of plant lipid metabolism and is a signalling molecule used in response to various external stresses. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) activate small GTPase ROPs, serving as molecular switches in a wide range of signalling pathways. However, the interaction between PA and GEFs in plants has not yet been reported. Here we show that PA bound specifically to GEF8 by using fat-Western blot and isothermal titration calorimetry assays. A C-terminal truncation of GEF8 exhibited strong PA binding, and mutation of lysines 13 and 18 in GEF8 PRONE domain caused a total loss of binding to PA. Two ROPs, ROP7 and ROP10, were identified as preferred substrates of GEF8 by pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. GEF8 activity towards ROP7, but not ROP10, was stimulated by PA both in vitro and in cells. Moreover, the PA- or ABA-induced activation of GEF8 was completely lost in the mutant GEF8, which did not bind to PA. Together, these findings identify a direct interconnection between PA-mediated GEFs activity and small GTPase signalling in plants and provide evidence for a synergistic activation of GEF8 by direct PA-binding to its PRONE domain.

GTP Binding to Translation Factor eIF2B Stimulates Its Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Activity

eIF2B is the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) required for cytoplasmic protein synthesis initiation in eukaryotes and its regulation within the integrated stress response (ISR). It activates its partner factor eIF2 thereby promoting translation initiation. Here we provide evidence through biochemical and genetic approaches that eIF2B can bind directly to GTP and this can enhance its rate of GEF activity towards eIF2–GDP in vitro. GTP binds to a subcomplex of the eIF2Bγ and e subunits. The eIF2Bγ amino-terminal domain shares structural homology with hexose sugar phosphate pyrophosphorylase enzymes that bind specific nucleotides. A K66R mutation in eIF2Bγ is especially sensitive to guanine or GTP in a range of functional assays. Taken together, our data suggest eIF2Bγ may act as a sensor of purine nucleotide availability and thus modulate eIF2B activity

Myosin 18Aα targets the guanine nucleotide exchange factor β-Pix to the dendritic spines of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and promotes spine maturation.

Myosin 18Aα is a myosin 2-like protein containing unique N- and C-terminal protein interaction domains that co-assembles with myosin 2. One protein known to bind to myosin 18Aα is β-Pix, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac1 and Cdc42 that has been shown to promote dendritic spine maturation by activating the assembly of actin and myosin filaments in spines.Here, we show that myosin 18A⍺ concentrates in the spines of cerebellar Purkinje neurons via co-assembly with myosin 2 and through an actin binding site in its N-terminal extension. miRNA-mediated knockdown of myosin 18A⍺ results in a significant defect in spine maturation that is rescued by an RNAi-immune version of myosin 18A⍺.Importantly, β-Pix co-localizes with myosin 18A⍺ in spines, and its spine localization is lost upon myosin 18A⍺ knockdown or when its myosin 18A⍺ binding site is deleted.Finally, we show that the spines of myosin 18A⍺ knockdown Purkinje neurons contain significantly less F-actin and myosin 2. Together, these data argue that mixed filaments of myosin 2 and myosin 18A⍺ form a complex with β-Pix in Purkinje neuron spines that promotes spine maturation by enhancing the assembly of actin and myosin filaments downstream of β-Pix's GEF activity.

The substrate specificity of the human TRAPPII complex\u2019s Rab-guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity

The TRAnsport Protein Particle (TRAPP) complexes act as Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for Rab GTPases, which are master regulators of membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells. In metazoans, there are two large multi-protein TRAPP complexes: TRAPPII and TRAPPIII, with the TRAPPII complex able to activate both Rab1 and Rab11. Here we present detailed biochemical characterisation of Rab-GEF specificity of the human TRAPPII complex, and molecular insight into Rab binding. GEF assays of the TRAPPII complex against a panel of 20 different Rab GTPases revealed GEF activity on Rab43 and Rab19. Electron microscopy and chemical cross-linking revealed the architecture of mammalian TRAPPII. Hydrogen deuterium exchange MS showed that Rab1, Rab11 and Rab43 share a conserved binding interface. Clinical mutations in Rab11, and phosphomimics of Rab43, showed decreased TRAPPII GEF mediated exchange. Finally, we designed a Rab11 mutation that maintained TRAPPII-mediated GEF activity while decreasing activity of the Rab11-GEF SH3BP5, providing a tool to dissect Rab11 signalling. Overall, our results provide insight into the GTPase specificity of TRAPPII, and how clinical mutations disrupt this regulation.

Crystal structure of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor encoded by the scrub typhus pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi

Rho family GTPases regulate an array of cellular processes and are often modulated by pathogens to promote infection. Here, we identify a cryptic guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) domain in the OtDUB protein encoded by the pathogenic bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi A proteomics-based OtDUB interaction screen identified numerous potential host interactors, including the Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. We discovered a domain in OtDUB with Rac1/Cdc42 GEF activity (OtDUBGEF), with higher activity toward Rac1 in vitro. While this GEF bears no obvious sequence similarity to known GEFs, crystal structures of OtDUBGEF alone (3.0 Å) and complexed with Rac1 (1.7 Å) reveal striking convergent evolution, with a unique topology, on a V-shaped bacterial GEF fold shared with other bacterial GEF domains. Structure-guided mutational analyses identified residues critical for activity and a mechanism for nucleotide displacement. Ectopic expression of OtDUB activates Rac1 preferentially in cells, and expression of the OtDUBGEF alone alters cell morphology. Cumulatively, this work reveals a bacterial GEF within the multifunctional OtDUB that co-opts host Rac1 signaling to induce changes in cytoskeletal structure.

Examination of Clinically-Derived p210 BCR/ABL Rhogef Mutations in a Murine Bone Marrow Transplantation Model of CML

The Philadelphia chromosome is formed by a balanced, reciprocal translocation that pairs sequences from BCR on Chromosome 22 with sequences from ABL on Chromosome 9, resulting in the production of the constitutively active tyrosine kinase (TK) BCR-ABL. Depending on the location of the breakpoint within BCR, three different sizes of BCR-ABL may form, each associated with distinct clinical sequelae. Previous studies identified a functional domain within the BCR sequences preserved by the more-indolent forms of BCR-ABL (i.e., p210 and p230) that demonstrates a constitutive Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) activity. Using the structurally derived S509A mutation, which does not affect TK activity but abrogates RhoGEF signaling, we, subsequently, showed that this feature regulates leukemia progression in mice. The RhoGEF domain was recently reported to contain two missense mutations (F547L and T654K) in a chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) blast crisis (BC) patient, suggesting that it may play a role in human disease as well. To evaluate the clinical significance of this region, we, therefore, examined p210 BCR-ABL constructs containing these clinically derived RhoGEF mutations (CDRMs), both in isolation and in combination, using a murine bone marrow transplant (mBMT) model of CML. The mutations did not destabilize p210 BCR-ABL expression or TK activity but decreased RhoGEF signaling. Relative to mice transplanted with wild-type (WT) p210 BCR-ABL, those that received the CDRMs exhibited an earlier onset of disease, frequently developing previously unseen dermatologic involvement or myeloid sarcomas, but demonstrated significantly increased survival in an additive manner [Fig. 1]. While mice transplanted with WT p210 BCR-ABL exhibited neutrophilia that progresses to a less-differentiated phenotype at death, disease in the CDRM mice was characterized by eosinophilia and monocytosis with no maturation arrest. The most likely cause of death in mice transplanted with WT p210 BCR-ABL is widespread hematogenous involvement of the lungs resulting in acute respiratory distress. In contrast, mice receiving the CDRMs demonstrated pulmonary involvement which was limited to the bronchovascular bundles or subpleural space. This is consistent with a switch to lymphatogenous spread, likely secondary to skewed differentiation, and it implies an alternate cause(s) of death. To help determine the mechanism responsible for the observed differences in differentiation and maturation arrest, we next studied the CDRMs in vitro using the 32Dcl3 murine myeloid precursor cell line. A growing body of evidence suggests that the DNA damage response can affect lineage restriction in myeloid cells; it is also well-established that the accumulation of DNA damage is necessary for progression to BC. Accordingly, the CDRMs were associated with the restoration of p53 activation and the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint relative to WT p210 BCR-ABL. This suggests that the RhoGEF domain may be responsible for the suppression of the DNA damage response. Because the mBMT phenotype associated with the S509A mutation was distinct from that of the CDRMs, it may indicate that this capability is mediated by some functionality yet to be described. Importantly, the CDRMs were also associated with increased Src family kinase activity, which is thought to be a major mechanism of BCR-ABL-independent TK inhibitor resistance and minimal residual disease. Collectively, these results suggest that the BCR-ABL RhoGEF domain can influence disease progression and response to treatment in human leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A novel DENND1B-localized structure found at the basal side of adherent cells.

Rab35 is a small G protein involved in various cellular events including clathrin-dependent endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy. DENND1B, a DENN family member, acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab35 to convert it to the GTP-bound active form from the GDP-bound inactive form. DENND1B contains the DENN domain which harbors GEF activity for Rab35 in the N-terminus, while the clathrin binding motif and adaptor protein-2-interaction motif are at the C-terminus. In this study, we investigated the intracellular localization of DENN1B in various cell types and found novel DENND1B-localized gathered line structures in BS-C-1 cells and in some other cell types. The localization of DENND1B to gathered line structures was dependent on a specific region located in the C-terminus of DENND1B protein. DENND1B-localized gathered lines were partially associated with microtubules but not with F-actin; instead, F-actin bundles surrounded the assembly of gathered lines. We also show that the gathered line structures appeared at the bottom of spreading lamellipodia and disappeared at the retracting site during cell motility in EGF-stimulated BS-C-1 cells. These results shed light on a new role for DENND1B in the regulation of cell migration.

The GEF Trio controls endothelial cell size and arterial remodeling downstream of Vegf signaling in both zebrafish and cell models

Arterial networks enlarge in response to increase in tissue metabolism to facilitate flow and nutrient delivery. Typically, the transition of a growing artery with a small diameter into a large caliber artery with a sizeable diameter occurs upon the blood flow driven change in number and shape of endothelial cells lining the arterial lumen. Here, using zebrafish embryos and endothelial cell models, we describe an alternative, flow independent model, involving enlargement of arterial endothelial cells, which results in the formation of large diameter arteries. Endothelial enlargement requires the GEF1 domain of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio and activation of Rho-GTPases Rac1 and RhoG in the cell periphery, inducing F-actin cytoskeleton remodeling, myosin based tension at junction regions and focal adhesions. Activation of Trio in developing arteries in vivo involves precise titration of the Vegf signaling strength in the arterial wall, which is controlled by the soluble Vegf receptor Flt1.

ARMADILLO REPEAT ONLY proteins confine Rho GTPase signalling to polar growth sites.

Polar growth requires the precise tuning of Rho GTPase signalling at distinct plasma membrane domains. The activity of Rho of plant (ROP) GTPases is regulated by the opposing action of guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Whereas plant-specific ROPGEFs have been shown to be embedded in higher-level regulatory mechanisms involving membrane-bound receptor-like kinases, the regulation of GAPs has remained enigmatic. Here, we show that three Arabidopsis ARMADILLO REPEAT ONLY (ARO) proteins are essential for the stabilization of growth sites in root hair cells and trichomes. AROs interact with ROP1 enhancer GAPs (RENGAPs) and bind to the plasma membrane via a conserved polybasic region at the ARO amino terminus. The ectopic spreading of ROP2 in aro2/3/4 mutant root hair cells and the preferential interaction of AROs with active ROPs and anionic phospholipids suggests that AROs recruit RENGAPs into complexes with ROPs to confine ROP signalling to distinct membrane regions.

Genetic parameters, genome-wide association and gene networks for milk and reproductive traits in Guzerá cattle

The profitability of dairy activity is influenced by the genetic selection of economically important traits. In this context, the correct estimation of genetic parameters and the knowledge regarding candidate genes involved in the expression of genetically associated traits may help develop appropriate breeding strategies for the Guzerá breed. In this study, genetic parameters and candidate genes were estimated for accumulated 305-day milk yield (305MY), age at n calving (ANC), and milk yield efficiency (MYE) in Guzerá cattle. The (co)variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) effects were estimated using the weighted single-step genome-wide association approach. The numbers of SNPs and samples used after quality control were 29,869 and 870, respectively. Candidate genes identified in a GWAS were selected to build gene networks by using the ClueGO Cytoscape plug-in (kappa score level ≥ 0.4). Heritabilities estimated for 305MY, ANC, and MYE were moderate to high (0.23, 0.41, and 0.42, respectively). Genetic correlations were positive between 305MY × ANC and 305MY × MYE (0.10 and 0.81, respectively) and negative between MYE × ANC (-0.53). Based on the GWAS analysis, a total of 89 significant SNPs (threshold value of 5.77 on the –log10 scale) were found for 305MY, and no significant SNPs were found for the other traits. Based on the top 5 significant SNPs (i.e., significant SNPs that explained the largest proportion of additive genetic variance), the following positional candidate genes were found to be related to 305MY in Guzerá cattle: CIB4, OTOF, LOXL2, PPFIA2, NXN, MRM3, GEMIN4, DBIL5, and FAM57A. In addition, the gene network analysis revealed the candidate genes BCR, P2RY12, P2RY14, GPR87, IFT81, SYT1, IL16, and HOOK3, which shared important biological processes and functions (e.g., Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity, G-protein coupled purinergic nucleotide receptor signaling, intraciliary transport involved in cilium assembly, calcium ion-dependent exocytosis, chemotaxis regulation, and microtubule anchoring at centrosome), for 305MY.

Identification of Rho GEF and RhoA Activation by Pull-Down Assays.

The small GTPase RhoA participates in actin and microtubule machinery, cell migration and invasion, gene expression, vesicular trafficking and cell cycle, and its dysregulation is a determining factor in many pathological conditions. Similar to other Rho GTPases, RhoA is a key component of the wound-healing process, regulating the activity of different participating cell types. RhoA gets activated upon binding to guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which catalyze the exchange of guanosine diphosphate (GDP) for guanosine triphosphate (GTP). GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) mediate the exchange of GTP to GDP, inactivating RhoA, whereas guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) preserve the inactive pool of RhoA proteins in the cytosol. RhoA and Rho GEF activation is detected by protein pull-down assays, which use chimeric proteins with Rhotekin and G17A mutant RhoA as "bait" to pull down active RhoA and RhoA GEFs, respectively. In this chapter, we describe an optimized protocol for performing RhoA and GEF pull-down assays.

Abstract 2137: A high proportion of protein phosphorylation sites identified in CPTAC breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma may result from direct phosphorylation by CDK1

Abstract Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that drives the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and increased CDK1 kinase activity is a frequent feature of several tumor types. In the current study, we have used the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) datasets to identify potential target phosphorylation sites associated with CDK1 activity in breast and lung adenocarcinoma and to experimentally study some of their biologic effects. Among the global protein phosphorylation sites detected in CPTAC, 80% and 81% of the identified phosphorylation sites in breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma were found to correlate well with the level of an activating phosphorylation site in CDK1, t161. Positive correlations (r > 0.6) were present in most paired samples of tumor tissue and normal tissue. In addition, 42% and 40% of all phosphorylation sites in both of these tumor types were found to contain the minimum CDK1 consensus motif Ser/Thr-Pro (S/T-P). This result suggests that many of the sites with this motif are directly phosphorylated by CDK1, while most of the sites that lack this sequence are likely to be phosphorylated by other kinases. In both tumor types, increased phosphorylation of proteins in several signaling pathways, including those for glycolysis and the cell cycle, were found to be associated with phosphorylation of CDK1 t161. To study a possible direct effect of CDK1-dependent phosphorylation on a protein involved in cell cycle progression, we selected Epithelial Cell Transforming 2 (ECT2), which is a Rho family-specific GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) with a role in G2/M. In agreement with the proteomic data, mass spectrometry analysis showed elevated ECT2 phosphorylation on T359, S367, T373, S376 and S861 in the G2/M phase that was sensitive to treatment with a CDK1 inhibitor. Biological experiments confirmed that phosphorylation of these sites enhanced the pro-oncogenic and GEF activity of ECT2. Additional experimental mechanistic analysis is needed to demonstrate whether specific phosphorylations are attributable to direct or indirect effects of CDK1. Citation Format: Dunrui Wang, Xiaolan Qian, Sarah Eng, Lisa Jenkins, Marian Durkin, Douglas Lowy. A high proportion of protein phosphorylation sites identified in CPTAC breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma may result from direct phosphorylation by CDK1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2137.

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor VAV3 participates in ERBB4-mediated cancer cell migration

ERBB4 is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ERBB subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases that regulates cellular processes including proliferation, migration, and survival. ERBB4 signaling is involved in embryogenesis and homeostasis of healthy adult tissues, but also in human pathologies such as cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Here, an MS-based analysis revealed the Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (VAV3), an activator of Rho family GTPases, as a critical ERBB4-interacting protein in breast cancer cells. We confirmed the ERBB4-VAV3 interaction by targeted MS and coimmunoprecipitation experiments and further defined it by demonstrating that kinase activity and Tyr-1022 and Tyr-1162 of ERBB4, as well as the intact phosphotyrosine-interacting SH2 domain of VAV3, are necessary for this interaction. We found that ERBB4 stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the VAV3 activation domain, known to be required for guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity of VAV proteins. In addition to VAV3, the other members of the VAV family, VAV1 and VAV2, also coprecipitated with ERBB4. Analyses of the effects of overexpression of dominant-negative VAV3 constructs or shRNA-mediated down-regulation of VAV3 expression in breast cancer cells indicated that active VAV3 is involved in ERBB4-stimulated cell migration. These results define the VAV GEFs as effectors of ERBB4 activity in a signaling pathway relevant for cancer cell migration.

The molecular basis for immune dysregulation by the hyperactivated E62K mutant of the GTPase RAC2

The RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2) is a member of the RHO subclass of RAS superfamily GTPases required for proper immune function. An activating mutation in a key switch II region of RAC2 (RAC2E62K) involved in recognizing modulatory factors and effectors has been identified in patients with common variable immune deficiency. To better understand how the mutation dysregulates RAC2 function, we evaluated the structure and stability, guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity, and effector binding of RAC2E62K Our findings indicate the E62K mutation does not alter RAC2 structure or stability. However, it does alter GEF specificity, as RAC2E62K is activated by the DOCK GEF, DOCK2, but not by the Dbl homology GEF, TIAM1, both of which activate the parent protein. Our previous data further showed that the E62K mutation impairs GAP activity for RAC2E62K As this disease mutation is also found in RAS GTPases, we assessed GAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis for KRAS and observed a similar impairment, suggesting that the mutation plays a conserved role in GAP activation. We also investigated whether the E62K mutation alters effector binding, as activated RAC2 binds effectors to transmit signaling through effector pathways. We find that RAC2E62K retains binding to an NADPH oxidase (NOX2) subunit, p67phox, and to the RAC-binding domain of p21-activated kinase, consistent with our earlier findings. Taken together, our findings indicate that the RAC2E62K mutation promotes immune dysfunction by promoting RAC2 hyperactivation, altering GEF specificity, and impairing GAP function yet retaining key effector interactions.

A modified method for preparation of fluorescent MantGDP bound CDC42

Small GTPase cycled between the GDP-bound inactive state and GTP-bound active state, catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Guanine nucleotide exchange assay was a direct way to investigate the specificity, activity, and kinetics of GEFs. The N-methylanthraniloyl derivative of GDP (mantGDP), which was bound to small GTPase, served as a substitution for labeled small GTPase involved in bioluminescent, colorimetric, or radioactive methods due to its safety and sensitivity. In this study, we present an economical and efficient approach to prepare qualified mantGDP-bound CDC42, a member of the Rho GTPase family. In our protocol, with a Kd value of 0.048 μM, alkaline phosphatase hydrolysis of CDC42 increased mantGDP binding affinity to CDC42, allowing mant-nucleotide associating onto CDC42 more easily. Only 1.5-fold molar excess of mantGDP was required to prepare mantGDP-bound CDC42 without nonhydrolyzable GTP analog and high performance liquid chromatography. The mantGDP-bound CDC42 was verified to be efficient for measuring the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of VAV2.

Phosphatidic acid-dependent localization and basal de-phosphorylation of RA-GEFs regulate lymphocyte trafficking

BackgroundLymphocytes circulate between peripheral lymphoid tissues via blood and lymphatic systems, and chemokine-induced migration is important in trafficking lymphocytes to distant sites. The small GTPase Rap1 is important in mediating lymphocyte motility, and Rap1-GEFs are involved in chemokine-mediated Rap1 activation. Here, we describe the roles and mechanisms of Rap1-GEFs in lymphocyte trafficking.ResultsIn this study, we show that RA-GEF-1 and 2 (also known as Rapgef2 and 6) are key guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) for Rap1 in lymphocyte trafficking. Mice harboring T cell-specific knockouts of Rapgef2/6 demonstrate defective homing and egress of T cells. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) as well as chemokines activates Rap1 in a RA-GEF-1/2-dependent manner, and their deficiency in T cells impairs Mst1 phosphorylation, cell polarization, and chemotaxis toward S1P gradient. On the other hand, B cell-specific knockouts of Rapgef2/6 impair chemokine-dependent retention of B cells in the bone marrow and passively facilitate egress. Phospholipase D2-dependent production of phosphatidic acid by these chemotactic factors determines spatial distribution of Rap1-GTP subsequent to membrane localization of RA-GEFs and induces the development of front membrane. On the other hand, basal de-phosphorylation of RA-GEFs is necessary for chemotactic factor-dependent increase in GEF activity for Rap1.ConclusionsWe demonstrate here that subcellular distribution and activation of RA-GEFs are key factors for a directional movement of lymphocytes and that phosphatidic acid is critical for membrane translocation of RA-GEFs with chemokine stimulation.

Abstract B12: DOCK1 as a novel target for controlling RAS-driven cancer cell survival and invasion

Abstract Oncogenic RAS contributes to malignant phenotypes of cancer cells by stimulating macropinocytosis-dependent nutrient uptake and promoting invasive migration. Because these cellular activities require remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, which is regulated by the Rho family GTPase Rac, we hypothesized that molecules involved in Rac activation downstream of oncogenic RAS may be valuable targets for cancer therapy. DOCK1 is a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) implicated in malignancy of breast cancers and glioma. We show that genetic inactivation of endogenous DOCK1 in various RAS-transformed cells markedly suppressed their matrix invasion, macropinocytosis, and survival under glutamine-deprived conditions. We developed a selective inhibitor of DOCK1 that binds to the catalytic domain of DOCK1 and blocks its GEF activity. This inhibitor 1-(2-(3′-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-2-oxoethyl)-5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl-2(1H)-pyridone (TBOPP) blocked DOCK1-mediated invasion and macropinocytosis without impairing the immune-regulatory functions of its closely related protein DOCK2. Furthermore, TBOPP treatment suppressed cancer metastasis and growth in vivo in mice. To further assess the role of DOCK1 in RAS-driven cancers, we established the KPC mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma model bearing DOCK1 conditional knockout allele. Our results demonstrate that targeting DOCK1 could be an effective approach to treat RAS-driven cancers. Citation Format: Takehito Uruno, Yoshinori Fukui. DOCK1 as a novel target for controlling RAS-driven cancer cell survival and invasion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers; 2018 Dec 9-12; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(5_Suppl):Abstract nr B12.