Localized RhoA Activation Research Articles

An AMPK phosphoregulated RhoGEF feedback loop tunes cortical flow-driven amoeboid migration in vivo.

Development, morphogenesis, immune system function, and cancer metastasis rely on the ability of cells to move through diverse tissues. To dissect migratory cell behavior in vivo, we developed cell type–specific imaging and perturbation techniques for Drosophila primordial germ cells (PGCs). We find that PGCs use global, retrograde cortical actin flows for orientation and propulsion during guided developmental homing. PGCs use RhoGEF2, a RhoA-specific RGS-RhoGEF, as a dose-dependent regulator of cortical flow through a feedback loop requiring its conserved PDZ and PH domains for membrane anchoring and local RhoA activation. This feedback loop is regulated for directional migration by RhoGEF2 availability and requires AMPK rather than canonical Gα12/13 signaling. AMPK multisite phosphorylation of RhoGEF2 near a conserved EB1 microtubule-binding SxIP motif releases RhoGEF2 from microtubule-dependent inhibition. Thus, we establish the mechanism by which global cortical flow and polarized RhoA activation can be dynamically adapted during natural cell navigation in a changing environment.

Direct observation of branching MT nucleation in living animal cells.

Centrosome-mediated microtubule (MT) nucleation has been well characterized; however, numerous noncentrosomal MT nucleation mechanisms exist. The branching MT nucleation pathway envisages that the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is recruited to MTs by the augmin complex to initiate nucleation of new MTs. While the pathway is well conserved at a molecular and functional level, branching MT nucleation by core constituents has never been directly observed in animal cells. Here, multicolor TIRF microscopy was applied to visualize and quantitatively define the entire process of branching MT nucleation in dividing Drosophila cells during anaphase. The steps of a stereotypical branching nucleation event entailed augmin binding to a mother MT and recruitment of γ-TuRC after 15 s, followed by nucleation 16 s later of a daughter MT at a 36° branch angle. Daughters typically remained attached throughout their ∼40-s lifetime unless the mother depolymerized past the branch point. Assembly of branched MT arrays, which did not require Drosophila TPX2, enhanced localized RhoA activation during cytokinesis.

PLK1 plays dual roles in centralspindlin regulation during cytokinesis.

Cytokinesis begins upon anaphase onset. An early step involves local activation of the small GTPase RhoA, which triggers assembly of an actomyosin-based contractile ring at the equatorial cortex. Here, we delineated the contributions of PLK1 and Aurora B to RhoA activation and cytokinesis initiation in human cells. Knock-down of PRC1, which disrupts the spindle midzone, revealed the existence of two pathways that can initiate cleavage furrow ingression. One pathway depends on a well-organized spindle midzone and PLK1, while the other depends on Aurora B activity and centralspindlin at the equatorial cortex and can operate independently of PLK1. We further show that PLK1 inhibition sequesters centralspindlin onto the spindle midzone, making it unavailable for Aurora B at the equatorial cortex. We propose that PLK1 activity promotes the release of centralspindlin from the spindle midzone through inhibition of PRC1, allowing centralspindlin to function as a regulator of spindle midzone formation and as an activator of RhoA at the equatorial cortex.

ZnUMBA Crosses the Border

Breaks in tight junctions cause transient tissue leaks. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Stephenson etal. (2019) show that local RhoA activation and actomyosin contractions concentrate tight junction proteins at the breach, which repairs the leak.

Peri/epicellular protein disulfide isomerase-A1 acts as an upstream organizer of cytoskeletal mechanoadaptation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Although redox processes closely interplay with mechanoresponses to control vascular remodeling, redox pathways coupling mechanostimulation to cellular cytoskeletal organization remain unclear. The peri/epicellular pool of protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (pecPDIA1) supports postinjury vessel remodeling. Using distinct models, we investigated whether pecPDIA1 could work as a redox-dependent organizer of cytoskeletal mechanoresponses. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), pecPDIA1 immunoneutralization impaired stress fiber assembly in response to equibiaxial stretch and, under uniaxial stretch, significantly perturbed cell repositioning perpendicularly to stretch orientation. During cyclic stretch, pecPDIA1 supported thiol oxidation of the known mechanosensor β1-integrin and promoted polarized compartmentalization of sulfenylated proteins. Using traction force microscopy, we showed that pecPDIA1 organizes intracellular force distribution. The net contractile moment ratio of platelet-derived growth factor-exposed to basal VSMCs decreased from 0.90 ± 0.09 (IgG-exposed controls) to 0.70 ± 0.08 after pecPDI neutralization ( P < 0.05), together with an enhanced coefficient of variation for distribution of force modules, suggesting increased noise. Moreover, in a single cell model, pecPDIA1 neutralization impaired migration persistence without affecting total distance or velocity, whereas siRNA-mediated total PDIA1 silencing disabled all such variables of VSMC migration. Neither expression nor total activity of the master mechanotransmitter/regulator RhoA was affected by pecPDIA1 neutralization. However, cyclic stretch-induced focal distribution of membrane-bound RhoA was disrupted by pecPDI inhibition, which promoted a nonpolarized pattern of RhoA/caveolin-3 cluster colocalization. Accordingly, FRET biosensors showed that pecPDIA1 supports localized RhoA activity at cell protrusions versus perinuclear regions. Thus, pecPDI acts as a thiol redox-dependent organizer and noise reducer mechanism of cytoskeletal repositioning, oxidant generation, and localized RhoA activation during a variety of VSMC mechanoresponses. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Effects of a peri/epicellular pool of protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (pecPDIA1) during mechanoregulation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were highlighted using approaches such as equibiaxial and uniaxial stretch, random single cell migration, and traction force microscopy. pecPDIA1 regulates organization of the cytoskeleton and minimizes the noise of cell alignment, migration directionality, and persistence. pecPDIA1 mechanisms involve redox control of β1-integrin and localized RhoA activation. pecPDIA1 acts as a novel organizer of mechanoadaptation responses in VSMCs.

Peri/epicellular protein disulfide isomerase PDI acts as an organizer of cytoskeletal mechanoadaptation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Mechanobiologycal and redox processes sinergize to regulate physiological or pathological vascular conditions. More specifically, adaptations to cyclic stretch on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) have been shown to be redox‐regulated. However, mechanisms connecting mechanoadaptation to oxidant generation are still unclear. Previously, we reported that protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDI), a redox chaperone from endoplasmic reticulum, is targeted to peri/epicellular (pec) space and supports an anti‐constrictive remodeling effect in balloon‐injured arteries by means of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix architecture organization. We hypothesized that pec PDI acts as a global redox adaptor by connecting oxidant generation with responses to extra‐ or intracellular forces. First, pecPDI inhibition through specific neutralizing antibody (PDI Ab) incubation, prevented stress fiber assembly in response to prolonged exposure to equibiaxial stretch (10–12% at 1 Hz for 24 h). In addition, uniaxial stretch promotes cell repositioning perpendicularly to stretch orientation. Such response was also regulated by pecPDI, as PDI Ab treatment attenuated cell alignment in stretched VSMC at 4h. Through biotinylation experiments followed by western detection, we showed that pecPDI sustains a pro‐oxidant effect on beta1 integrin thiols. To address whether pecPDI organizes intracellular force distribution in such events, we used traction force microscopy, which revealed a significantly decreased net contractile moment in PDGF‐exposed VSMC after pecPDI neutralization (0.70 ±0.08 AU vs control=0.9 ±0.09, p&lt;0.05). Thus, pecPDI involvement in mechanoresponse is not only limited to external forces. The balance between intracellular traction forces and cell adhesion governs cell migration. Indeed, in a model of single VSMC migration, pecPDI impaired migration persistence without affecting total distance or velocity. Since the Rho GTPase RhoA is known to act as a master mechanoregulator, we addressed if downstream pecPDI‐related mechanisms involve RhoA. Neither RhoA expression nor total activity were affected by pecPDI inhibition. However, the polarized distribution of RhoA or caveolin‐3 clusters promoted by cyclic stretch was disrupted by pecPDI inhibition, which promoted a non‐polarized pattern of RhoA/caveolin‐3 cluster colocalization. Moreover, we searched for pecPDI effects on localized RhoA activity using a FRET biosensor. The higher local RhoA activity at cell protrusions compared to perinuclear regions was disrupted by pecPDI neutralization, confirming its regulation of localized RhoA activation. In conclusion, pecPDI acts as a redox organizer able to restrict the noise of cytoskeletal repositioning during mechanoresponses in VSMC. This effect may have several implications, including the role of redox processes and pecPDI on vascular remodeling.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), CEPID‐Redoxoma grant 2013/07937‐8 and scholarship grant 2013/17115‐5This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Optogenetic control of RhoA reveals zyxin-mediated elasticity of stress fibres

Cytoskeletal mechanics regulates cell morphodynamics and many physiological processes. While contractility is known to be largely RhoA-dependent, the process by which localized biochemical signals are translated into cell-level responses is poorly understood. Here we combine optogenetic control of RhoA, live-cell imaging and traction force microscopy to investigate the dynamics of actomyosin-based force generation. Local activation of RhoA not only stimulates local recruitment of actin and myosin but also increased traction forces that rapidly propagate across the cell via stress fibres and drive increased actin flow. Surprisingly, this flow reverses direction when local RhoA activation stops. We identify zyxin as a regulator of stress fibre mechanics, as stress fibres are fluid-like without flow reversal in its absence. Using a physical model, we demonstrate that stress fibres behave elastic-like, even at timescales exceeding turnover of constituent proteins. Such molecular control of actin mechanics likely plays critical roles in regulating morphodynamic events.

Local RhoA activation induces cytokinetic furrows independent of spindle position and cell cycle stage

The GTPase RhoA promotes contractile ring assembly and furrow ingression during cytokinesis. Although many factors that regulate RhoA during cytokinesis have been characterized, the spatiotemporal regulatory logic remains undefined. We have developed an optogenetic probe to gain tight spatial and temporal control of RhoA activity in mammalian cells and demonstrate that cytokinetic furrowing is primarily regulated at the level of RhoA activation. Light-mediated recruitment of a RhoGEF domain to the plasma membrane leads to rapid induction of RhoA activity, leading to assembly of cytokinetic furrows that partially ingress. Furthermore, furrow formation in response to RhoA activation is not temporally or spatially restricted. RhoA activation is sufficient to generate furrows at both the cell equator and cell poles, in both metaphase and anaphase. Remarkably, furrow formation can be initiated in rounded interphase cells, but not adherent cells. These results indicate that RhoA activation is sufficient to induce assembly of functional contractile rings and that cell rounding facilitates furrow formation.

F-actin-rich contractile endothelial pores prevent vascular leakage during leukocyte diapedesis through local RhoA signalling.

During immune surveillance and inflammation, leukocytes exit the vasculature through transient openings in the endothelium without causing plasma leakage. However, the exact mechanisms behind this intriguing phenomenon are still unknown. Here we report that maintenance of endothelial barrier integrity during leukocyte diapedesis requires local endothelial RhoA cycling. Endothelial RhoA depletion in vitro or Rho inhibition in vivo provokes neutrophil-induced vascular leakage that manifests during the physical movement of neutrophils through the endothelial layer. Local RhoA activation initiates the formation of contractile F-actin structures that surround emigrating neutrophils. These structures that surround neutrophil-induced endothelial pores prevent plasma leakage through actomyosin-based pore confinement. Mechanistically, we found that the initiation of RhoA activity involves ICAM-1 and the Rho GEFs Ect2 and LARG. In addition, regulation of actomyosin-based endothelial pore confinement involves ROCK2b, but not ROCK1. Thus, endothelial cells assemble RhoA-controlled contractile F-actin structures around endothelial pores that prevent vascular leakage during leukocyte extravasation.

Plasma membrane restricted RhoGEF activity is sufficient for RhoA-mediated actin polymerization.

The small GTPase RhoA is involved in cell morphology and migration. RhoA activity is tightly regulated in time and space and depends on guanine exchange factors (GEFs). However, the kinetics and subcellular localization of GEF activity towards RhoA are poorly defined. To study the mechanism underlying the spatiotemporal control of RhoA activity by GEFs, we performed single cell imaging with an improved FRET sensor reporting on the nucleotide loading state of RhoA. By employing the FRET sensor we show that a plasma membrane located RhoGEF, p63RhoGEF, can rapidly activate RhoA through endogenous GPCRs and that localized RhoA activity at the cell periphery correlates with actin polymerization. Moreover, synthetic recruitment of the catalytic domain derived from p63RhoGEF to the plasma membrane, but not to the Golgi apparatus, is sufficient to activate RhoA. The synthetic system enables local activation of endogenous RhoA and effectively induces actin polymerization and changes in cellular morphology. Together, our data demonstrate that GEF activity at the plasma membrane is sufficient for actin polymerization via local RhoA signaling.

A phosphorylation switch controls the spatiotemporal activation of Rho GTPases in directional cell migration.

Although cell migration plays a central role in development and disease, the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here we report that a phosphorylation-mediated molecular switch comprising deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1), tensin-3 (TNS3), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) controls the spatiotemporal activation of the small GTPases, Rac1 and RhoA, thereby initiating directional cell migration induced by growth factors. On epidermal growth factor (EGF) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation, TNS3 and PTEN are phosphorylated at specific Thr residues, which trigger the rearrangement of the TNS3–DLC1 and PTEN–PI3K complexes into the TNS3–PI3K and PTEN–DLC1 complexes. Subsequently, the TNS3–PI3K complex translocates to the leading edge of a migrating cell to promote Rac1 activation, whereas PTEN–DLC1 translocates to the posterior for localized RhoA activation. Our work identifies a core signalling mechanism by which an external motility stimulus is coupled to the spatiotemporal activation of Rac1 and RhoA to drive directional cell migration.

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P)‐induced activation of RhoA and enhancement of endothelial barrier integrity

While S1P is thought to protect endothelial barrier by activating Rac1, the role of RhoA is less clear, as previous studies indicate that RhoA can promote either increased or decreased endothelial permeability. We hypothesized that S1P activates RhoA at the cell periphery to enhance endothelial barrier function. We used human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers to model the endothelial barrier. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) served as an index of barrier function. HUVEC expressing wild-type RhoA FLARE.sc FRET biosensor were used to study local RhoA activation by time-lapse confocal microscopy. S1P-mediated changes in RhoA-GTP over time were also determined by ELISA. We tested the involvement of the RhoA downstream effector mDia using a FH2 effector domain inhibitor, SMIFH2. We discovered that S1P (2 µM) activates RhoA in two locations: at the periphery and perinuclear regions. Pre-treatment of RhoA inhibitors (Rhosin, Y16 or combined) attenuated S1P-mediated endothelial barrier enhancement. ELISA studies confirmed this RhoA activation, which was approximately 4-fold for up to 10 min. Interestingly, blockade of mDia with SMIFH2 (5 µM) failed to abolish S1P-mediated maximum increase in TER. Our data suggests that localized RhoA activation mediates S1P-mediated endothelial barrier enhancement, and the downstream mechanism does not appear to involve mDia. Considering that agents that disrupt the endothelial barrier have been shown to activate RhoA in central areas of the cell, we think the local activation of RhoA at the cell periphery is a key event that promotes local adhesion strength and junctional integrity. Supported by NIH R01HL098215.

Leptin Activates RhoA/ROCK Pathway to Induce Cytoskeleton Remodeling in Nucleus Pulposus Cells

Hyperleptinemia is implicated in obesity-associated lumbar disc degeneration. Nevertheless, the effect of leptin on the intracellular signaling of nucleus pulposus cells is not clear. The current study sought to delineate the possible involvement of the RhoA/ROCK pathway in leptin-mediated cytoskeleton reorganization in nucleus pulposus cells. Nucleus pulposus cells isolated from scoliosis patients were treated with 10 ng/mL of leptin. Fluorescent resonance energy transfer analysis was used to determine the activation of RhoA signaling in nucleus pulposus cells. The protein expression of LIMK1 and cofilin-2 were analyzed by western blot analysis. F-actin cytoskeletal reorganization was assessed by rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin immunoprecipitation. Leptin induced F-actin reorganization and stress fiber formation in nucleus pulposus cells, accompanied by localized RhoA activation and phosphorylation of LIMK1 and cofilin. The RhoA inhibitor C3 exoenzyme or the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 potently attenuated the effects of leptin on F-actin reorganization and stress fiber formation. Both inhibitors also prevented leptin-induced phosphorylation of LIMK1 and cofilin-2. Our study demonstrated that leptin activated the RhoA/ROCK/LIMK/cofilin-2 cascade to induce cytoskeleton reorganization in nucleus pulposus cells. These findings may provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanism of obesity-associated lumbar disc degeneration.

Quantitative Subcellular Control of Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA GTPases using the Cry2/CIBN Optogenetic Dimerizer

Cell polarization is established and maintained through complex mechanisms involving signaling networks regulated in space and time at the sub-cellular level. How a cell coordinates multiple local signaling modules to create a global polarization is still unclear. Recently developed optogenetic methods have been recognized as promising tools to dissect these intracellular signaling networks by allowing perturbations to be spatially and temporally controlled. First, we characterized the biophysical properties of the Cry2/CIBN light gated dimerization system in order to establish the quantitative relationship between patterns of light stimulation and corresponding gradients of induced signaling activity. We analyzed the processes involved in the recruitment and localization of Cry2 including the 3D cytoplasmic diffusion of Cry2, the 2D diffusion of Cry2/CIBN complexes at the cell membrane and the disassociation kinetics of this complex. From these experiments we determined that it is possible to induce subcellular gradients of recruited proteins of any chosen profile up to a spatial resolution of 5µm and a temporal one of ca. 3 minutes. Second, we applied our quantitative optogenetic method to the regulation of Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA, the three canonical RhoGPTases involved in cell polarity and migration. We quantified the effect of the local activation of Cdc42 using cell displacement and cell shape changes as reporters of cell polarization and migration. We qualitatively characterized the effects of local activation of RhoA and Rac1 on different cellular effectors including actin filaments and focal adhesion complexes. Altogether, our quantitative optogenetic method provides a new step for the optogenetic dissection of subcellular signaling networks by allowing the simultaneous measurement of the perturbation and the cell response in a straightforward and reproducible way.

Changes in Ect2 Localization Couple Actomyosin-Dependent Cell Shape Changes to Mitotic Progression

SummaryAs they enter mitosis, animal cells undergo profound actin-dependent changes in shape to become round. Here we identify the Cdk1 substrate, Ect2, as a central regulator of mitotic rounding, thus uncovering a link between the cell-cycle machinery that drives mitotic entry and its accompanying actin remodeling. Ect2 is a RhoGEF that plays a well-established role in formation of the actomyosin contractile ring at mitotic exit, through the local activation of RhoA. We find that Ect2 first becomes active in prophase, when it is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, activating RhoA to induce the formation of a mechanically stiff and rounded metaphase cortex. Then, at anaphase, binding to RacGAP1 at the spindle midzone repositions Ect2 to induce local actomyosin ring formation. Ect2 localization therefore defines the stage-specific changes in actin cortex organization critical for accurate cell division.

Mechanistic Insight into the Microtubule and Actin Cytoskeleton Coupling through Dynein-Dependent RhoGEF Inhibition

Actin-based stress fiber formation is coupled to microtubule depolymerization through the local activation of RhoA. While the RhoGEF Lfc has been implicated in this cytoskeleton coupling process, it has remained elusive how Lfc is recruited to microtubules and how microtubule recruitment moderates Lfc activity. Here, we demonstrate that the dynein light chain protein Tctex-1 is required for localization of Lfc to microtubules. Lfc residues 139-161 interact with Tctex-1 at a site distinct from the cleft that binds dynein intermediate chain. An NMR-based GEF assay revealed that interaction with Tctex-1 represses Lfc nucleotide exchange activity in an indirect manner that requires both polymerized microtubules and phosphorylation of S885 by PKA. We show that inhibition of Lfc by Tctex-1 is dynein dependent. These studies demonstrate a pivotal role of Tctex-1 as a negative regulator of actin filament organization through its control of Lfc in the crosstalk between microtubule and actin cytoskeletons.

Targeting of the RhoGEF Ect2 to the Equatorial Membrane Controls Cleavage Furrow Formation during Cytokinesis

In animal cells, formation of the cytokinetic furrow requires activation of the GTPase RhoA by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Ect2. How Ect2, which is associated with the spindle midzone, controls RhoA activity at the equatorial cortex during anaphase is not understood. Here, we show that Ect2 concentrates at the equatorial membrane during cytokinesis in live cells. Ect2 membrane association requires a pleckstrin homology domain and a polybasic cluster that bind to phosphoinositide lipids. Both guanine nucleotide exchange function and membrane targeting of Ect2 are essential for RhoA activation and cleavage furrow formation in human cells. Membrane localization of Ect2 is spatially confined to the equator by centralspindlin, Ect2's spindle midzone anchor complex, and is temporally coordinated with chromosome segregation through the activation state of CDK1. We propose that targeting of Ect2 to the equatorial membrane represents a key step in the delivery of the cytokinetic signal to the cortex.

Effect of Initial Orientation of Vascular Endothelial Cells on Activation of RhoGTPases Induced by Fluid Shear Stress

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to fluid shear stress (FSS) become elongated and aligned to the direction of flow. However, the process of morphological change in individual cells is different depending of their initial shape. Rac1 and RhoA, members of the family of Rho GTPases, play important roles in cellular morphological changes but are thought to be activated differently in the process. Here, we measured changes in Rac1 and RhoA activities with a focus on the effect of cell orientation when exposed to FSS. In ECs initially oriented parallel to the direction of flow, RhoA and Rac1 were activated primarily in the upstream and the downstream regions of cells, respectively, accompanied by the formation of lamellipodia in the direction of flow. On the other hand, in cells oriented perpendicular to the direction of flow, FSS caused RhoA activation in the upstream region but did not change Rac1 activity. Furthermore, treatment with cytochalasin D inhibited the localization of Rac1 activation and suppressed RhoA activation by FSS. These results indicate that cell orientation affects the local activation of Rac1 and RhoA when induced by forces transmitted through the actin cytoskeleton under a FSS condition.

Targeting of p0071 to the midbody depends on KIF3

P0071 (plakophilin-4) is a member of the p120ctn subfamily of armadillo proteins that are essential for cell contact formation. Additionally, p0071 plays a role in cytokinesis, in which it regulates local activation of RhoA together with Ect2. Because spatiotemporal regulation is required for progression through cytokinesis, we analyzed when and how p0071 is targeted to the midbody to induce RhoA activation. We show that Ect2 precedes p0071 accumulation at the midbody and that targeting is mediated by different motor proteins. p0071 interacted with the kinesin-II family member KIF3b, and knockdown of KIF3b interfered with p0071 midbody recruitment whereas Ect2 or RhoA localization was not affected in these cells. Moreover, knockdown of KIF3b induced a similar phenotype as the p0071 knockdown, with reduced actin and phospho-myosin-light-chain accumulation at the midbody and decreased levels of active RhoA during cytokinesis. The lack of RhoA activation in KIF3b-deficient cells was not rescued by overexpression of wild-type p0071 but was substantially ameliorated by a p0071-MKLP1-motor-domain fusion protein that was targeted to the furrow independently of KIF3. These data indicate that p0071 and Ect2 are transported via distinct motors and identify a novel pathway implicating KIF3 in the regulation of actin organization during cytokinesis.

GEF-H1 Modulates Localized RhoA Activation during Cytokinesis under the Control of Mitotic Kinases

Formation of the mitotic cleavage furrow is dependent upon both microtubules and activity of the small GTPase RhoA. GEF-H1 is a microtubule-regulated exchange factor that couples microtubule dynamics to RhoA activation. GEF-H1 localized to the mitotic apparatus in HeLa cells, particularly at the tips of cortical microtubules and the midbody, and perturbation of GEF-H1 function induced mitotic aberrations, including asymmetric furrowing, membrane blebbing, and impaired cytokinesis. The mitotic kinases Aurora A/B and Cdk1/Cyclin B phosphorylate GEF-H1, thereby inhibiting GEF-H1 catalytic activity. Dephosphorylation of GEF-H1 occurs just prior to cytokinesis, accompanied by GEF-H1-dependent GTP loading on RhoA. Using a live cell biosensor, we demonstrate distinct roles for GEF-H1 and Ect2 in regulating Rho activity in the cleavage furrow, with GEF-H1 catalyzing Rho activation in response to Ect2-dependent localization and initiation of cell cleavage. Our results identify a GEF-H1-dependent mechanism to modulate localized RhoA activation during cytokinesis under the control of mitotic kinases.