Stimulate Nucleotide Exchange Research Articles

Mechanism of GTPase activation of a prokaryotic small Ras-like GTPase MglA by an asymmetrically interacting MglB dimer

Cell polarity oscillations in Myxococcus xanthus motility are driven by a prokaryotic small Ras-like GTPase, MglA, which switches from one cell pole to the other in response to extracellular signals. MglA dynamics is regulated by MglB, which functions both as a GAP (GTPase activating protein) and a GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) for MglA. With an aim to dissect the asymmetric role of the two MglB protomers in the dual GAP and GEF activities, we generated a functional MglAB complex by co-expressing MglB with a linked construct of MglA and MglB. This strategy enabled us to generate mutations of individual MglB protomers (MglB1 or MglB2 linked to MglA) and delineate their role in GEF and GAP activities. We establish that the C-terminal helix of MglB1, but not MglB2, stimulates nucleotide exchange through a site away from the nucleotide-binding pocket, confirming an allosteric mechanism. Interaction between the N-terminal β-strand of MglB1 and β0 of MglA is essential for the optimal GEF activity of MglB. Specific residues of MglB2, which interact with Switch-I of MglA, partially contribute to its GAP activity. Thus, the role of the MglB2 protomer in the GAP activity of MglB is limited to restricting the conformation of MglA active site loops. The direct demonstration of the allosteric mechanism of GEF action provides us new insights into the regulation of small Ras-like GTPases, a feature potentially present in many uncharacterized GEFs.

Structures of RGL1 RAS-Association Domain in Complex with KRAS and the Oncogenic G12V Mutant

Ral Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Stimulator Like 1 (RGL1) is a RAS effector protein that activates Ral GTPase by stimulating nucleotide exchange. Most structures of RAS-effector complexes are for the HRAS isoform; relatively few KRAS-effector structures have been solved, even though KRAS mutations are more frequent in human cancers. We determined crystal structures of KRAS/RGL1-RAS-association (RA) domain complexes and characterized the interaction in solution using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography combined with multi-angle light scattering and biolayer interferometry. We report structures of wild-type KRAS and the oncogenic G12V mutant in complex with the RA domain of RGL1 at < 2 Å resolution. KRASWT/RGL1-RA crystallized as a 1:1 heterodimer, whilst KRASG12V/RGL1-RA crystallized as a heterotetrameric structure in which RGL1-RA dimerized via domain-swapping the C-terminal beta-strand. Solution data indicated that KRASWT and KRASG12V in complex with RGL1-RA both exist predominantly as 1:1 dimers, while tetramerization occurs through very slow association. Through detailed structural analyses, the distance and angle between RAS α1 helix and RBD/RA α1 helix were found to differ significantly among RAS and RBD/RA complexes. The KRAS/RGL1-RA structures possess some of the largest α1RAS/α1Effector distances (21.7–22.2 Å), whereas the corresponding distances in previously reported RAS/RAF complexes are significantly shorter (15.2–17.7 Å). Contact map analysis identified unique structural signatures involving contacts between the β1-β2 loop of RA and the α1 helix of RAS, clearly distinguishing the KRAS/RGL1-RA (and other RAS/RA complexes) from RAS/RBD complexes. These results demonstrate that RAS effectors employ an assortment of finely-tuned docking surfaces to achieve optimal interactions with RAS.

Explorations of the Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor 1 (Apaf‐1) in its Formation of the Seven‐Spoked Apoptosome Responsible for Programmed Cell Death

Multicellular life forms first appeared in the fossil record in a burst of evolution termed during the Cambrian period. With multicellularity came the development and specialization of cells, alongside their coordination in the formation of tissues and organs. An adult human, composed of 30–40 trillion cells, progresses through repeated choreographed rounds of growth and cell division from its microscopic begins as a single celled zygote. Some have argued that this is the most critical stage of one’s life. Equally important for development, relatively overlooked, is the intrinsic process of cell death. For example, the webbing between our fingers and toes disappears around week six of gestation. This macroscopic observation during fetal development is the result of a complex series of molecular events initiated by the apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf‐1) as it forms the holo‐enzyme the apoptosome. The Blue Valley CAPS 2020 SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic), with support from the CBM at MSOE, modeled the Apaf‐1 using JMol and 3D printing technologies in order to better understand how this molecular machine carries out programmed cell death. Structurally, Apaf‐1 is composed of 1249 amino acid residues that form a C‐terminal regulatory domain, a nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain (NOD), and an N‐terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD). The regulatory domain is composed of two WD40 b‐propellers that are responsible for binding cytochrome c, which itself is released from the inner membrane of the mitochrondria under conditions of stress. Cytochrome c bonding causes a disruption in a salt bridge between Lys192 and Asp616 leading to changes in the orientation of the propellers. The nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain is composed of a number of helical subdomains. Conformational changes in the regulatory domain stimulates nucleotide exchange, where an ADP molecule bond in Apaf‐1’s inactive and closed monomeric state is exchanged for an ATP molecule leading to a more open monomeric state and the subsequent formation of the heptameric apoptosome. The Arg265 trigger which stabilizes an aspartate triad in the inactive monomeric state becomes compromised after ATP binding leading to conformational changes that open up Apaf‐1. Once the polymeric apoptosome forms, the CARD binds and activates procaspase‐9, which itself cleaves loops in procaspases 3 and 7 which become active and responsible of the apoptosomes proteolytic function. Proteolysis ultimately leads to cell death.

Activation of Rho Family GTPases by Small Molecules.

Ras and Ras-related small GTPases are key regulators of diverse cellular functions that impact cell growth, survival, motility, morphogenesis, and differentiation. They are important targets for studies of disease mechanisms as well as drug discovery. Here, we report the characterization of small molecule agonists of one or more of six Rho, Rab, and Ras family GTPases that were first identified through flow cytometry-based, multiplexed high-throughput screening of 200000 compounds. The activators were categorized into three distinct chemical families that are represented by three lead compounds having the highest activity. Virtual screening predicted additional compounds with potential GTPase activating properties. Secondary dose–response assays performed on compounds identified through these screens confirmed agonist activity of 43 compounds. While the lead and second most active small molecules acted as pan activators of multiple GTPase subfamilies, others showed partial selectivity for Ras and Rab proteins. The compounds did not stimulate nucleotide exchange by guanine nucleotide exchange factors and did not protect against GAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. The activating properties were caused by a reversible stabilization of the GTP-bound state and prolonged effector protein interactions. Notably, these compounds were active both in vitro and in cell-based assays, and small molecule-mediated changes in Rho GTPase activities were directly coupled to measurable changes in cytoskeletal rearrangements that dictate cell morphology.

Abstract IA20: Targeting hyperactive Ras signaling in acute leukemia

Abstract Ras proteins are molecular switches that cycle between active guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and inactive guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound conformations (Ras-GTP and Ras-GDP). Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GNEFs) stimulate nucleotide exchange on Ras, resulting in increased Ras-GTP levels. Upon GTP binding, the switch I and switch II domains of Ras undergo a conformational change that allows them to interact productively with downstream effectors including Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Ral-GDS to activate kinase signaling cascades that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Mutational, biochemical, and cell biologic studies of human cancers and experiments in mouse models strongly implicate deregulated signaling through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Raf/MEK/ERK cascades in cancer initiation and maintenance. Ras-GTP is hydrolyzed to Ras-GDP through an intrinsic GTPase activity. This slow “off” reaction is greatly augmented by GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Thus, the competing activities of GNEFs and GAPs regulate Ras-GTP levels in vivo. Neurofibromin, the protein encoded by NF1, and p120 GAP are the predominant Ras GAPs in mammalian cells. Codons 12, 13, and 61 of RAS genes are the most common targets of dominant mutations in human cancer, with NRAS codon 12 mutations predominating in AML. Substitutions in these residues result in constitutively elevated levels of Ras-GTP due to reduced intrinsic GTP hydrolysis and resistance to GAPs. RAS and NF1 mutations occur in pediatric patients with a spectrum of hematologic malignancies including juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Because oncogenic Ras proteins are exceedingly challenging biochemical targets, most recent drug discovery efforts have focused on inhibiting downstream signaling molecules such as Raf, MEK, and Akt with many compounds. We have engineered and exploited strains of mice that recapitulate endogenous expression of cancer-associated RAS alleles or NF1 inactivation to model human acute leukemias and to conduct biologic and preclinical studies. In particular, we have deployed the MOL4070LTR retrovirus as an insertional mutagen to generate genetically heterogeneous transplantable acute leuekmias characterized by hyperactive Ras signaling. This system provides a novel in vivo forward genetic strategy for introducing cooperating mutations and for generating clonal heterogeneity. Leukemia cells can be manipulated ex vivo and transplanted into congenic recipients. This experimental flexibility provides an opportunity to establish cohorts of mice that are engrafted with the same primary cancers for conducting preclinical testing and for investigating mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. I will discuss biologic and preclinical therapeutic studies in which we treated primary Nras, Kras, and Nf1 mutant AMLs characterized by hyperactive Ras signaling with targeted agents in vivo, isolated drug resistant clones at relapse, and compared drug sensitive and resistant clones to discover genes that modulate resistance. This latter strategy represents a potent and unbiased strategy to address mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibitors, which has emerged as a major clinical problem in cancer therapeutics, and for investigating therapeutic strategies that might be effective in human cancers in which oncogenic RAS is a driver mutation. Our results in these robust AML models support testing drug combinations that include Raf/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitors and other targeted and conventional agents. Citation Format: Kevin M. Shannon. Targeting hyperactive Ras signaling in acute leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research: From Mechanisms and Models to Treatment and Survivorship; 2015 Nov 9-12; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA20.

The Cellular Apoptosis Susceptibility Protein (CAS) Promotes Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-induced Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation

A signature event during the cell intrinsic apoptotic pathway is mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, leading to formation of the apoptosome, a caspase activation complex. The cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein (CAS) can facilitate apoptosome assembly by stimulating nucleotide exchange on Apaf-1 following binding of cytochrome c. We report here that CAS expression itself is up-regulated during tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, and knockdown of CAS renders cells resistant to TRAIL. We find that TRAIL induces up-regulation of CAS in a posttranscriptional, caspase-8-dependent manner through degradation of cIAP1, an E3 ligase that targets CAS for ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. We identified a novel signaling pathway whereby caspase-8 engages a feedforward cascade that leads to CAS up-regulation and amplifies the apoptotic signal. Furthermore, in silico analysis revealed that expression of CAS is up-regulated at both the mRNA and DNA levels in human breast tumors, consistent with its role in promoting cell proliferation. Overexpression of various oncogenes led to CAS up-regulation in non-transformed cells. Intriguingly, oncogene-induced CAS up-regulation also resulted in greater susceptibility to TRAIL-induced cell death, consistent with its proapoptotic function. These findings suggest that CAS plays contrasting roles in proliferation and apoptosis and that overexpression of CAS in tumors could serve as a potential biomarker to guide therapeutic choices.

G-protein βγ subunits are positive regulators of Kv7.4 and native vascular Kv7 channel activity

Kv7.4 channels are a crucial determinant of arterial diameter both at rest and in response to endogenous vasodilators. However, nothing is known about the factors that ensure effective activity of these channels. We report that G-protein βγ subunits increase the amplitude and activation rate of whole-cell voltage-dependent K(+) currents sensitive to the Kv7 blocker linopirdine in HEK cells heterologously expressing Kv7.4, and in rat renal artery myocytes. In excised patch recordings, Gβγ subunits (2-250 ng /mL) enhanced the open probability of Kv7.4 channels without changing unitary conductance. Kv7 channel activity was also augmented by stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Gallein, an inhibitor of Gβγ subunits, prevented these stimulatory effects. Moreover, gallein and two other structurally different Gβγ subunit inhibitors (GRK2i and a β-subunit antibody) abolished Kv7 channel currents in the absence of either Gβγ subunit enrichment or G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation. Proximity ligation assay revealed that Kv7.4 and Gβγ subunits colocalized in HEK cells and renal artery smooth muscle cells. Gallein disrupted this colocalization, contracted whole renal arteries to a similar degree as the Kv7 inhibitor linopirdine, and impaired isoproterenol-induced relaxations. Furthermore, mSIRK, which disassociates Gβγ subunits from α subunits without stimulating nucleotide exchange, relaxed precontracted arteries in a linopirdine-sensitive manner. These results reveal that Gβγ subunits are fundamental for Kv7.4 activation and crucial for vascular Kv7 channel activity, which has major consequences for the regulation of arterial tone.

Structure and Mechanism of Mouse Cyclase-associated Protein (CAP1) in Regulating Actin Dynamics

Srv2/CAP is a conserved actin-binding protein with important roles in driving cellular actin dynamics in diverse animal, fungal, and plant species. However, there have been conflicting reports about whether the activities of Srv2/CAP are conserved, particularly between yeast and mammalian homologs. Yeast Srv2 has two distinct functions in actin turnover: its hexameric N-terminal-half enhances cofilin-mediated severing of filaments, while its C-terminal-half catalyzes dissociation of cofilin from ADP-actin monomers and stimulates nucleotide exchange. Here, we dissected the structure and function of mouse CAP1 to better understand its mechanistic relationship to yeast Srv2. Although CAP1 has a shorter N-terminal oligomerization sequence compared with Srv2, we find that the N-terminal-half of CAP1 (N-CAP1) forms hexameric structures with six protrusions, similar to N-Srv2. Further, N-CAP1 autonomously binds to F-actin and decorates the sides and ends of filaments, altering F-actin structure and enhancing cofilin-mediated severing. These activities depend on conserved surface residues on the helical-folded domain. Moreover, N-CAP1 enhances yeast cofilin-mediated severing, and conversely, yeast N-Srv2 enhances human cofilin-mediated severing, highlighting the mechanistic conservation between yeast and mammals. Further, we demonstrate that the C-terminal actin-binding β-sheet domain of CAP1 is sufficient to catalyze nucleotide-exchange of ADP-actin monomers, while in the presence of cofilin this activity additionally requires the WH2 domain. Thus, the structures, activities, and mechanisms of mouse and yeast Srv2/CAP homologs are remarkably well conserved, suggesting that the same activities and mechanisms underlie many of the diverse actin-based functions ascribed to Srv2/CAP homologs in different organisms.

Reply to Tall et al.: Dictyostelium Ric8 does not have a chaperoning function during development and chemotaxis

In our recent paper, we conclude that Dictyostelium Ric8 is as a nonreceptor guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the Gα protein important for amplification of G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling (1). In their letter, Tall et al. dispute this conclusion and suggest that a function of Dictyostelium Ric8 in folding of the Gα protein might better explain the phenotype than its function as GEF (2). However, we show that WT and ric8-null cells have similar steady-state expression levels of Gα. To test the functionality of the Gα2 protein, we analyzed the interaction between Gα2 and the cAR1 receptor. In vitro, this was measured as the inhibition of cAMP binding induced by full activation of Gα2 with nonhydrolysable GTPγS. The reduction in cAMP binding in ric8 null is similar to that in WT, indicating that a similar amount of Gα is functionally coupled to the receptor. Second, dissociation of Gα2βγ was monitored in vivo by measuring the cAMP-induced FRET change between the FRET pair Gα2-Cerulean and Gβ-Venus. The FRET signal before stimulation is similar in ric8-null cells compared with WT cells, indicating the presence of similar amounts of Gα2βγ complex. Furthermore, we show that Ric8 is not essential for the initial dissociation of heterotrimeric G proteins and subsequent activation of Ras by uniform chemoattractant. Consistent with its function as GEF, recombinant Ric8 stimulates nucleotide exchange of Gα2 in vitro, and the in vivo FRET assays showed that prolonged dissociation of Gα2βγ on uniform cAMP stimulation requires Ric8. Together, we conclude in the paper that these results provide no evidence that Ric8 could play a role as chaperone for Gα2 folding but clearly show that Ric8 functions as a GEF and amplifier of Gα2 signaling.

Mitotic Exit Control: A Space and Time Odyssey

The mitotic exit network (MEN), a protein kinase cascade under the switch-like control of the small GTPase Tem1, triggers exit from mitosis in budding yeast. Now it emerges that signals from both Tem1 and the yeast Polo kinase Cdc5 converge onto the MEN kinase Cdc15 to accurately restrict MEN activation to late mitosis.

Purification of Actin from Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Characterization of Functional Differences from Muscle Actin

Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is an important genetic model organism for studying the mechanisms of endocytosis and cytokinesis. However, most work on the biochemical properties of fission yeast actin-binding proteins has been done with skeletal muscle actin for matters of convenience. When simulations of mathematical models of the mechanism of endocytosis were compared with events in live cells, some of the reactions appeared to be much faster than observed in biochemical experiments with muscle actin. Here, we used gelsolin affinity chromatography to purify actin from fission yeast. S. pombe actin shares many properties with skeletal muscle actin but has higher intrinsic nucleotide exchange rate, faster trimer nucleus formation, faster phosphate dissociation rate from polymerized actin, and faster nucleation of actin filaments with Arp2/3 complex. These properties close the gap between the biochemistry and predictions made by mathematical models of endocytosis in S. pombe cells.

Mechanism of Epac Activation:Structural and Functional Analyses of Epac2 Hinge Mutants

Epac2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor which directly activated by cAMP. According to the model of Epac activation, a localized “hinge” motion is a major change in the Epac structure upon cAMP binding. In this study, we test the functional importance of hinge bending for Epac activation by targeted mutagenesis. We show that substitution of the conserved residue phenylalanine 435 by glycine facilitates the hinge bending. As a result, Epac2‐F435G mutant is constitutively active and stimulates nucleotide exchange in the absence of cAMP. In contrast, substitution of the same residue with a bulkier side chain, tryptophan, impedes the hinge motion and results in a dramatic decrease in Epac2 catalytic activity. Structural parameters for wild type Epac and two of its mutants determined by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) further confirms the importance of hinge motion in Epac activation. Our study also suggests that the side‐chain size of the amino acid at the position 435 is a key to Epac functioning. It seems that phenylalanine at this position has the optimal size to prevent “hinge” bending and keep Epac closed and inactive in the absence of cAMP while still allowing the proper hinge motion for full Epac activation in the presence of cAMP.

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.

Lte1 contributes to Bfa1 localization rather than stimulating nucleotide exchange by Tem1

Lte1 is a mitotic regulator long envisaged as a guanosine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Tem1, the small guanosine triphosphatase governing activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitotic exit network. We demonstrate that this model requires reevaluation. No GEF activity was detectable in vitro, and mutational analysis of Lte1's putative GEF domain indicated that Lte1 activity relies on interaction with Ras for localization at the bud cortex rather than providing nucleotide exchange. Instead, we found that Lte1 can determine the subcellular localization of Bfa1 at spindle pole bodies (SPBs). Under conditions in which Lte1 is essential, Lte1 promoted the loss of Bfa1 from the maternal SPB. Moreover, in cells with a misaligned spindle, mislocalization of Lte1 in the mother cell promoted loss of Bfa1 from one SPB and allowed bypass of the spindle position checkpoint. We observed that lte1 mutants display aberrant localization of the polarity cap, which is the organizer of the actin cytoskeleton. We propose that Lte1's role in cell polarization underlies its contribution to mitotic regulation.

Mechanism of Epac Activation: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSES OF Epac2 HINGE MUTANTS WITH CONSTITUTIVE AND REDUCED ACTIVITIES

Epac2 is a member of the family of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac). Our previous studies suggest a model of Epac activation in which cAMP binding to the enzyme induces a localized "hinge" motion that reorients the regulatory lobe relative to the catalytic lobe without inducing large conformational changes within individual lobes. In this study, we identified the location of the major hinge in Epac2 by normal mode motion correlation and structural alignment analyses. Targeted mutagenesis was then performed to test the functional importance of hinge bending for Epac activation. We show that substitution of the conserved residue phenylalanine 435 with glycine (F435G) facilitates the hinge bending and leads to a constitutively active Epac2 capable of stimulating nucleotide exchange in the absence of cAMP. In contrast, substitution of the same residue with a bulkier side chain, tryptophan (F435W), impedes the hinge motion and results in a dramatic decrease in Epac2 catalytic activity. Structural parameters determined by small angle x-ray scattering further reveal that whereas the F435G mutant assumes a more extended conformation in the absence of cAMP, the F435W mutant is incapable of adopting the fully extended and active conformation in the presence of cAMP. These findings demonstrate the importance of hinge motion in Epac activation. Our study also suggests that phenylalanine at position 435 is the optimal size side chain to keep Epac closed and inactive in the absence of cAMP while still allowing the proper hinge motion for full Epac extension and activation in the presence of cAMP.

Functional reconstitution of the human chemokine receptor CXCR4 with Gi/Go-proteins in Sf9 insect cells

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) binds to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 that couples to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins of the G(i)/G(o)-family. CXCR4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, human immunodeficiency virus infection and various tumors, fetal development as well as endothelial progenitor and T-cell recruitment. To this end, most CXCR4 studies have focused on the cellular level. The aim of this study was to establish a reconstitution system for the human CXCR4 that allows for the analysis of receptor/G-protein coupling at the membrane level. We wished to study specifically constitutive CXCR4 activity and the G-protein-specificity of CXCR4. We co-expressed N- and C-terminally epitope-tagged human CXCR4 with various G(i)/G(o)-proteins and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-proteins in Sf9 insect cells. Expression of CXCR4, G-proteins, and RGS-proteins was verified by immunoblotting. CXCR4 coupled more effectively to Galpha(i1) and Galpha(i2) than to Galpha(i3) and Galpha(o) and insect cell G-proteins as assessed by SDF-1alpha-stimulated high-affinity steady-state GTP hydrolysis. The RGS-proteins RGS4 and GAIP enhanced SDF-1alpha-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. SDF-1alpha stimulated [(35)S]guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTPgammaS) binding to Galpha(i2). RGS4 did not enhance GTPgammaS binding. Na(+) salts of halides did not reduce basal GTPase activity. The bicyclam, 1-[[1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradec-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]methyl]-1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane (AMD3100), acted as CXCR4 antagonist but was devoid of inverse agonistic activity. Halides reduced the maximum SDF-1alpha-stimulated GTP hydrolysis in the order of efficacy I(-) > Br(-) > Cl(-). In addition, salts reduced the potency of SDF-1alpha at activating GTP hydrolysis. From our data, we conclude the following: (1) Sf9 cells are a suitable system for expression of functionally intact human CXCR4; (2) Human CXCR4 couples effectively to Galpha(i1) and Galpha(i2); (3) There is no evidence for constitutive activity of CXCR4; (4) RGS-proteins enhance agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis, showing that GTP hydrolysis becomes rate-limiting in the presence of SDF-1alpha; (5) By analogy to previous observations made for the beta(2)-adrenoceptor coupled to G(s), the inhibitory effects of halides on agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis may be due to increased GDP-affinity of G(i)-proteins, reducing the efficacy of CXCR4 at stimulating nucleotide exchange.

Identification of a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Arf3, the Yeast Orthologue of Mammalian Arf6

Small G proteins of the Arf and Rab families are fundamental to the organisation and activity of intracellular membranes. One of the most well characterised of these G proteins is mammalian Arf6, a protein that participates in many cellular processes including endocytosis, actin remodelling and cell adhesion. Exchange of GDP for GTP on Arf6 is performed by a variety of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), principally of the cytohesin (PSCD) and EFA6 (PSD) families. In this paper we describe the characterisation of a GEF for the yeast orthologue of Arf6, Arf3, which we have named Yel1 (yeast EFA6-like-1) using yeast genetics, fluorescence microscopy and in vitro nucleotide exchange assays. Yel1 appears structurally related to the EFA6 family of GEFs, having an N-terminal Sec7 domain and C-terminal PH and coiled-coil domains. We find that Yel1 is constitutively targeted to regions of polarised growth in yeast, where it co-localises with Arf3. Moreover the Sec7 domain of Yel1 is required for its membrane targeting and for that of Arf3. Finally we show that the isolated Yel1 Sec7 domain strongly stimulates nucleotide exchange activity specifically on Arf3 in vitro.

Monomeric G protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin in solution activates its G protein transducin at the diffusion limit.

G protein-coupled receptors mediate biological signals by stimulating nucleotide exchange in heterotrimeric G proteins (Galphabetagamma). Receptor dimers have been proposed as the functional unit responsible for catalytic interaction with Galphabetagamma. To investigate whether a G protein-coupled receptor monomer can activate Galphabetagamma, we used the retinal photoreceptor rhodopsin and its cognate G protein transducin (G(t)) to determine the stoichiometry of rhodopsin/G(t) binding and the rate of catalyzed nucleotide exchange in G(t). Purified rhodopsin was prepared in dodecyl maltoside detergent solution. Rhodopsin was monomeric as concluded from fluorescence resonance energy transfer, copurification studies with fluorescent labeled and unlabeled rhodopsin, size exclusion chromatography, and multiangle laser light scattering. A 1:1 complex between light-activated rhodopsin and G(t) was found in the elution profiles, and one molecule of GDP was released upon complex formation. Analysis of the speed of catalytic rhodopsin/G(t) interaction yielded a maximum of approximately 50 G(t) molecules per second and molecule of activated rhodopsin. The bimolecular rate constant is close to the diffusion limit in the diluted system. The results show that the interaction of G(t) with an activated rhodopsin monomer is sufficient for fully functional G(t) activation. Although the activation rate in solution is at the physically possible limit, the rate in the native membrane is still 10-fold higher. This is likely attributable to the precise orientation of the G protein to the membrane surface, which enables a fast docking process preceding the actual activation step. Whether docking in membranes involves the formation of rhodopsin dimers or oligomers remains to be elucidated.

Identification of Arabidopsis cyclase-associated protein 1 as the first nucleotide exchange factor for plant actin.

The actin cytoskeleton powers organelle movements, orchestrates responses to abiotic stresses, and generates an amazing array of cell shapes. Underpinning these diverse functions of the actin cytoskeleton are several dozen accessory proteins that coordinate actin filament dynamics and construct higher-order assemblies. Many actin-binding proteins from the plant kingdom have been characterized and their function is often surprisingly distinct from mammalian and fungal counterparts. The adenylyl cyclase-associated protein (CAP) has recently been shown to be an important regulator of actin dynamics in vivo and in vitro. The disruption of actin organization in cap mutant plants indicates defects in actin dynamics or the regulated assembly and disassembly of actin subunits into filaments. Current models for actin dynamics maintain that actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin removes ADP-actin subunits from filament ends and that profilin recharges these monomers with ATP by enhancing nucleotide exchange and delivery of subunits onto filament barbed ends. Plant profilins, however, lack the essential ability to stimulate nucleotide exchange on actin, suggesting that there might be a missing link yet to be discovered from plants. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana CAP1 (AtCAP1) is an abundant cytoplasmic protein; it is present at a 1:3 M ratio with total actin in suspension cells. AtCAP1 has equivalent affinities for ADP- and ATP-monomeric actin (Kd approximately 1.3 microM). Binding of AtCAP1 to ATP-actin monomers inhibits polymerization, consistent with AtCAP1 being an actin sequestering protein. However, we demonstrate that AtCAP1 is the first plant protein to increase the rate of nucleotide exchange on actin. Even in the presence of ADF/cofilin, AtCAP1 can recharge actin monomers and presumably provide a polymerizable pool of subunits to profilin for addition onto filament ends. In turnover assays, plant profilin, ADF, and CAP act cooperatively to promote flux of subunits through actin filament barbed ends. Collectively, these results and our understanding of other actin-binding proteins implicate CAP1 as a central player in regulating the pool of unpolymerized ATP-actin.

EhGEF3, a novel Dbl family member, regulates EhRacA activation during chemotaxis and capping in Entamoeba histolytica

Rho GTPases are critical elements involved in the regulation of signal transduction cascades from extracellular stimuli to cytoskeleton. The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) have been implicated in direct activation of these GTPases. Here, we describe a novel RhoGEF, denominated EhGEF3 from the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which encodes a 110 kDa protein containing the domain arrangement of a Dbl homology domain in tandem with a pleckstrin homology domain, the DH domain of EhGEF3 is closely related with the one of the Vav3 protein. Biochemical analysis revealed that EhGEF3 is capable of stimulating nucleotide exchange on the E. histolytica EhRacA and EhRho1 GTPases in vitro, however only a partial GEF activity toward Cdc42 was observed. Conserved residue analysis showed that the N816 and L817 residues are critical for EhGEF3 activity. Cellular studies revealed that EhGEF3 colocalises with EhRacA in the rear of migrating cells, probably regulating the retraction of the uroid and promoting the activation of these GTPase during the chemotactic response toward fibronectin, and that EhGEF3 also regulates EhRacA activation during the capping of cell receptors. These results suggest that EhGEF3 should have a direct role in activating EhRacA, and in bringing the activated GTPase to specific target sites such as the uroid.