CCT251545 enhances drug delivery and potentiates chemotherapy in multidrug-resistant cancers by Rac1-mediated macropinocytosis.

It was well known that P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) is a master regulator of multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancers. However, the clinical benefit from blocking this pathway remains inconclusive, which motivates a paradigm shift towards alternative strategies for enhancing drug influx. Using a patient-derived organoid (PDO)-based drug screening platform, we report that the combined use of chemotherapy and CCT251545 (CCT) displays robust synergistic effect against PDOs and reduces proliferation of MDR cancer cells in vitro, and results in regression of xenograft tumors, reductions in metastatic dissemination and recurrence rate in vivo. The synergistic activity mediated by CCT can be mainly attributed to the intense uptake of chemotherapeutic agents into the cells, accompanied by alterations in cell phenotypes defined as a mesenchymal epithelial transformation (MET). Mechanistically, analysis of the transcriptome coupled with validation in cellular and animal models demonstrate that the chemosensitizing effect of CCT is profoundly affected by Rac1-dependent macropinocytosis. Furthermore, CCT binds to NAMPT directly, resulting in elevated NAD levels within MDR cancer cells. This effect promotes the assembly of adherents junction (AJ) components with cytoskeleton, which is required for continuous induction of macropinocytosis and consequent drug internalization. Overall, our results illustrate the potential use of CCT as a combination partner for the commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs in the management of MDR cancers.

Tigecycline causes loss of cell viability mediated by mitochondrial OXPHOS and RAC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in locoregional, systemic, and novel checkpoint inhibitor treatment, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still associated with poor prognosis. The feasibility of potentially curative liver resection (LR) and transplantation (LT) is limited by the underlying liver disease and a shortage of organ donors. Especially after LR, high recurrence rates present a problem and circulating tumor cells are a major cause of extrahepatic recurrence. Tigecycline, a commonly used glycylcycline antibiotic, has been shown to have antitumorigenic effects and could be used as a perioperative and adjuvant therapeutic strategy to target circulating tumor cells. We aimed to investigate the effect of tigecycline on HCC cell lines and its mechanisms of action. METHODS: Huh7, HepG2, Hep3B, and immortalized hepatocytes underwent incubation with clinically relevant tigecycline concentrations, and the influence on proliferation, migration, and invasion was assessed in two- and three-dimensional in vitro assays, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis was used to identify specific targets of tigecycline. The expression of RAC1 was detected using western blot, RT-PCR and RNA sequencing. ELISA and flow cytometry were utilized to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon tigecycline treatment and flow cytometry to detect alterations in cell cycle. Changes in mitochondrial function were detected via seahorse analysis. RNA sequencing was performed to examine involved pathways. RESULTS: Tigecycline treatment resulted in a significant reduction of mitochondrial function with concomitantly preserved mitochondrial size, which preceded the observed decrease in HCC cell viability. The sensitivity of HCC cells to tigecycline treatment was higher than that of immortalized non-cancerous THLE-2 hepatocytes. Tigecycline inhibited both migratory and invasive properties. Tigecycline application led to an increase of detected ROS and an S-phase cell cycle arrest. Bioinformatic analysis identified RAC1 as a likely target for tigecycline and the expression of this molecule was increased in HCC cells as a result of tigecycline treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence for the antiproliferative effect of tigecycline in HCC. We show for the first time that this effect, likely to be mediated by reduced mitochondrial function, is associated with increased expression of RAC1. The reported effects of tigecycline with clinically relevant and achievable doses on HCC cells lay the groundwork for a conceivable use of this agent in cancer treatment.

Klotho inhibits renal ox-LDL deposition via IGF-1R/RAC1/OLR1 signaling to ameliorate podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by the abnormal deposition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), which contributes to podocyte damage. Klotho, an aging suppressor that plays a critical role in protecting podocytes in DKD, is mainly expressed in kidney tubular epithelium and secreted in the blood. However, it has not been established whether Klotho can alleviate podocyte injury by inhibiting renal ox-LDL deposition, and the potential molecular mechanisms require further investigation. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of serum and kidney biopsy samples obtained from patients diagnosed with DKD. Additionally, to explore the underlying mechanism of Klotho in the deposition of ox-LDL in the kidneys, we employed a mouse model of DKD with the Klotho genotype induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Furthermore, we conducted meticulous in vitro experiments on podocytes to gain further insights into the specific role of Klotho in the deposition of ox-LDL within the kidney. RESULTS: Our groundbreaking study unveiled the remarkable ability of the soluble form of Klotho to effectively inhibit high glucose-induced ox-LDL deposition in podocytes affected by DKD. Subsequent investigations elucidated that Klotho achieved this inhibition by reducing the expression of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), consequently leading to a decrease in the expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) and an enhancement of mitochondrial function. Ultimately, this series of events culminated in a significant reduction in the expression of the oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (OLR1), thereby resulting in a notable decrease in renal ox-LDL deposition in DKD. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that Klotho had the potential to mitigate podocyte injury and reduced high glucose-induced ox-LDL deposition in glomerulus by modulating the IGF-1R/RAC1/OLR1 signaling. These results provided valuable insights that could inform the development of novel strategies for diagnosing and treating DKD.

Diallyl disulfide downregulating RhoGDI2 induces differentiation and inhibit invasion via the Rac1/Pak1/LIMK1 pathway in human leukemia HL-60 cells.

Leukemia is a type of disease in which hematopoietic stem cells proliferate clonally at the genetic level. We discovered previously by high-resolution mass spectrometry that diallyl disulfide (DADS), which is one of the effective ingredients of garlic, reduces the performance of RhoGDI2 from APL HL-60 cells. Although RhoGDI2 is oversubscribed in several cancer categories, the effect of RhoGDI2 in HL-60 cells has remained unexplained. We aimed to investigate the influence of RhoGDI2 on DADS-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells to elucidate the association among the effect of inhibition or over-expression of RhoGDI2 with HL-60 cell polarization, migration and invasion, which is important for establishing a novel generation of inducers to elicit leukemia cell polarization. Co-transfection with RhoGDI2-targeted miRNAs apparently decreases the malignant biological behavior of cells and upregulates cytopenias in DADS-treated HL-60 cell lines, which increases CD11b and decreases CD33 and mRNA levels of Rac1, PAK1 and LIMK1. Meanwhile, we generated HL-60 cell lines with high-expressing RhoGDI2. The proliferation, migration and invasion capacity of such cells were significantly increased by the treated with DADS, while the reduction capacity of the cells was decreased. There was a reduction in CD11b and an increase in CD33 production, as well as an increase in the mRNA levels of Rac1, PAK1 and LIMK1. It also confirmed that inhibition of RhoGDI2 attenuates the EMT cascade via the Rac1/Pak1/LIMK1 pathway, thereby inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of HL-60 cells. Thus, we considered that inhibition of RhoGDI2 expression might be a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of human promyelocytic leukemia. The anti-cancer property of DADS against HL-60 leukemia cells might be regulated by RhoGDI2 through the Rac1-Pak1-LIMK1 pathway, which provides new evidence for DADS as a clinical anti-cancer medicine.

The role of small GTPase Rac1 in ionizing radiation-induced testicular damage.

PURPOSE: The main acute and late effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms are the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis and DNA damage. Since the Rac1 molecule is a subunit of the NADPH oxidase enzyme, it is known to participate in the generation of ROS. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Rac1 molecule in testicular damage induced by low (0.02 Gy), medium (0.1 Gy) and high (5 Gy) dose irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, Wistar rats (except the control group) were received whole body X-ray irradiation. Testicular tissues were removed 2 hours, 24 hours and 7 days after radiation exposure. Testicular damage was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Johnsen's score. Immunohistochemical staining and G-LISA method were used to determine Rac1 expression and activation. To evaluate the generation of ROS in the testicular tissues, intracellular ROS, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. RESULTS: Increases in testicular damage were detected in all radiation exposed groups in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared to the control group, Rac1 expression decreased in all irradiated groups, while Rac1 activation increased. In addition, intracellular ROS and MDA levels were increased and SOD activity levels decreased in the irradiated groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Rac1 has a role in the increase of intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation which led to an increase in radiation- induced testicular damage.

Expression of delta-catenin is associated with progression of human astrocytoma.

BACKGROUND: δ-Catenin (CTNND2), which encodes a scaffold protein in humans, has been found in a few malignancies. However, the expression pattern and contribution of δ-catenin to astrocytoma progression are unclear. METHODS: We investigated δ-catenin expression in human astrocytoma samples and its function in astrocytoma cell lines using immunohistochemistry, siRNA knockdown, transfection, MTT, transwell migration and Rac1 pulldown techniques. RESULTS: δ-Catenin protein expression was detected in cytoplasm of astrocytoma cells by immunohistochemistry. Analysis showed that grade I astrocytoma (0%, 0/11) and glial cells from normal brain tissue exhibited negative staining. δ-Catenin expression was significantly higher in grade III-IV (35%, 29/84) compared to grade II astrocytoma cells (18%, 11/61); p < 0.01). In addition, CTNND2 overexpression promoted proliferation, invasion and Rac1 activity of U251 astrocytoma cells. Treatment of δ-catenin-transfected cells with a Rac1 inhibitor decreased Rac1 activity and invasion. δ-Catenin knockdown in U87 glioblastoma cell decreased cell proliferation, invasion and Rac1 activity. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that δ-catenin expression is associated with the malignant progression of astrocytoma and promotes astrocytoma cell invasion through upregulation of Rac1 activity. δ-Catenin expression levels may serve as a useful marker of the biological behavior of astrocytoma cells.

Downregulation of Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway in colon cancer SW620 cells treated with Chlorin e6 photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel and non-invasive treatment for tumors as PDT features small trauma, good applicability, andaccurate targeting. PDT may also be a potential treatment for colon cancer as itmay may induce suppressive effects on metastatic potential.. However, the molecular mechanism of the Chlorin e6 Photodynamic therapy (Ce6-PDT) inhibiting the migration of human colon cancer SW620 cells remains unclear. METHODS: Scratch wound healing assay, scanning electron microscope, MTT, immunofluorescence and laser confocal technique were used to investigate the suppressive effects of Ce6-PDT on the SW620 cells migration, pseudopodia, viability and the actin cytoskeleton. The effect of Ce6-PDT on actin-Filaments and signaling molecules of the Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway in SW620 cells were examined by western blot analysis. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to establish siRNA-Rac1/SW620 cells. The combined effects of Ce6-PDT and RNAi on colon cancer SW620 cells was investigated by the same technology and methods mentioned above to clarify the signal transduction effect of Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway in Ce6-PDT caused inhibition of SW620 cell migration. RESULTS: The healing and migration rate of the SW620 cells was significantly reduced and the cell pseudopodia were reduced or disappeared by Ce6-PDT. The Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis results showed that Ce6-PDT destroy microfilament's original structure and significantly downregulated F-actin protein expression. The Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway was downregulated by Ce6-PDT. Furthermore, the RNAi significantly strengthened the effect of Ce6-PDT on colon cancer SW620 cells migration. CONCLUSIONS: Actin cytoskeleton and protrusions of SW620 cells correlate with its migration ability. Ce6-PDT suppresses SW620 cells migration by downregulating the Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway, and its suppressive effect was enhanced by knocking down Rac1 gene expression.

Rac1 mediates NaCl-induced superoxide generation in the thick ascending limb.

Superoxide (O(2)(-)) produced by NADPH oxidase regulates Na absorption and renal hemodynamics. Increased NaCl in the thick ascending limb (TAL) stimulates O(2)(-) generation. However, we do not know whether physiological changes in NaCl concentration augment O(2)(-) generation, nor do we know the mediator(s) involved. In other cells, Rac1, a regulatory subunit of NADPH oxidase, is activated by elevated NaCl. We hypothesized that increasing luminal NaCl within the physiological range activates Rac1 and NADPH oxidase and, thereby, increases O(2)(-) production. We increased NaCl from 10 to 57 mM in medullary TAL suspensions and used lucigenin to measure O(2)(-) generation and Western blot to measure Rac1 activity. Increasing NaCl stimulated O(2)(-) generation from 1.41 +/- 0.16 to 2.71 +/- 0.30 nmol O(2)(-) x min(-1) x mg protein(-1) (n = 6, P < 0.05). This increase was blocked by the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter inhibitor furosemide and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. To examine the role of Rac1 in NaCl-induced O(2)(-) production, we measured Rac1 translocation by Western blot. When we added NaCl, Rac1 in the particulate fraction increased from 6.8 +/- 0.8 to 11.7 +/- 2.4% of total Rac1 (n = 7, P < 0.05). Then we measured O(2)(-) generation in the presence and absence of the Rac1 inhibitor. In the absence of the Rac1 inhibitor, NaCl increased O(2)(-) generation from 1.07 +/- 0.24 to 2.02 +/- 0.49 nmol O(2)(-) x min(-1) x mg protein(-1), and this increase was completely blocked by the inhibitor. Similarly, in vivo treatment of TALs with adenovirus expressing dominant-negative Rac1 decreased NaCl-induced O(2)(-) generation by 60% compared with control (0.33 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.81 +/- 0.17 nmol O(2)(-) x min(-1) x mg protein(-1), n = 6, P < 0.05). We concluded that physiological increases in NaCl stimulate TAL O(2)(-) generation by activating Rac1.

Pak1 and Pak2 are activated in recurrent respiratory papillomas, contributing to one pathway of Rac1-mediated COX-2 expression.

Recurrent respiratory papillomas are premalignant tumors of the airway caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), primarily Types 6 and 11. We had reported that respiratory papillomas overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the small GTPase Rac1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and have enhanced nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) activation with decreased levels of IkappaB-beta but not IkappaB-alpha. We also showed that EGFR-activated Rac1 mediates expression of COX-2 through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We have now asked whether the p21-activated kinases Pak1 or Pak2 mediate activation of p38 by Rac1 in papilloma cells. Pak1 and Pak2 were constitutively activated in vivo in papilloma tissue compared with normal epithelium, and Rac1 siRNA reduced the level of both phospho-Pak1 and phospho-Pak2 in cultured papilloma cells. Reduction in Pak1 and Pak2 with siRNA decreased the COX-2 expression in papilloma cells, increased the levels of IkappaB-beta and reduced the nuclear localization of NF-kappaB, but had no effect on p38 phosphorylation. Our studies suggest that Rac1 --> Pak1/Pak2 --> NFkappaB is a separate pathway that contributes to the expression of COX-2 in HPV-induced papillomas, independently of the previously described Rac1 --> p38 --> COX-2 pathway.

Sema3A-induced growth-cone collapse is mediated by Rac1 amino acids 17-32.

BACKGROUND: Neurons project their axons along specific pathways in order to establish appropriate connections with their target cells. The rate and direction of axonal growth is determined by interactions between the highly motile growth cone and environmental cues that can act in either an attractive or a repulsive manner. Locomotion is ultimately dependent upon the reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton and an established role for the Rho family of small GTPases in regulating this process in non-neuronal cells identifies them as candidate signalling molecules in growth cones. An inactive form of Rac1 has recently been shown to inhibit the 'growth-cone collapse' response induced by chick Sema3A, a protein that has recently been established as an important guidance cue. The molecular basis for this inhibition remains unclear. RESULTS: We have made a series of overlapping peptides from the amino-terminal region of Rac1 and rendered them cell permeable by synthesis in tandem with an established internalisation vector. We report here that a peptide encompassing Rac1 amino acids 17-32 binds directly to the established Rac1-interacting molecules PAK, WASP, 3BP-1 and p85beta(P13K), but not to p67(Phox). Furthermore, the peptide can compete with activated Rac1 for target binding, and inhibits Sema3A-induced growth-cone collapse. We also synthesised cell-permeable peptides that correspond to the Cdc42/Rac1-binding (CRIB) motifs present in PAK and N-WASP. Our results show that a CRIB-containing peptide from PAK, but not that from N-WASP, inhibits growth-cone collapse and that the inhibitory activity correlates with binding to Rac1 and not to Cdc42. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Sema3A-induced growth-cone collapse is mediated by Rac1 amino acids 17-32, and demonstrate the feasibility of designing new cell-permeable inhibitors of small GTPases.

Caveolin-1-mediated Japanese encephalitis virus entry requires a two-step regulation of actin reorganization.

AIM: To investigate the detailed mechanism of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) cell entry. MATERIALS & METHODS: Utilize a siRNA library targeting cellular membrane trafficking genes to identify key molecules that mediate JEV entry into human neuronal cells. RESULTS: JEV enters human neuronal cells by caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis, which depends on a two-step regulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling triggered by RhoA and Rac1: RhoA activation promoted the phosphorylation of caveolin-1, and then Rac1 activation facilitated caveolin-associated viral internalization. Specifically, virus attachment activates the EGFR-PI3K signaling pathway, thereby leading to RhoA activation. CONCLUSION: This work provides a detailed picture of the entry route and intricate cellular events following the entry of JEV into human neuronal cells, and promotes a better understanding of JEV entry.

Molecular ordering of ROS production, mitochondrial changes, and caspase activation during sodium salicylate-induced apoptosis.

Salicylates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells, including those of colon, prostate, breast, and leukemia. We examined the effects of sodium salicylate (NaSal) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the association of these effects with apoptotic tumor cell death. We demonstrate that NaSal mediates ROS production followed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)), release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. However, expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) prevents ROS production and subsequent loss of deltapsi(m), thereby inhibiting apoptotic cell death. The presence of ROS scavengers and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase or expression of a dominant negative form of Rac1 blocks ROS production, deltapsi(m) collapse, and the subsequent activation of caspases. These observations indicate that NaSal mediates ROS production critical in the triggering of apoptotic tumor cell death through a Rac1-NADPH oxidase-dependent pathway. Our data collectively imply that NaSal-induced ROS are key mediators of deltapsi(m) collapse, which leads to the release of cytochrome c followed by caspase activation, culminating in tumor apoptosis.

The acidic regions of WASp and N-WASP can synergize with CDC42Hs and Rac1 to induce filopodia and lamellipodia.

The acidic (A) region of WASp family proteins is thought to represent a high-affinity binding site for Arp2/3 complex without activating properties. Here we show that GST-fused WASp-A and N-WASP-A, but not a WASP-A/W500S mutant, several truncated WASp-A constructs or WAVE1-A can pull down Arp2/3 complex from cell lysates. Significantly, WASp-A and N-WASP-A synergistically trigger formation of filopodia or lamellipodia when coinjected with sub-effective concentrations of V12CDC42Hs or V12Rac1, respectively, into macrophages. The ability of WASp family A region constructs to induce this effect is closely correlated with their ability to bind Arp2/3 complex in vitro. These results imply that (i) Arp2/3 complex is critically involved in filopodia and lamellipodia formation in macrophages and (ii) acidic regions of WASp and N-WASP are not simply binding sites for Arp2/3 complex but can prime it for RhoGTPase-triggered signals leading to actin nucleation.

The small GTP-binding protein RhoA regulates serotonin-induced Na+-current response in the neurons of Aplysia.

Application of serotonin (5-HT) induces a slow inward current response in identified neurons of Aplysia ganglia under voltage clamp. The 5-HT-induced current response was depressed in Na+-free media, but augmented in Ca2+-free media, and unaffected by a change in external K+. The 5-HT-induced response was markedly blocked by intracellular injection of guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPbetaS). After the injection of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS), the responses to 5-HT gradually and significantly increased at the initial period, reached its plateau, and finally decreased. Intracellular injection of Clostridium difficile toxin B, a blocker of small G-protein Rho family members such as Rho (RhoA, RhoB and RhoC), Rac and Cdc42, markedly depressed the 5-HT-induced response. Intracellular injection of Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme, a specific blocker of RhoA, RhoB, RhoC, exhibited a similar depressing effect observed with toxin B. In contrast, intracellular injection of recombinant L63RhoA, a constitutively active form of RhoA, significantly augmented the 5-HT-induced response without affecting the resting membrane. These results suggested that the 5-HT-induced Na+-current response might be facilitated by the activation of Aplysia Rho which is closely homologous to RhoA, RhoB or RhoC in mammalian neuron.

Scaffolding function of PAK in the PDK1-Akt pathway.

Many extracellular signals stimulate phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, which in turn activates the Rac1 GTPase, the protein kinase Akt and the Akt Thr 308 upstream kinase PDK1. Active Rac1 stimulates a number of events, including substrate phosphorylation by a subgroup of the PAK family of kinases. The combined effects of Rac1, PDK1 and Akt are crucial for cell migration, growth, survival, metabolism and tumorigenesis. Here we show that Rac1 stimulates a second, kinase-independent function of PAK1. The PAK1 kinase domain serves as a scaffold to facilitate Akt stimulation by PDK1 and to aid recruitment of Akt to the membrane. PAK differentially activates subpopulations of Akt. These findings reveal scaffolding functions of PAK that regulate the efficiency, localization and specificity of the PDK1-Akt pathway.

Neogenin-RGMa signaling at the growth cone is bone morphogenetic protein-independent and involves RhoA, ROCK, and PKC.

The repulsive guidance molecule RGMa has been shown to induce outgrowth inhibition of neurites by interacting with the transmembrane receptor neogenin. Here we show that RGMa-induced growth cone collapse is mediated by activation of the small GTPase RhoA, its downstream effector Rho kinase and PKC. In contrast to DRG cultures from neogenin-/- mice, in which no RGMa-mediated growth cone collapse and activation of RhoA occurred, treatment of wild type DRG neurites with soluble RGMa led to a marked activation of RhoA within 3 min followed by collapse, but left Rac1 and Cdc42 unaffected. Furthermore, preincubation of DRG axons with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist noggin had no effect on RGMa-mediated growth cone collapse, implying that the role of RGM in axonal guidance is neogenin- and not BMP receptor-dependent. Pretreatment with 1) C3-transferase, a specific inhibitor of the Rho GTPase; 2) Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho kinase; and 3) Gö6976, the general PKC inhibitor, strongly inhibited the collapse rate of PC12 neurites. Growth cone collapse induced by RGMa was abolished by the expression of dominant negative RhoA, but not by dominant negative Rac1. In contrast to RGMa, netrin-1 induced no growth cone retraction but instead reduced RGMa-mediated growth cone collapse. These results suggest that activation of RhoA, Rho kinase, and PKC are physiologically relevant and important elements of the RGMa-mediated neogenin signal transduction pathway involved in axonal guidance.

Studies of the roles of ADP-ribosylation factors and phospholipase D in phorbol ester-induced membrane ruffling.

In this study, we have explored the roles of ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs), phospholipase D (PLD) isozymes, and arfaptins in phorbol ester (PMA)-induced membrane ruffling in HeLa cells. PMA stimulation induced ruffling and translocated cortactin to the plasma membrane. The cortactin translocation was inhibited by dominant negative (DN)-ARF6, DN-ARF1, and DN-Rac1, but not by DN-RhoA and DN-Cdc42. The inability of DN-forms of ARF6, ARF1, and Rac1 to affect PLD activity in response to PMA indicated that this enzyme was not activated via these small G proteins and that its activation was not essential for the induction of ruffling. Endogenous-ARF1, -ARF6, and -Rac1 existed in the ruffling region along with cortactin after PMA stimulation. DN-ARF1 had no effect on the ruffling induced by DA-ARF6 or DA-Rac1, and DN-ARF6 had no effect on that induced by DA-ARF1 or DA-Rac1. On the other hand DN-Rac1 suppressed the effect of DA-ARF6 but not that of DA-ARF1. These results suggest that PMA causes membrane ruffling via an ARF6-Rac1 pathway and also an ARF1 pathway operating in parallel. Overexpression of PLD1 and PLD2 inhibited PMA-induced cortactin translocation and actin-cortactin complex formation, supporting the view that these enzymes are not required for ruffling, but actually suppress it. We conclude that PMA-induced membrane ruffling is caused via ARF6-Rac1 and ARF1 pathways operating in parallel and that PLD may be inhibitory.

Inhibition of Rac GTPase triggers a c-Jun- and Bim-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic cascade in cerebellar granule neurons.

Rho GTPases are key transducers of integrin/extracellular matrix and growth factor signaling. Although integrin-mediated adhesion and trophic support suppress neuronal apoptosis, the role of Rho GTPases in neuronal survival is unclear. Here, we have identified Rac as a critical pro-survival GTPase in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) and elucidated a death pathway triggered by its inactivation. GTP-loading of Rac1 was maintained in CGNs by integrin-mediated (RGD-dependent) cell attachment and trophic support. Clostridium difficile toxin B (ToxB), a specific Rho family inhibitor, induced a selective caspase-mediated degradation of Rac1 without affecting RhoA or Cdc42 protein levels. Both ToxB and dominant-negative N17Rac1 elicited CGN apoptosis, characterized by cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-9 and -3, whereas dominant-negative N19RhoA or N17Cdc42 did not cause significant cell death. ToxB stimulated mitochondrial translocation and conformational activation of Bax, c-Jun activation, and induction of the BH3-only protein Bim. Similarly, c-Jun activation and Bim induction were observed with N17Rac1. A c-jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/p38 inhibitor, SB203580, and a JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125, significantly decreased ToxB-induced Bim expression and blunted each subsequent step of the apoptotic cascade. These results indicate that Rac acts downstream of integrins and growth factors to promote neuronal survival by repressing c-Jun/Bim-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.

Actin cytoskeletal reorganizations and coreceptor-mediated activation of rac during human immunodeficiency virus-induced cell fusion.

The membrane fusion events which initiate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and promote cytopathic syncytium formation in infected cells commence with the binding of the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) to CD4 and an appropriate coreceptor. Here, we show that HIV Env-coreceptor interactions activate Rac-1 GTPase and stimulate the actin filament network reorganizations that are requisite components of the cell fusion process. Disrupting actin filament dynamics with jasplakinolide or latrunculin A arrested fusion at a late step in the formation of Env-CD4-coreceptor complexes. Time-lapse confocal microscopy of living cells revealed vigorous activity of actin-based, target cell membrane extensions at the target cell-Env-expressing cell interface. The expression of dominant-negative forms of actin-regulating Rho-family GTPases established that HIV Env-mediated syncytium formation relies on Rac-1 but not on Cdc42 or Rho activation in target cells. Similar dependencies were found when cell fusion was induced by Env expressed on viral or cellular membranes. Additionally, Rac activity was specifically upregulated in a coreceptor-dependent manner in fusion reaction cell lysates. These results define a role for HIV Env-coreceptor interactions in activating the cellular factors essential for virus-cell and cell-cell fusion and provide evidence for the participation of pertussis toxin-insensitive signaling pathways in HIV-induced membrane fusion.

Activation of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase by chimeric proteins consisting of segments of the cytosolic component p67(phox) and the small GTPase Rac1.

Activation of the superoxide (O2(-))-generating NADPH oxidase of phagocytes is the consequence of the assembly of a membrane-associated flavocytochrome b(559) with the cytosolic proteins p47(phox) and p67(phox) and the small GTPase Rac (1 or 2). We proposed that Rac1 serves as a membrane-targeting molecule for p67(phox). This hypothesis was tested by constructing recombinant chimeric proteins, joining various functional domains of p67(phox) and Rac1, and expressing these in Escherichia coli. Chimeras were assayed for the ability to support O2(-) production by phagocyte membranes in an amphiphile-activated cell-free system in the presence or absence of p47(phox). A chimera consisting of p67(phox) truncated at residue 212 and fused to a full-length Rac1 [p67(phox)(1-212)-Rac1(1-192)] was a potent NADPH oxidase activator. A p67(phox)(1-212)-Rac1(178-192) chimera, to which Rac1 contributed only the C-terminal polybasic domain, was a weaker but consistent activator. Chimeras comprising the full length of Rac1 bound GTP/GDP, like bona fide GTPases. The activity of p67(phox)-Rac1 chimeras was dependent on the presence of the tetratricopeptide repeat and activation domains, in the p67(phox) segment, and on an intact polybasic region, at the C terminus of the Rac1 segment, but not on the insert region of Rac1. Partial activation by chimeras, in the GTP-bound form, was also possible in the absence of p47(phox). Evidence is offered in support of the proposal that the GTP- and GDP-bound forms of chimera p67(phox)(1-212)-Rac1(1-192) have distinct conformations, corresponding to the presence and absence of intrachimeric bonds, respectively.