Parallel Rap1>RalGEF>Ral and Ras signals sculpt the C. elegans nervous system.
Dev Biol
; 477: 37-48, 2021 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33991533
ABSTRACT
Ras is the most commonly mutated oncogene in humans and uses three oncogenic effectors Raf, PI3K, and RalGEF activation of Ral. Understanding the importance of RalGEF>Ral signaling in cancer is hampered by the paucity of knowledge about their function in animal development, particularly in cell movements. We found that mutations that disrupt function of RalGEF or Ral enhance migration phenotypes of mutants for genes with established roles in cell migration. We used as a model the migration of the canal associated neurons (CANs), and validated our results in HSN cell migration, neurite guidance, and general animal locomotion. These functions of RalGEF and Ral are specific to their control of Ral signaling output rather than other published functions of these proteins. In this capacity Ral functions cell autonomously as a permissive developmental signal. In contrast, we observed Ras, the canonical activator of RalGEF>Ral signaling in cancer, to function as an instructive signal. Furthermore, we unexpectedly identified a function for the close Ras relative, Rap1, consistent with activation of RalGEF>Ral. These studies define functions of RalGEF>Ral, Rap1 and Ras signaling in morphogenetic processes that fashion the nervous system. We have also defined a model for studying how small GTPases partner with downstream effectors. Taken together, this analysis defines novel molecules and relationships in signaling networks that control cell movements during development of the nervous system.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transdução de Sinais
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Caenorhabditis elegans
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Proteínas ras
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Proteínas ral de Ligação ao GTP
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Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina
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Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans
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Sistema Nervoso
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dev Biol
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos