scholarly journals LIM kinase and Diaphanous cooperate to regulate serum response factor and actin dynamics

2002 ◽  
Vol 157 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Geneste ◽  
John W. Copeland ◽  
Richard Treisman
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Lim Kinase ◽  
Serum Stimulation ◽  
Effector Pathways ◽  
Serum Response

The small GTPase RhoA controls activity of serum response factor (SRF) by inducing changes in actin dynamics. We show that in PC12 cells, activation of SRF after serum stimulation is RhoA dependent, requiring both actin polymerization and the Rho kinase (ROCK)–LIM kinase (LIMK)–cofilin signaling pathway, previously shown to control F-actin turnover. Activation of SRF by overexpression of wild-type LIMK or ROCK-insensitive LIMK mutants also requires functional RhoA, indicating that a second RhoA-dependent signal is involved. This is provided by the RhoA effector mDia: dominant interfering mDia1 derivatives inhibit both serum- and LIMK-induced SRF activation and reduce the ability of LIMK to induce F-actin accumulation. These results demonstrate a role for LIMK in SRF activation, and functional cooperation between RhoA-controlled LIMK and mDia effector pathways.

scholarly journals The Diaphanous-related Formin mDia1 Controls Serum Response Factor Activity through its Effects on Actin Polymerization

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4088-4099 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Copeland ◽  
Richard Treisman
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Signal Pathway ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Assembly ◽  
Extracellular Signals ◽  
Activation Assay ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Serum Response

SRF-dependent transcription is regulated by the small GTPase RhoA via its effects on actin dynamics. The diaphanous-related formin (DRF) proteins have been identified as candidate RhoA effectors mediating signaling to SRF. Here we investigate the relationship between SRF activation and actin polymerization by the DRF mDia1. We show that the ability of mDia1 to potentiate SRF activity is strictly correlated with its ability to promote F-actin assembly. Both processes can occur independently of the mDia1 FH1 domain but require sequences in an extended C-terminal region encompassing the conserved FH2 domain. mDia-mediated SRF activation, but not F-actin assembly, can be blocked by a nonpolymerizable actin mutant, placing actin downstream of mDia in the signal pathway. The SRF activation assay was used to identify inactive mDia1 derivatives that inhibit serum- and LPA-induced signaling to SRF. We show that these interfering mutants also block F-actin assembly, whether induced by mDia proteins or extracellular signals. These results identify novel functional elements of mDia1 and show that it regulates SRF activity by inducing depletion of the cellular pool of G-actin.

scholarly journals Muscle-Specific Signaling Mechanism That Links Actin Dynamics to Serum Response Factor

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 3173-3181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichiro Kuwahara ◽  
Tomasa Barrientos ◽  
G. C. Teg Pipes ◽  
Shijie Li ◽  
Eric N. Olson
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Muscle Gene Expression ◽  
Serum Response

ABSTRACT Myocardin and the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) MRTF-A and MRTF-B are coactivators for serum response factor (SRF), which regulates genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, and myogenesis. MRTF-A has been shown to translocate to the nucleus and activate SRF in response to Rho signaling and actin polymerization. Previously, we described a muscle-specific actin-binding protein named striated muscle activator of Rho signaling (STARS) that also activates SRF through a Rho-dependent mechanism. Here we show that STARS activates SRF by inducing the nuclear translocation of MRTFs. The STARS-dependent nuclear import of MRTFs requires RhoA and actin polymerization, and the actin-binding domain of STARS is necessary and sufficient for this activity. A knockdown of endogenous STARS expression by using small interfering RNA significantly reduced SRF activity in differentiated C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and cardiac myocytes. The ability of STARS to promote the nuclear localization of MRTFs and SRF-mediated transcription provides a potential muscle-specific mechanism for linking changes in actin dynamics and sarcomere structure with striated muscle gene expression.

scholarly journals Enhancement of mDia2 activity by Rho-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the diaphanous autoregulatory domain

2011 ◽  
Vol 439 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean P. Staus ◽  
Joan M. Taylor ◽  
Christopher P. Mack
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Related Transcription Factor ◽  
Inhibitory Domain ◽  
Serum Response ◽  
Acidic Region ◽  
Basic Region

It is clear that RhoA activates the DRF (diaphanous-related formin) mDia2 by disrupting the molecular interaction between the DAD (diaphanous autoregulatory domain) and the DID (diaphanous inhibitory domain). Previous studies indicate that a basic motif within the DAD contributes to mDia2 auto-inhibition, and results shown in the present study suggest these residues bind a conserved acidic region within the DID. Furthermore, we demonstrate that mDia2 is phosphorylated by ROCK (Rho-kinase) at two conserved residues (Thr1061 and Ser1070) just C-terminal to the DAD basic region. Phosphomimetic mutations to these residues in the context of the full-length molecule enhanced mDia2 activity as measured by increased actin polymerization, SRF (serum response factor)-dependent smooth muscle-specific gene transcription, and nuclear localization of myocardin-related transcription factor B. Biochemical and functional data indicate that the T1061E/S1070E mutation significantly inhibited the ability of DAD to interact with DID and enhanced mDia2 activation by RhoA. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that ROCK-dependent phosphorylation of the mDia2 DAD is an important determinant of mDia2 activity and that this signalling mechanism affects actin polymerization and smooth muscle cell-specific gene expression.

scholarly journals Serum Response Factor (SRF)-cofilin-actin signaling axis modulates mitochondrial dynamics

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (38) ◽  
pp. E2523-E2532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning Beck ◽  
Kevin Flynn ◽  
Katrin S. Lindenberg ◽  
Heinz Schwarz ◽  
Frank Bradke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Signaling Axis ◽  
Mitochondrial Number ◽  
Mitochondrial Networks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Serum Response

Aberrant mitochondrial function, morphology, and transport are main features of neurodegenerative diseases. To date, mitochondrial transport within neurons is thought to rely mainly on microtubules, whereas actin might mediate short-range movements and mitochondrial anchoring. Here, we analyzed the impact of actin on neuronal mitochondrial size and localization. F-actin enhanced mitochondrial size and mitochondrial number in neurites and growth cones. In contrast, raising G-actin resulted in mitochondrial fragmentation and decreased mitochondrial abundance. Cellular F-actin/G-actin levels also regulate serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene regulation, suggesting a possible link between SRF and mitochondrial dynamics. Indeed, SRF-deficient neurons display neurodegenerative hallmarks of mitochondria, including disrupted morphology, fragmentation, and impaired mitochondrial motility, as well as ATP energy metabolism. Conversely, constitutively active SRF-VP16 induced formation of mitochondrial networks and rescued huntingtin (HTT)-impaired mitochondrial dynamics. Finally, SRF and actin dynamics are connected via the actin severing protein cofilin and its slingshot phosphatase to modulate neuronal mitochondrial dynamics. In summary, our data suggest that the SRF-cofilin-actin signaling axis modulates neuronal mitochondrial function.

scholarly journals The Cytoskeleton-associated PDZ-LIM Protein, ALP, Acts on Serum Response Factor Activity to Regulate Muscle Differentiation

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1723-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Pomiès ◽  
Mohammad Pashmforoush ◽  
Cristina Vegezzi ◽  
Kenneth R. Chien ◽  
Charles Auffray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Muscle Differentiation ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Cytoskeletal Regulation ◽  
Expression Construct ◽  
Filament Bundles ◽  
Serum Response

In this report, an antisense RNA strategy has allowed us to show that disruption of ALP expression affects the expression of the muscle transcription factors myogenin and MyoD, resulting in the inhibition of muscle differentiation. Introduction of a MyoD expression construct into ALP-antisense cells is sufficient to restore the capacity of the cells to differentiate, illustrating that ALP function occurs upstream of MyoD. It is known that MyoD is under the control of serum response factor (SRF), a transcriptional regulator whose activity is modulated by actin dynamics. A dramatic reduction of actin filament bundles is observed in ALP-antisense cells and treatment of these cells with the actin-stabilizing drug jasplakinolide stimulates SRF activity and restores the capacity of the cells to differentiate. Furthermore, we show that modulation of ALP expression influences SRF activity, the level of its coactivator, MAL, and muscle differentiation. Collectively, these results suggest a critical role of ALP on muscle differentiation, likely via cytoskeletal regulation of SRF.

scholarly journals Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor A Activation by Competition with WH2 Domain Proteins for Actin Binding

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1526-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Weissbach ◽  
Franziska Schikora ◽  
Anja Weber ◽  
Michael Kessels ◽  
Guido Posern
Keyword(s):  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Serum Stimulation ◽  
Competitive Mechanism ◽  
Related Transcription Factor ◽  
Simultaneous Inhibition ◽  
Serum Response

The myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are coactivators of serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene expression. Activation of MRTF-A occurs in response to alterations in actin dynamics and critically requires the dissociation of repressive G-actin–MRTF-A complexes. However, the mechanism leading to the release of MRTF-A remains unclear. Here we show that WH2 domains compete directly with MRTF-A for actin binding. Actin nucleation-promoting factors, such as N-WASP and WAVE2, as well as isolated WH2 domains, including those of Spire2 and Cobl, activate MRTF-A independently of changes in actin dynamics. Simultaneous inhibition of Arp2-Arp3 or mutation of the CA region only partially reduces MRTF-A activation by N-WASP and WAVE2. Recombinant WH2 domains and the RPEL domain of MRTF-A bind mutually exclusively to cellular and purified G-actinin vitro. The competition by different WH2 domains correlates with MRTF-SRF activation. Following serum stimulation, nonpolymerizable actin dissociates from MRTF-A, andde novoformation of the G-actin–RPEL complex is impaired by a transferable factor. Our work demonstrates that WH2 domains activate MRTF-A and contribute to target gene regulation by a competitive mechanism, independently of their role in actin filament formation.

scholarly journals The serum response factor is extensively modified by phosphorylation following its synthesis in serum-stimulated fibroblasts.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4545-4554 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Misra ◽  
V M Rivera ◽  
J M Wang ◽  
P D Fan ◽  
M E Greenberg
Keyword(s):  
Inner Core ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Serum Response Element ◽  
Response Element ◽  
Serum Stimulation ◽  
Serum Response

Growth factor regulation of c-fos proto-oncogene transcription is mediated by a 20-bp region of dyad symmetry, termed the serum response element. The inner core of this element binds a 67-kDa phosphoprotein, the serum response factor (SRF), that is thought to play a pivotal role in the c-fos transcriptional response. To investigate the mechanism by which SRF regulates c-fos expression, we generated polyclonal anti-SRF antibodies and used these antibodies to analyze the biochemical properties of SRF. These studies indicate that the synthesis of SRF is transient, occurring within 30 min to 4 h after serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts. Newly synthesized SRF is transported to the nucleus, where it is increasingly modified by phosphorylation during progression through the cell cycle. Within 2 h of serum stimulation, differentially modified forms of SRF can be distinguished on the basis of the ability to bind a synthetic serum response element. SRF protein exhibits a half-life of greater than 12 h and is predominantly nuclear, with no change occurring in its localization upon serum stimulation. We find that the induction of SRF synthesis is regulated at the transcriptional level and that cytoplasmic SRF mRNA is transiently expressed with somewhat delayed kinetics compared with c-fos mRNA expression. These features of SRF expression suggest a model whereby newly synthesized SRF functions in the shutoff of c-fos transcription.

scholarly journals The RhoA/Rho Kinase Pathway Regulates Nuclear Localization of Serum Response Factor

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Wei Liu ◽  
Andrew J. Halayko ◽  
Darren J. Fernandes ◽  
Gregory S. Harmon ◽  
Joel A. McCauley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Serum Response ◽  
Kinase Pathway

scholarly journals Signal-Regulated Activation of Serum Response Factor Is Mediated by Changes in Actin Dynamics

Cell ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanassia Sotiropoulos ◽  
Dziugas Gineitis ◽  
John Copeland ◽  
Richard Treisman
Keyword(s):  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Serum Response
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