Regulation of Small GTPases by GEFs, GAPs, and GDIs

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Cherfils ◽  
Mahel Zeghouf
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Cell Dynamics ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Small GTPases use GDP/GTP alternation to actuate a variety of functional switches that are pivotal for cell dynamics. The GTPase switch is turned on by GEFs, which stimulate dissociation of the tightly bound GDP, and turned off by GAPs, which accelerate the intrinsically sluggish hydrolysis of GTP. For Ras, Rho, and Rab GTPases, this switch incorporates a membrane/cytosol alternation regulated by GDIs and GDI-like proteins. The structures and core mechanisms of representative members of small GTPase regulators from most families have now been elucidated, illuminating their general traits combined with scores of unique features. Recent studies reveal that small GTPase regulators have themselves unexpectedly sophisticated regulatory mechanisms, by which they process cellular signals and build up specific cell responses. These mechanisms include multilayered autoinhibition with stepwise release, feedback loops mediated by the activated GTPase, feed-forward signaling flow between regulators and effectors, and a phosphorylation code for RhoGDIs. The flipside of these highly integrated functions is that they make small GTPase regulators susceptible to biochemical abnormalities that are directly correlated with diseases, notably a striking number of missense mutations in congenital diseases, and susceptible to bacterial mimics of GEFs, GAPs, and GDIs that take command of small GTPases in infections. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge of these many facets of small GTPase regulation.

scholarly journals Membrane tethering potency of Rab-family small GTPases is defined by the C-terminal hypervariable regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanae Ueda ◽  
Naoki Tamura ◽  
Joji Mima
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Rab Family ◽  
Membrane Tethering

AbstractMembrane tethering is a crucial step to determine the spatiotemporal specificity of secretory and endocytic trafficking pathways in all eukaryotic endomembrane systems. Recent biochemical studies by a chemically-defined reconstitution approach reveal that, in addition to the structurally-diverse classic tethering factors such as coiled-coil tethering proteins and multisubunit tethering complexes, Rab-family small GTPases also retain the inherent membrane tethering functions to directly and physically bridge two distinct lipid bilayers by themselves. Although Rab-mediated membrane tethering reactions are fairly efficient and specific in the physiological context, its mechanistic basis is yet to be understood. Here, to explore whether and how the intrinsic tethering potency of Rab GTPases is controlled by their C-terminal hypervariable region (HVR) domains that link the conserved small GTPase domains (G-domains) to membrane anchors at the C-terminus, we quantitatively compared tethering activities of two representative Rab isoforms in humans (Rab5a, Rab4a) and their HVR-deleted mutant forms. Strikingly, deletion of the HVR linker domains enabled both Rab5a and Rab4a isoforms to enhance their intrinsic tethering potency, exhibiting 5-to 50-fold higher initial velocities of tethering for the HVR-deleted mutants than those for the full-length, wild-type Rabs. Furthermore, we revealed that the tethering activity of full-length Rab5a was significantly reduced by the omission of anionic lipids and cholesterol from membrane lipids and, however, membrane tethering driven by HVR-deleted Rab5a mutant was completely insensitive to the headgroup composition of lipids. Reconstituted membrane tethering assays with the C-terminally-truncated mutants of Rab4a further uncovered that the N-terminal residues in the HVR linker, located adjacent to the G-domain, are critical for regulating the intrinsic tethering activity. In conclusion, our current findings establish that the non-conserved, flexible C-terminal HVR linker domains define membrane tethering potency of Rab-family small GTPases through controlling the close attachment of the globular G-domains to membrane surfaces, which confers the active tethering-competent state of the G-domains on lipid bilayers.

scholarly journals RAB-35 aids apoptotic cell clearance by regulating cell corpse recognition and phagosome maturation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan C. Haley ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Zheng Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Phagosome Maturation ◽  
Apoptotic Cell Clearance ◽  
Cell Clearance ◽  
Early Endosomes ◽  
Cell Corpse

AbstractIn metazoans, apoptotic cells are swiftly engulfed by phagocytes and degraded inside phagosomes. Multiple small GTPases in the Rab family are known to function in phagosome maturation by regulating vesicle trafficking. We discovered rab-35 as a new gene important for apoptotic cell clearance using an RNAi screen targeting putative Rab GTPases in Caenorhabditis elegans. We further identified TBC-10 as a putative GTPase-activating protein (GAP), and FLCN-1 and RME-4 as two putative Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs), for RAB-35. RAB-35 function was found to be required for the incorporation of early endosomes to phagosomes and for the timely degradation of apoptotic cell corpses. More specifically, RAB-35 facilitates the switch of phagosomal membrane phosphatidylinositol species from PtdIns(4,5)P2 to PtdIns(3)P and promotes the recruitment of the small GTPase RAB-5 to phagosomal surfaces, processes that are essential for phagosome maturation. Interestingly, we observed that CED-1 performs these same functions, and to a much larger extent than RAB-35. Remarkably, in addition to cell corpse degradation, RAB-35 also facilitates the recognition of cell corpses independently of the CED-1 and CED-5 pathways. RAB-35 localizes to extending pseudopods and is further enriched on nascent phagosomes, consistent with its dual roles in regulating cell corpse-recognition and phagosome maturation. Epistasis analyses indicate that rab-35 represents a novel third genetic pathway that acts in parallel to both of the canonical ced-1/6/7 and ced-2/5/10/12 engulfment pathways. We propose that RAB-35 acts as a robustness factor, leading a pathway that aids the canonical pathways for the engulfment and degradation of apoptotic cells.

Targeting of Rab GTPases to cellular membranes

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 652-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.R. Ali ◽  
M.C. Seabra
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Cellular Membranes ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Cellular Processes

Rab proteins are members of the superfamily of Ras-like small GTPases and are involved in several cellular processes relating to membrane trafficking and organelle mobility throughout the cell. Like other small GTPases, Rab proteins are initially synthesized as soluble proteins and for membrane attachment they require the addition of lipid moiety(ies) to specific residues of their polypeptide chain. Despite their well-documented roles in regulating cellular trafficking, Rab proteins own trafficking is still poorly understood. We still need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of their recruitment to cellular membranes and the structural determinants for their specific cellular localization. Recent results indicate that Rab cellular targeting might be Rab-dependent, and this paper briefly reviews our current knowledge of this process.

scholarly journals What Do We Know about Classical and Non-Classical Progesterone Receptors in the Human Female Reproductive Tract? A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11278
Author(s):  
Yassmin Medina-Laver ◽  
Cristina Rodríguez-Varela ◽  
Stefania Salsano ◽  
Elena Labarta ◽  
Francisco Domínguez
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Progesterone Receptors ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Intracellular Signal ◽  
Human Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Membrane Components

The progesterone hormone regulates the human menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and parturition by its action via the different progesterone receptors and signaling pathways in the female reproductive tract. Progesterone actions can be exerted through classical and non-classical receptors, or even a combination of both. The former are nuclear receptors whose activation leads to transcriptional activity regulation and thus in turn leads to slower but long-lasting responses. The latter are composed of progesterone receptors membrane components (PGRMC) and membrane progestin receptors (mPRs). These receptors rapidly activate the appropriate intracellular signal transduction pathways, and they can subsequently initiate specific cell responses or even modulate genomic cell responses. This review covers our current knowledge on the mechanisms of action and the relevance of classical and non-classical progesterone receptors in female reproductive tissues ranging from the ovary and uterus to the cervix, and it exposes their crucial role in female infertility.

TBC proteins: GAPs for mammalian small GTPase Rab?

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsunori Fukuda
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulators ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Domain Family ◽  
Protein Motif ◽  
Conserved Domain ◽  
And Function

The TBC (Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16) domain was originally identified as a conserved domain among the tre-2 oncogene product and the yeast cell cycle regulators Bub2 and Cdc16, and it is now widely recognized as a conserved protein motif that consists of approx. 200 amino acids in all eukaryotes. Since the TBC domain of yeast Gyps [GAP (GTPase-activating protein) for Ypt proteins] has been shown to function as a GAP domain for small GTPase Ypt/Rab, TBC domain-containing proteins (TBC proteins) in other species are also expected to function as a certain Rab-GAP. More than 40 different TBC proteins are present in humans and mice, and recent accumulating evidence has indicated that certain mammalian TBC proteins actually function as a specific Rab-GAP. Some mammalian TBC proteins {e.g. TBC1D1 [TBC (Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16) domain family, member 1] and TBC1D4/AS160 (Akt substrate of 160 kDa)} play an important role in homoeostasis in mammals, and defects in them are directly associated with mouse and human diseases (e.g. leanness in mice and insulin resistance in humans). The present study reviews the structure and function of mammalian TBC proteins, especially in relation to Rab small GTPases.

scholarly journals The Role of Preclinical Models in Creatine Transporter Deficiency: Neurobiological Mechanisms, Biomarkers and Therapeutic Development

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1123
Author(s):  
Elsa Ghirardini ◽  
Francesco Calugi ◽  
Giulia Sagona ◽  
Federica Di Vetta ◽  
Martina Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Preclinical Development ◽  
Creatine Transporter Deficiency ◽  
Therapeutic Development ◽  
Transporter Deficiency ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Slc6a8 Gene

Creatine (Cr) Transporter Deficiency (CTD) is an X-linked metabolic disorder, mostly caused by missense mutations in the SLC6A8 gene and presenting with intellectual disability, autistic behavior, and epilepsy. There is no effective treatment for CTD and patients need lifelong assistance. Thus, the research of novel intervention strategies is a major scientific challenge. Animal models are an excellent tool to dissect the disease pathogenetic mechanisms and drive the preclinical development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the current knowledge about Cr metabolism and CTD clinical aspects, with a focus on mainstay diagnostic and therapeutic options. Then, we discuss the rodent models of CTD characterized in the last decade, comparing the phenotypes expressed within clinically relevant domains and the timeline of symptom development. This analysis highlights that animals with the ubiquitous deletion/mutation of SLC6A8 genes well recapitulate the early onset and the complex pathological phenotype of the human condition. Thus, they should represent the preferred model for preclinical efficacy studies. On the other hand, brain- and cell-specific conditional mutants are ideal for understanding the basis of CTD at a cellular and molecular level. Finally, we explain how CTD models might provide novel insight about the pathogenesis of other disorders, including cancer.

scholarly journals Rho GTPases as Key Molecular Players within Intestinal Mucosa and GI Diseases

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Rashmita Pradhan ◽  
Phuong A. Ngo ◽  
Luz d. C. Martínez-Sánchez ◽  
Markus F. Neurath ◽  
Rocío López-Posadas
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Rho Proteins

Rho proteins operate as key regulators of the cytoskeleton, cell morphology and trafficking. Acting as molecular switches, the function of Rho GTPases is determined by guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/guanosine diphosphate (GDP) exchange and their lipidation via prenylation, allowing their binding to cellular membranes and the interaction with downstream effector proteins in close proximity to the membrane. A plethora of in vitro studies demonstrate the indispensable function of Rho proteins for cytoskeleton dynamics within different cell types. However, only in the last decades we have got access to genetically modified mouse models to decipher the intricate regulation between members of the Rho family within specific cell types in the complex in vivo situation. Translationally, alterations of the expression and/or function of Rho GTPases have been associated with several pathological conditions, such as inflammation and cancer. In the context of the GI tract, the continuous crosstalk between the host and the intestinal microbiota requires a tight regulation of the complex interaction between cellular components within the intestinal tissue. Recent studies demonstrate that Rho GTPases play important roles for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in the gut. We will summarize the current knowledge on Rho protein function within individual cell types in the intestinal mucosa in vivo, with special focus on intestinal epithelial cells and T cells.

scholarly journals RASAL3 preferentially stimulates GTP hydrolysis of the Rho family small GTPase Rac2

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoonjae Shin ◽  
Yong Kim ◽  
Hyemin Kim ◽  
Nakyoung Shin ◽  
Tae Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

scholarly journals Yersinia enterocolitica Adhesin A Induces Production of Interleukin-8 in Epithelial Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 6780-6789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Schmid ◽  
Guntram A. Grassl ◽  
Oliver T. Bühler ◽  
Mikael Skurnik ◽  
Ingo B. Autenrieth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Yersinia Enterocolitica ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Interleukin 8 ◽  
Β1 Integrin ◽  
Β1 Integrins ◽  
Tissue Reactions

ABSTRACT The major invasive factor of Yersinia enterocolitica, the invasin (Inv) protein, induces proinflammatory host cell responses, including interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion from human epithelial cells, by engagement of β1 integrins. The Inv-triggered β1 integrin signaling involves the small GTPase Rac; the activation of MAP kinases, such as p38, MEK1, and JNK; and the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. In the present study, we demonstrate that Y. enterocolitica YadA, which is a major adhesin of Y. enterocolitica with pleiotropic virulence effects, induces IL-8 secretion in epithelial cells. The abilites of YadA and Inv to promote adhesion to and invasion of HeLa cells and to induce IL-8 production by the cells were investigated by expression of YadA and Inv in Escherichia coli. While YadA mediates efficacious adhesion to HeLa cells, it mediates marginal invasion compared with Inv. Both YadA and Inv trigger comparable levels of IL-8 production. Conformational changes of the YadA head domain by mutation of NSVAIG-S motifs, which abolish collagen binding, also abolish adhesion of Yersinia to HeLa cells and YadA-mediated IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, experiments in which blocking antibodies against β1 integrins were used demonstrate that β1 integrins are crucial for YadA-mediated IL-8 secretion. Inhibitor studies demonstrate the involvement of small GTPases and MAP kinases, such as p38, MEK1, and JNK, indicating that β1 integrin-dependent signaling mediated by Inv or YadA involves similar signaling pathways. These data present YadA, in addition to Inv, YopB, and Yersinia lipopolysaccharide, as a further inducer of proinflammatory molecules by which Y. enterocolitica might promote inflammatory tissue reactions.

scholarly journals The Small GTPase Rap1b: A Bidirectional Regulator of Platelet Adhesion Receptors

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianni Francesco Guidetti ◽  
Mauro Torti
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Platelet Adhesion ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Complex Pattern ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Adhesion Receptors ◽  
Inside Out

Integrins and other families of cell adhesion receptors are responsible for platelet adhesion and aggregation, which are essential steps for physiological haemostasis, as well as for the development of thrombosis. The modulation of platelet adhesive properties is the result of a complex pattern of inside-out and outside-in signaling pathways, in which the members of the Rap family of small GTPases are bidirectionally involved. This paper focuses on the regulation of the main Rap GTPase expressed in circulating platelets, Rap1b, downstream of adhesion receptors, and summarizes the most recent achievements in the investigation of the function of this protein as regulator of platelet adhesion and thrombus formation.

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