FilGAP, a Rho- and ROCK-regulated GAP for Rac binds filamin A to control actin remodelling

FilGAP is a newly recognized filamin A (FLNa)-binding RhoGTPase-activating protein. The GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity of FilGAP is specific for Rac and FLNa binding targets FilGAP to sites of membrane protrusion, where it antagonizes Rac in vivo. Dominant-negative FilGAP constructs lacking GAP activity or knockdown of endogenous FilGAP by small interference RNA (siRNA) induce spontaneous lamellae formation and stimulate cell spreading on fibronectin. Knockdown of endogenous FilGAP abrogates ROCK-dependent suppression of lamellae. Conversely, forced expression of FilGAP induces numerous blebs around the cell periphery and a ROCK-specific inhibitor suppresses bleb formation. ROCK phosphorylates FilGAP, and this phosphorylation stimulates its RacGAP activity and is a requirement for FilGAP-mediated bleb formation. FilGAP is, therefore, a mediator of the well-established antagonism of Rac by RhoA that suppresses leading edge protrusion and promotes cell retraction to achieve cellular polarity.     

Force-induced apoptosis mediated by the Rac/Pak/p38 signalling pathway is regulated by filamin A

Cells in mechanically challenged environments cope with high-amplitude exogenous forces that can lead to cell death, but the mechanisms that mediate force-induced apoptosis and the identity of mechanoprotective cellular factors are not defined. We assessed apoptosis in NIH 3T3 and HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells exposed to tensile forces applied through β1-integrins. Apoptosis was mediated by Rac-dependent activation of p38α. Depletion of Pak1 (p21-activated kinase 1), a downstream effector of Rac, prevented force-induced p38 activation and apoptosis. Rac was recruited to sites of force transfer by filamin A, which inhibited force-induced apoptosis mediated by Rac and p38α. We conclude that, in response to tensile force, filamin A regulates Rac-dependent signals, which induce apoptosis through Pak1 and p38.     

Src Family Tyrosine Kinase Signaling Regulates FilGAP through Association with RBM10

FilGAP is a Rac-specific GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that suppresses lamellae formation. In this study, we have identified RBM10 (RNA Binding Motif domain protein 10) as a FilGAP-interacting protein. Although RBM10 is mostly localized in the nuclei in human melanoma A7 cells, forced expression of Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn induced translocation of RBM10 from nucleus into cell peripheries where RBM10 and FilGAP are co-localized. The translocation of RBM10 from nucleus appears to require catalytic activity of Fyn since kinase-negative Fyn mutant failed to induce translocation of RBM10 in A7 cells. When human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells are spreading on collagen-coated coverslips, endogenous FilGAP and RBM10 were localized at the cell periphery with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. RBM10 appears to be responsible for targeting FilGAP at the cell periphery because depletion of RBM10 by siRNA abrogated peripheral localization of FilGAP during cell spreading. Association of RBM10 with FilGAP may stimulate RacGAP activity of FilGAP. First, forced expression of RBM10 suppressed FilGAP-mediated cell spreading on collagen. Conversely, depletion of endogenous RBM10 by siRNA abolished FilGAP-mediated suppression of cell spreading on collagen. Second, FilGAP suppressed formation of membrane ruffles induced by Fyn and instead produced spiky cell protrusions at the cell periphery. This protrusive structure was also induced by depletion of Rac, suggesting that the formation of protrusions may be due to suppression of Rac by FilGAP. We found that depletion of RBM10 markedly reduced the formation of protrusions in cells transfected with Fyn and FilGAP. Finally, depletion of RBM10 blocked FilGAP-mediated suppression of ruffle formation induced by EGF. Taken together, these results suggest that Src family tyrosine kinase signaling may regulate FilGAP through association with RBM10.     

ADP Ribosylation Factor 6 (Arf6) Acts through FilGAP Protein to Down-regulate Rac Protein and Regulates Plasma Membrane Blebbing

The small GTP-binding protein Arf6 reorganizes the actin cytoskeleton through the regulation of Rac activity. We identified FilGAP, a Rac-specific Rho GTPase-activating protein that is recruited to plasma membranes by binding to activated Arf6. FilGAP binds to Arf6 through its pleckstrin homology domain. Activated Arf6 stimulated RacGAP activity of FilGAP, and knockdown of endogenous Arf6 by siRNA suppresses FilGAP-mediated bleb formation. Mutant FilGAP lacking phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP₃) binding (FilGAP R39C) binds to activated Arf6 and induces bleb formation. Moreover, bleb formation induced by wild-type FilGAP occurs in the presence of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, suggesting a PIP₃-independent interaction between FilGAP and Arf6. We propose that FilGAP may function as a mediator of the regulation of Rac by Arf6.     

Structural basis of filamin A functions

Filamin A (FLNa) can effect orthogonal branching of F-actin and bind many cellular constituents. FLNa dimeric subunits have N-terminal spectrin family F-actin binding domains (ABDs) and an elongated flexible segment of 24 immunoglobulin (Ig) repeats. We generated a library of FLNa fragments to examine their F-actin binding to define the structural properties of FLNa that enable its various functions. We find that Ig repeats 9–15 contain an F-actin–binding domain necessary for high avidity F-actin binding. Ig repeats 16–24, where most FLNa-binding partners interact, do not bind F-actin, and thus F-actin does not compete with Ig repeat 23 ligand, FilGAP. Ig repeats 16–24 have a compact structure that suggests their unfolding may accommodate pre-stress–mediated stiffening of F-actin networks, partner binding, mechanosensing, and mechanoprotection properties of FLNa. Our results also establish the orientation of FLNa dimers in F-actin branching. Dimerization, mediated by FLNa Ig repeat 24, accounts for rigid high-angle FLNa/F-actin branching resistant to bending by thermal forces, and high avidity F-actin binding and cross-linking.     

A Rac switch regulates random versus directionally persistent cell migration

Directional migration moves cells rapidly between points, whereas random migration allows cells to explore their local environments. We describe a Rac1 mechanism for determining whether cell patterns of migration are intrinsically random or directionally persistent. Rac activity promoted the formation of peripheral lamellae that mediated random migration. Decreasing Rac activity suppressed peripheral lamellae and switched the cell migration patterns of fibroblasts and epithelial cells from random to directionally persistent. In three-dimensional rather than traditional two-dimensional cell culture, cells had a lower level of Rac activity that was associated with rapid, directional migration. In contrast to the directed migration of chemotaxis, this intrinsic directional persistence of migration was not mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase lipid signaling. Total Rac1 activity can therefore provide a regulatory switch between patterns of cell migration by a mechanism distinct from chemotaxis.     

FilGAP,a Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase–regulated GTPase-activating protein for Rac,controls tumor cell migration

Tumor cells exhibit two interconvertible modes of cell motility referred to as mesenchymal and amoeboid migration. Mesenchymal mode is characterized by elongated morphology that requires high GTPase Rac activation, whereas amoeboid mode is dependent on actomyosin contractility induced by Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling. While elongated morphology is driven by Rac-induced protrusion at the leading edge, how Rho/ROCK signaling controls amoeboid movement is not well understood. We identified FilGAP, a Rac GTPase-activating protein (GAP), as a mediator of Rho/ROCK-dependent amoeboid movement of carcinoma cells. We show that depletion of endogenous FilGAP in carcinoma cells induced highly elongated mesenchymal morphology. Conversely, forced expression of FilGAP induced a round/amoeboid morphology that requires Rho/ROCK-dependent phosphorylation of FilGAP. Moreover, depletion of FilGAP impaired breast cancer cell invasion through extracellular matrices and reduced tumor cell extravasation in vivo. Thus phosphorylation of FilGAP by ROCK appears to promote amoeboid morphology of carcinoma cells, and FilGAP contributes to tumor invasion.     

Phosphorylation of Serine 402 Regulates RacGAP Protein Activity of FilGAP Protein

FilGAP is a Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that specifically regulates Rac. FilGAP is phosphorylated by ROCK, and this phosphorylation stimulates its RacGAP activity. However, it is unclear how phosphorylation regulates cellular functions and localization of FilGAP. We found that non-phosphorylatable FilGAP (ST/A) mutant is predominantly localized to the cytoskeleton along actin filaments and partially co-localized with vinculin around cell periphery, whereas phosphomimetic FilGAP (ST/D) mutant is diffusely cytoplasmic. Moreover, phosphorylated FilGAP detected by Phos-tag is also mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Of the six potential phosphorylation sites in FilGAP tested, only mutation of serine 402 to alanine (S402A) resulted in decreased cell spreading on fibronectin. FilGAP phosphorylated at Ser-402 is localized to the cytoplasm but not at the cytoskeleton. Although Ser-402 is highly phosphorylated in serum-starved quiescent cells, dephosphorylation of Ser-402 is accompanied with the cell spreading on fibronectin. Treatment of the cells expressing wild-type FilGAP with calyculin A, a Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitor, suppressed cell spreading on fibronectin, whereas cells transfected with FilGAP S402A mutant were not affected by calyculin A. Expression of constitutively activate Arf6 Q67L mutant stimulated membrane blebbing activity of both non-phosphorylatable (ST/A) and phosphomimetic (ST/D) FilGAP mutants. Conversely, depletion of endogenous Arf6 suppressed membrane blebbing induced by FilGAP (ST/A) and (ST/D) mutants. Our study suggests that Arf6 and phosphorylation of FilGAP may regulate FilGAP, and phosphorylation of Ser-402 may play a role in the regulation of cell spreading on fibronectin.     

Matrix-dependent Tiam1/Rac Signaling in Epithelial Cells Promotes Either Cell–Cell Adhesion or Cell Migration and Is Regulated by Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

We previously demonstrated that both Tiam1, an activator of Rac, and constitutively active V12Rac promote E-cadherin–mediated cell–cell adhesion in epithelial Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Moreover, Tiam1 and V12Rac inhibit invasion of Ras-transformed, fibroblastoid MDCK-f3 cells by restoring E-cadherin–mediated cell–cell adhesion. Here we show that the Tiam1/Rac-induced cellular response is dependent on the cell substrate. On fibronectin and laminin 1, Tiam1/Rac signaling inhibits migration of MDCK-f3 cells by restoring E-cadherin–mediated cell– cell adhesion. On different collagens, however, expression of Tiam1 and V12Rac promotes motile behavior, under conditions that prevent formation of E-cadherin adhesions. In nonmotile cells, Tiam1 is present in adherens junctions, whereas Tiam1 localizes to lamellae of migrating cells. The level of Rac activation by Tiam1, as determined by binding to a glutathione-S-transferase– PAK protein, is similar on fibronectin or collagen I, suggesting that rather the localization of the Tiam1/Rac signaling complex determines the substrate-dependent cellular responses. Rac activation by Tiam1 requires PI3-kinase activity. Moreover, Tiam1- but not V12Rac-induced migration as well as E-cadherin–mediated cell– cell adhesion are dependent on PI3-kinase, indicating that PI3-kinase acts upstream of Tiam1 and Rac.     

Filamin A, the Arp2/3 complex, and the morphology and function of cortical actin filaments in human melanoma cells.

The Arp2/3 complex and filamin A (FLNa) branch actin filaments. To define the role of these actin-binding proteins in cellular actin architecture, we compared the morphology of FLNa-deficient human melanoma (M2) cells and three stable derivatives of these cells expressing normal FLNa concentrations. All the cell lines contain similar amounts of the Arp2/3 complex. Serum addition causes serum-starved M2 cells to extend flat protrusions transiently; thereafter, the protrusions turn into spherical blebs and the cells do not crawl. The short-lived lamellae of M2 cells contain a dense mat of long actin filaments in contrast to a more three-dimensional orthogonal network of shorter actin filaments in lamellae of identically treated FLNa-expressing cells capable of translational locomotion. FLNa-specific antibodies localize throughout the leading lamellae of these cells at junctions between orthogonally intersecting actin filaments. Arp2/3 complex-specific antibodies stain diffusely and label a few, although not the same, actin filament overlap sites as FLNa antibody. We conclude that FLNa is essential in cells that express it for stabilizing orthogonal actin networks suitable for locomotion. Contrary to some proposals, Arp2/3 complex-mediated branching of actin alone is insufficient for establishing an orthogonal actin organization or maintaining mechanical stability at the leading edge.     

Cell death and mechanoprotection by filamin a in connective tissues after challenge by applied tensile forces

Cells in mechanically challenged environments must cope with high amplitude forces to maintain cell viability and tissue homeostasis. Currently, force-induced cell death and the identity of mechanoprotective factors are not defined. We examined death in cultured periodontal fibroblasts, connective tissue cells that are exposed to heavy applied forces in vivo. Static tensile forces (0.48 piconewtons/microm2 cell area) were applied through magnetite beads coated with collagen or bovine serum albumin. There was a time-dependent increase of the percentage of propidium iodide-permeable cells in force-loaded cultures incubated with collagen but not bovine serum albumin beads, indicating a role for integrins. Cells exhibited reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased caspase-3 activation, nuclear condensation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labeling staining, and detachment from the culture dish. The caspase-3 inhibitor acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde reduced detachment 3-fold. There was a rapid (<10-s) decrease in plasma membrane potential after force application, which, in filamin A-deficient melanoma cells, contributed to irreversible cell depolarization. In fibroblast cultures, cells with increased permeability to propidium iodide exhibited approximately 2-fold less filamin A content than impermeable cells. Fibroblasts transfected with antisense filamin A constructs or with filamin A constructs without an actin-binding domain exhibited 2-3-fold increased proportions of dead cells relative to controls. We conclude that high amplitude forces delivered through integrins can promote apoptosis in a proportion of cells and that filamin A confers mechanoprotection by preventing membrane depolarization.     

Filamins Regulate Cell Spreading and Initiation of Cell Migration

Mammalian filamins (FLNs) are a family of three large actin-binding proteins. FLNa, the founding member of the family, was implicated in migration by cell biological analyses and the identification of FLNA mutations in the neuronal migration disorder periventricular heterotopia. However, recent knockout studies have questioned the relevance of FLNa to cell migration. Here we have used shRNA-mediated knockdown of FLNa, FLNb or FLNa and FLNb, or, alternatively, acute proteasomal degradation of all three FLNs, to generate FLN-deficient cells and assess their ability to migrate. We report that loss of FLNa or FLNb has little effect on migration but that knockdown of FLNa and FLNb, or proteolysis of all three FLNs, impairs migration. The observed defect is primarily a deficiency in initiation of motility rather than a problem with maintenance of locomotion speed. FLN-deficient cells are also impaired in spreading. Re-expression of full length FLNa, but not re-expression of a mutated FLNa lacking immunoglobulin domains 19 to 21, reverts both the spreading and the inhibition of initiation of migration.Our results establish a role for FLNs in cell migration and spreading and suggest that compensation by other FLNs may mask phenotypes in single knockout or knockdown cells. We propose that interactions between FLNs and transmembrane or signalling proteins, mediated at least in part by immunoglobulin domains 19 to 21 are important for both cell spreading and initiation of migration.     

Force Dependent Biotinylation of Myosin IIA by α-Catenin Tagged with a Promiscuous Biotin Ligase

Tissues and organs undergo constant physical perturbations and individual cells must respond to mechanical forces to maintain tissue integrity. However, molecular interactions underlying mechano-transduction are not fully defined at cell-cell junctions. This is in part due to weak and transient interactions that are likely prevalent in force-induced protein complexes. Using in situ proximal biotinylation by the promiscuous biotin ligase BirA tagged to α-catenin and a substrate stretch cell chamber, we sought to identify force-dependent molecular interactions surrounding α-catenin, an actin regulator at the sites of cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion. While E-cadherin, β-catenin, vinculin and actin localize with α-catenin at cell-cell contacts in immuno-fluorescent staining, only β-catenin and plakoglobin were biotinylated, suggesting that this proximal biotinylation is limited to the molecules that are in the immediate vicinity of α-catenin. In mechanically stretched samples, increased biotinylation of non-muscle myosin IIA, but not myosin IIB, suggests close spatial proximity between α-catenin and myosin IIA during substrate stretching. This force-induced biotinylation diminished as myosin II activity was inhibited by blebbistatin. Taken together, this promising technique enables us to identify force sensitive complexes that may be essential for mechano-responses in force bearing cell adhesion.     

Filamin is essential in actin cytoskeletal assembly mediated by p21-activated kinase 1

The serine/threonine kinase p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) controls the actin cytoskeletal and ruffle formation through mechanisms that are independent of GTPase activity. Here we identify filamin FLNa as a Pak1-interacting protein through a yeast two-hybrid screen using the amino terminus of Pak1 as a bait. FLNa is stimulated by physiological signalling molecules to undergo phosphorylation by Pak1 and to interact and colocalize with endogenous Pak1 in membrane ruffles. The ruffle-forming activity of Pak1 is functional in FLNa-expressing cells but not in FLNa-deficient cells. In FLNa, the Pak1-binding site involves tandem repeat 23 in the carboxyl terminus and phosphorylation takes place on serine 2152. The FLNa-binding site in Pak1 is localized between amino acids 52 and 132 in the conserved Cdc42/Rac-interacting (CRIB) domain; accordingly, FLNa binding to the CRIB domain stimulates Pak1 kinase activity. Our results indicate that FLNa may be essential for Pak1-induced cytoskeletal reorganization and that the two-way regulatory interaction between Pak1 and FLNa may contribute to the local stimulation of Pak1 activity and its targets in cytoskeletal structures.     

IpaC induces actin polymerization and filopodia formation during Shigella entry into epithelial cells.

Shigella proteins that are targeted to host cells by a type III secretion apparatus are essential for reorganization of the cytoskeleton during cell invasion. We have developed a semi-permeabilized cell assay that tests the effects of bacterial proteins on the actin cytoskeleton. The Shigella IpaC protein was found to induce the formation of filopodial and lamellipodial extensions in these semi-permeabilized cells. Microinjection of IpaC into cells, or cellular expression of IpaC also led to the formation of filopodial structures. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the C-terminus of IpaC inhibited the IpaC-induced extensions, whereas an anti-N-terminal IpaC mAb stimulated extensive lamellae formation. Shigella induced foci of actin polymerization in the permeabilized cells and these were inhibited by anti-C-terminal IpaC mAbs. Consistent with a role for IpaC in Shigella-induced cytoskeletal rearrangements during entry, stable transfectants expressing IpaC challenged with Shigella showed increased bacterial internalization. IpaC-induced extensions were inhibited by a dominant-interfering form of Cdc42 or the Cdc42-binding domain of WASP, whereas a dominant-interfering form of Rac resulted in inhibition of lamellae formation. We conclude that IpaC leads to activation of Cdc42 which in turn, causes activation of Rac, both GTPases being required for Shigella entry.     

Beta1 integrin activates Rac1 in Schwann cells to generate radial lamellae during axonal sorting and myelination

Myelin is a multispiraled extension of glial membrane that surrounds axons. How glia extend a surface many-fold larger than their body is poorly understood. Schwann cells are peripheral glia and insert radial cytoplasmic extensions into bundles of axons to sort, ensheath, and myelinate them. Laminins and beta1 integrins are required for axonal sorting, but the downstream signals are largely unknown. We show that Schwann cells devoid of beta1 integrin migrate to and elongate on axons but cannot extend radial lamellae of cytoplasm, similar to cells with low Rac1 activation. Accordingly, active Rac1 is decreased in beta1 integrin-null nerves, inhibiting Rac1 activity decreases radial lamellae in Schwann cells, and ablating Rac1 in Schwann cells of transgenic mice delays axonal sorting and impairs myelination. Finally, expressing active Rac1 in beta1 integrin-null nerves improves sorting. Thus, increased activation of Rac1 by beta1 integrins allows Schwann cells to switch from migration/elongation to the extension of radial membranes required for axonal sorting and myelination.     

v-Crk induces Rac-dependent membrane ruffling and cell migration in CAS-deficient embryonic fibroblasts

Crk-associated substrate (CAS) is a focal adhesion protein that is involved in integrin signaling and cell migration. CAS deficiency reduces the migration and spreading of cells, both of which are processes mediated by Rac activation. We examined the functions of v-Crk, the oncogene product of the CT10 virus p47gag-crk, which affects cell migration and spreading, membrane ruffling, and Rac activation in CAS-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (CAS-/- MEFs). CAS-/- MEFs showed less spreading than did CAS+/+ MEFs, but spreading was recovered in mutant cells that expressed v-Crk (CAS-/-v-Crk MEF). We observed that the reduction in spreading was linked to the formation of membrane ruffles, which were accompanied by Rac activation. In CAS-/- MEFs, Rac activity was significantly reduced, and Rac was not localized to the membrane. In contrast, Rac was active and localized to the membrane in CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. Lamellipodia protrusion and ruffle retraction velocities were both reduced in CAS-/- MEFs, but not in CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. We also found that microinjection of anti-gag antibodies inhibited the migration of CAS-/-v-Crk MEFs. These findings indicate that v-Crk controls cell migration and membrane dynamics by activating Rac in CAS-deficient MEFs.     

RhoA function in lamellae formation and migration is regulated by the alpha6beta4 integrin and cAMP metabolism

Clone A colon carcinoma cells develop fan-shaped lamellae and exhibit random migration when plated on laminin, processes that depend on the ligation of the alpha6beta4 integrin. Here, we report that expression of a dominant negative RhoA (N19RhoA) in clone A cells inhibited alpha6beta4-dependent membrane ruffling, lamellae formation, and migration. In contrast, expression of a dominant negative Rac (N17Rac1) had no effect on these processes. Using the Rhotekin binding assay to assess RhoA activation, we observed that engagement of alpha6beta4 by either antibody-mediated clustering or laminin attachment resulted in a two- to threefold increase in RhoA activation, compared with cells maintained in suspension or plated on collagen. Antibody-mediated clustering of beta1 integrins, however, actually suppressed Rho A activation. The alpha6beta4-mediated interaction of clone A cells with laminin promoted the translocation of RhoA from the cytosol to membrane ruffles at the edges of lamellae and promoted its colocalization with beta1 integrins, as assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy. In addition, RhoA translocation was blocked by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity and enhanced by inhibiting the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Together, these results establish a specific integrin-mediated pathway of RhoA activation that is regulated by cAMP and that functions in lamellae formation and migration.