ERM proteins and Cdk5 in cellular senescence

Cellular senescence is a tumor-suppressive process instigated by proliferation in the absence of telomere replication, by cellular stresses such as oncogene activation, or by activation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, pRb. This process is characterized by an irreversible cell cycle exit, a unique morphology, and expression of senescence-associated-beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal). Despite the potential biological importance of cellular senescence, little is known of the mechanisms leading to the senescent phenotype. We have recently discovered that expression of active pRb induces expression and altered localization of the ERM family member ezrin, an actin-binding protein involved in membrane-cytoskeletal signaling. pRb expression results in the stimulation of cdk5-mediated phosphorylation of ezrin with subsequent membrane association and induction of cell shape changes, linking pRb activity to cytoskeletal regulation in senescent cells. Cdk5 activity increases in senescing cells and is required for expression of SA-beta-gal and for actin polymerization accompanying acquisition of the senescent morphology. These results begin to illuminate the mechanisms underlying induction of senescence and the senescent shape change and describe new pathways that may contribute to the ability of senescent cells to influence tumor growth.     

ERM Proteins and Cdk5 in Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence is a tumor-suppressive process instigated by proliferation in the absence of telomere replication, by cellular stresses such as oncogene activation, or by activation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, pRb. This process is characterized by an irreversible cell cycle exit, a unique morphology, and expression of senescence-associated-b-galactosidase (SA-b-gal). Despite the potential biological importance of cellular senescence, little is known of the mechanisms leading to the senescent phenotype. We have recently discovered that expression of active pRb induces expression and altered localization of the ERM family member ezrin, an actin-binding protein involved in membrane-cytoskeletal signaling. pRb expression results in the stimulation of cdk5-mediated phosphorylation of ezrin with subsequent membrane association and induction of cell shape changes, linking pRb activity to cytoskeletal regulation in senescent cells. Cdk5 activity increases in senescing cells and is required for expression of SA-b-gal and for actin polymerization accompanying acquisition of the senescent morphology. These results begin to illuminate the mechanisms underlying induction of senescence and the senescent shape change and describe new pathways that may contribute to the ability of senescent cells to influence tumor growth.     

Increased ezrin expression and activation by CDK5 coincident with acquisition of the senescent phenotype

Passage of normal cells in culture leads to senescence, an irreversible cell cycle exit characterized by biochemical changes and a distinctive morphology. Cellular stresses, including oncogene activation, can also lead to senescence. Consistent with an anti-oncogenic role for this process, the tumor suppressor pRb plays a critical role in senescence. Reexpression of pRb in human tumor cells results in senescence-like changes including cell cycle exit and shape changes. Here we show that senescence is accompanied by increased expression and altered localization of ezrin, an actin binding protein involved in membrane-cytoskeletal signaling. pRb expression results in the stimulation of CDK5-mediated phosphorylation of ezrin with subsequent membrane association and induction of cell shape changes, linking pRb activity to cytoskeletal regulation in senescent cells.     

Rac1蛋白活化加速缺氧诱导的人血管内皮细胞衰老

为阐明Rac1蛋白在人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs）衰老中的作用及分子机制,我们采用持续缺氧的方法诱导内皮细胞衰老,检测缺氧前后内皮细胞衰老标志基因SA-β-Gal和PAI-1的表达、细胞周期分布和细胞增殖情况,同时分析缺氧前后细胞内Rac1蛋白的表达.结果显示,持续缺氧96 h后,HUVECs体积变大,细胞浆内颗粒和空泡增多,SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞发生G1期阻滞,细胞增殖受抑,活化型Rac1蛋白表达上调,提示持续缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老可能与Rac1蛋白的活化有关.为进一步明确内皮细胞衰老与Rac1蛋白的关系,应用逆转录病毒将持续活化型Rac1（V12Rac1）和主导抑制型Rac1（N17Rac1）基因分别瞬时感染HUVECs,比较三种HUVECs（HUVECs,V12Rac1-HUVECs,N17Rac1-HUVECs）缺氧后的衰老变化,并分析其下游调控分子--血清反应因子（serum response factor,SRF）的表达和定位变化.研究发现,缺氧培养V12Rac1-HUVECs 48 h即可引起细胞衰老,表现为SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞出现明显的G1期阻滞并且细胞增殖受抑,其改变与缺氧96 h的HUVECs相似;而N17Rac1明显抑制缺氧引起的内皮细胞衰老发生.上述结果说明,Rac1蛋白活化可以加速缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白的活性则可抑制缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老.为进一步研究Rac1蛋白引起内皮细胞衰老的机制,通过免疫荧光染色及Western blot分析检测三种细胞缺氧处理后SRF的表达,发现：与HUVECs细胞比较,V12Rac1引起缺氧48 h HUVECs核蛋白中SRF的表达明显下降,SRF入核转位受到明显抑制;而N17Rac1感染后,缺氧HUVECs细胞核蛋白中SRF表达明显增多.上述结果提示：缺氧状态下Rac1蛋白活化能够明显加速HUVECs衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白活性则明显抑制缺氧诱导的HUVECs衰老,SRF蛋白的核转位活化参与了Rac1蛋白调控HUVECs衰老的发生.     

Lipid raft-associated GTPase signaling controls morphology and CD8+ T cell stimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells

Their eponymous morphology and unique ability to activate naive T cells are hallmark features of dendritic cells (DCs). Specific properties of the actin cytoskeleton may define both characteristics. In search for regulators that coordinate DC phenotype and function, we observed strongly increased expression of the actin-remodeling GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 during DC development from human stem cells. Cdc42 and Rac1 are constitutively active in immature DCs, and their activity is further up-regulated by maturational stimuli such as LPS or CD40L. Activation of Rac1 is associated with its rapid recruitment into lipid rafts. Cdc42 is not recruited into rafts, but readily activated by raft-associated moieties. The functional interplay of rafts, GTPases, and cortical actin is further shown by GTPase activation and actin remodeling after pharmacological disruption of lipid rafts and by the loss of the actin-based DC morphology by transfection of dominant-negative Cdc42 and Rac1. Both Cdc42 and Rac1 also control the transport of essential immunostimulatory molecules to the DC surface. Transfection with dominant-negative GTPases led to reduced surface expression of MHC class I and CD86. Consecutively, DCs display a reduced stimulatory capacity for CD8(+) T cells, whereas MHC class II-dependent stimulation of CD4(+) T cells remains unperturbed. We conclude that Cdc42 and Rac1 signaling controls DC morphology and conditions DCs for efficient CD8(+) T cell stimulation.     

A role for POR1, a Rac1-interacting protein, in ARF6-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements.

The ARF6 GTPase, the least conserved member of the ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) family, associates with the plasma membrane and intracellular endosome vesicles. Mutants of ARF6 defective in GTP binding and hydrolysis have a marked effect on endocytic trafficking and the gross morphology of the peripheral membrane system. Here we report that expression of the GTPase-defective mutant of ARF6, ARF6(Q67L), remodels the actin cytoskeleton by inducing actin polymerization at the cell periphery. This cytoskeletal rearrangement was inhibited by co-expression of ARF6(Q67L) with deletion mutants of POR1, a Rac1-interacting protein involved in membrane ruffling, but not with the dominant-negative mutant of Rac1, Rac1(S17N). A synergistic effect between POR1 and ARF6 for the induction of actin polymerization was detected. Furthermore, we observed that ARF6 interacts directly with POR1 and that this interaction was GTP dependent. These findings indicate that ARF6 and Rac1 function on distinct signaling pathways to mediate cytoskeletal reorganization, and suggest a role for POR1 as an important regulatory element in orchestrating cytoskeletal rearrangements at the cell periphery induced by ARF6 and Rac1.     

Vav mediates Ras stimulation by direct activation of the GDP/GTP exchange factor Ras GRP1

Here we describe a new signaling cross-talk between the Vav/Rac1 and Ras pathways that is established through the stimulation of RasGRP1, an exchange factor for Ras subfamily GTPases. This interaction is crucial for Ras activation in lymphoid cells, since this GTPase cannot become activated in the absence of Vav proteins. The activation of RasGRP1 requires both the generation of diacylglycerol via phospho lipase C-gamma and the induction of actin polymerization, two responses induced by Vav and Rac1 that facilitate the translocation of RasGRP1 to juxtamembrane areas of the cell. Consistent with this, the cross-talk can be activated by tyrosine-phosphorylated wild-type Vav, oncogenic Vav and constitutively active Rac1. Conversely, Ras activation can be blocked in lymphocytes and ectopic systems using inhibitors affecting either phospholipase C-gamma or F-actin polymerization. These results indicate that a relay mechanism exists in lymphoid and other cells helping in the generation of robust signaling responses by the Rac/Rho and Ras pathways upon receptor engagement.     

Rho family proteins modulate rapid apoptosis induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and Fas

Little is known about the role of Rho proteins in apoptosis produced by stimuli evolved specifically to produce apoptosis, such as granzymes from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and Fas. Here we demonstrate that all three Rho family members are involved in CTL- and Fas-induced killing. Dominant-negative mutants of each Rho family member and Clostridium difficile toxin B, an inhibitor of all family members, strongly inhibited the susceptibility of cells to CTL- and Fas-induced apoptosis. Fas-induced caspase-3 activation was inhibited by C. difficile toxin. Activated mutants of each GTPase increased susceptibility to apoptosis, and activation of Cdc42 increased within 5 min of Fas stimulation. In contrast, during the time required for CTL and Fas killing, no apoptosis was produced by dominant-negative or activated mutants or by C. difficile toxin alone. Inhibition of actin polymerization using latrunculin A reduced the ability of constitutively active GTPase mutants to stimulate apoptosis and blocked Fas-induced activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, the ability of Rac to enhance apoptosis was decreased by point mutations reported to block Rac induction of actin polymerization. Rho family proteins may regulate apoptosis through their effects on the actin cytoskeleton.     

Type Ialpha phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase mediates Rac-dependent actin assembly

Action polymerization is essential for a variety of cellular processes including movement, cell division and shape change. The induction of actin polymerization requires the generation of free actin filament barbed ends, which results from the severing or uncapping of pre-existing actin filaments [1] [2], or de novo nucleation, initiated by the Arp2/3 complex [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. Although little is known about the signaling pathways that regulate actin assembly, small GTPases of the Rho family appear to be necessary [8] [9] [10] [11]. In thrombin-stimulated platelets, the Rho family GTPase Rac1 induces actin polymerization by stimulating the uncapping of actin filament barbed ends [2]. The mechanism by which Rac regulates uncapping is unclear, however. We previously demonstrated that Rac interacts with a type I phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP 5-kinase) in a GTP-independent manner [12] [13]. Because PIP 5-kinases synthesize phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P(2)), a lipid that dissociates capping proteins from the barbed ends of actin filaments [14] [15] [16], they are good candidates for mediating the effects of Rac on actin assembly. Here, we have identified the Rac-associated PIP 5-kinase as the PIP 5-kinase isoforms alpha and beta. When added to permeabilized platelets, PIP 5-kinase alpha induced actin filament uncapping and assembly. In contrast, a kinase-inactive PIP 5-kinase alpha mutant failed to induce actin assembly and blocked assembly stimulated by thrombin or Rac. Furthermore, thrombin- or Rac-induced actin polymerization was inhibited by a point mutation in the carboxyl terminus of Rac that disrupts PIP 5-kinase binding. These results demonstrate that PIP 5-kinase alpha is a critical mediator of thrombin- and Rac-dependent actin assembly.     

Selective Loss of CDC2 and CDK2 Induction by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Senescent Human Diploid Fibroblasts

Normal human diploid fibroblasts undergo a finite number of doublings in culture. This process of senescence is accompanied by a loss in the ability to respond to proliferative stimuli and is therefore distinct from the quiescent state induced by nutrient deprivation. We have studied changes in gene expression induced in these cells following exposure to the cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). We observed that TNF induced CDC2 and CDK2 expression in early-passage quiescent WI-38 fibroblasts. However, as cells approached senescence, their ability to induce CDC2 and CDK2, as well as stimulate DNA synthesis in response to TNF, progressively declined, with minimal to absent induction in senescent cells. This occurred despite the TNF-dependent induction of such proliferation-independent genes as manganese superoxide dismutase and interleukin-6 in senescent and quiescent cells. Serum was similarly unable to induce CDC2 or CDK2 expression in senescent cells. These results demonstrate that senescent cells are selectively deficient in TNF-mediated induction of CDC2 and CDK2, genes crucial to DNA synthesis and mitosis.     

Role for the Abi/wave protein complex in T cell receptor-mediated proliferation and cytoskeletal remodeling

BACKGROUND: The molecular reorganization of signaling molecules after T cell receptor (TCR) activation is accompanied by polymerization of actin at the site of contact between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC), as well as extension of actin-rich lamellipodia around the APC. Actin polymerization is critical for the fidelity and efficiency of the T cell response to antigen. The ability of T cells to polymerize actin is critical for several steps in T cell activation including TCR clustering, mature immunological synapse formation, calcium flux, IL-2 production, and proliferation. Activation of the Rac GTPase has been linked to regulation of actin polymerization after TCR stimulation. However, the molecules required for TCR-mediated actin polymerization downstream of activated Rac have remained elusive. Here we identify a novel role for the Abi/Wave protein complex, which signals downstream of activated Rac, in the regulation of actin polymerization and T cell activation in response to TCR stimulation. RESULTS: Here we show that Abi and Wave rapidly translocate from the T cell cytoplasm to the T cell:B cell contact site in the presence of antigen. Abi and Wave colocalize with actin at the T cell:B cell conjugation site. Moreover, Wave and Abi are necessary for actin polymerization after T cell activation, and loss of Abi proteins in mice impairs TCR-induced cell proliferation and IL-2 production in primary T cells. Significantly, the impairment in actin polymerization in cells lacking Abi proteins is due to the inability of Wave proteins to localize to the T cell:B cell contact site in the presence of antigen, rather than the destabilization of the components of the Wave protein complex. CONCLUSIONS: The Abi/Wave complex is a novel regulator of TCR-mediated actin dynamics, IL-2 production, and proliferation.     

Rac1 protein rescues neurite retraction caused by G2019S leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are currently the most common genetic cause of familial late-onset Parkinson disease, which is clinically indistinguishable from idiopathic disease. The most common pathological mutation in LRRK2, G2019S LRRK2, is known to cause neurite retraction. However, molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of neurite length by LRRK2 are unknown. Here, we demonstrate a novel interaction between LRRK2 and the Rho GTPase, Rac1, which plays a critical role in actin cytoskeleton remodeling necessary for the maintenance of neurite morphology. LRRK2 binds strongly to endogenous or expressed Rac1, while showing weak binding to Cdc42 and no binding to RhoA. Co-expression with LRRK2 increases Rac1 activity, as shown by increased binding to the p21-activated kinase, which modulates actin cytoskeletal dynamics. LRRK2 constructs carrying mutations that inactivate the kinase or GTPase activities do not activate Rac1. Interestingly, LRRK2 does not increase levels of membrane-bound Rac1 but dramatically changes the cellular localization of Rac1, causing polarization, which is augmented further when LRRK2 is co-expressed with constitutively active Rac1. Four different disease-related mutations in LRRK2 altered binding to Rac1, with the G2019S and R1441C LRRK2 mutations attenuating Rac1 binding and the Y1699C and I2020T LRRK2 mutations increasing binding. Co-expressing Rac1 in SH-SY5Y cells rescues the G2019S mutant phenotype of neurite retraction. We hypothesize that pathological mutations in LRRK2 attenuates activation of Rac1, causing disassembly of actin filaments, leading to neurite retraction. The interactions between LRRK2 and Rho GTPases provide a novel pathway through which LRRK2 might modulate cellular dynamics and contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson disease.     

Regulation of ezrin localization by Rac1 and PIPK in human epithelial cells

Regulation of ezrin and other ERM proteins is not completely understood, but the involvement of Rho GTPases seems crucial. In this work, expression plasmids encoding full-length, deleted or truncated ezrin were constructed and coexpressed with Rac1 GTPase in HeLa human epithelial cells in order to elucidate the mechanisms of ezrin activation and function. We observed induction of actin stress fiber formation by ezrin constructs harboring the F-actin binding site but devoid of sequences required for intra- or intermolecular binding. Stress fiber-inducing ezrin mutants were localized in adherens junctions containing N-cadherin but no E-cadherin, and also colocalized with F-actin in stress fibers. This localization required the activity of Rac1 and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase and involved RhoA. We suggest that localization of ezrin in adherens junctions is regulated by Rac in a manner involving PIPK.     

p190-RhoGAP as an integral component of the Tiam1/Rac1-induced downregulation of Rho

The Rho family of small GTPases plays a central role in intracellular signal transduction, particularly in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Rho activity induces cell contractility, whereas Rac promotes cellular protrusion, which counteracts Rho signaling. In this regard, the reciprocal balance between these GTPases determines cell morphology and migratory behavior. Here we demonstrate that Tiam1/Rac1 signaling is able to antagonize Rho activity directly at the GTPase level in COS-7 cells. p190-RhoGAP plays a central regulatory role in this signaling pathway. Interfering with its activation by Src-kinase-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation or its recruitment to the membrane through interaction with the SH2 domains of p120-RasGAP blocks the Tiam1-mediated rapid downregulation of Rho. This process is mediated by Rac1, but not by Rac2 or Rac3 isoforms. Our data provide evidence for a biochemical pathway of the reciprocal regulation of two related small GTPases, which are key elements in cell migration.     

Rac downregulates Rho activity: reciprocal balance between both GTPases determines cellular morphology and migratory behavior

Using biochemical assays to determine the activation state of Rho-like GTPases, we show that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam1 functions as a specific activator of Rac but not Cdc42 or Rho in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Activation of Rac by Tiam1 induces an epithelial-like morphology with functional cadherin-based adhesions and inhibits migration of fibroblasts. This epithelial phenotype is characterized by Rac-mediated effects on Rho activity. Transient PDGF-induced as well as sustained Rac activation by Tiam1 or V12Rac downregulate Rho activity. We found that Cdc42 also downregulates Rho activity. Neither V14Rho or N19Rho affects Rac activity, suggesting unidirectional signaling from Rac towards Rho. Downregulation of Rho activity occurs independently of Rac- induced cytoskeletal changes and cell spreading. Moreover, Rac effector mutants that are defective in mediating cytoskeleton changes or Jun kinase activation both downregulate Rho activity, suggesting that neither of these Rac signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of Rho. Restoration of Rho activity in Tiam1-expressing cells by expression of V14Rho results in reversion of the epithelioid phenotype towards a migratory, fibroblastoid morphology. We conclude that Rac signaling is able to antagonize Rho activity directly at the GTPase level, and that the reciprocal balance between Rac and Rho activity determines cellular morphology and migratory behavior in NIH3T3 fibroblasts.