Sharon L. Campbell

A Molecular Redox Switch on p21ras STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR THE NITRIC OXIDE-p21ras INTERACTION

We have identified the site of molecular interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and p21ras responsible for initiation of signal transduction. We found that p21ras was singly S-nitrosylated and localized this modification to a fragment of p21ras containing Cys118. A mutant form of p21ras, in which Cys118 was changed to a serine residue and termed p21rasC118S, was not S-nitrosylated. NO-related species stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange on wild-type p21ras, resulting in an active form, but not on p21rasC118S. Furthermore, in contrast to parental Jurkat T cells, NO-related species did not stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in cells transfected with p21rasC118S. These data indicate that Cys118 is a critical site of redox regulation of p21ras, and S-nitrosylation of this residue triggers guanine nucleotide exchange and downstream signaling.

Rho family proteins and Ras transformation: the RHOad less traveled gets congested

The Rho family of small GTPases has attracted considerable research interest over the past 5 years. During this time, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in our knowledge of the biochemistry and biology of these Ras-related proteins. Thus, Rho family proteins have begun to rival, if not overshadow, interest in their more celebrated cousins, the Ras oncogene proteins. The fascination in Rho family proteins is fueled primarily by two major observations. First, like Ras, Rho family proteins serve as guanine nucleotide-regulated binary switches that control signaling pathways that in turn regulate diverse cellular processes. Rho family proteins are key components in cellular processes that control the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, activate kinase cascades, regulate gene expression, regulate membrane trafficking, promote growth transformation and induce apoptosis. Second, at least five Rho family proteins have been implicated as critical regulators of oncogenic Ras transformation. Thus, it is suspected that Rho family proteins contribute significantly to the aberrant growth properties of Ras-transformed cells. Rho family proteins are also critical mediators of the transforming actions of other transforming proteins and include Dbl family oncogene proteins, G protein-coupled receptors and G protein α subunits. Thus, Rho family proteins may be key components for the transforming actions of diverse oncogene proteins. Major aims of Rho family protein studies are to define the molecular mechanism by which Rho family proteins regulate such a diverse spectrum of cellular behavior. These efforts may reveal novel targets for the development of anti-Ras and anti-cancer drugs.

A crystallographic view of interactions between Dbs and Cdc42: PH domain‐assisted guanine nucleotide exchange

Dbl‐related oncoproteins are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) specific for Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) and invariably possess tandem Dbl (DH) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. While it is known that the DH domain is the principal catalytic subunit, recent biochemical data indicate that for some Dbl‐family proteins, such as Dbs and Trio, PH domains may cooperate with their associated DH domains in promoting guanine nucleotide exchange of Rho GTPases. In order to gain an understanding of the involvement of these PH domains in guanine nucleotide exchange, we have determined the crystal structure of a DH/PH fragment from Dbs in complex with Cdc42. The complex features the PH domain in a unique conformation distinct from the PH domains in the related structures of Sos1 and Tiam1·Rac1. Consequently, the Dbs PH domain participates with the DH domain in binding Cdc42, primarily through a set of interactions involving switch 2 of the GTPase. Comparative sequence analysis suggests that a subset of Dbl‐family proteins will utilize their PH domains similarly to Dbs.

Increasing complexity of ras signal transduction: Involvement of rho family proteins

Publisher Summary The chapter illustrates current understanding of Ras signal transduction, with emphasis on the involvement of Rho family proteins and on how Rho family proteins contribute to Ras function. A remarkable convergence of experimental observations from genetic analyses of Drosophila melanogaster, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Caenorhabditis eleguns, as well as biochemical and biological studies in mammalian cells, together define a clear role for Ras in signal transduction. This remarkable achievement appreciates how the aberrant function of Ras proteins contribute to the malignant growth properties of the cancer cell. Ras signaling involves a complex array of signaling pathways, in which cross-talk, feedback loops, branch points, and multicomponent signaling complexes are recurring themes. The chapter summarizes two major emerging themes that refocus the perceptions of how Ras functions in signal transduction. First, it has become clear that the Raf-1 serine/threonine kinase is not the sole downstream effector of Ras. Second, the functions of certain Ras-related proteins that constitute part of the Rho family proteins are shown to be important for Ras transformation. This, together with evidence implicating these small guanosine triphosphates (GTPases) downstream of Ras, has prompted considerable effort in understanding how the function of Rho family proteins contribute to Ras signaling and transformation.

Copper is required for oncogenic BRAF signalling and tumorigenesis

The BRAF kinase is mutated, typically Val 600→Glu (V600E), to induce an active oncogenic state in a large fraction of melanomas, thyroid cancers, hairy cell leukaemias and, to a smaller extent, a wide spectrum of other cancers. BRAFV600E phosphorylates and activates the MEK1 and MEK2 kinases, which in turn phosphorylate and activate the ERK1 and ERK2 kinases, stimulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to promote cancer. Targeting MEK1/2 is proving to be an important therapeutic strategy, given that a MEK1/2 inhibitor provides a survival advantage in metastatic melanoma, an effect that is increased when administered together with a BRAFV600E inhibitor. We previously found that copper (Cu) influx enhances MEK1 phosphorylation of ERK1/2 through a Cu–MEK1 interaction. Here we show decreasing the levels of CTR1 (Cu transporter 1), or mutations in MEK1 that disrupt Cu binding, decreased BRAFV600E-driven signalling and tumorigenesis in mice and human cell settings. Conversely, a MEK1–MEK5 chimaera that phosphorylated ERK1/2 independently of Cu or an active ERK2 restored the tumour growth of murine cells lacking Ctr1. Cu chelators used in the treatment of Wilson disease decreased tumour growth of human or murine cells transformed by BRAFV600E or engineered to be resistant to BRAF inhibition. Taken together, these results suggest that Cu-chelation therapy could be repurposed to treat cancers containing the BRAFV600E mutation.

Direct activation of RhoA by reactive oxygen species requires a redox-sensitive motif.

Background Rho family GTPases are critical regulators of the cytoskeleton and affect cell migration, cell-cell adhesion, and cell-matrix adhesion. As with all GTPases, their activity is determined by their guanine nucleotide-bound state. Understanding how Rho proteins are activated and inactivated has largely focused on regulatory proteins such as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). However, recent in vitro studies have indicated that GTPases may also be directly regulated by redox agents. We hypothesized that this redox-based mechanism occurs in cells and affects cytoskeletal dynamics, and in this report we conclude this is indeed a novel mechanism of regulating the GTPase RhoA. Methodology/Principal Findings In this report, we show that RhoA can be directly activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, and that this requires two critical cysteine residues located in a unique redox-sensitive motif within the phosphoryl binding loop. First, we show that ROS can reversibly activate RhoA and induce stress fiber formation, a well characterized readout of RhoA activity. To determine the role of cysteine residues in this mechanism of regulation, we generated cysteine to alanine RhoA mutants. Mutation of these cysteines abolishes ROS-mediated activation and stress fiber formation, indicating that these residues are critical for redox-regulation of RhoA. Importantly, these mutants maintain the ability to be activated by GEFs. Conclusions/Significance Our findings identify a novel mechanism for the regulation of RhoA in cells by ROS, which is independent of classical regulatory proteins. This mechanism of regulation may be particularly relevant in pathological conditions where ROS are generated and the cellular redox-balance altered, such as in asthma and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Vinculin–actin interaction couples actin retrograde flow to focal adhesions, but is dispensable for focal adhesion growth

Vinculin functions as a molecular clutch that organizes leading edge F-actin, generates traction, and promotes focal adhesion formation and turnover but not adhesion growth.

14-3-3 ζ Negatively Regulates Raf-1 Activity by Interactions with the Raf-1 Cysteine-rich Domain

Although Raf-1 is a critical effector of Ras signaling and transformation, the mechanism by which Ras promotes Raf-1 activation is complex and remains poorly understood. We recently reported that Ras interaction with the Raf-1 cysteine-rich domain (Raf-CRD, residues 139–184) may be required for Raf-1 activation. The Raf-CRD is located in the NH2-terminal negative regulatory domain of Raf-1 and is highly homologous to cysteine-rich domains found in protein kinase C family members. Recent studies indicate that the structural integrity of the Raf-CRD is also critical for Raf-1 interaction with 14-3-3 proteins. However, whether 14-3-3 proteins interact directly with the Raf-CRD and how this interaction may mediate Raf-1 function has not been determined. In the present study, we demonstrate that 14-3-3 ζ binds directly to the isolated Raf-CRD. Moreover, mutation of Raf-1 residues 143–145 impairs binding of 14-3-3, but not Ras, to the Raf-CRD. Introduction of mutations that impair 14-3-3 binding resulted in full-length Raf-1 mutants with enhanced transforming activity. Thus, 14-3-3 interaction with the Raf-CRD may serve in negative regulation of Raf-1 function by facilitating dissociation of 14-3-3 from the NH2 terminus of Raf-1 to promote subsequent events necessary for full activation of Raf-1.

Dependence of Dbl and Dbs Transformation on MEK and NF-κB Activation

ABSTRACT Dbs was identified initially as a transforming protein and is a member of the Dbl family of proteins (>20 mammalian members). Here we show that Dbs, like its rat homolog Ost and the closely related Dbl, exhibited guanine nucleotide exchange activity for the Rho family members RhoA and Cdc42, but not Rac1, in vitro. Dbs transforming activity was blocked by specific inhibitors of RhoA and Cdc42 function, demonstrating the importance of these small GTPases in Dbs-mediated growth deregulation. Although Dbs transformation was dependent upon the structural integrity of its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, replacement of the PH domain with a membrane localization signal restored transforming activity. Thus, the PH domain of Dbs (but not Dbl) may be important in modulating association with the plasma membrane, where its GTPase substrates reside. Both Dbs and Dbl activate multiple signaling pathways that include activation of the Elk-1, Jun, and NF-κB transcription factors and stimulation of transcription from the cyclin D1 promoter. We found that Elk-1 and NF-κB, but not Jun, activation was necessary for Dbl and Dbs transformation. Finally, we have observed that Dbl and Dbs regulated transcription from the cyclin D1 promoter in a NF-κB-dependent manner. Previous studies have dissociated actin cytoskeletal activity from the transforming potential of RhoA and Cdc42. These observations, when taken together with those of the present study, suggest that altered gene expression, and not actin reorganization, is the critical mediator of Dbl and Rho family protein transformation.

Molecular mechanism of vinculin activation and nanoscale spatial organization in focal adhesions

Focal adhesions (FAs) link the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton to mediate cell adhesion, migration, mechanosensing and signalling. FAs have conserved nanoscale protein organization, suggesting that the position of proteins within FAs regulates their activity and function. Vinculin binds different FA proteins to mediate distinct cellular functions, but how vinculin’s interactions are spatiotemporally organized within FAs is unknown. Using interferometric photoactivation localization super-resolution microscopy to assay vinculin nanoscale localization and a FRET biosensor to assay vinculin conformation, we found that upward repositioning within the FA during FA maturation facilitates vinculin activation and mechanical reinforcement of FAs. Inactive vinculin localizes to the lower integrin signalling layer in FAs by binding to phospho-paxillin. Talin binding activates vinculin and targets active vinculin higher in FAs where vinculin can engage retrograde actin flow. Thus, specific protein interactions are spatially segregated within FAs at the nanoscale to regulate vinculin activation and function.