Binding of PDZ-RhoGEF to ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) induces cholesterol efflux through RhoA activation and prevention of transporter degradation

J Biol Chem. 2010 May 21;285(21):16369-77. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.061424. Epub 2010 Mar 26.

Abstract

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-mediated lipid efflux to apolipoprotein A1 (apoA-I) initiates the biogenesis of high density lipoprotein. Here we show that the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG bind to the C terminus of ABCA1 by a PDZ-PDZ interaction and prevent ABCA1 protein degradation by activating RhoA. ABCA1 is a protein with a short half-life, and apoA-I stabilizes ABCA1 protein; however, depletion of PDZ-RhoGEF/LARG by RNA interference suppressed the apoA-I stabilization of ABCA1 protein in human primary fibroblasts. Exogenous PDZ-RhoGEF expression activated RhoA and increased ABCA1 protein levels and cholesterol efflux activity. Likewise, forced expression of a constitutively active RhoA mutant significantly increased ABCA1 protein levels, whereas a dominant negative RhoA mutant decreased them. The constitutively active RhoA retarded ABCA1 degradation, thus accounting for its ability to increase ABCA1 protein. Moreover, stimulation with apoA-I transiently activated RhoA, and the pharmacological inhibition of RhoA or the dominant negative RhoA blocked the ability of apoA-I to stabilize ABCA1. Finally, depletion of RhoA or RhoGEFs/RhoA reduces the cholesterol efflux when transcriptional regulation via PPARgamma is eliminated. Taken together, our results have identified a novel physical and functional interaction between ABCA1 and PDZ-RhoGEF/LARG, which activates RhoA, resulting in ABCA1 stabilization and cholesterol efflux activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism*
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / metabolism
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cholesterol / genetics
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Genes, Dominant
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / genetics
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • PDZ Domains
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism
  • Protein Stability
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ARHGEF12 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • PPAR gamma
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • RHOA protein, human
  • Cholesterol
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein