B plexins activate Rho through PDZ-RhoGEF

FEBS Lett. 2002 Oct 9;529(2-3):168-72. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03323-9.

Abstract

Plexins are receptors for the repulsive axon guidance molecules semaphorins. Previously, we have shown that plexin-B1 binds activated Rac, but that clustering of plexin-B1 causes Rho activation, resulting in stress fiber formation. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we found that the C-terminus of B plexins interacted directly with Rho-specific exchange factors, via their PDZ domain. Mutation of the carboxy-terminal amino acids of plexin-B1 or coexpression of a dominant negative PDZ-RhoGEF abrogated the ability of plexin-B1 to cause stress fiber formation. Our results demonstrate a role for PDZ-RhoGEF in B plexin-mediated activation of Rho/Rho kinase signaling, implicated in the regulation of axon guidance and cell migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Activation
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • PLXNB1 protein, human
  • Plxnb1 protein, mouse
  • RAPGEF2 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • GTP-Binding Proteins