Adenovirus E4orf4 hijacks rho GTPase-dependent actin dynamics to kill cells: a role for endosome-associated actin assembly

Mol Biol Cell. 2006 Jul;17(7):3329-44. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e05-12-1146. Epub 2006 May 10.

Abstract

The adenovirus early region 4 ORF4 protein (E4orf4) triggers a novel death program that bypasses classical apoptotic pathways in human cancer cells. Deregulation of the cell cytoskeleton is a hallmark of E4orf4 killing that relies on Src family kinases and E4orf4 phosphorylation. However, the cytoskeletal targets of E4orf4 and their role in the death process are unknown. Here, we show that E4orf4 translocates to cytoplasmic sites and triggers the assembly of a peculiar juxtanuclear actin-myosin network that drives polarized blebbing and nuclear shrinkage. We found that E4orf4 activates the myosin II motor and triggers de novo actin polymerization in the perinuclear region, promoting endosomes recruitment to the sites of actin assembly. E4orf4-induced actin dynamics requires interaction with Src family kinases and involves a spatial regulation of the Rho GTPases pathways Cdc42/N-Wasp, RhoA/Rho kinase, and Rac1, which make distinct contributions. Remarkably, activation of the Rho GTPases is required for induction of apoptotic-like cell death. Furthermore, inhibition of actin dynamics per se dramatically impairs E4orf4 killing. This work provides strong support for a causal role for endosome-associated actin dynamics in E4orf4 killing and in the regulation of cancer cell fate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis* / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Myosin Type II / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Transport Vesicles / enzymology
  • Transport Vesicles / physiology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • E4orf4 protein, adenovirus
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Viral Proteins
  • src-Family Kinases
  • Myosin Type II
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein