Inhibition of PI3K induces Rac activation and membrane ruffling in proto-Dbl expressing cells

Cell Cycle. 2006 Nov;5(22):2657-65. doi: 10.4161/cc.5.22.3445. Epub 2006 Nov 15.

Abstract

Proto-Dbl protein, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rho GTPases, is tightly regulated by a combination of mechanisms that involve intra- and intermolecular interaction and N- and C-terminal domain-dependent turnover of the protein. Moreover, the interaction of the PH domain of proto-Dbl with phosphoinositides regulates its subcellular localization and biological activity. Here we show that inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by molecular and pharmacological inhibitors causes a strong inhibition of proto-Dbl-induced cell proliferation and transformation. Conversely, inhibition of PI3K results in the translocation of proto-Dbl to the plasma membrane, Rac activation and increased membrane ruffles and cell motility. Furthermore, we investigated the signaling molecules involved in proto-Dbl-induced cell transformation and motility and observed that inhibition of PI3K in proto-Dbl expressing cells induces an increase in p38 activity and a decrease in ERK phosphorylation. Our results suggest that proto-Dbl activates distinct downstream effectors to induce morphological changes and cell transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure*
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Chromones
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Mcf2 protein, mouse
  • Morpholines
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt