R-Ras regulates exocytosis by Rgl2/Rlf-mediated activation of RalA on endosomes

Mol Biol Cell. 2007 May;18(5):1850-60. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e06-08-0765. Epub 2007 Mar 7.

Abstract

R-Ras is a Ras-family small GTPase that regulates various cellular functions such as apoptosis and cell adhesion. Here, we demonstrate a role of R-Ras in exocytosis. By the use of specific anti-R-Ras antibody, we found that R-Ras was enriched on both early and recycling endosomes in a wide range of cell lines. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based probe for R-Ras activity, R-Ras activity was found to be higher on endosomes than on the plasma membrane. This high R-Ras activity on the endosomes correlated with the accumulation of an R-Ras effector, the Rgl2/Rlf guanine nucleotide exchange factor for RalA, and also with high RalA activity. The essential role played by R-Ras in inducing high levels of RalA activity on the endosomes was evidenced by the short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated suppression of R-Ras and by the expression of R-Ras GAP. In agreement with the reported role of RalA in exocytosis, the shRNA of either R-Ras or RalA was found to suppress calcium-triggered exocytosis in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. These data revealed that R-Ras activates RalA on endosomes and that it thereby positively regulates exocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dogs
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • PC12 Cells
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Rats
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • ras Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins
  • ras Proteins