The PHCCEx domain of Tiam1/2 is a novel protein- and membrane-binding module

EMBO J. 2010 Jan 6;29(1):236-50. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2009.323. Epub 2009 Nov 5.

Abstract

Tiam1 and Tiam2 (Tiam1/2) are guanine nucleotide-exchange factors that possess the PH-CC-Ex (pleckstrin homology, coiled coil and extra) region that mediates binding to plasma membranes and signalling proteins in the activation of Rac GTPases. Crystal structures of the PH-CC-Ex regions revealed a single globular domain, PHCCEx domain, comprising a conventional PH subdomain associated with an antiparallel coiled coil of CC subdomain and a novel three-helical globular Ex subdomain. The PH subdomain resembles the beta-spectrin PH domain, suggesting non-canonical phosphatidylinositol binding. Mutational and binding studies indicated that CC and Ex subdomains form a positively charged surface for protein binding. We identified two unique acidic sequence motifs in Tiam1/2-interacting proteins for binding to PHCCEx domain, Motif-I in CD44 and ephrinB's and the NMDA receptor, and Motif-II in Par3 and JIP2. Our results suggest the molecular basis by which the Tiam1/2 PHCCEx domain facilitates dual binding to membranes and signalling proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / chemistry*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / chemistry
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / genetics
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Static Electricity
  • T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1

Substances

  • Cd44 protein, mouse
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • T-Lymphoma Invasion and Metastasis-inducing Protein 1
  • Tiam1 protein, mouse
  • Tiam2 protein, mouse

Associated data

  • PDB/3A8N
  • PDB/3A8P
  • PDB/3A8Q