The Rho family GTPases Rac, Rho and Cdc42 are critical in regulating the actin-based cytoskeleton, cell migration, growth, survival and gene expression. These GTPases are activated by guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs). A biochemical search for Cdc42 activators led to the cloning of zizimin1, a new protein whose overexpression induces Cdc42 activation. Sequence comparison combined with mutational analysis identified a new domain, which we named CZH2, that mediates direct interaction with Cdc42. CZH2-containing proteins constitute a new superfamily that includes the so-called 'CDM' proteins that bind to and activate Rac. Together, the results suggest that CZH2 is a new GEF domain for the Rho family of proteins.
Activation of Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) to the guanine triphosphate (GTP)-bound state is a critical event in their regulation of the cytoskeleton and cell signaling. Members of the DOCK family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are important activators of Rho GTPases, but the mechanism of activation by their catalytic DHR2 domain is unknown. Through structural analysis of DOCK9-Cdc42 complexes, we identify a nucleotide sensor within the alpha10 helix of the DHR2 domain that contributes to release of guanine diphosphate (GDP) and then to discharge of the activated GTP-bound Cdc42. Magnesium exclusion, a critical factor in promoting GDP release, is mediated by a conserved valine residue within this sensor, whereas binding of GTP-Mg2+ to the nucleotide-free complex results in magnesium-inducing displacement of the sensor to stimulate discharge of Cdc42-GTP. These studies identify an unusual mechanism of GDP release and define the complete GEF catalytic cycle from GDP dissociation followed by GTP binding and discharge of the activated GTPase.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) is an important growth inhibitor of epithelial cells and insensitivity to this cytokine results in uncontrolled cell proliferation and can contribute to tumorigenesis. TGF-beta1 signals through the TGF-beta type I and type II receptors, and activates the Smad pathway via phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. Since little is known about the selective activation of Smad2 versus Smad3, we set out to identify novel Smad2 and Smad3 interacting proteins in epithelial cells. A non-transformed human cell line was transduced with Myc-His(6)-Smad2 or Myc-His(6)-Smad3-expressing retrovirus and was treated with TGF-beta1. Myc-His(6)-Smad2 or Myc-His(6)-Smad3 was purified by tandem affinity purification, eluates were subject to SDS-PAGE and Colloidal Blue staining, and select protein bands were digested with trypsin. The resulting tryptic peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and the SEQUEST algorithm was employed to identify proteins in the bands. A number of proteins that are known to interact with Smad2 or Smad3 were detected in the eluates. In addition, a number of putative novel Smad2 and Smad3 associated proteins were identified that have functions in cell proliferation, apoptosis, actin cytoskeleton regulation, cell motility, transcription, and Ras or insulin signaling. Specifically, the interaction between Smad2/3 and the Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Zizimin1, was validated by co-immunoprecipitation. The discovery of these novel Smad2 and/or Smad3 associated proteins may reveal how Smad2 and Smad3 are regulated and/or uncover new functions of Smad2 and Smad3 in TGF-beta1 signaling.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with Rho protein, any member of the Rho subfamily of the Ras superfamily of monomeric GTPases. Proteins in the Rho subfamily are involved in relaying signals from cell-surface receptors to the actin cytoskeleton.
Stimulates the exchange of guanyl nucleotides associated with a GTPase of the Rho family. Under normal cellular physiological conditions, the concentration of GTP is higher than that of GDP, favoring the replacement of GDP by GTP in association with the GTPase.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.
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