The Lbc Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor α-catulin axis functions in serotonin-induced vascular smooth muscle cell mitogenesis and RhoA/ROCK activation

J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 22;285(43):32919-32926. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.062513. Epub 2010 Aug 9.

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is mitogenic for several cell types including pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC), and is associated with the abnormal vascular smooth muscle remodeling that occurs in pulmonary arterial hypertension. RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) function is required for 5-HT-induced PASMC mitogenesis, and 5-HT activates RhoA; however, the signaling steps are poorly defined. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs) transduce extracellular signals to Rho, and we found that 5-HT treatment of PASMC led to increased membrane-associated Lbc Rho GEF, suggesting modulation by 5-HT. Lbc knockdown by siRNA attenuated 5-HT-induced thymidine uptake in PASMC, indicating a role in PASMC mitogenesis. 5-HT triggered Rho-dependent serum response factor-mediated reporter activation in PASMC, and this was reduced by Lbc depletion. Lbc knockdown reduced 5-HT-induced RhoA/ROCK activation, but not p42/44 ERK MAP kinase activation, suggesting that Lbc is an intermediary between 5-HT and RhoA/ROCK, but not ERK. 5-HT stimulation of PASMC led to increased association between Lbc, RhoA, and the α-catulin scaffold. Furthermore, α-catulin knockdown attenuated 5-HT-induced PASMC thymidine uptake. 5-HT-induced PASMC mitogenesis was reduced by dominant-negative G(q) protein, suggesting cooperation with Lbc/α-catulin. These results for the first time define a Rho GEF involved in vascular smooth muscle cell growth and serotonin signaling, and suggest that Lbc Rho GEF family members play distinct roles. Thus, the Lbc/α-catulin axis participates in 5-HT-induced PASMC mitogenesis and RhoA/ROCK signaling, and may be an interventional target in diseases involving vascular smooth muscle remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / genetics
  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / metabolism
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Mitogens / metabolism
  • Mitogens / pharmacology*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Artery / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / pharmacology*
  • Serum Response Factor / genetics
  • Serum Response Factor / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / genetics
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism
  • alpha Catenin / genetics
  • alpha Catenin / physiology*
  • rho-Associated Kinases / genetics
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • AKAP13 protein, human
  • CTNNAL1 protein, human
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Mitogens
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • SRF protein, human
  • Serum Response Factor
  • alpha Catenin
  • RHOA protein, human
  • Serotonin
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein