Linking Ras to myosin function: RasGEF Q, a Dictyostelium exchange factor for RasB, affects myosin II functions

J Cell Biol. 2008 Jun 2;181(5):747-60. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200710111. Epub 2008 May 26.

Abstract

Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Q, a nucleotide exchange factor from Dictyostelium discoideum, is a 143-kD protein containing RasGEF domains and a DEP domain. We show that RasGEF Q can bind to F-actin, has the potential to form complexes with myosin heavy chain kinase (MHCK) A that contain active RasB, and is the predominant exchange factor for RasB. Overexpression of the RasGEF Q GEF domain activates RasB, causes enhanced recruitment of MHCK A to the cortex, and leads to cytokinesis defects in suspension, phenocopying cells expressing constitutively active RasB, and myosin-null mutants. RasGEF Q(-) mutants have defects in cell sorting and slug migration during later stages of development, in addition to cell polarity defects. Furthermore, RasGEF Q(-) mutants have increased levels of unphosphorylated myosin II, resulting in myosin II overassembly. Collectively, our results suggest that starvation signals through RasGEF Q to activate RasB, which then regulates processes requiring myosin II.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Chemotaxis
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Dictyostelium / metabolism*
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Light
  • Models, Biological
  • Myosin Type II / chemistry*
  • Myosins / chemistry
  • Myosins / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • ras Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • ras Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology*
  • ras Proteins / chemistry*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*
  • ras Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • ras Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Myosin Type II
  • Myosins
  • ras Proteins