Transcription factor 8 activates R-Ras to regulate angiogenesis

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Feb 6;379(2):510-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.12.101. Epub 2008 Dec 29.

Abstract

We have recently reported that transcription factor 8 (TCF8) negatively regulates pathological angiogenesis by regulating endothelial invasiveness by acting as a transcriptional attenuator of matrix metalloproteinase 1. TCF8 also modulates cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion; however molecular mechanism of this TCF8 function remains obscure. Here, we provide evidence that TCF8 activates R-Ras, another class of angiogenic regulator, to suppress angiogenesis by a mechanism other than a transcriptional attenuator. Tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) facilitated by TCF8 suppression was significantly inhibited by the expression of constitutive active mutant of R-Ras. When we examined the mRNA expression levels of R-Ras regulators, no significant changes were observed to explain the R-Ras activation by TCF8. Interestingly, we found that TCF8 bound to CalDAG-GEFIII, an R-Ras activator, in the cytosol, indicating that TCF8 emanates signaling for R-Ras activation from cytosol to regulate angiogenesis negatively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / enzymology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Umbilical Veins / enzymology
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1
  • ras Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • RASGRP3 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZEB1 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1
  • ras Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • ras Proteins