Mislocalized scaffolding by the Na-H exchanger NHE1 dominantly inhibits fibronectin production and TGF-beta activation

Mol Biol Cell. 2009 Apr;20(8):2327-36. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e08-08-0842. Epub 2009 Feb 18.

Abstract

Secretion and assembly of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin regulates a number of normal cell and tissue functions and is dysregulated in disease states such as fibrosis, diabetes, and cancer. We found that mislocalized scaffolding by the plasma membrane Na-H exchanger NHE1 suppresses fibronectin expression, secretion, and assembly. In fibroblasts, wild-type NHE1 localizes to the distal margin of membrane protrusions or lamellipodia but a mutant NHE1-KRA2 lacking binding sites for PI(4,5)P2 and the ERM proteins ezrin, radixin, and moesin is mislocalized and found uniformly along the plasma membrane. Although NHE1 regulates intracellular pH homeostasis, fibronectin production is not regulated by changes in intracellular pH, nor is it attenuated in NHE1-deficient cells, indicating fibronectin expression is independent of NHE1 activity. However, fibronectin production is nearly absent in cells expressing NHE1-KRA2 because scaffolding by NHE1 is mislocalized. Additionally, secretion of active but not latent TGF-beta is reduced and exogenous TGF-beta restores fibronectin secretion and assembly. Our data indicate that scaffolding by NHE1-KRA2 dominantly suppresses fibronectin synthesis and TGF-beta activation, and they suggest that NHE1-KRA2 can be used for obtaining a mechanistic understanding of how fibronectin production is regulated and speculatively for therapeutic control of dysregulated production in pathological conditions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Surface Extensions / drug effects
  • Cell Surface Extensions / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibronectins / biosynthesis*
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Focal Adhesions / drug effects
  • Focal Adhesions / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Integrin beta1 / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Protons
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology

Substances

  • Early Growth Response Protein 1
  • Fibronectins
  • Integrin beta1
  • Protons
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta