R-Ras controls axon branching through afadin in cortical neurons

Mol Biol Cell. 2012 Jul;23(14):2793-804. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E12-02-0103. Epub 2012 May 16.

Abstract

Regulation of axon growth, guidance, and branching is essential for constructing a correct neuronal network. R-Ras, a Ras-family small GTPase, has essential roles in axon formation and guidance. During axon formation, R-Ras activates a series of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling, inducing activation of a microtubule-assembly promoter-collapsin response mediator protein-2. However, signaling molecules linking R-Ras to actin cytoskeleton-regulating axonal morphology remain obscure. Here we identify afadin, an actin-binding protein harboring Ras association (RA) domains, as an effector of R-Ras inducing axon branching through F-actin reorganization. We observe endogenous interaction of afadin with R-Ras in cortical neurons during the stage of axonal development. Ectopic expression of afadin increases axon branch number, and the RA domains and the carboxyl-terminal F-actin binding domain are required for this action. RNA interference knockdown experiments reveal that knockdown of endogenous afadin suppressed both basal and R-Ras-mediated axon branching in cultured cortical neurons. Subcellular localization analysis shows that active R-Ras-induced translocation of afadin and its RA domains is responsible for afadin localizing to the membrane and inducing neurite development in Neuro2a cells. Overall, our findings demonstrate a novel signaling pathway downstream of R-Ras that controls axon branching.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / genetics
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurogenesis
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Signal Transduction
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • afadin
  • collapsin response mediator protein-2
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • RRAS protein, human
  • ras Proteins