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B plexins activate Rho through PDZ‐RhoGEF
Author(s) -
Driessens Mariette H.E,
Olivo Cristina,
Nagata Koh-ichi,
Inagaki Masaki,
Collard John G
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03323-9
Subject(s) - pdz domain , plexin , microbiology and biotechnology , stress fiber , semaphorin , receptor , biology , axon guidance , chemistry , signal transduction , biochemistry , axon , focal adhesion
Plexins are receptors for the repulsive axon guidance molecules semaphorins. Previously, we have shown that plexin‐B1 binds activated Rac, but that clustering of plexin‐B1 causes Rho activation, resulting in stress fiber formation. Using the yeast two‐hybrid system, we found that the C‐terminus of B plexins interacted directly with Rho‐specific exchange factors, via their PDZ domain. Mutation of the carboxy‐terminal amino acids of plexin‐B1 or coexpression of a dominant negative PDZ‐RhoGEF abrogated the ability of plexin‐B1 to cause stress fiber formation. Our results demonstrate a role for PDZ‐RhoGEF in B plexin‐mediated activation of Rho/Rho kinase signaling, implicated in the regulation of axon guidance and cell migration.