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The Rac activator STEF (Tiam2) regulates cell migration by microtubule‐mediated focal adhesion disassembly
Author(s) -
Rooney Claire,
White Gavin,
Nazgiewicz Alicja,
Woodcock Simon A,
Anderson Kurt I,
Ballestrem Christoph,
Malliri Angeliki
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/embor.2010.10
Subject(s) - focal adhesion , microbiology and biotechnology , microtubule , cell adhesion , activator (genetics) , cell migration , adhesion , cell , chemistry , biology , signal transduction , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry
Focal adhesion (FA) disassembly required for optimal cell migration is mediated by microtubules (MTs); targeting of FAs by MTs coincides with their disassembly. Regrowth of MTs, induced by removal of the MT destabilizer nocodazole, activates the Rho‐like GTPase Rac, concomitant with FA disassembly. Here, we show that the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Sif and Tiam1‐like exchange factor (STEF) is responsible for Rac activation during MT regrowth. Importantly, STEF is required for multiple targeting of FAs by MTs. As a result, FAs in STEF‐knockdown cells have a reduced disassembly rate and are consequently enlarged. This leads to reduced speed of migration. Together, these findings suggest a new role for STEF in FA disassembly and cell migration through MT‐mediated mechanisms.