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Intersectin‐1L nucleotide exchange factor regulates secretory granule exocytosis by activating Cdc42
Author(s) -
Malacombe Magali,
Ceridono Mara,
Calco Valérie,
ChasserotGolaz Sylvette,
McPherson Peter S,
Bader MarieFrance,
Gasman Stéphane
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601247
Subject(s) - exocytosis , guanine nucleotide exchange factor , neurotransmission , biology , secretion , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gtpase , receptor
Rho GTPases are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton in membrane trafficking events. We previously reported that Cdc42 facilitates exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells by stimulating actin assembly at docking sites for secretory granules. These findings raise the question of the mechanism activating Cdc42 in exocytosis. The neuronal guanine nucleotide exchange factor, intersectin‐1L, which specifically activates Cdc42 and is at an interface between membrane trafficking and actin dynamics, appears as an ideal candidate to fulfill this function. Using PC12 and chromaffin cells, we now show the presence of intersectin‐1 at exocytotic sites. Moreover, through an RNA interference strategy coupled with expression of various constructs encoding the guanine nucleotide exchange domain, we demonstrate that intersectin‐1L is an essential component of the exocytotic machinery. Silencing of intersectin‐1 prevents secretagogue‐induced activation of Cdc42 revealing intersectin‐1L as the factor integrating Cdc42 activation to the exocytotic pathway. Our results extend the current role of intersectin‐1L in endocytosis to a function in exocytosis and support the idea that intersectin‐1L is an adaptor that coordinates exo–endocytotic membrane trafficking in secretory cells.