Phosphorylation of the Ras-GRF1 exchange factor at Ser916/898 reveals activation of Ras signaling in the cerebral cortex

Upregulation of RasGRF1 ameliorates spatial cognitive dysfunction in mice after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH)-mediated cognitive impairment is a serious problem worldwide. However, given its complexity, the underlying mechanisms by which CCH induces cognitive dysfunction remain unclear, resulting in a lack of effective treatments. In this study, we aimed to determine whether changes in the expression of RasGRF1, an important protein associated with cognition and synaptic plasticity, underlie the associated impairments in cognition after CCH. We found that RasGRF1 levels markedly decreased following CCH. Through prediction and validation studies, we observed that miRNA-323-3p was upregulated after CCH and could bind to the 3'-untranslated region of Rasgrf1 mRNA and regulate its expression in vitro. Moreover, the inhibition of miRNA-323-3p upregulated Rasgrf1 expression in the hippocampus after CCH, which was reversed by Rasgrf1 siRNA. This suggests that miRNA-323-3p is an important regulator of Rasgrf1. The Morris water maze and Y maze tests showed that miRNA-323-3p inhibition and Rasgrf1 upregulation improved spatial learning and memory, and electrophysiological measurements revealed deficits in long-term potentiation after CCH that were reversed by Rasgrf1 upregulation. Dendritic spine density and mature mushroom spine density were also improved after miRNA-323-3p inhibition and Rasgrf1 upregulation. Furthermore, Rasgrf1 upregulation by miRNA-323-3p inhibition improved dendritic spine density and mature mushroom spine density and ameliorated the deterioration of synapses and postsynaptic density. Overall, RasGRF1 regulation attenuated cognitive impairment, helped maintain structural and functional synaptic plasticity, and prevented synapse deterioration after CCH. These results suggest that Rasgrf1 downregulation by miRNA-323-3p plays an important role in cognitive impairment after CCH. Thus, RasGRF1 and miRNA-323-3p may represent potential therapeutic targets for cognitive impairment after CCH.

RasGRF1 mediates brain-derived neurotrophic factor-induced axonal growth in primary cultured cortical neurons

The appropriate development and regulation of neuronal morphology are important to establish functional neuronal circuits and enable higher brain function of the central nervous system. R-Ras, a member of the Ras family of small GTPases, plays crucial roles in the regulation of axonal morphology, including outgrowth, branching, and guidance. GTP-bound activated R-Ras reorganizes actin filaments and microtubules through interactions with its downstream effectors, leading to the precise control of axonal morphology. However, little is known about the upstream regulatory mechanisms for R-Ras activation in neurons. In this study, we found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a positive effect on endogenous R-Ras activation and promotes R-Ras-mediated axonal growth. RNA interference knockdown and overexpression experiments revealed that RasGRF1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for R-Ras, is involved in BDNF-induced R-Ras activation and the promotion of axonal growth. Phosphorylation of RasGRF1 by protein kinase A at Ser916/898 is needed for the full activation of its GEF activity and to facilitate Ras signaling. We observed that BDNF treatment markedly increased this phosphorylation. Our results suggest that BDNF is one of the critical extrinsic regulators for R-Ras activation, and that RasGRF1 is an intrinsic key mediator for BDNF-induced R-Ras activation and R-Ras-mediated axonal morphological regulation.

Ras and Rap1: A tale of two GTPases

Ras oncoproteins play pivotal roles in both the development and maintenance of many tumor types. Unfortunately, these proteins are difficult to directly target using traditional pharmacological strategies, in part due to their lack of obvious binding pockets or allosteric sites. This obstacle has driven a considerable amount of research into pursuing alternative ways to effectively inhibit Ras, examples of which include inducing mislocalization to prevent Ras maturation and inactivating downstream proteins in Ras-driven signaling pathways. Ras proteins are archetypes of a superfamily of small GTPases that play specific roles in the regulation of many cellular processes, including vesicle trafficking, nuclear transport, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and cell cycle progression. Several other superfamily members have also been linked to the control of normal and cancer cell growth and survival. For example, Rap1 has high sequence similarity to Ras, has overlapping binding partners, and has been demonstrated to both oppose and mimic Ras-driven cancer phenotypes. Rap1 plays an important role in cell adhesion and integrin function in a variety of cell types. Mechanistically, Ras and Rap1 cooperate to initiate and sustain ERK signaling, which is activated in many malignancies and is the target of successful therapeutics. Here we review the role activated Rap1 in ERK signaling and other downstream pathways to promote invasion and cell migration and metastasis in various cancer types.

How to Target Activated Ras Proteins: Direct Inhibition vs. Induced Mislocalization

Oncogenic Ras proteins are a driving force in a significant set of human cancers and wildtype, unmutated Ras proteins likely contribute to the malignant phenotype of many more. The overall challenge of targeting activated Ras proteins has great promise to treat cancer, but this goal has yet to be achieved. Significant efforts and resources have been committed to inhibiting Ras, but these energies have so far made little impact in the clinic. Direct attempts to target activated Ras proteins have faced many obstacles, including the fundamental nature of the gain-of-function oncogenic activity being produced by a loss-of-function at the biochemical level. Nevertheless, there has been very promising recent pre-clinical progress. The major strategy that has so far reached the clinic aimed to inhibit activated Ras indirectly through blocking its post-translational modification and inducing its mislocalization. While these efforts to indirectly target Ras through inhibition of farnesyl transferase (FTase) were rationally designed, this strategy suffered from insufficient attention to the distinctions between the isoforms of Ras. This led to subsequent failures in large-scale clinical trials targeting K-Ras driven lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers. Despite these setbacks, efforts to indirectly target activated Ras through inducing its mislocalization have persisted. It is plausible that FTase inhibitors may still have some utility in the clinic, perhaps in combination with statins or other agents. Alternative approaches for inducing mislocalization of Ras through disruption of its palmitoylation cycle or interaction with chaperone proteins are in early stages of development.

M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction inhibits Rac1 activity and disrupts VE-cadherin/β-catenin and actin cytoskeleton interaction

The objective was to investigate whether M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) dysfunction disrupts the linkage between the vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in the adherens junctional complex and the actin-based cytoskeleton, increasing vascular permeability in atherosclerosis. Western blotting revealed that a selective M3 receptor antagonist, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), and M3 receptor siRNA decrease VE-cadherin and β-catenin in Triton X-100-insoluble fractions, indicating that M3 receptor inhibition weakens the linkage between the VE-cadherin/β-catenin complex and the actin cytoskeleton. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that M3 receptor inhibition reduces Rac1 activity and the association of IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) with Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), while increasing the interaction between IQGAP1 and β-catenin. Using IQGAP1 siRNA, we found that IQGAP1 is required for stable interaction between VE-cadherin/β-catenin and the actin cytoskeleton in quiescent endothelial cells; IQGAP1 siRNA augments the M3 receptor inhibition-induced dissociation between them. Moreover, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, attenuates this disassociation and Rac1 activity inhibition. The M3 receptor facilitates interaction of the VE-cadherin-based adherens junctional complex and the actin-based cytoskeleton by maintaining Rac1 activity, which regulates the interaction between IQGAP1/Rac1 and IQGAP1/β-catenin, and may contribute to endothelial barrier function under physiological conditions.

Activated Ras as a Therapeutic Target: Constraints on Directly Targeting Ras Isoforms and Wild-Type versus Mutated Proteins

The ability to selectively and directly target activated Ras would provide immense utility for treatment of the numerous cancers that are driven by oncogenic Ras mutations. Patients with disorders driven by overactivated wild-type Ras proteins, such as type 1 neurofibromatosis, might also benefit from progress made in that context. Activated Ras is an extremely challenging direct drug target due to the inherent difficulties in disrupting the protein:protein interactions that underlie its activation and function. Major investments have been made to target Ras through indirect routes. Inhibition of farnesyl transferase to block Ras maturation has failed in large clinical trials. Likely reasons for this disappointing outcome include the significant and underappreciated differences in the isoforms of Ras. It is still plausible that inhibition of farnesyl transferase will prove effective for disease that is driven by activated H-Ras. The principal current focus of drugs entering clinic trial is inhibition of pathways downstream of activated Ras, for example, trametinib, a first-in-class MEK inhibitor. The complexity of signaling that is driven by activated Ras indicates that effective inhibition of oncogenic transduction through this approach will be difficult, with resistance being likely to emerge through switch to parallel pathways. Durable disease responses will probably require combinatorial block of several downstream targets.

Neuronal Rho GEFs in synaptic physiology and behavior

In the mammalian brain, the majority of excitatory synapses are housed in micron-sized dendritic protrusions called spines, which can undergo rapid changes in shape and number in response to increased or decreased synaptic activity. These dynamic alterations in dendritic spines require precise control of the actin cytoskeleton. Within spines, multidomain Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs) coordinate activation of their target Rho GTPases by a variety of pathways. In this review, we focus on the handful of disease-related Rho GEFs (Kalirin; Trio; Tiam1; P-Rex1,2; RasGRF1,2; Collybistin) localized at synapses and known to affect electrophysiology, spine morphology, and animal behavior. The goal is to integrate structure/function studies with measurements of synaptic function and behavioral phenotypes in animal models.

The small G protein H-Ras in the mesolimbic system is a molecular gateway to alcohol-seeking and excessive drinking behaviors

Uncontrolled consumption of alcohol is a hallmark of alcohol abuse disorders; however, the central molecular mechanisms underlying excessive alcohol consumption are still unclear. Here, we report that the GTP binding protein, H-Ras in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a key role in neuroadaptations that underlie excessive alcohol-drinking behaviors. Specifically, acute (15 min) systemic administration of alcohol (2.5 g/kg) leads to the activation of H-Ras in the NAc of mice, which is observed even 24 h later. Similarly, rat operant self-administration of alcohol (20%) also results in the activation of H-Ras in the NAc. Using the same procedures, we provide evidence suggesting that the exchange factor GRF1 is upstream of H-Ras activation by alcohol. Importantly, we show that infection of mice NAc with lentivirus expressing a short hairpin RNA that targets the H-Ras gene produces a significant reduction of voluntary consumption of 20% alcohol. In contrast, knockdown of H-Ras in the NAc of mice did not alter water, quinine, and saccharin intake. Furthermore, using two-bottle choice and operant self-administration procedures, we show that inhibiting H-Ras activity by intra-NAc infusion of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor, FTI-276, produced a robust decrease of rats' alcohol drinking; however, sucrose consumption was unaltered. Finally, intra-NAc infusion of FTI-276 also resulted in an attenuation of seeking for alcohol. Together, these results position H-Ras as a central molecular mediator of alcohol's actions within the mesolimbic system and put forward the potential value of the enzyme as a novel target to treat alcohol use disorders.

Regulation of Neuronal Function by Ras-GRF Exchange Factors

Ras-GRF1 (GRF1) and Ras-GRF2 (GRF2) constitute a family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). The main isoforms, p140-GRF1 and p135-GRF2, have 2 GEF domains that give them the capacity to activate both Ras and Rac GTPases in response to signals from a variety of neurotransmitter receptors. GRF1 and GRF2 proteins are found predominantly in adult neurons of the central nervous system, although they can also be detected in a limited number of other tissues. p140-GRF1 and p135-GRF2 contain calcium/calmodulin-binding IQ domains that allow them to act as calcium sensors to mediate the actions of NMDA-type and calcium-permeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors. p140-GRF1 also mediates the action of dopamine receptors that signal through cAMP. Although p140-GRF1 and p135-GRF2 have similar functional domains, studies of GRF knockout mice show that they can play strikingly different roles in regulating MAP kinase family members, neuronal synaptic plasticity, specific forms of learning and memory, and behavioral responses to psychoactive drugs. In addition, the function of GRF proteins may vary in different regions of the brain. Alternative splice variants yielding smaller GRF1 gene isoforms with fewer functional domains also exist; however, their distinct roles in neurons have not been revealed. Continuing studies of these proteins should yield important insights into the biochemical basis of brain function as well as novel concepts to explain how complex signal transduction proteins, like Ras-GRFs, integrate multiple upstream signals into specific downstream outputs to control brain function.

Increased PKA signaling disrupts recognition memory and spatial memory: role in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) patients and mouse models show learning and memory impairment even before the onset of motor symptoms. However, the molecular events involved in this cognitive decline are still poorly understood. Here, using three different paradigms, the novel object recognition test, the T-maze spontaneous alternation task and the Morris water maze, we detected severe cognitive deficits in the R6/1 mouse model of HD before the onset of motor symptoms. When we examined the putative molecular pathways involved in these alterations, we observed hippocampal cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) hyper-activation in naïve R6/1 mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and calcineurin activities were not modified. Increased PKA activity resulted in hyper-phosphorylation of its substrates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1, Ras-guanine nucleotide releasing factor-1 and striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase, but not cAMP-responsive element binding protein or the microtubule-associated protein tau. In correlation with the over-activation of the PKA pathway, we found a down-regulation of the protein levels of some phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 family members. Similar molecular changes were found in the hippocampus of R6/2 mice and HD patients. Furthermore, chronic treatment of WT mice with the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram up-regulated PKA activity, and induced learning and memory deficits similar to those seen in R6 mice, but had no effect on R6/1 mice cognitive impairment. Importantly, hippocampal PKA inhibition by infusion of Rp-cAMPS restored long-term memory in R6/2 mice. Thus, our results suggest that occlusion of PKA-dependent processes is one of the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive decline in R6 animals.

Imprinted Rasgrf1 expression in neonatal mice affects olfactory learning and memory

Rasgrf1 is genomically imprinted; only the paternally inherited allele is expressed in the neonatal mouse brain until weaning, at which time expression becomes biallelic. Whereas Rasgrf1 has been implicated in learning and memory via knockout studies in adult mice, the effect of its normal imprinted expression on these phenotypes has not yet been examined. Neonatal mice with experimentally manipulated patterns of imprinted Rasgrf1 expression were assessed on an associative olfactory task. Neonates lacking the normally expressed wild-type paternal allele exhibited significant impairment in olfactory associative memory. Adult animals in which neonatal imprinting had been manipulated were also behaviorally assessed; while neonatal imprinting significantly affects body weight even into adulthood, no learning and memory phenotype attributable to imprinting was observed in adults. Additional analyses of neonates showed imprinted Rasgrf1 transcript selective to olfactory bulb even in mice that were null for Rasgrf1 in the rest of the brain and showed that Rasgrf1 affects Ras and Rac activation in the brain. Taken together, these results indicate that Rasgrf1 expression from the wild-type paternal allele contributes to learning and memory in neonatal mice.

The RasGrf family of mammalian guanine nucleotide exchange factors

RasGrf1 and RasGrf2 are highly homologous mammalian guanine nucleotide exchange factors which are able to activate specific Ras or Rho GTPases. The RasGrf genes are preferentially expressed in the central nervous system, although specific expression of either locus may also occur elsewhere. RasGrf1 is a paternally-expressed, imprinted gene that is expressed only after birth. In contrast, RasGrf2 is not imprinted and shows a wider expression pattern. A variety of isoforms for both genes are also detectable in different cellular contexts. The RasGrf proteins exhibit modular structures composed by multiple domains including CDC25H and DHPH motifs responsible for promoting GDP/GTP exchange, respectively, on Ras or Rho GTPase targets. The various domains are essential to define their intrinsic exchanger activity and to modulate the specificity of their functional activity so as to connect different upstream signals to various downstream targets and cellular responses. Despite their homology, RasGrf1 and RasGrf2 display differing target specificities and non overlapping functional roles in a variety of signaling contexts related to cell growth and differentiation as well as neuronal excitability and response or synaptic plasticity. Whereas both RasGrfs are activatable by glutamate receptors, G-protein-coupled receptors or changes in intracellular calcium concentration, only RasGrf1 is reported to be activated by LPA, cAMP, or agonist-activated Trk and cannabinoid receptors. Analysis of various knockout mice strains has uncovered a specific functional contribution of RasGrf1 in processes of memory and learning, photoreception, control of post-natal growth and body size and pancreatic β-cell function and glucose homeostasis. For RasGrf2, specific roles in lymphocyte proliferation, T-cell signaling responses and lymphomagenesis have been described.

Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1) controls activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in the striatum and long-term behavioral responses to cocaine

BACKGROUND

Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Ras-ERK) signaling is central to the molecular machinery underlying cognitive functions. In the striatum, ERK1/2 kinases are co-activated by glutamate and dopamine D1/5 receptors, but the mechanisms providing such signaling integration are still unknown. The Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1), a neuronal specific activator of Ras-ERK signaling, is a likely candidate for coupling these neurotransmitter signals to ERK kinases in the striatonigral medium spiny neurons (MSN) and for modulating behavioral responses to drug abuse such as cocaine.

METHODS

We used genetically modified mouse mutants for Ras-GRF1 as a source of primary MSN cultures and organotypic slices, to perform both immunoblot and immunofluorescence studies in response to glutamate and dopamine receptor agonists. Mice were also subjected to behavioral and immunohistochemical investigations upon treatment with cocaine.

RESULTS

Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in response to glutamate, dopamine D1 agonist, or both stimuli simultaneously is impaired in Ras-GRF1-deficient striatal cells and organotypic slices of the striatonigral MSN compartment. Consistently, behavioral responses to cocaine are also affected in mice deficient for Ras-GRF1 or overexpressing it. Both locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference are significantly attenuated in Ras-GRF1-deficient mice, whereas a robust facilitation is observed in overexpressing transgenic animals. Finally, we found corresponding changes in ERK1/2 activation and in accumulation of FosB/DeltaFosB, a well-characterized marker for long-term responses to cocaine, in MSN from these animals.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly implicate Ras-GRF1 in the integration of the two main neurotransmitter inputs to the striatum and in the maladaptive modulation of striatal networks in response to cocaine.

Protein kinase A and B-Raf mediate extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation by thyrotropin

Thyrotropin (TSH) regulates thyroid cell proliferation and function through cAMP-mediated signaling pathways that activate protein kinase A (PKA) and Epac/Rap1. The respective roles of PKA versus Epac/Rap1 in TSH signaling remain unclear. We set out to determine whether PKA and/or Rap1 mediate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by TSH. Neither blocking Rap1 activity nor silencing the expression of Rap1 impaired TSH or forskolin-induced ERK activation in Wistar rat thyroid cells. Direct activation of Epac1 failed to stimulate ERK activity in starved cells, suggesting that Epac-induced Rap1 activity is not coupled to ERK activation in rat thyroid cells. By contrast, PKA activity was required for cAMP-stimulated ERK phosphorylation and was sufficient to increase ERK phosphorylation in starved cells. Expression of dominant-negative Ras inhibited ERK activation by TSH, forskolin, and N(6)-monobutyryl (6MB)-cAMP, a selective activator of PKA. Silencing the expression of B-Raf also inhibited ERK activation by TSH, forskolin, and 6MB-cAMP, but not that stimulated by insulin or serum. Depletion of B-Raf impaired TSH-induced DNA synthesis, indicating a functional role for B-Raf in TSH-regulated proliferation. Collectively, these results position PKA, Ras, and B-Raf as upstream regulators of ERK activation and identify B-Raf as a selective target of cAMP-elevating agents in thyroid cells. These data provide the first evidence for a functional role for B-Raf in TSH signaling.

Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of mouse cerebellum reveals alterations in RasGRF1 expression following in vivo chronic treatment with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol

We have applied transcriptomic and proteomic techniques to identify changes in the RNA and the protein levels in the mouse cerebellum after chronic treatment with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Among approximately 14,000 transcripts in a mouse cDNA microarray library, we found 11 genes with altered expression. RasGRF1, a neuron-specific Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor, showed a reduction both at the RNA and protein levels with a specific decrease of the protein pool associated to cell membranes. In addition, proteomic analysis on cerebellum obtained from chronically THC-treated mice detected quantitative changes of additional 27 spots, mostly in the membranous fraction. We found enrichment of alpha (Galphao, Galphaq) and beta subunits (beta4/beta2 and beta5) of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins and of two calcium-binding proteins, calretinin and hippocalcin-like protein-1. In addition, we also detected a significant increase in the membrane fraction of proteins involved in exo-endocytosis such as septins, dynamin-1, and vesicle protein sorting 29. By western blotting, we confirmed increased membrane localization of calretinin and of dynamin-1 isoforms with higher isoelectric point, indicative for an underphosphorylated state of the molecule. In conclusion, our results indicate that chronic THC modulates the expression and subcellular localization of proteins implicated in Ras signaling, calcium-buffering potential, and trafficking.

Many faces of Ras activation

Ras proteins were originally identified as the products of oncogenes capable of inducing cell transformation. Over the last twenty-five years they have been studied in great detail because mutant Ras proteins are associated with many types of human cancer. Wild type Ras proteins play a central role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of various cell types. They alternate between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state. Their activation is catalysed by a specialized group of enzymes known as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). To date, four subfamilies of GEF molecules have been identified. Although all of them are able to activate Ras, their structure, tissue expression and regulation are significantly diverse. In this review we will summarize the various mechanisms by which these exchange factors activate Ras.

Laser microdissection and microarray analysis of the hippocampus of Ras-GRF1 knockout mice reveals gene expression changes affecting signal transduction pathways related to memory and learning

We used manual macrodissection or laser capture microdissection (LCM) to isolate tissue sections of the hippocampus area of Ras-GRF1 wild type and knockout mice brains, and analyzed their transcriptional patterns using commercial oligonucleotide microarrays. Comparison between the transcriptomes of macrodissected and microdissected samples showed that the LCM samples allowed detection of significantly higher numbers of differentially expressed genes, with higher statistical rates of significance. These results validate LCM as a reliable technique for in vivo genomic studies in the brain hippocampus, where contamination by surrounding areas (not expressing Ras-GRF1) increases background noise and impairs identification of differentially expressed genes. Comparison between wild type and knockout LCM hippocampus samples revealed that Ras-GRF1 elimination caused significant gene expression changes, mostly affecting signal transduction and related neural processes. The list of 36 most differentially expressed genes included loci concerned mainly with Ras/G protein signaling and cytoskeletal organization (i.e. 14-3-3gamma/zeta, Kcnj6, Clasp2) or related, cross-talking pathways (i.e. jag2, decorin, strap). Consistent with the phenotypes shown by Ras-GRF1 knockout mice, many of these differentially expressed genes play functional roles in processes such as sensory development and function (i.e. Sptlc1, antiquitin, jag2) and/or neurological development/neurodegeneration processes affecting memory and learning. Indeed, potential links to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD) or Creutzfeldt-Jacobs disease (CJD), have been reported for a number of differentially expressed genes identified in this study (Ptma, Aebp2, Clasp2, Hebp1, 14-3-3gamma/zeta, Csnk1delta, etc.). These data, together with the previously described role of IRS and insulin (known Ras-GRF1 activators) in AD, warrant further investigation of a potential functional link of Ras-GRF1 to neurodegenerative processes.

Epac- and Rap- independent ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by Gs-coupled receptor stimulation in HEK293 cells

Serotonin activates Ras and Ras-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HEK293 cells expressing G(s)-coupled 5-HT(4) or 5-HT(7) serotonin receptors through unknown mechanisms. Both Epac/Rap-dependent and -independent pathways for Ras-dependent ERK1/2 activation have been suggested. Epac overexpression or Epac-specific 8-CPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP did not cause ERK1/2 phosphorylation, despite Rap activation. The data did not support a role for PLCepsilon or DAG-dependent Ras GEFs of the Ras-GRP family in Ras-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, serotonin stimulated phosphorylation of endogenous and recombinant Ras-GRF1, increased [Ca(2+)](i) and caused Ca(2+)- and calmodulin-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Different signalling pathways seem to be utilised by G(s)-coupled receptors in various isolates of HEK293 cells.

A Ras-induced conformational switch in the Ras activator Son of sevenless

The Ras-specific guanine nucleotide-exchange factors Son of sevenless (Sos) and Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (RasGRF1) transduce extracellular stimuli into Ras activation by catalyzing the exchange of Ras-bound GDP for GTP. A truncated form of RasGRF1 containing only the core catalytic Cdc25 domain is sufficient for stimulating Ras nucleotide exchange, whereas the isolated Cdc25 domain of Sos is inactive. At a site distal to the catalytic site, nucleotide-bound Ras binds to Sos, making contacts with the Cdc25 domain and with a Ras exchanger motif (Rem) domain. This allosteric Ras binding stimulates nucleotide exchange by Sos, but the mechanism by which this stimulation occurs has not been defined. We present a crystal structure of the Rem and Cdc25 domains of Sos determined at 2.0-A resolution in the absence of Ras. Differences between this structure and that of Sos bound to two Ras molecules show that allosteric activation of Sos by Ras occurs through a rotation of the Rem domain that is coupled to a rotation of a helical hairpin at the Sos catalytic site. This motion relieves steric occlusion of the catalytic site, allowing substrate Ras binding and nucleotide exchange. A structure of the isolated RasGRF1 Cdc25 domain determined at 2.2-A resolution, combined with computational analyses, suggests that the Cdc25 domain of RasGRF1 is able to maintain an active conformation in isolation because the helical hairpin has strengthened interactions with the Cdc25 domain core. These results indicate that RasGRF1 lacks the allosteric activation switch that is crucial for Sos activity.

Neuronal nuclear organization is controlled by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 phosphorylation of Ras Guanine nucleotide releasing factor-1

RasGRF1 is a member of the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RasGEF) family of proteins which are directly responsible for the activation of Ras and Rac GTPases. Originally identified as a phosphoprotein, RasGRF1 has been shown to be phosphorylated by protein kinase A and more recently, by the non-receptor tyrosine kinases Ack1 and Src. In this report we show that RasGRF1 interacts with and is phosphorylated by Cdk5 on serine 731 to regulate its steady state levels in mammalian cells as well as in neurons. Phosphorylation on this site by Cdk5 leads to RasGRF1 degradation through a calpain-dependent mechanism. Additionally, cortical neurons from Cdk5 knockout mice have higher levels of RasGRF1 which are reduced when wild-type Cdk5 is transfected into these neurons. In mitotic cells, nuclei become disorganized when RasGRF1 is overexpressed and this is rescued when RasGRF1 is co-expressed with active Cdk5. When RasGRF1 levels are elevated in neurons through overexpression of either the wild-type RasGRF1, or the phosphorylation mutant of RasGRF1 and by the transfection of a dominant negative Cdk5 construct, nuclei appeared condensed and fragmented. On the other hand, a reduction of RasGRF1 levels through p35/Cdk5 overexpression also leads to nuclear condensation in neurons. These data show that phosphorylation of RasGRF1 by Cdk5 tightly regulates its levels, which is essential for proper cellular organization.

The Ras-GRF1 exchange factor coordinates activation of H-Ras and Rac1 to control neuronal morphology

The Ras-GRF1 exchange factor has regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity for H-Ras and Rac1 through separate domains. Both H-Ras and Rac1 activation have been linked to synaptic plasticity and thus could contribute to the function of Ras-GRF1 in neuronal signal transduction pathways that underlie learning and memory. We defined the effects of Ras-GRF1 and truncation mutants that include only one of its GEF activities on the morphology of PC12 phaeochromocytoma cells. Ras-GRF1 required coexpression of H-Ras to induce morphological effects. Ras-GRF1 plus H-Ras induced a novel, expanded morphology in PC12 cells, which was characterized by a 10-fold increase in soma size and by neurite extension. A truncation mutant of Ras-GRF1 that included the Ras GEF domain, GRFdeltaN, plus H-Ras produced neurite extensions, but did not expand the soma. This neurite extension was blocked by inhibition of MAP kinase activation, but was independent of dominant-negative Rac1 or RhoA. A truncation mutant of Ras-GRF1 that included the Rac GEF domains, GRFdeltaC, produced the expanded phenotype in cotransfections with H-Ras. Cell expansion was inhibited by wortmannin or dominant-negative forms of Rac1 or Akt. GRFdeltaC binds H-Ras.GTP in both pulldown assays from bacterial lysates and by coimmunoprecipitation from HEK293 cells. These results suggest that coordinated activation of H-Ras and Rac1 by Ras-GRF1 may be a significant controller of neuronal cell size.

Calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase/calmodulin kinase I activity gates extracellular-regulated kinase-dependent long-term potentiation

Intracellular Ca2+ and protein phosphorylation play pivotal roles in long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular model of learning and memory. Ca2+ regulates multiple intracellular pathways, including the calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKs) and the ERKs (extracellular signal-regulated kinases), both of which are required for LTP. However, the mechanism by which Ca2+ activates ERK during LTP remains unknown. Here, we describe a requirement for the CaMK-kinase (CaMKK) pathway upstream of ERK in LTP induction. Both the pharmacological inhibitor of CaMKK, STO-609, and dominant-negative CaMKI (dnCaMKI), a downstream target of CaMKK, blocked neuronal NMDA receptor-dependent ERK activation. In contrast, an inhibitor of CaMKII and nuclear-localized dnCaMKIV had no effect on ERK activation. NMDA receptor-dependent LTP induction robustly activated CaMKI, the Ca2+-stimulated Ras activator Ras-GRF1 (Ras-guanyl-nucleotide releasing factor), and ERK. STO-609 blocked the activation of all three enzymes during LTP without affecting basal synaptic transmission, activation of CaMKII, or cAMP-dependent activation of ERK. LTP induction itself was suppressed 50% by STO-609 in a manner identical to the ERK inhibitor U0126: either inhibitor occluded the effect of the other, suggesting they are part of the same signaling pathway in LTP induction. STO-609 also suppressed regulatory phosphorylation of two downstream ERK targets during LTP, the general translation factors eIF4E (eukaryotic initiation factor 4) and its binding protein 4E-BP1 (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1). These data indicate an essential role for CaMKK and CaMKI to link NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ elevation with ERK-dependent LTP.

Endogenous expression and protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Ras-GRF1 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells

We have previously reported the Ras-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p44 and p42, also termed extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1 and 2 (ERK1/2), mediated through Gs-coupled serotonin receptors transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Whereas Gi- and Gq-coupled receptors have been shown to activate Ras through the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) called Ras-GRF1 (CDC25Mm) by binding of Ca2+/calmodulin to its N-terminal IQ domain, the mechanism of Ras activation through Gs-coupled receptors is not fully understood. We report the endogenous expression of Ras-GRF1 in HEK293 cells. Serotonin stimulation of HEK293 cells transiently expressing Gs-coupled 5-HT7 receptors induced protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the endogenous human Ras-GRF1 on Ser927 and of transfected mouse Ras-GRF1 on Ser916. Ras-GRF1 overexpression increased basal and serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Mutations of Ser916 inhibiting (Ser916Ala) or mimicking (Ser916Asp/Glu) phosphorylation did not alter these effects. However, the deletion of amino acids 1-225, including the Ca2+/calmodulin-binding IQ domain, from Ras-GRF1 reduced both basal and serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, serotonin treatment of HEK293 cells stably expressing 5-HT7 receptors increased [Ca2+]i, and the serotonin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was Ca2+-dependent. Therefore, both cAMP and Ca2+ may contribute to the Ras-dependent ERK1/2 activation after 5-HT7 receptor stimulation, through activation of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor with activity towards Ras.

p75-Ras-GRF1 is a c-Jun/AP-1 target protein: its up regulation results in increased Ras activity and is necessary for c-Jun-induced nonadherent growth of Rat1a cells

The c-Jun/AP-1 transcription complex is associated with diverse cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, transformation, and apoptosis. These different biological endpoints are likely achieved by the regulation of specific target gene expression. We describe the identification of Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1, Ras-GRF1, by microarray analysis as a c-Jun/AP-1 regulated gene essential for anchorage-independent growth of immortalized rat fibroblasts. Increased Ras-GRF1 expression, in response to inducible c-Jun expression in Rat1a fibroblasts, was confirmed by both real-time PCR and Northern blot analysis. We show that c-Jun/AP-1 can bind and activate the Ras-GRF1 promoter in vivo. A 75-kDa c-Jun/AP-1-inducible protein, p75-Ras-GRF1, was detected, and the inhibition of its expression with antisense oligomers significantly blocked c-Jun-regulated anchorage-independent cell growth. p75-Ras-GRF1 expression occurred with a concomitant increase in activated Ras (GTP bound), and the activation of Ras was significantly inhibited by antisense Ras-GRF1 oligomers. Moreover, p75-Ras-GRF1 could be coprecipitated with a Ras dominant-negative glutathione S-transferase (GST) construct, GST-Ras15A, demonstrating an interaction between p75-Ras-GRF1 and Ras. A downstream target of Ras activation, Elk-1, had increased transcriptional activity in c-Jun-expressing cells, and this activation was inhibited by dominant-negative Ras. In addition, c-Jun overexpression resulted in an increase in phospho-AKT while phosphorylation of ERK1/2 remained largely unaffected. The inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signal transduction by Ly294002 and wortmannin significantly blocked c-Jun-regulated morphological transformation, while inhibition of basal MEK-ERK activity with PD98059 and U0126 had little effect. We conclude that c-Jun/AP-1 regulates endogenous p75-Ras-GRF1 expression and that c-Jun/AP-1-regulated anchorage-independent cell growth requires activation of Ras-PI3K-AKT signal transduction.

Phosphorylation of RasGRP3 on threonine 133 provides a mechanistic link between PKC and Ras signaling systems in B cells

B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling activates a number of intracellular signaling molecules including phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2), which generates membrane diacylglycerol (DAG). DAG recruits both protein kinase C (PKC) and RasGRP family members to the membrane and contributes to their activation. We have hypothesized that membrane colocalization facilitates activation of RasGRP3 by PKC. Here we demonstrate that PKC phosphorylates RasGRP3 on Thr133 in vitro, as determined by mass spectrometry. RasGRP3 with a Thr133Ala substitution is a poor PKC substrate in vitro and a poor Ras activator in vivo. Antiphosphopeptide antibodies recognize Thr133-phosphorylated RasGRP3 in B cells after BCR stimulation or DAG analog treatment, but much less so in resting cells. PKC inhibitors block RasGRP3 Thr133 phosphorylation and Ras-extracellular signal-related kinase (Erk) signaling with a similar pattern. After stimulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) or DAG analog treatment of T cells, PKC-catalyzed phosphorylation of RasGRP1 occurs on the homologous residue, Thr184. These studies shed light on the proposed "PKC-Ras pathway" and support the hypothesis that RasGRP phosphorylation by PKC is a mechanism that integrates DAG signaling systems in T and B cells. PKC-mediated regulation of RasGRPs in lymphocytes may generate cooperative signaling in response to increases in DAG. The mast- and myeloid-selective family member RasGRP4 is regulated by different means.

Neurotrophin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of Ras guanine-releasing factor 1 and associated neurite outgrowth is dependent on the HIKE domain of TrkA

Ras guanine-releasing factor 1 (RasGrf1), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for members of the Ras and Rho family of GTPases, is highly expressed in the brain. It is regulated by two separate mechanisms, calcium regulation through interaction with its calcium/calmodulin-binding IQ domain and serine and tyrosine phosphorylation. RasGrf1 is activated downstream of G-protein-coupled receptors and the non-receptor tyrosine kinases, Src and Ack1. Previously, we demonstrated a novel interaction between the intracellular domain of the nerve growth factor-regulated TrkA receptor tyrosine kinase and an N-terminal fragment of RasGrf1. We now show that RasGrf1 is phosphorylated and interacts with TrkA, -B, and -C in co-transfection studies. This interaction and phosphorylation of RasGrf1 is dependent on the HIKE domain of TrkA (a region shown to interact with pleckstrin homology domains) but not on any of the phosphotyrosine residues that act as docking sites for intracellular signaling molecules such as Shc and FRS-2. The PH1 domain alone of RasGrf1 is sufficient for phosphorylation by the TrkA receptor. A potential role for Trk activation of RasGrf1 is suggested through transfection studies in PC12 cells in which RasGrf1 significantly increases neurite outgrowth at low doses of neurotrophin stimulation. Notably, this neurite outgrowth is dependent on an intact HIKE domain, as nnr5-S10 cells expressing a TrkA HIKE domain mutant do not exhibit potentiated neurite outgrowth in the presence of RasGrf1. These studies identify RasGrf1 as a novel target of neurotrophin activation and suggest an additional pathway whereby neurotrophin-stimulated neurite outgrowth may be regulated.

p35/cyclin-dependent kinase 5 phosphorylation of ras guanine nucleotide releasing factor 2 (RasGRF2) mediates Rac-dependent Extracellular Signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activity, altering RasGRF2 and microtubule-associated protein 1b distribution in neurons

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed kinase the activity of which is dependent on association with its neuron-specific activators, p35 and p39. Cdk5 activity is critical for the proper formation of cortical structures and lamination during development. In the adult nervous system, Cdk5 function is implicated in cellular adhesion, dopamine signaling, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic activity. In addition, Cdk5 is also involved in "cross-talk" with other signal transduction pathways. To further examine its involvement in cross-talk with other pathways, we identified proteins that interacted with p35 using the yeast two-hybrid system. We report here that p35 associates with Ras guanine nucleotide releasing factor 2 (RasGRF2) in coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization studies using transfected cell lines as well as primary cortical neurons. Additionally, Cdk5 phosphorylates RasGRF2 both in vitro and in vivo, leading to a decrease in Rac-guanidine exchange factor activity and a subsequent reduction in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activity. We show that p35/Cdk5 phosphorylates RasGRF2 on serine737, which leads to an accumulation of RasGRF2 in the neuronal cell bodies coinciding with an accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1b. The membrane association of p35 and subsequent localization of Cdk5 activity toward RasGRF2 and Rac provide insights into important cellular signaling processes that occur at the membrane, resulting in downstream effects on signal transduction cascades.