Rap1-PDZ-GEF1 interacts with a neurotrophin receptor at late endosomes, leading to sustained activation of Rap1 and ERK and neurite outgrowth

J Cell Biol. 2007 Aug 27;178(5):843-60. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200610073.

Abstract

Neurotrophins, such as NGF and BDNF, induce sustained activation of Rap1 small G protein and ERK, which are essential for neurite outgrowth. We show involvement of a GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) for Rap1, PDZ-GEF1, in these processes. PDZ-GEF1 is activated by GTP-Rap1 via a positive feedback mechanism. Upon NGF binding, the TrkA neurotrophin receptor is internalized from the cell surface, passes through early endosomes, and arrives in late endosomes. A tetrameric complex forms between PDZ-GEF1, synaptic scaffolding molecule and ankyrin repeat-rich membrane spanning protein which interacts directly with the TrkA receptor. At late endosomes, the complex induces sustained activation of Rap1 and ERK, resulting in neurite outgrowth. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, PDZ-GEF1 is recruited to late endosomes in a BDNF-dependent manner involved in BDNF-induced neurite outgrowth. Thus, the interaction of PDZ-GEF1 with an internalized neurotrophin receptor transported to late endosomes induces sustained activation of both Rap1 and ERK and neurite outgrowth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Factor 2 / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurites / metabolism*
  • Neurites / ultrastructure
  • PC12 Cells
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptor, trkA / genetics
  • Receptor, trkA / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Factor 2
  • Kidins220 protein, rat
  • Magi2 protein, rat
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RAPGEF2 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, trkA
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins