Identification of a conserved Rac-binding site on NADPH oxidases supports a direct GTPase regulatory mechanism

J Biol Chem. 2008 May 9;283(19):12736-46. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M801010200. Epub 2008 Mar 17.

Abstract

The NADPH oxidases (Noxs) are a family of superoxide-generating enzymes implicated in a variety of biological processes. Full activity of Nox1, -2, and -3 requires the action of a Rac GTPase. A direct regulatory interaction of Rac with Nox2 has been proposed as part of a two-step mechanism for regulating electron transfer during superoxide formation. Using truncation analysis of Rac binding to the cytoplasmic tail of Nox2, along with peptides derived from this region in cell-free assays, we identify a Rac interaction site within amino acids 419-430 of Nox2. This region is required for binding Rac2 but not p47(phox) or p67(phox) cytosolic regulatory factors. A cell-permeant version of the peptide encompassing amino acids 419-430 specifically inhibits NADPH oxidase activation in intact human neutrophils. Mutational analysis of the putative Rac-binding site revealed specific residues, particularly Lys-421, Tyr-425, and Lys-426, individually required for Rac-dependent NADPH oxidase activity that are conserved in the Rac-regulated Nox1, Nox2, and Nox3 enzymes but not in Nox4 or Nox5. Mutation of the conserved residues in the Rac-binding site of Nox1 also result in the loss of Rac-dependent activity. Our data identify a functional Rac interaction site conserved in Rac-dependent Noxs and support a direct regulatory interaction of Rac GTPases to promote activation of these NADPH oxidases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / chemistry*
  • NADPH Oxidases / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Sequence Alignment
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins