PLEKHG2 promotes heterotrimeric G protein βγ-stimulated lymphocyte migration via Rac and Cdc42 activation and actin polymerization

Mol Cell Biol. 2013 Nov;33(21):4294-307. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00879-13. Epub 2013 Sep 3.

Abstract

PLEKHG2 is a Dbl family Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoGEF) whose gene was originally identified as being upregulated in a leukemia mouse model and was later shown to be activated by heterotrimeric G protein βγ (Gβγ) subunits. However, its function and activation mechanisms remain elusive. Here we show that, compared to its expression in primary human T cells, its expression is upregulated in several leukemia cell lines, including Jurkat T cells. Downregulation of PLEKHG2 in Jurkat T cells by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specifically inhibited Gβγ-stimulated Rac and Cdc42, but not RhoA, activation. Consequently, suppressing PLEKHG2 expression blocked actin polymerization and SDF1α-stimulated lymphocyte migration. Additional studies indicate that Gβγ likely activates PLEKHG2, in part by binding the N terminus of PLEKHG2 to release an autoinhibition imposed by its C terminus, which interacts with a region encompassing the catalytic Dbl homology (DH) domain. As a result, overexpressing either the N terminus or the C terminus of PLEKHG2 blocked Gβγ-stimulated Rac and Cdc42 activation and prevented Jurkat T cells from forming membrane protrusions and migrating. Together, our studies have provided the first evidence for the endogenous function of PLEKHG2, which may serve as a key Gβγ-stimulated RhoGEF that regulates lymphocyte chemotaxis via Rac and Cdc42 activation and actin polymerization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Binding Sites
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / metabolism*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / chemistry
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • G-protein Beta gamma
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • PLEKHG2 protein, human
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins