A PDZ-binding motif as a critical determinant of Rho guanine exchange factor function and cell phenotype.

ABSTRACT: We identified a Rho guanine exchange factor (GEF) expressed as two splice variants, which differ only in either having or lacking a Postsynaptic density 95, Disk large, Zona occludens-1 (PDZ) motif. The PDZ adaptor protein synectin bound the longer splice variant, Syx1, which was targeted to the plasma membrane in a synectin-dependent manner. The shorter variant, Syx2, was diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging revealed similar differences between the spatial patterns of active RhoA in Syx1 versus Syx2-expressing cells. Expression of Syx1 augmented endothelial cell (EC) migration and tube formation, whereas Syx2 expression did not. It appears, therefore, that synectin-dependent targeting of Syx is critical to its contribution to these

SUBMITTER: Liu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1415294 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature