• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2007

Heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins (G proteins) mediate signal generated by neurotransmitter and hormones. Among all G proteins, Go is the most abundant in brain but its role in brain is not clearly understood. To determine the function of the alpha subunit of Go (Go$\alpha$), we search for the interacting partner of Go$\alpha$ in brain using yeast two-hybrid system. A resistant to inhibitor of cholinesterase (Ric-8B) was identified as a Go$\alpha$ interacting protein. We confirmed interaction between Go$\alpha$ and Ric-8b employing in vitro affinity binding assay and showed that the Ric-8b increased the function of Go$\alpha$. Our findings indicate that Ric-8b is possible guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Go$\alpha$.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.11
• /
• pp.659-664
• /
• 2019

Vav1 is a Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells. In this study, we investigated the potential role of Vav1 in osteoclast (OC) differentiation by comparing the ability of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) obtained from Vav1-deficient ($Vav1^{-/-}$) and wild-type (WT) mice to differentiate into mature OCs upon stimulation with macrophage colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear kappa B ligand in vitro. Our results suggested that Vav1 deficiency promoted the differentiation of BMMCs into OCs, as indicated by the increased expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, and calcitonin receptor. Therefore, Vav1 may play a negative role in OC differentiation. This hypothesis was supported by the observation of more OCs in the femurs of $Vav1^{-/-}$ mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, the bone status of $Vav1^{-/-}$ mice was analyzed in situ and the femurs of $Vav1^{-/-}$ mice appeared abnormal, with poor bone density and fewer number of trabeculae. In addition, Vav1-deficient OCs showed stronger adhesion to vitronectin, an ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ integrin ligand important in bone resorption. Thus, Vav1 may inhibit OC differentiation and protect against bone resorption.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2021

The well-known second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates the morphology and physiology of neurons and thus higher cognitive brain functions. The discovery of exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap GTPases has shed light on protein kinase A (PKA)-independent functions of cAMP signaling in neural tissues. Studies of cAMP-Epac-mediated signaling in neurons under normal and disease conditions also revealed its diverse contributions to neurodevelopment, synaptic remodeling, and neurotransmitter release, as well as learning, memory, and emotion. In this mini-review, the various roles of Epac isoforms, including Epac1 and Epac2, highly expressed in neural tissues are summarized, and controversies or issues are highlighted that need to be resolved to uncover the critical functions of Epac in neural tissues and the potential for a new therapeutic target of mental disorders.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2437-2444
• /
• 2012

Tumor metastasis remains the principal cause of treatment failure and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. It is a multistage process which includes proteolysis, motility and migration of cells, proliferation in a new site, and neoangiogenesis. A crucial step in the process of intra- and extra-vasation is the activation of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this stage, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are necessary. Micrometastases need the presence of growth factor and vascular growth factor so that they can form macrometastasis. In addition, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) play important roles in the progression of colorectal cancer and metastatic migration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of how these molecules contribute will aid in the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets for patients with colorectal metastasis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.9
• /
• pp.1100-1117
• /
• 2018

The Ras superfamily of small G-proteins acts as a molecular switch on the intracellular signaling pathway. Upon ligand stimulation, inactive GTPases (Ras-GDP) are activated (Ras-GTP) using guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and transmit signals to their downstream effectors. Following signal transmission, active Ras-GTP become inactive Ras-GDP and cease signaling. However, the intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras proteins is weak, requiring Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) to efficiently convert RAS-GTP to Ras-GDP. Since deregulation of the Ras pathway is found in nearly 30% of all human cancers, it might be useful to clarify the structural and physiological roles of Ras GTPases. Recently, RasGAP has emerged as a new class of tumor-suppressor protein and a potential therapeutic target for cancer. Therefore, it is important to clarify the physiological roles of the individual GAPs in human diseases. The first RasGAP discovered was RASA1, also known as p120 RasGAP. RASA1 is widely expressed, independent of cell type and tissue distribution. Subsequently, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was discovered. The remaining GAPs are affiliated with the GAP1 and synaptic GAP (SynGAP) families. There are more than 170 Ras GTPases and 14 Ras GAP members in the human genome. This review focused on the current understanding of Ras GTPase and RasGAP in human diseases, including cancers.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.457-465
• /
• 2019

MonA is a subunit of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that is important for vacuole passing and autophagy processes in eukaryotes. In this study, we characterized the function of MonA, an orthologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mon1, in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans and a toxigenic fungus A. flavus. In A. nidulans, the absence of AnimonA led to decreased fungal growth, reduced asexual reproduction, and defective cleistothecia production. In addition, AnimonA deletion mutants exhibited decreased spore viability, had reduced trehalose contents in conidia, and were sensitive to thermal stress. In A. flavus, deletion of AflmonA caused decreased fungal growth and defective production of asexual spores and sclerotia structures. Moreover, the absence of monA affected vacuole morphology in both species. Taken together, these results indicate that MonA plays conserved roles in controlling fungal growth, development and vacuole morphology in A. nidulans and A. flavus.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.42 no.8
• /
• pp.589-596
• /
• 2019

${\beta}Pix$ is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho family small GTPases, Rac1 and Cdc42. It is known to regulate focal adhesion dynamics and cell migration. However, the in vivo role of ${\beta}Pix$ is currently not well understood. Here, we report the production and characterization of ${\beta}Pix$-KO mice. Loss of ${\beta}Pix$ results in embryonic lethality accompanied by abnormal developmental features, such as incomplete neural tube closure, impaired axial rotation, and failure of allantois-chorion fusion. We also generated ${\beta}Pix$-KO mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to examine ${\beta}Pix$ function in mouse fibroblasts. ${\beta}Pix$-KO MEFs exhibit decreased Rac1 activity, and defects in cell spreading and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced ruffle formation and chemotaxis. The average size of focal adhesions is increased in ${\beta}Pix$-KO MEFs. Interestingly, ${\beta}Pix$-KO MEFs showed increased motility in random migration and rapid wound healing with elevated levels of MLC2 phosphorylation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ${\beta}Pix$ plays essential roles in early embryonic development, cell spreading, and cell migration in fibroblasts.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2003

목적 : 허혈시 발생되는 저산소중 상태에서는 세포독성을 유발한다고 알려져 있으나 정확한 기전은 아직 규명되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 뇌허혈로 인한 세포독성의 기전을 유전자 발현을 통하여 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 본 실험에서는 BV-2 microglia 세포주에 12시간 동안의 저산소 상태에서의 유전자 발현을 분석하기 위하여 마이크로에레이를 시행하였다. 결과 : 저산소 상태에서는 정상에 비하여 cathepsin F, growth factor independent 1, calcitonin/calcitonin-related poly, leucine-rich repeat LGI family membrane, dublecortin, cyclohydrolase 1, Ia-associated invariant chain, carbohydrate kinase-like과 erythrocyte protein band 4.1-like 3 등의 유전자 발현이 3배 이상 증가하였다. 한편 neuronal guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer protein, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5, RNA binding motif protein 3, interleukin 2 receptor, alpha chain, crystallin zeta, cytochrome P450 subfamily IV B, asparagine synthetase과 moesin 등의 유전자 발현은 0.2배 이하로 감소하였다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 저산소중에 관여하는 유전자 및 저산소중과 관련된 뇌경색 등의 질환의 기전을 밝히는데 기초적 자료로 이용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2018

Mon1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor subunit that activates the Ypt7 Rab GTPase and is essential for vacuole trafficking and autophagy in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we identified and characterized the function of Mon1, an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mon1, in a human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Mutation in mon1 resulted in hypersensitivity to thermal stress. The mon1 deletion mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to cell wall and endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the mon1 deletion mutant showed more resistance to the antifungal agent fluconazole. In vivo studies demonstrated that compared to the wild-type strain, the mon1 deletion mutant attenuated virulence in the Galleria mellonella insect model. Moreover, the mon1 deletion mutant was avirulent in the murine inhalation model. These results demonstrate that Mon1 plays a crucial role in stress survival and pathogenicity in C. neoformans.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.153-158
• /
• 2012

Geft is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which can specifically activate Rho family of small GTPase by catalyzing the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. Geft is highly expressed in the excitable tissue as heart and skeletal muscle and plays important roles in many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, migration, and cell fate decision. However, the in vivo role of Geft remains unknown. Here, we generated a Geft conditional knockout mouse by flanking exons 5-17 of Geft with loxP sites. Cre-mediated deletion of the Geft gene in heart using Mef2c-Cre transgenic mice resulted in a dramatic decrease of Geft expression. Geft knockout mice develop normally and exhibit no discernable phenotype, suggesting Geft is dispensable for the development of the second heart field in mouse. The Geft conditional knockout mouse will be a valuable genetic tool for uncovering the in vivo roles of Geft during development and in adult homeostasis.