Revisiting G3BP1 as a RasGAP binding protein: sensitization of tumor cells to chemotherapy by the RasGAP 317-326 sequence does not involve G3BP1

PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e29024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029024. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Abstract

RasGAP is a multifunctional protein that controls Ras activity and that is found in chromosomal passenger complexes. It also negatively or positively regulates apoptosis depending on the extent of its cleavage by caspase-3. RasGAP has been reported to bind to G3BP1 (RasGAP SH3-domain-binding protein 1), a protein regulating mRNA stability and stress granule formation. The region of RasGAP (amino acids 317-326) thought to bind to G3BP1 corresponds exactly to the sequence within fragment N2, a caspase-3-generated fragment of RasGAP, that mediates sensitization of tumor cells to genotoxins. While assessing the contribution of G3BP1 in the anti-cancer function of a cell-permeable peptide containing the 317-326 sequence of RasGAP (TAT-RasGAP₃₁₇₋₃₂₆), we found that, in conditions where G3BP1 and RasGAP bind to known partners, no interaction between G3BP1 and RasGAP could be detected. TAT-RasGAP₃₁₇₋₃₂₆ did not modulate binding of G3BP1 to USP10, stress granule formation or c-myc mRNA levels. Finally, TAT-RasGAP₃₁₇₋₃₂₆ was able to sensitize G3BP1 knock-out cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Collectively these results indicate that G3BP1 and its putative RasGAP binding region have no functional influence on each other. Importantly, our data provide arguments against G3BP1 being a genuine RasGAP-binding partner. Hence, G3BP1-mediated signaling may not involve RasGAP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA Helicases
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutagens / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Helicases
  • RNA Recognition Motif Proteins
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / chemistry*
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Mutagens
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
  • RNA Recognition Motif Proteins
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • DNA Helicases
  • G3bp1 protein, mouse
  • RNA Helicases