Epithelial junction formation requires confinement of Cdc42 activity by a novel SH3BP1 complex

J Cell Biol. 2012 Aug 20;198(4):677-93. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201202094. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

Epithelial cell-cell adhesion and morphogenesis require dynamic control of actin-driven membrane remodeling. The Rho guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Cdc42 regulates sequential molecular processes during cell-cell junction formation; hence, mechanisms must exist that inactivate Cdc42 in a temporally and spatially controlled manner. In this paper, we identify SH3BP1, a GTPase-activating protein for Cdc42 and Rac, as a regulator of junction assembly and epithelial morphogenesis using a functional small interfering ribonucleic acid screen. Depletion of SH3BP1 resulted in loss of spatial control of Cdc42 activity, stalled membrane remodeling, and enhanced growth of filopodia. SH3BP1 formed a complex with JACOP/paracingulin, a junctional adaptor, and CD2AP, a scaffolding protein; both were required for normal Cdc42 signaling and junction formation. The filamentous actin-capping protein CapZ also associated with the SH3BP1 complex and was required for control of actin remodeling. Epithelial junction formation and morphogenesis thus require a dual activity complex, containing SH3BP1 and CapZ, that is recruited to sites of active membrane remodeling to guide Cdc42 signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Capping Proteins / physiology
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Junctions / metabolism
  • Intercellular Junctions / physiology*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actin Capping Proteins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CD2-associated protein
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SH3BP1 protein, human
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein