Silencing of TBC1D15 promotes RhoA activation and membrane blebbing

Mol Cell Biochem. 2014 Apr;389(1-2):9-16. doi: 10.1007/s11010-013-1921-2. Epub 2013 Dec 14.

Abstract

Membrane blebs are round-shaped dynamic membrane protrusions that occur under many physiological conditions. Membrane bleb production is primarily controlled by actin cytoskeletal rearrangements mediated by RhoA. Tre2-Bub2-Cdc16 (TBC) domain-containing proteins are negative regulators of the Rab family of small GTPases and contain a highly conserved TBC domain. In this report, we show that the expression of TBC1D15 is associated with the activity of RhoA and the production of membrane blebs. Depletion of TBC1D15 induced activation of RhoA and membrane blebbing, which was abolished by the addition of an inhibitor for RhoA signaling. In addition, we show that TBC1D15 is required for the accumulation of RhoA at the equatorial cortex for the ingression of the cytokinetic furrow during cytokinesis. Our results demonstrate a novel role for TBC1D15 in the regulation of RhoA during membrane blebbing and cytokinesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytokinesis / genetics
  • Cytokinesis / physiology
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Membranes / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • TBC1D15 protein, human
  • RHOA protein, human
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein