RasGRF suppresses Cdc42-mediated tumour cell movement, cytoskeletal dynamics and transformation

Fernando Calvo, Vicky Sanz Moreno, Lorena Agudo-Ibanez, Fredrik Wallberg, Erik Sahai, Christopher J. Marshall, Piero Crespo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Individual tumour cells move in three-dimensional environments with either a rounded or an elongated 'mesenchymal' morphology. These two modes of movement are tightly regulated by Rho family GTPases: elongated movement requires activation of Rac1, where as rounded/amoeboid movement engages specific Cdc42 and Rho signalling pathways. In siRNA screens targeting the genes encoding guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), we found that the Ras GEF RasGRF2 regulates conversion between elongated- and rounded-type movement. RasGRF2 suppresses rounded movement by inhibiting the activation of Cdc42 independently of its capacity to activate Ras. RasGRF2 and RasGRF1 directly bind to Cdc42, out competing Cdc42 GEFs,thereby preventing Cdc42 activation. By this mechanism, RasGRFs regulate other Cdc42-mediated cellular processes such as the formation of actin spikes, transformation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate a role for RasGRF GEFs as negative regulators of Cdc42 activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)819-826
Number of pages18
JournalNature Cell Biology
Volume13
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RasGRF suppresses Cdc42-mediated tumour cell movement, cytoskeletal dynamics and transformation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this