Activation of small Rho GTPases by blebbistatin in PC12 cells.
- Author:
Eung Gook KIM
1
;
Eun Young SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea. eyshin@chungbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Rho GTPase;
Rac;
Rho A;
Cdc42;
blebbistatin
- MeSH:
Animals;
Biological Processes;
Cell Membrane;
Growth Cones;
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors;
Heterocyclic Compounds with 4 or More Rings;
Myosin Type II;
Myosins;
Neurites;
Neuritis;
Neurons;
PC12 Cells*;
Proteins;
Pseudopodia;
rho GTP-Binding Proteins*
- From:Journal of Biomedical Research
2013;14(2):60-64
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Neuronal differentiation is a complex biological process accompanying cytoskeletal reorganization, including neurite outgrowth and growth cone formation. Therefore, neuronal differentiation is critically regulated by actin-related signaling proteins, such as small Rho GTPases, guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), and myosins. This study will demonstrate the change in activity of three small Rho GTPases, Rac, Cdc42, and Rho A, by treatment with blebbistatin (BBS), a specific inhibitor for myosin, during bFGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Treatment with BBS induced morphological changes in growth cones and neurites during differentiation. A marked increase in protrusion and filopodia structures in growth cones, the shaft of neuritis, and cell membranes was observed in the cells treated with BBS. Activity of Rho GTPases showed the alterations in response to BBS. Activities of both Rac and Rho A were inhibited by BBS in a time-dependent manner. By contrast, Cdc42 activity was not changed by BBS. These results suggest that inactivation of myosin II by BBS induced morphological changes in neurites and growth cones and distinct regulation of three Rho GTPases during differentiation of PC12 cells.
