Cdc42 interaction with N-WASP and Toca-1 regulates membrane tubulation, vesicle formation and vesicle motility: implications for endocytosis

PLoS One. 2010 Aug 13;5(8):e12153. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012153.

Abstract

Transducer of Cdc42-dependent actin assembly (Toca-1) consists of an F-BAR domain, a Cdc42 binding site and an SH3 domain. Toca-1 interacts with N-WASP, an activator of actin nucleation that binds Cdc42. Cdc42 may play an important role in regulating Toca-1 and N-WASP functions. We report here that the cellular expression of Toca-1 and N-WASP induces membrane tubulation and the formation of motile vesicles. Marker and uptake analysis suggests that the tubules and vesicles are associated with clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) analysis shows that Cdc42, N-WASP and Toca-1 form a trimer complex on the membrane tubules and vesicles and that Cdc42 interaction with N-WASP is critical for complex formation. Modulation of Cdc42 interaction with Toca-1 and/or N-WASP affects membrane tubulation, vesicle formation and vesicle motility. Thus Cdc42 may influence endocytic membrane trafficking by regulating the formation and activity of the Toca-1/N-WASP complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Endocytosis*
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / chemistry
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Movement*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • FNBP1 protein, human
  • FNBP1L protein, human
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • TRIP10 protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein