G protein beta gamma subunit interaction with the dynein light-chain component Tctex-1 regulates neurite outgrowth

EMBO J. 2007 Jun 6;26(11):2621-32. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601716. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

Tctex-1, a light-chain component of the cytoplasmic dynein motor complex, can function independently of dynein to regulate multiple steps in neuronal development. However, how dynein-associated and dynein-free pools of Tctex-1 are maintained in the cell is not known. Tctex-1 was recently identified as a Gbetagamma-binding protein and shown to be identical to the receptor-independent activator of G protein signaling AGS2. We propose a novel role for the interaction of Gbetagamma with Tctex-1 in neurite outgrowth. Ectopic expression of either Tctex-1 or Gbetagamma promotes neurite outgrowth whereas interfering with their function inhibits neuritogenesis. Using embryonic mouse brain extracts, we demonstrate an endogenous Gbetagamma-Tctex-1 complex and show that Gbetagamma co-segregates with dynein-free fractions of Tctex-1. Furthermore, Gbeta competes with the dynein intermediate chain for binding to Tctex-1, regulating assembly of Tctex-1 into the dynein motor complex. We propose that Tctex-1 is a novel effector of Gbetagamma, and that Gbetagamma-Tctex-1 complex plays a key role in the dynein-independent function of Tctex-1 in regulating neurite outgrowth in primary hippocampal neurons, most likely by modulating actin and microtubule dynamics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dyneins
  • Fluorescence Polarization
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / metabolism*
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurites / metabolism
  • Neurites / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • t-Complex Genome Region

Substances

  • Dynlt1b protein, mouse
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Dyneins