A kinase-deficient TrkC receptor isoform activates Arf6-Rac1 signaling through the scaffold protein tamalin

J Cell Biol. 2006 Apr 24;173(2):291-9. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200512013.

Abstract

Neurotrophins play an essential role in mammalian development. Most of their functions have been attributed to activation of the kinase-active Trk receptors and the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Truncated Trk receptor isoforms lacking the kinase domain are abundantly expressed during development and in the adult; however, their function and signaling capacity is largely unknown. We show that the neurotrophin-3 (NT3) TrkCT1-truncated receptor binds to the scaffold protein tamalin in a ligand-dependent manner. Moreover, NT3 initiation of this complex leads to activation of the Rac1 GTPase through adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6). At the cellular level, NT3 binding to TrkCT1-tamalin induces Arf6 translocation to the membrane, which in turn causes membrane ruffling and the formation of cellular protrusions. Thus, our data identify a new signaling pathway elicited by the kinase-deficient TrkCT1 receptor. Moreover, we establish NT3 as an upstream regulator of Arf6.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6
  • ADP-Ribosylation Factors / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology
  • Receptor, trkC / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • tamalin protein, human
  • Receptor, trkC
  • ADP-Ribosylation Factors
  • ARF6 protein, human
  • Arf6 protein, mouse
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein