Prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) 2 affects cell migration and F-actin formation via RhoA/rho-associated kinase-dependent cofilin phosphorylation

J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 29;285(44):33756-63. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.132985. Epub 2010 Aug 27.

Abstract

Cells are responding to hypoxia via prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes, which are responsible for oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α subunit. To gain further insight into PHD function, we generated knockdown cell models for the PHD2 isoform, which is the main isoform regulating HIF-1α hydroxylation and thus stability in normoxia. Induction of a PHD2 knockdown in tetracycline-inducible HeLa PHD2 knockdown cells resulted in increased F-actin formation as detected by phalloidin staining. A similar effect could be observed in the stably transfected PHD2 knockdown cell clones 1B6 and 3B7. F-actin is at least in part responsible for shaping cell morphology as well as regulating cell migration. Cell migration was impaired significantly as a consequence of PHD2 knockdown in a scratch assay. Mechanistically, PHD2 knockdown resulted in activation of the RhoA (Ras homolog gene family member A)/Rho-associated kinase pathway with subsequent phosphorylation of cofilin. Because cofilin phosphorylation impairs its actin-severing function, this may explain the F-actin phenotype, thereby providing a functional link between PHD2-dependent signaling and cell motility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors / metabolism*
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases
  • Models, Biological
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors
  • Actins
  • Polymers
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RHOA protein, human
  • EGLN1 protein, human
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein