AKAP9 regulation of microtubule dynamics promotes Epac1-induced endothelial barrier properties

Blood. 2011 Jan 13;117(2):708-18. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-02-268870. Epub 2010 Oct 15.

Abstract

Adhesive forces at endothelial cell-cell borders maintain vascular integrity. cAMP enhances barrier properties and controls cellular processes through protein kinase A bound to A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). It also activates exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac1), an exchange factor for Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1) GTPases that promotes cadherin- and integrin-mediated adhesion through effects on the actin cytoskeleton. We demonstrate that AKAP9 facilitates the microtubule polymerization rate in endothelial cells, interacts with Epac1, and is required for Epac1-stimulated microtubule growth. AKAP9 is not required for maintaining barrier properties under steady-state conditions. Rather, it is essential when the cell is challenged to make new adhesive contacts, as is the case when Epac activation enhances barrier function through a mechanism that, surprisingly, requires integrin adhesion at cell-cell contacts. In the present study, defects in Epac-induced responses in AKAP9-silenced cells were evident despite an intact Epac-induced increase in Rap activation, cortical actin, and vascular endothelial-cadherin adhesion. We describe a pathway that integrates Epac-mediated signals with AKAP9-dependent microtubule dynamics to coordinate integrins at lateral borders.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA Interference
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • AKAP9 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human