Redox signaling modulates Rho activity and tissue contractility in the Caenorhabditis elegans spermatheca

Mol Biol Cell. 2020 Jul 1;31(14):1486-1497. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E20-04-0236. Epub 2020 May 6.

Abstract

Actomyosin-based contractility in smooth muscle and nonmuscle cells is regulated by signaling through the small GTPase Rho and by calcium-activated pathways. We use the myoepithelial cells of the Caenorhabditis elegans spermatheca to study the mechanisms of coordinated myosin activation in vivo. Here, we show that redox signaling modulates RHO-1/Rho activity in this contractile tissue. Exogenously added as well as endogenously generated hydrogen peroxide decreases spermathecal contractility by inhibition of RHO-1, which depends on a conserved cysteine in its nucleotide binding site (C20). Further, we identify an endogenous gradient of H2O2 across the spermathecal tissue, which depends on the activity of cytosolic superoxide dismutase, SOD-1. Collectively, we show that SOD-1-mediated H2O2 production regulates the redox environment and fine tunes Rho activity across the spermatheca through oxidation of RHO-1 C20.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actomyosin / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Muscle Cells / metabolism
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Muscle, Smooth / metabolism
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Signal Transduction
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Actomyosin
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Calcium