Heterotrimeric G-proteins associate with microtubules during differentiation in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.
Tubulin modifies G-protein signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins regulate microtubule assembly. Here we report an interplay among G-protein-coupled receptor and receptor tyrosine kinase (such as nerve growth factor-NGF) signaling systems in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells that resulted in a translocation of Galpha(s), Galpha(i1), and Galpha(o) from cell bodies to cellular processes where they appear to localize with tubulin-containing structures. This relocation appeared to depend on the integrity of microtubules, as it was blocked and reversed by nocodazole. Latrunculin, which promotes actin filament depolymerization, had no effect. Both deconvolution microscopy and immunoprecipitation showed a significant increase of Galpha association with microtubules that was coincident with the extension of "neurites." There were distinctions among the Galpha subtypes, with Galpha(s) showing the most profound NGF-induced colocalization with tubulin. Translocation of Galpha was blocked by agents that inhibit the MAP kinases required for neuronal differentiation, suggesting that G-protein relocation is triggered by the intracellular signals for differentiation. Consistent with this, Galpha in Neuro-2A cells, which spontaneously differentiate, showed a similar translocation coincident with differentiation. Thus, diverse signals that promote neuronal differentiation and changes in cell morphology may use specific G-proteins to evoke cytoskeletal rearrangement.
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60612-7342, USA.
Tulika
T
Sarma
Tatyana
T
Voyno-Yasenetskaya
Thomas J
TJ
Hope
Mark M
MM
Rasenick
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014544:Uridine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000199:Actins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D014404:Tubulin; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D014544:Uridine Triphosphate