title: Effects of constitutively active GTPases on fibroblast behavior.
abstract: The GTP-binding proteins RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1 regulate the organization and turnover of the cytoskeleton and cell-matrix adhesions, structures bridging cells to their support, and translating forces, external or generated within the cell. To investigate the specific requirements of Rho GTPases for biomechanical activities of clonal cell populations, we compared side-by-side stable lines of human fibroblasts expressing constitutively active (CA) RhoA, Cdc42 or Rac1. There was no marked effect of any CA GTPase on cell adhesion to different extracellular matrix proteins. Cell spreading was CA Rho GTPase specific and independent of the extracellular matrix proteins allowing adhesion. Mechanical properties were dramatically restricted by CA RhoA on bi- and in tri-dimensional surroundings, were boosted by CA Rac1 on bi-dimensional surroundings only, and were not or marginally affected by CA Cdc42. In conclusion, the action of Rho GTPases appears to depend on the task cells are performing.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biochemistry II, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Z-G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Servotte
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chometon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eckes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lapière
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Nusgens
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aumailley
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003094:Collagen; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein