title: Rit contributes to neurite outgrowth triggered by the alpha subunit of Go.
abstract: Heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein transduce signals initiated by a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters. Go, a member of the Go/Gi family, is the most abundant heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein in nervous tissues and has been implicated in neuronal differentiation. The mechanism by which Go modulates neuronal differentiation has not been, however, fully elucidated. Here, we identified small GTPase Rit as an interacting partner of the alpha-subunit of Go (Goalpha). The biochemical characterizations of Goalpha::Rit interaction revealed that Rit is a candidate downstream effector for Goalpha. Furthermore, dominant negative Rit inhibited Goalpha-induced neurite outgrowth and Erk phosphorylation in Neuro2a cells. These results suggest that Rit may be involved in the signaling pathway for Goalpha-mediated neuronal differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Kyonggi University, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soyeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ghil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / Q000502:physiology*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014162:Transfection; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; C486776:RIT1 protein, human; D018631:ras Proteins