Activated Rac1 requires gp130 for Stat3 activation, cell proliferation and migration.
Rac1 (Rac) is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases which controls cell migration by regulating the organization of actin filaments. Previous results suggested that mutationally activated forms of the Rho GTPases can activate the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3), but the exact mechanism is a matter of controversy. We recently demonstrated that Stat3 activity of cultured cells increases dramatically following E-cadherin engagement. To better understand this pathway, we now compared Stat3 activity levels in mouse HC11 cells before and after expression of the mutationally activated Rac1 (Rac(V12)), at different cell densities. The results revealed for the first time a dramatic increase in protein levels and activity of both the endogenous Rac and Rac(V12) with cell density, which was due to inhibition of proteasomal degradation. In addition, Rac(V12)-expressing cells had higher Stat3, tyrosine-705 phosphorylation and activity levels at all densities, indicating that Rac(V12) is able to activate Stat3. Further examination of the mechanism of Stat3 activation showed that Rac(V12) expression caused a surge in mRNA of Interleukin-6 (IL6) family cytokines, known potent Stat3 activators. Knockdown of gp130, the common subunit of this family reduced Stat3 activity, indicating that these cytokines may be responsible for the Stat3 activation by Rac(V12). The upregulation of IL6 family cytokines was required for cell migration and proliferation induced by Rac(V12), as shown by gp130 knockdown experiments, thus demonstrating that the gp130/Stat3 axis represents an essential effector of activated Rac for the regulation of key cellular functions.
Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Queen's University Cancer Institute, Queen's University, Botterell Hall, Rm. 713, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6.
Rozanne
R
Arulanandam
Mulu
M
Geletu
Hélène
H
Feracci
Leda
L
Raptis
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D053612:Janus Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D050822:Cytokine Receptor gp130; D053612:Janus Kinases; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein