The Rac activator STEF (Tiam2) regulates cell migration by microtubule-mediated focal adhesion disassembly.
Focal adhesion (FA) disassembly required for optimal cell migration is mediated by microtubules (MTs); targeting of FAs by MTs coincides with their disassembly. Regrowth of MTs, induced by removal of the MT destabilizer nocodazole, activates the Rho-like GTPase Rac, concomitant with FA disassembly. Here, we show that the Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Sif and Tiam1-like exchange factor (STEF) is responsible for Rac activation during MT regrowth. Importantly, STEF is required for multiple targeting of FAs by MTs. As a result, FAs in STEF-knockdown cells have a reduced disassembly rate and are consequently enlarged. This leads to reduced speed of migration. Together, these findings suggest a new role for STEF in FA disassembly and cell migration through MT-mediated mechanisms.
Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
Claire
C
Rooney
Gavin
G
White
Alicja
A
Nazgiewicz
Simon A
SA
Woodcock
Kurt I
KI
Anderson
Christoph
C
Ballestrem
Angeliki
A
Malliri
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; C447620:Tiam2 protein, mouse; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins; D015739:Nocodazole