Cargando…

An excitable Rho GTPase signaling network generates dynamic subcellular contraction patterns

Rho GTPase-based signaling networks control cellular dynamics by coordinating protrusions and retractions in space and time. Here, we reveal a signaling network that generates pulses and propagating waves of cell contractions. These dynamic patterns emerge via self-organization from an activator–inh...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Graessl, Melanie, Koch, Johannes, Calderon, Abram, Kamps, Dominic, Banerjee, Soumya, Mazel, Tomáš, Schulze, Nina, Jungkurth, Jana Kathrin, Patwardhan, Rutuja, Solouk, Djamschid, Hampe, Nico, Hoffmann, Bernd, Dehmelt, Leif, Nalbant, Perihan
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Rockefeller University Press 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5716289/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29055010
http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201706052
Descripción
Sumario:Rho GTPase-based signaling networks control cellular dynamics by coordinating protrusions and retractions in space and time. Here, we reveal a signaling network that generates pulses and propagating waves of cell contractions. These dynamic patterns emerge via self-organization from an activator–inhibitor network, in which the small GTPase Rho amplifies its activity by recruiting its activator, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1. Rho also inhibits itself by local recruitment of actomyosin and the associated RhoGAP Myo9b. This network structure enables spontaneous, self-limiting patterns of subcellular contractility that can explore mechanical cues in the extracellular environment. Indeed, actomyosin pulse frequency in cells is altered by matrix elasticity, showing that coupling of contractility pulses to environmental deformations modulates network dynamics. Thus, our study reveals a mechanism that integrates intracellular biochemical and extracellular mechanical signals into subcellular activity patterns to control cellular contractility dynamics.