M-cadherin activates Rac1 GTPase through the Rho-GEF trio during myoblast fusion

S Charrasse, F Comunale, M Fortier… - Molecular biology of …, 2007 - Am Soc Cell Biol
S Charrasse, F Comunale, M Fortier, E Portales-Casamar, A Debant, C Gauthier-Rouviere
Molecular biology of the cell, 2007Am Soc Cell Biol
Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell–
cell adhesion and play crucial role during skeletal myogenesis. M-cadherin is required for
myoblast fusion into myotubes, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. The goal of
this study was to cast some light on the nature of the M-cadherin–mediated signals involved
in myoblast fusion into myotubes. We found that the Rac1 GTPase activity is increased at the
time of myoblast fusion and it is required for this process. Moreover, we showed that M …
Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell–cell adhesion and play crucial role during skeletal myogenesis. M-cadherin is required for myoblast fusion into myotubes, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. The goal of this study was to cast some light on the nature of the M-cadherin–mediated signals involved in myoblast fusion into myotubes. We found that the Rac1 GTPase activity is increased at the time of myoblast fusion and it is required for this process. Moreover, we showed that M-cadherin–dependent adhesion activates Rac1 and demonstrated the formation of a multiproteic complex containing M-cadherin, the Rho-GEF Trio, and Rac1 at the onset of myoblast fusion. Interestingly, Trio knockdown efficiently blocked both the increase in Rac1-GTP levels, observed after M-cadherin–dependent contact formation, and myoblast fusion. We conclude that M-cadherin–dependent adhesion can activate Rac1 via the Rho-GEF Trio at the time of myoblast fusion.
Am Soc Cell Biol