Endogenous expression and protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Ras-GRF1 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells

FEBS J. 2005 May;272(9):2304-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.04658.x.

Abstract

We have previously reported the Ras-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p44 and p42, also termed extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1 and 2 (ERK1/2), mediated through Gs-coupled serotonin receptors transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Whereas Gi- and Gq-coupled receptors have been shown to activate Ras through the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) called Ras-GRF1 (CDC25Mm) by binding of Ca2+/calmodulin to its N-terminal IQ domain, the mechanism of Ras activation through Gs-coupled receptors is not fully understood. We report the endogenous expression of Ras-GRF1 in HEK293 cells. Serotonin stimulation of HEK293 cells transiently expressing Gs-coupled 5-HT7 receptors induced protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the endogenous human Ras-GRF1 on Ser927 and of transfected mouse Ras-GRF1 on Ser916. Ras-GRF1 overexpression increased basal and serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Mutations of Ser916 inhibiting (Ser916Ala) or mimicking (Ser916Asp/Glu) phosphorylation did not alter these effects. However, the deletion of amino acids 1-225, including the Ca2+/calmodulin-binding IQ domain, from Ras-GRF1 reduced both basal and serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, serotonin treatment of HEK293 cells stably expressing 5-HT7 receptors increased [Ca2+]i, and the serotonin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was Ca2+-dependent. Therefore, both cAMP and Ca2+ may contribute to the Ras-dependent ERK1/2 activation after 5-HT7 receptor stimulation, through activation of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor with activity towards Ras.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Kidney / embryology
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Triazoles / metabolism
  • ras-GRF1 / genetics
  • ras-GRF1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Triazoles
  • ras-GRF1
  • serotonin 7 receptor
  • Serotonin
  • Serine
  • carboxyamido-triazole
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Calcium