Phospholipase Cepsilon is a nexus for Rho and Rap-mediated G protein-coupled receptor-induced astrocyte proliferation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Sep 25;104(39):15543-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0702943104. Epub 2007 Sep 18.

Abstract

Phospholipase Cepsilon (PLCepsilon) has been suggested to transduce signals from small GTPases, but its biological function has not yet been clarified. Using astrocytes from PLCepsilon-deficient mice, we demonstrate that endogenous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and thrombin regulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis primarily through PLCepsilon. Stimulation by lysophospholipids occurs through G(i), whereas thrombin activates PLC through Rho. Further studies reveal that PLCepsilon is required for thrombin- but not LPA-induced sustained ERK activation and DNA synthesis, providing a novel mechanism for GPCR and Rho signaling to cell proliferation. The requirement for PLCepsilon in this pathway can be explained by its role as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap1. Thus, PLCepsilon serves to transduce mitogenic signals through a mechanism distinct from its role in generation of PLC-derived second messengers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology*
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Carbachol / pharmacology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Genotype
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Type C Phospholipases / physiology*
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lysophospholipids
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Carbachol
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C
  • phospholipase C epsilon
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins