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Crystal structure of Rac1 in complex with the guanine nucleotide exchange region of Tiam1

Nature volume 408, pages 682–688 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The principal guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho family G proteins contain tandem Dbl-homology (DH) and pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains that catalyse nucleotide exchange and the activation of G proteins. Here we have determined the crystal structure of the DH and PH domains of the T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis factor 1 (Tiam1) protein in complex with its cognate Rho family G protein, Rac1. The two switch regions of Rac1 are stabilized in conformations that disrupt both magnesium binding and guanine nucleotide interaction. The resulting cleft in Rac1 is devoid of nucleotide and highly exposed to solvent. The PH domain of Tiam1 does not contact Rac1, and the position and orientation of the PH domain is markedly altered relative to the structure of the uncomplexed, GTPase-free DH/PH element from Sos1. The Tiam1/Rac1 structure highlights the interactions that catalyse nucleotide exchange on Rho family G proteins, and illustrates structural determinants dictating specificity between individual Rho family members and their associated Dbl-related guanine nucleotide exchange factors.

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Figure 1: Tiam1 is a highly specific, functional GEF for Rac1 and not Cdc42. mant-GDP loading onto G proteins in the presence (blue, arrow indicates addition) or absence (red) of Tiam1 assayed by increased fluorescence.
Figure 2: Structural comparison of the Tiam1/Rac1 complex with the Sos1 DH/PH domains.
Figure 3: Representation of Tiam1/Rac1 interface contacts.
Figure 4: Surface representation of the Tiam1/Rac1 complex.
Figure 5: Stereo view of the switch regions of Rac1.
Figure 6: Interactions mediating proper GEF/G-protein pairing.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank M. Pham and S. Foster for technical assistance; J. Snyder for assistance with data collection; L. Betts, H. Ke, C. Der, D. Siderovski, B. Worthylake, A. Singer, and C. Winkelman for critical reading of this manuscript; C. Ogata, and R. Abramowitz of beamline X4A, and the staff of NSLS for help with synchrotron data collection; D.K.W. is supported by a grant from the American Cancer Society, J.S. acknowledges support from the NIH and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology,

    David K. Worthylake & John Sondek

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics,

    Kent L. Rossman & John Sondek

  3. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA

    John Sondek

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Worthylake, D., Rossman, K. & Sondek, J. Crystal structure of Rac1 in complex with the guanine nucleotide exchange region of Tiam1. Nature 408, 682–688 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35047014

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