The multifunctional GIT family of proteins

J Cell Sci. 2006 Apr 15;119(Pt 8):1469-75. doi: 10.1242/jcs.02925.

Abstract

The G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-kinase-interacting proteins 1 and 2 (GIT1 and GIT2) are ubiquitous multidomain proteins involved in diverse cellular processes. They traffic between three distinct cellular compartments (cytoplasmic complexes, focal adhesions and the cell periphery) through interactions with proteins including ARF, Rac1 and Cdc42 GTPases, p21-activated kinase (PAK), PAK-interacting exchange factor (PIX), the kinase MEK1, phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) and paxillin. GITs and PIX cooperate to form large oligomeric complexes to which other proteins are transiently recruited. Activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 drives association of PAK with these oligomers, which unmasks the paxillin-binding site in GITs that recruits them to focal complexes. There, they regulate cytoskeletal dynamics by feedback inhibition of Rac1. GITs also participate in receptor internalization by regulating membrane trafficking between the plasma membrane and endosomes, targeting ARF GTPases through their ARF GTPase-activating protein (ARF-GAP) activity. Furthermore, GITs act as scaffolds to control spatial activation of several signaling molecules. Finally, recent results suggest pathogenic roles for GIT proteins in Huntington's disease and HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • Protein Transport*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • GIT1 protein, human
  • GIT2 protein, human
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases