Spontaneous Cdc42 polarization independent of GDI-mediated extraction and actin-based trafficking

PLoS Biol. 2015 Apr 2;13(4):e1002097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002097. eCollection 2015 Apr.

Abstract

The small Rho-family GTPase Cdc42 is critical for cell polarization and polarizes spontaneously in absence of upstream spatial cues. Spontaneous polarization is thought to require dynamic Cdc42 recycling through Guanine nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor (GDI)-mediated membrane extraction and vesicle trafficking. Here, we describe a functional fluorescent Cdc42 allele in fission yeast, which demonstrates Cdc42 dynamics and polarization independent of these pathways. Furthermore, an engineered Cdc42 allele targeted to the membrane independently of these recycling pathways by an amphipathic helix is viable and polarizes spontaneously to multiple sites in fission and budding yeasts. We show that Cdc42 is highly mobile at the membrane and accumulates at sites of activity, where it displays slower mobility. By contrast, a near-immobile transmembrane domain-containing Cdc42 allele supports viability and polarized activity, but does not accumulate at sites of activity. We propose that Cdc42 activation, enhanced by positive feedback, leads to its local accumulation by capture of fast-diffusing inactive molecules.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Alleles
  • Cell Polarity*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology
  • Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein