The Rho-GEF PIX-1 directs assembly or stability of lateral attachment structures between muscle cells

Jasmine C. Moody, Hiroshi Qadota, April R. Reedy, C. Denise Okafor, Niveda Shanmugan, Yohei Matsunaga, Courtney J. Christian, Eric A. Ortlund and Guy M. Benian ()
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Jasmine C. Moody: Emory University
Hiroshi Qadota: Emory University
April R. Reedy: Emory University
C. Denise Okafor: Emory University
Niveda Shanmugan: Emory University
Yohei Matsunaga: Emory University
Courtney J. Christian: Emory University
Eric A. Ortlund: Emory University
Guy M. Benian: Emory University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract PIX proteins are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that activate Rac and Cdc42, and are known to have numerous functions in various cell types. Here, we show that a PIX protein has an important function in muscle. From a genetic screen in C. elegans, we found that pix-1 is required for the assembly of integrin adhesion complexes (IACs) at borders between muscle cells, and is required for locomotion of the animal. A pix-1 null mutant has a reduced level of activated Rac in muscle. PIX-1 localizes to IACs at muscle cell boundaries, M-lines and dense bodies. Mutations in genes encoding proteins at known steps of the PIX signaling pathway show defects at muscle cell boundaries. A missense mutation in a highly conserved residue in the RacGEF domain results in normal levels of PIX-1 protein, but a reduced level of activated Rac in muscle, and abnormal IACs at muscle cell boundaries.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18852-4

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