A Rac/Cdc42 exchange factor complex promotes formation of lateral filopodia and blood vessel lumen morphogenesis

Sabu Abraham, Margherita Scarcia, Richard D. Bagshaw, Kathryn McMahon, Gary Grant, Tracey Harvey, Maggie Yeo, Filomena O.G. Esteves, Helene H. Thygesen, Pamela F. Jones, Valerie Speirs, Andrew M. Hanby, Peter J. Selby, Mihaela Lorger, T. Neil Dear, Tony Pawson, Christopher J. Marshall and Georgia Mavria ()
Additional contact information
Sabu Abraham: Institute of Cancer Research
Margherita Scarcia: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Richard D. Bagshaw: Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
Kathryn McMahon: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Gary Grant: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Tracey Harvey: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Maggie Yeo: Institute of Cancer Research
Filomena O.G. Esteves: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Helene H. Thygesen: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Pamela F. Jones: Leeds Institutes of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Valerie Speirs: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Andrew M. Hanby: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Peter J. Selby: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Mihaela Lorger: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
T. Neil Dear: Leeds Institutes of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
Tony Pawson: Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital
Christopher J. Marshall: Institute of Cancer Research
Georgia Mavria: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, St James’ University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract During angiogenesis, Rho-GTPases influence endothelial cell migration and cell–cell adhesion; however it is not known whether they control formation of vessel lumens, which are essential for blood flow. Here, using an organotypic system that recapitulates distinct stages of VEGF-dependent angiogenesis, we show that lumen formation requires early cytoskeletal remodelling and lateral cell–cell contacts, mediated through the RAC1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) DOCK4 (dedicator of cytokinesis 4). DOCK4 signalling is necessary for lateral filopodial protrusions and tubule remodelling prior to lumen formation, whereas proximal, tip filopodia persist in the absence of DOCK4. VEGF-dependent Rac activation via DOCK4 is necessary for CDC42 activation to signal filopodia formation and depends on the activation of RHOG through the RHOG GEF, SGEF. VEGF promotes interaction of DOCK4 with the CDC42 GEF DOCK9. These studies identify a novel Rho-family GTPase activation cascade for the formation of endothelial cell filopodial protrusions necessary for tubule remodelling, thereby influencing subsequent stages of lumen morphogenesis.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8286

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