How endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins that are substrates for the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway are recognized for polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation is largely unresolved. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP 3 Rs) form tetrameric calcium channels in ER membranes, whose primary role is to control the release of ER calcium stores, but whose levels are also regulated, in an activation-dependent manner, by the ERAD pathway. Here we report that the ER membrane protein SPFH1 and its homolog SPFH2 form a heteromeric ϳ2 MDa complex that binds to IP 3 R tetramers immediately after their activation and is required for their processing. The complex is ring-shaped (diameter ϳ250 Å ), and RNA interference-mediated depletion of SPFH1 and SPFH2 blocks IP 3 R polyubiquitination and degradation. We propose that this novel SPFH1/2 complex is a recognition factor that targets IP 3 Rs and perhaps other substrates for ERAD. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)2 -associated degradation (ERAD) pathway targets aberrant proteins, including irreversibly misfolded proteins and unassembled subunits of multiprotein complexes, for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (1). Intriguingly, several ER-resident proteins that are stable under normal conditions are also processed by the ERAD pathway. For example, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA-reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in sterol synthesis, is targeted for ERAD when sterols are in excess (2), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) receptors (IP 3 Rs), which form tetrameric, IP 3 -and Ca 2ϩ

Motile cells are capable of sensing the stiffness of the surrounding extracellular matrix through integrin-mediated focal adhesions and migrate towards regions of higher rigidity in a process known as durotaxis. Durotaxis plays an important role in normal development and disease progression, including tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying focal adhesion-mediated rigidity sensing and durotaxis are poorly understood. Utilizing matrix-coated polydimethylsiloxane gels to manipulate substrate compliance, we show that cdGAP, an adhesion-localized Rac1 and Cdc42 specific GTPase activating protein, is necessary for U2OS osteosarcoma cells to coordinate cell shape changes and migration as a function of extracellular matrix stiffness. CdGAP regulated rigidity-dependent motility by controlling membrane protrusion and adhesion dynamics, as well as by modulating Rac1 activity. CdGAP was also found to be necessary for U2OS cell durotaxis. Taken together, these data identify cdGAP as an important component of an integrin-mediated signaling pathway that senses and responds to mechanical cues in the extracellular matrix in order to coordinate directed cell motility.

CdGAP is a Rac1/Cdc42 specific GTPase activating protein that localizes to cell–matrix adhesions through an interaction with the adhesion scaffold α-parvin/actopaxin to regulate lamellipodia formation and cell spreading. Herein we demonstrate, using a combination of siRNA-mediated silencing and over expression, that cdGAP negatively regulates directed and random migration by controlling adhesion maturation and dynamics through the regulation of both adhesion assembly and disassembly. Interestingly, cdGAP was also localized to adhesions formed in three-dimensional matrix environments and cdGAP depletion promoted cancer cell migration and invasion through 3D matrices. These findings highlight the importance of GAP proteins in the regulation of Rho family GTPases and the co-ordination of the cell migration machinery.

No abstract

The composition and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix are highly variable between tissue types. This connective tissue stroma diversity greatly impacts cell behavior to regulate normal and pathologic processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion signaling and directional migration. In this regard, the innate ability of certain cell types to migrate towards a stiffer, or less compliant matrix substrate is referred to as durotaxis. This phenomenon plays an important role during embryonic development, wound repair and cancer cell invasion. Here, we describe a straightforward assay to study durotaxis, in vitro, using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Preparation of the described durotaxis chambers creates a rigidity interface between the relatively soft PDMS gel and a rigid glass coverslip. In the example provided, we have used these durotaxis chambers to demonstrate a role for the cdc42/Rac1 GTPase activating protein, cdGAP, in mechanosensing and durotaxis regulation in human U2OS osteosarcoma cells. This assay is readily adaptable to other cell types and/or knockdown of other proteins of interests to explore their respective roles in mechanosignaling and durotaxis. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at