The G-protein G13 but not G12 mediates signaling from lysophosphatidic acid receptor via epidermal growth factor receptor to Rho

Abstract

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) utilizes a G-protein-coupled receptor to activate the small GTP-binding protein Rho and to induce rapid remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. We studied the signal transduction from LPA receptors to Rho activation. Analysis of the G-protein-coupling pattern of LPA receptors by labeling activated G-proteins with [α-32P]GTP azidoanilide revealed interaction with proteins of the G(q), G(i), and G12 subfamilies. We could show that in COS-7 cells, expression of GTPase-deficient mutants of Gaα12 and Gα13 triggered Rho activation as measured by increased Rho- GTP levels. In Swiss 3T3 cells, incubation with LPA or microinjection of constitutively active mutants of Gα12 and Gα13 induced formation of actin stress fibers and assembly of focal adhesions in a Rho dependent manner. Interestingly, the LPA-dependent cytoskeletal reorganization was suppressed by microinjected antibodies directed against α13, whereas Gα12-specific antibodies showed no inhibition. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin A 25 and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor specific tyrphostin AG 1478 completely blocked actin stress fiber formation caused by LPA or activated Gα13 but not the effects of activated Gα13. Also, expression of the dominant negative EGF receptor mutant EGFR-CD533 markedly prevented the LPA- and Gα13-induced actin polymerization. Coexpression of EGFR-CD533 and activated Gα13 in COS-7 cells resulted in decreased Rho-GTP levels compared with expression of activated Gα13 alone. These data indicate that in Swiss 3T3 cells, G13 but not G12 is involved in the LPA-induced activation of Rho. Moreover, our results suggest an involvement of the EGF receptor in this pathway.