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The Journal of Neuroscience, November 1, 2001, 21(21):8426-8434
Distinct Roles for the Two Rho GDP/GTP Exchange Factor
Domains of Kalirin in Regulation of Neurite Growth and Neuronal
Morphology
Peter
Penzes1,
Richard
C.
Johnson1,
Vikram
Kambampati1,
Richard E.
Mains2, and
Betty A.
Eipper2
1 Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, and
2 Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut
Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030
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ABSTRACT |
The actin cytoskeleton, essential for neuronal development, is
regulated in part by small GTP binding proteins of the Rho subfamily.
Kalirin-9, with two Rho subfamily-specific GDP/GTP exchange factor
(GEF) domains, localizes to neurites and growth cones of primary
cortical neurons. Kalirin-9 overexpression in cultured cortical neurons
induces longer neurites and altered neuronal morphology. Expression of
the first GEF domain alone results in drastically shortened axons and
excessive growth cones, mediated by Rac1. Expression of the second GEF
domain alone induces axonal over-elongation and abundant filopodial
neurites, mediated by RhoA. Coordination of the actions of the
individual GEF domains through their presence in Kalirin-9, with its
Sec14p, spectrin, and Src homology domain 3 motifs, is essential for
regulating neurite extension and neuronal morphology.
Key words:
Rac1; RhoA; Trio; spectrin; cytoskeleton; growth cone
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INTRODUCTION |
The actin cytoskeleton plays an
essential role in morphological changes during neuronal development and
plasticity. Rho GTPases are key regulators of the actin
cytoskeleton (Hall, 1998 ), and there is ample evidence involving Rho
GTPases in growth of neurites and axon guidance (Luo et al.,
1994 ;Threadgill et al., 1997 ; Li et al., 2000 ). The immediate
activators of Rho-like GTPases are GDP/GTP exchange factors (GEFs). All
GEFs for Rho subfamily members contain a catalytic Dbl-homology (DH)
domain, followed immediately by a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain
(Whitehead et al., 1997 ). Neuronal GEFs include proteins with two DHPH
domains, such as Kalirin (Alam et al., 1997 ; Johnson et al., 2000 ;
Penzes et al., 2000 ), Trio (Debant et al., 1996 ), Caenorhabditis
elegans UNC-73 (Steven et al., 1998 ), and Drosophila
Trio (Awasaki et al., 2000 ; Bateman et al., 2000 ; Liebl et al., 2000 ;
Newsome et al., 2000 ) (see Fig. 1a).
Tremendous progress has been made in uncovering extracellular signals
and the receptors that regulate neurite outgrowth and growth cone
guidance (Tessier-Lavigne and Goodman, 1996 ). As reflected in the
ability of cyclic nucleotide levels to switch guidance cues from
attractive to repulsive, the rapid extension and retraction of
processes associated with neurite growth requires careful coordination (Song and Poo, 1999 ). We wondered whether this task involved neuronal proteins containing multiple GEF domains.
Kalirin, a Dbl family member with multiple isoforms, is highly
expressed in adult rat CNS (Alam et al., 1997 ). The longest Kalirin
protein, Kalirin-12, contains a Sec14-like putative lipid binding
domain, nine spectrin-like repeats, tandem DH and PH domains, an Src
homology domain 3, a second tandem DHPH domain, a region of
Ig-like repeats, and a serine-threonine kinase-like domain (see Fig.
1a). Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12, the major isoforms expressed during embryonic development (Hansel et al., 2001 ), both contain two DH
domains, whereas Kalirin-7, the major adult isoform, contains only one
(Johnson et al., 2000 ; Penzes et al., 2000 ).
Studies in Drosophila and C. elegans indicate
that a protein homologous to Kalirin-9 (dTrio and UNC-73, respectively)
is an essential player in multiple axon guidance pathways (Steven et al., 1998 ; Awasaki et al., 2000 ; Bateman et al., 2000 ; Liebl et al.,
2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ) (Fig. 1a). Mutational studies indicated an essential role for the first DHPH domain, with no clear
role for the second DHPH domain (Steven et al., 1998 ; Bateman et al.,
2000 ; Liebl et al., 2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ). In this study, we
sought to understand the importance of having multiple DHPH domains
included in a single protein capable of interacting simultaneously with
several proteins and with membrane lipids.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS |
DNA and antibodies. Rac1-N17 and RhoA-N19 plasmids
were gifts from Dr. Silvio Gutkind (National Institute of Dental
Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD), whereas
glutathione S-transferase (GST)-RhoA, GST-Rac1, and
GST-Cdc42 plasmids and constitutively active Rac1 (Rac1-Q61L) and RhoA
(RhoA-Q63L) plasmids were gifts from Dr. Richard Cerione (Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY). Rabbit polyclonal antisera against
regions of Kalirin were affinity purified (Johnson et al., 2000 ; Penzes
et al., 2000 ). Monoclonal antisera to neuronal-specific tubulin (Babco,
Richmond, CA), Rac1 (Upstate Biotechnology, Lake Placid, NY),
and RhoA (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA) were purchased.
FITC-phalloidin was from Sigma (St. Louis, MO). pEGFP-N2 vector was
from Clontech (Palo Alto, CA). C3 transferase expression vector was
from Dr. Anirvan Ghosh (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD).
Cell cultures and transient transfections. NIH3T3
cells were cultured in DMEM-F-12 containing 10% fetal bovine
serum (HyClone, Logan, UT) and 10% NuSerum (Collaborative Research,
Bedford, MA). For immunocytochemistry, cells grown on glass chamber
slides for 3 d to 40-60% confluence were transfected with 1 µg
of plasmid DNA per 4 cm2 of
pEAK10.His-Myc-DHPH1, pEAK10.His-Myc-DHPH2, or
pEAK10.His-Myc-Kal-9 and 4 µl of Lipofectamine (Life
Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD) in 1 ml of complete serum-free
medium for 5 hr, after which they were washed and fed with growth
medium. After 1 d, medium was replaced with DMEM-F-12 for 16 hr.
Cells fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde in PBS (50 mM
NaPi, pH7.5, and 150 mM NaCl) for 30 min at room temperature were permeabilized and stained.
Neuronal cultures and transfections. Rat embryo cerebral
cortex (embryonic day 18) digested with papain for 30 min at 37°C was
dissociated by pipetting. Neurons were plated in chamber slides precoated with poly-L-lysine in MEM
containing 2 mM glutamine and 5%
heat-inactivated horse serum (Life Technologies), penicillin, and
streptomycin. After 2 d at 37°C in 5%
CO2, cultures were transfected using the calcium
phosphate method for 15 min (Penzes et al., 2001 ). Cells in one chamber
of a two-chamber slide were transfected with 1 µg of pEGFP-N2 and 1 µg of a pEAK10.His-Myc Kalirin-encoding vector. Vectors encoding Rho
GTPases (2-3 µg) were transfected along with pEGFP-N2 (1 µg) and,
where indicated, a Kalirin-encoding vector (1 µg). After 2 d at
37°C, neurons were fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde for 20 min,
permeabilized, and blocked in PBS containing 2% normal goat serum and
0.1% Triton X-100 for 1 hr. Antibody was added in PBS with 2% normal
goat serum for 2 hr at room temperature. Transfected myc-tagged Kalirin
constructs were visualized by immunostaining with monoclonal or
polyclonal myc antibodies. Morphological features were quantified with
the help of an independent observer using the IPLab software
(Scanalytics Inc., Fairfax, VA). Pictures of randomly selected fields
were taken at low magnification, and the length of the longest process
on each individual neuron in the field was measured after it was traced
using the computer program; at least 30 neurons from two to three
independent transfections were analyzed. In addition, transfected
neurons were evaluated for the presence of growth cones on the cell
soma and filopodial structures along neurites. A neuron was scored as
positive if it had one or more growth cones and abundant filopodial structures.
Rac1 GTPase activation assays. Activation of Rac1 was
measured with the Rac1/Cdc42 activation assay kit (Upstate
Biotechnology). Briefly, cells that had been transfected 1 d
earlier were serum-starved overnight, and cell lysates (~0.5 mg of
protein) were incubated for 1 hr at 4°C with 10 µl of GST-PAK1-PBD
resin per sample. Bound proteins were eluted and analyzed by SDS-PAGE
and Western blotting with Rac1 and Cdc42 monoclonal antibodies.
DHPH binding to Rho GTPases. The GST fusion proteins of Rho
GTPases purified from Escherichia coli were depleted of
bound nucleotide by incubation in 10 mM EDTA.
pEAK-rapid human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells expressing
myc-DHPH1 or myc DHPH2 were extracted in binding buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, and 50 mM NaCl containing 1% Triton X-100). For each
binding reaction, 5 µg of GST-GTPase bound to 25 µl of
glutathione-Sepharose beads was mixed with an aliquot of cell extract
containing 1 mg of protein for 1 hr at 4°C. The beads were washed
three times with binding buffer, and bound proteins eluted with
Laemmli's buffer were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting using
the monoclonal myc antibody.
Tissue preparation and subcellular fractionation. Parietal
cortex dissected from Sprague Dawley (Harlan Sprague Dawley,
Indianapolis, IN) rat pups was sonicated in 10 vol of buffer A: 20 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.5, 1% SDS, 0.3 mg/ml PMSF, 50 µg/ml lima bean trypsin inhibitor, 2 µg/ml leupeptin, 16 µg/ml
benzamidine, and 2 µg/ml pepstatin. Cultured primary neurons were
extracted in the same buffer. Samples were prepared by addition of 2 vol of 1× SDS-PAGE loading buffer and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.
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RESULTS |
Expression of Kalirin isoforms with single and dual
DHPH domains
To determine when Kalirin isoforms with single or dual DHPH
domains are expressed, we used a Kalirin antibody directed to the
common spectrin-like domains to evaluate expression during postnatal
development (Fig. 1b). Forms with two DHPH
domains, Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12, are prevalent at postnatal day 2 (P2), a time when they could play a role in neural development.
Expression of Kalirin-7, with a single DHPH domain, is not detectable
until 2 weeks after birth, with increasing levels thereafter,
consistent with its reported function in generation of spine-like
structures in mature hippocampal neurons (Penzes et al., 2001 ). This
experiment suggests that isoforms of Kalirin, with potentially
different functions, are generated by developmentally regulated
alternative splicing of a single gene product.

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Figure 1.
Expression of Kalirin. a, Kalirin
isoforms and related proteins. Bars indicate antigens
used to generate antibodies. b, Expression of Kalirin in
rat cerebral cortex (25 µg of protein) during postnatal development,
detected with the Kal-spec antibody (1:1000). c,
Expression of Kalirin isoforms in 4-d-old cultures of dissociated
cortical neurons (25 µg of protein), detected with the indicated
Kalirin antibodies. Kal-spec was used at 1:1000; Kalirin-9, Kalirin-12,
and Kalirin-7 affinity-purified antibodies were used at 1:100.
Kalirin-7 cannot be detected at this age. FnIII,
Fibronectin III; div, days in vitro.
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Because we wanted to use cultured neurons to study the function of
Kalirin and its isolated DHPH domains, we evaluated extracts of 4-d-old
dissociated cortical cultures using several Kalirin antibodies (Fig.
1c). The expression patterns of Kalirin isoforms in primary
cortical cultures and P2 brain extracts are similar; forms of Kalirin
with two DHPH domains predominate, and Kalirin-7 is not detectable
(Fig. 1c).
Kalirin is a dual-function GEF
The first DHPH domain of Kalirin (DHPH1) is similar to the first
DHPH domain of Trio (Debant et al., 1996 ) and UNC-73 (Steven et al.,
1998 ), both of which are GEFs for Rac1. The second DHPH domain of
Kalirin (DHPH2) is most similar to the second DHPH domain of Trio and
UNC-73, both of which are GEFs for RhoA. To get an indication of the
GEF activity of the DHPH domains of Kalirin, we tested the binding
specificities of these domains for nucleotide-depleted Rho GTPases
(Fig. 2a). We expressed
myc-tagged DHPH1 or DHPH2 in pEAK-rapid HEK-293 cells and performed
binding experiments to nucleotide-depleted GST fusion proteins of RhoA,
Rac1, and Cdc42. As determined previously (Alam et al., 1997 ), DHPH1
bound to nucleotide-depleted Rac1 but not to RhoA or Cdc42. This is consistent with its activity as a Rac1 GEF in vitro and in
cells (Penzes et al., 2000 ). DHPH2 bound to nucleotide-depleted RhoA but surprisingly also bound to Rac1. DHPH2 did not bind to Cdc42.

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Figure 2.
Biochemical characterization of Kalirin.
a, Binding of the individual DHPH domains of Kalirin to
nucleotide-depleted Rho GTPases. myc-DHPH1 and myc-DHPH2 were expressed
in pEAK-rapid HEK-293 cells, and lysates (1 mg of protein) were
incubated with 5 µg of GST or nucleotide-depleted GST-RhoA, GST-Rac1,
or GST-Cdc42. Bound proteins were analyzed by Western blotting with the
myc monoclonal antibody. Bound GST fusion proteins were visualized with
Coomassie blue (bottom). b, GTPase
activation by DHPH1 and DHPH2. DHPH1 and DHPH2 were transiently
expressed in pEAK-rapid HEK-293 cells. Six hours after transfection,
cells were serum starved for 15 hr. Activation of endogenous GTPases
was measured by evaluating their binding to GST-PAK1-PBD. Bound
GTPases were detected by Western blotting (top).
Expression of the DHPH protein was detected by Western blotting with
the myc antibody (bottom). c, Effects of
transient expression of myc-DHPH1, myc-DHPH2, and myc-Kalirin-9 on
cellular morphology and filamentous actin in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Scale
bar, 20 µm. R, Ruffles; nt,
nontransfected cells; sf, stress fibers.
d, Expression of Rac1 and RhoA in P2 rat cerebral cortex
(20 µg of protein).
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Because both DHPH1 and DHPH2 bound nucleotide-depleted Rac1, we
examined the activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 by DHPH1 and DHPH2. We
expressed myc-tagged DHPH1 or DHPH2 in pEAK-rapid HEK-293 cells and
measured the activation of endogenous Rac1 (Fig. 2b) and
Cdc42 (data not shown) by affinity isolation of their activated forms. Expression of the DHPH1 domain resulted in activation of Rac1 but not
Cdc42. On the contrary, expression of DHPH2 at the same level activated
neither Rac1 nor Cdc42. As for DHPH2, other Dbl family members have
been found to bind to Rho family members without catalyzing nucleotide
exchange (Whitehead et al., 1997 ).
We used fibroblasts to compare the actions of the isolated DHPH domains
of Kalirin with those of full-length Kalirin-9 (Fig. 2c). We
transfected fibroblasts with myc-tagged Kalirin constructs. After serum
starvation, we detected expression of the Kalirin proteins by
immunostaining for the myc tag and examined the actin cytoskeleton by
staining with FITC-phalloidin. As reported, DHPH1-transfected cells are
disc shaped and display lamellipodia and ruffles, indicative of
activated Rac1 (Hall, 1998 ; Penzes et al., 2000 ). In contrast, fibroblasts expressing DHPH2 exhibit abundant stress fibers, indicative of RhoA activation. Nontransfected cells do not display lamellipodia and have fewer stress fibers. Thus, the two DHPH domains of Kalirin interact with small GTPases in different ways to regulate the actin cytoskeleton.
Full-length Kalirin-9, which includes both DHPH domains, induced a
phenotype distinct from that of either DHPH domain alone. The formation
of both lamellipodia and stress fibers was increased when Kalirin-9 was
transfected into fibroblasts. Cells expressing Kalirin-9 did not
exhibit the massive ruffles seen in cells expressing DHPH1, suggesting
that the DHPH1 domain may not be as active when part of the larger
protein. This experiment suggests that both DHPH domains are activated
to some extent in serum-starved fibroblasts.
To evaluate the expression of the potential Kalirin substrates in
cortical cultures and to test the specificities of the commercial monoclonal antibodies for Rac1 and RhoA, we probed Western blots with
monoclonal antibodies specific for Rac1 and RhoA (Fig. 2d). Both Rho proteins were readily detected, with both antibodies visualizing doublets of ~21 kDa proteins, showing that the antibodies are specific.
Kalirin forms are compartmentalized in neurons
To examine the distribution of endogenous Kalirin in cultured
cortical neurons, we used form-specific Kalirin antisera and neuron-specific tubulin antiserum (Fig.
3a,b). We examined
young (P0-P2) neurons and found that essentially all of the neurons expressed both Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12. Whereas endogenous Kalirin-9 was abundant in processes, along with the cell soma (Fig.
3a), endogenous Kalirin-12 was exclusively localized to the
cell soma (Fig. 3b). Staining of neurons with Kalirin-9
antibodies along with the dendritic marker microtubule-associated
protein 2 (MAP2) or the axonal marker tau showed that Kalirin-9
was abundant in both dendrites and axons (Fig.
3c,d). Depletion of both antisera by binding to
affinity resins containing the corresponding antigenic peptide
confirmed that the antibodies detected the desired epitopes (Fig.
3e). Because the two dual DHPH domain forms of Kalirin are localized differently, each may play a distinct role in regulating neuronal process growth.

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Figure 3.
Compartmentalization of endogenous Kalirin.
Cultured cortical neurons (2 d in vitro) were stained
simultaneously for neuron-specific tubulin (nst)
(a, b) and Kalirin-9
(a) or Kalirin-12 (b), MAP2
and Kalirin-9 (c), and tau and Kalirin-9
(d). e, Immunostaining with
Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12 antibody solutions depleted by binding to
antigen-affinity resins. f, Immunostaining of cultured
neurons with Kal-spec antibody. Simultaneous immunostaining of cultured
neurons for Kal-spec and F-actin (g), Rac1
(h), or RhoA (i). Scale
bars: a-f, 20 µm; g-i, 5 µm.
p, Processes; s, soma; a,
axons; d, dendrites; gc, growth cones;
arrowheads, growth cone filopodia.
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Because the Kalirin-9 antibody showed several cross-reactive
bands on Western blots, we corroborated these observations by immunostaining cultures with the Kalirin spectrin (Kal-spec)
antibody (Fig. 3f). Kalirin was visualized in growth
cones (gc) and in the perinuclear region of the cell
soma (s). Kalirin was abundant in the growth cones (Fig.
3g-i, arrowheads), in which it colocalized with
filamentous actin (F-actin) (Fig. 3g). Rac1 and RhoA,
potential Kalirin substrates, are also localized to growth cones (Fig.
3h,i). Because Kalirin-12 is primarily
localized to the cell soma (Fig. 3b) and Western blot
analysis indicates that Kalirin-9 is the major isoform, growth cone
staining is likely to represent Kalirin-9. Thus, Kalirin-9 is located
where it could regulate actin assembly via available Rho protein substrates.
Kalirin-9 and its individual DHPH domains have different effects on
neuronal process length and morphology
Based on the function of invertebrate proteins related to Kalirin
and the striking subcellular localization of Kalirin in neurites and
growth cones, we first compared the ability of Kalirin-9 and its
individual DHPH domains to affect neurite extension. We expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) (control) (Fig.
4a) and myc-tagged Kalirin-9
(Fig. 4b) in young cortical neurons (P0). We evaluated the
effect of overexpressing myc-Kalirin-9 by measuring the length of the
longest process in the population of neurons visualized with the myc
antibody. The longest processes in myc-Kalirin-9-expressing neurons
were significantly longer than the longest processes of control neurons
expressing GFP alone; GFP was visualized by autofluorescence (Fig.
4c).

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Figure 4.
Overexpression of Kalirin-9 and its
individual DHPH domains affects length of neurites. Cortical neurons (2 d in vitro) were transfected with GFP
(a) or myc-Kalirin-9 (b).
Scale bar, 10 µm. c, The length of the longest process
in each Kalirin-9- or GFP-expressing neuron was determined.
Low-magnification pictures of cortical cultures transfected with
myc-DHPH1 (d), myc-DHPH2
(e), or GFP (f). Scale bar,
100 µm. g, Histograms of lengths of the longest
process of transfected neurons. For c and
g, error bars are SDs for three experiments, each
containing 40-80 neurons. Cultured cortical neurons transfected with
myc-DHPH1 (h, i, left) or
myc-DHPH2 (h, i, right)
were stained for myc and MAP2 (h) or myc and tau
(i). Scale bar, 20 µm.
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To evaluate the contribution of the individual DHPH domains to the
function of Kalirin-9, we overexpressed each DHPH domain in young
cortical neurons (Fig. 4d,e). Expression of DHPH1
resulted in neurons with significantly shorter processes (Fig.
4d,g, top) than control neurons (Fig.
4c, top, f). In contrast,
expression of DHPH2 (Fig. 4e,g,
bottom) resulted in a larger number of neurons with much
longer processes than control neurons, Kalirin-9-transfected neurons,
or neurons expressing DHPH1. For neurons transfected with myc-tagged
DHPH1 or DHPH2, myc staining filled dendrites to the same extent as
MAP2 staining and axons to the same extent as tau staining. Based on
staining intensity, the expression levels of transfected DHPH1 and
DHPH2 were similar.
To determine whether the processes affected by overexpression of the
DHPH domains were axons or dendrites, we stained transfected neurons
with the dendritic marker MAP2 (Fig. 4h, arrow d)
or with the axonal marker tau (Fig. 4i, arrow a).
Some of the longest processes of neurons transfected with DHPH1 stained
with the MAP2 antibody, whereas others stained with the tau antibody
(Fig. 4h,i), showing that expression of DHPH1
affected the length of both types of processes. In contrast, the
longest processes of DHPH2-transfected neurons stained for tau but not
for MAP2, indicating that they were axons (Fig.
4h,i). Thus, expression of the individual DHPH domains of Kalirin affected the growth of axons in opposite ways: DHPH1
expression resulted in a drastic reduction in length or disappearance
of the axon, whereas DHPH2 expression induced an exaggerated extension
of the axon.
Other morphological alterations were apparent after expression of
Kalirin-9, DHPH1, and DHPH2 in cortical neurons. Neurons overexpressing
Kalirin-9 often displayed multiple lateral growth cones extending from
neurites (Fig. 5a). A large
fraction of neurons overexpressing Kalirin-9 had growth cones on their
cell soma. An even larger fraction of neurons expressing DHPH1 had
growth cones on their cell body (Fig. 5b, inset,
gc; quantified in e); neurons expressing DHPH2
(Fig. 5c) or GFP (Fig. 5d) did not exhibit a
similar morphology. DHPH1-expressing neurons, although they had been in
culture for 4 d, were reminiscent of the first stages of emergence
of neurites.

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Figure 5.
Expression of Kalirin-9 and its DHPH domains
affects the morphology of cortical neurons. Morphological features
induced by overexpression of Kalirin-9 (a), DHPH1
(b), DHPH2 (c), and GFP
(d). Scale bars: a, 10 µm;
b-d, 20 µm. gc, Growth cones;
s, soma; fn, aberrant filopodial
neurites. e, Percentage of neurons with one or more
growth cones on soma. f, Percentage of
neurons with abundant aberrant filopodial neurites extending from the
soma. Bars represent averages of values for ~50 neurons, in three
separate experiments; error bars are SDs. Cells were visualized by
immunostaining with antisera for myc (a-c) or by GFP
autofluorescence (d) cones on soma.
f, Percentage of neurons with abundant aberrant
filopodial neurites extending from the soma. Bars represent averages of
values for ~50 neurons, in three separate experiments; error bars are
SDs. Cells were visualized by immunostaining with antisera for myc
(a-c) or by GFP autofluorescence
(d).
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Neurons expressing DHPH2 had many small aberrant filopodial neurites
(fn) and shorter and thinner than normal processes,
densely covering the soma (Fig. 5c, inset;
quantified in f), dendrites, and axon. Such
structures were much less abundant on neurons expressing GFP, DHPH1, or
Kalirin-9. Localization of endogenous Kalirin-9 to growth cones and
small neuritic filopodia along processes places it at the sites of
action of its overexpressed DHPH domains. These observations suggest
that endogenous Kalirin-9 may generate these structures by selective
activation of its DHPH1 and DHPH2 domains.
DHPH1 and DHPH2 actions involve Rac1 and RhoA, respectively
To determine whether the effects of DHPH1 and DHPH2 on neurons
involve the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA, we used dominant negative constructs of Rac1 and RhoA (Ridley and Hall, 1992 ; Nobes and Hall,
1995 ) (Fig. 6a). Coexpression
of DHPH1 with the dominant negative mutant of Rac1 (Rac1-T17N) yielded
neurons with significantly longer processes than those expressing DHPH1
alone (Figs. 4g, 6a, top panels).
Coexpression of DHPH2 with dominant negative RhoA (RhoA-T19N) resulted
in a reduction in the length of the longest process to a size similar
to control GFP neurons (Figs. 4g, 6a,
bottom panels). Coexpression of DHPH1 with RhoA-T19N or DHPH2 with Rac1-T17N failed to interfere with the effect of the DHPH
domain (data not shown). Thus, the effects of DHPH1 on process growth
involve an essential Rac1-mediated step, whereas those of DHPH2 involve
an essential RhoA-mediated step.

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Figure 6.
The actions of Kalirin-9 and its DHPH domains
involve Rac1 and RhoA. a, Coexpression of dominant
negative Rac1 and RhoA. Histogram of lengths of longest processes of
neurons cotransfected with DHPH1 plus Rac1-T17N or DHPH2 plus
RhoA-T19N. Bars represent averages of >30 neurons in each experiment,
and error bars are SDs for two experiments. b, Histogram
of lengths of longest processes of neurons expressing dominant negative
Rac1-N17 and RhoA-N19 in the absence of exogenous Kalirin. Morphology
of neurons transfected with DHPH2 plus C3 transferase
(c), Kalirin-9 plus Rac1-T17N
(d), or Kalirin-9 plus RhoA-T19N
(e). Histograms of lengths of longest processes
of neurons cotransfected with DHPH2 plus C3 transferase
(f), Kalirin-9 plus Rac1-T17N
(g, top), or Kalirin-9 plus
RhoA-T19N (g, bottom). Bars
represent averages of >30 neurons in each experiment, and error bars
are SDs for two experiments.
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Our results regarding the effects of Rac1 and RhoA on neurite outgrowth
in cortical cultures were not those predicted based on some previous
studies (van Leeuwen et al., 1997 ; Li et al., 2000 ) but are similar to
studies on dorsal root ganglion neurons, in which Rac1 mediated growth
cone collapse (Jin and Strittmatter, 1997 ). We verified our results by
remapping the plasmids and testing multiple plasmid preparations. In
addition, we overexpressed GFP along with dominant negative forms of
Rac1 and RhoA in the cortical cultures. The length of longest process
was indistinguishable after overexpression of dominant negative
Rac1-T17N or RhoA-T19N alone (Fig. 6b). These data support
our observation that DHPH1, acting through activation of Rac1, produces
shorter neurites, whereas DHPH2, acting through activation of RhoA,
produces longer neurites in primary cortical neurons.
To confirm that DHPH2 action involved activation of RhoA, we
cotransfected neurons with vectors encoding myc-DHPH2 and C3 enzyme, a
Clostridium botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase that
ADP-ribosylates Rho proteins and inactivates RhoA (Aktories et al.,
1987 ). These neurons had overall morphologies very similar to that of
controls (Fig. 6c); they lacked aberrant filopodia,
suggesting that these structures were generated by a mechanism
involving activation of RhoA. The longest processes of these neurons
were significantly shorter than those of neurons expressing DHPH2 alone
(Fig. 6f). This suggests that the actions of DHPH2
leading to process extension also require activation of RhoA. The fact
that process lengths were shorter than control levels after expression
of DHPH2 and C3 transferase and yet were unaffected by expression of
dominant negative RhoA may reflect the ability of C3 transferase to
inactivate additional Rho family members, such as RhoB and RhoC, that
play may important roles in process outgrowth (Sekine et al.,
1989 ).
To examine the behavior of the two DHPH domains in the context of
full-length Kalirin-9, we cotransfected neurons with Kalirin-9 along
with Rac1-T17N or RhoA-T19N, respectively. Overexpression of Kalirin-9
with Rac1-T17N resulted in neurons with cell bodies covered with small
filopodial neurites (Fig. 6d,f), similar
to those of neurons overexpressing DHPH2. The longest processes of these neurons were slightly longer than those of neurons overexpressing Kalirin-9 alone (Figs. 4c, 6g, top).
Thus, the effects of Kalirin-9 on cortical neurons are mediated in part
through activation of Rac1.
A considerable fraction of the neurons overexpressing Kalirin-9 and
RhoA-T19N displayed massive lamellipodia on their soma and lateral
growth cones along their neurites, reminiscent of the phenotype of
neurons overexpressing DHPH1 (Fig. 6e). Overexpression of
Kalirin-9 with RhoA-T19N resulted in neurons with slightly shorter
processes than those of neurons expressing Kalirin-9 alone (Fig.
6g, bottom). Thus, the effects of Kalirin-9 are
mediated in part through activation of RhoA. These results are
consistent with the behavior of Kalirin-9 and its separate DHPH domains
when transfected into NIH3T3 fibroblasts (Fig. 2c). Dominant
negative Rac and Rho exerted a greater effect on neurons overexpressing Kalirin-9 than on control neurons (Fig. 6b, g);
this may reflect the more controlled activation of endogenous Kalirin
or the involvement of additional factors. Together, these experiments
demonstrate that both DHPH domains are active in the context of the
full-length protein. Protein localization or controlled activation of
individual DHPH domains within the context of the full-length protein
may account for the distinct effects of Kalirin-9.
 |
DISCUSSION |
An important role for dual DHPH isoforms of Kalirin in neurite
growth in cortical neurons is supported by several lines of evidence.
In the neonatal rat cortex, expression of Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12
predominates, with little expression of Kalirin-7. Kalirin-9 is
enriched in processes and growth cones of cortical neurons, with a
striking localization to zones of intense growth. The dramatic effects
of Kalirin-9 and its isolated DHPH1 and DHPH2 domains on neurite length
and neuronal morphology implicate this protein in neuritogenesis, a
process that takes place at the sites of localization of endogenous
Kalirin-9. The homology of Kalirin-9 with Drosophila Trio
and C. elegans UNC-73A, both involved in axon growth and
guidance, implicates Kalirin in similar processes.
Whereas invertebrates have a single Kalirin/Trio gene, mammals have
two, as revealed by database searches. In both Drosophila and C. elegans, Trio plays essential roles both within and
outside the nervous system (Awasaki et al., 2000 ; Bateman et al., 2000 ; Liebl et al., 2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ). In the fly nervous system,
dTrio may be involved in signaling from multiple extracellular cues
(Awasaki et al., 2000 ; Bateman et al., 2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ).
Whereas Trio null mice exhibit gross defects in skeletal muscle
morphogenesis and few survive to birth (O'Brien et al., 2000 ),
neuronal defects in Trio null mice are restricted to the dentate gyrus
and mitral cell layer of the olfactory bulb. Thus, many of the neuronal
functions ascribed to invertebrate Trio may be performed in mammals by
Kalirin (O'Brien et al., 2000 ).
In Drosophila and C. elegans, expression of the
dual DHPH proteins dTrio and Unc-73 is essential for axon growth and
guidance (Steven et al., 1998 ; Awasaki et al., 2000 ; Bateman et al.,
2000 ; Liebl et al., 2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ). In the systems
examined, inactivation of the DHPH1 domain gave the same phenotype as
the full knock-out, leading to the conclusion that the DHPH2 domains of
dTrio and Unc-73 were not essential (Steven et al., 1998 ; Bateman et
al., 2000 ; Liebl et al., 2000 ; Newsome et al., 2000 ). In the absence of
the NH2-terminal spectrin domains of dTrio, a
constitutively active phenotype was observed for the DHPH1 domain, and
the phenotype was unaltered by including the DHPH2 domain as well
(Newsome et al., 2000 ). Despite the fact that it exhibited no exchange
factor activity when tested with six Rho GTPases, expression of the
second DHPH domain of dTrio induced stress fiber formation in
rat embryo fibroblasts, a phenotype generally indicative of RhoA
activation (Newsome et al., 2000 ). Similarly, the DHPH2 domain of
Kalirin induced stress fiber formation in fibroblasts. Unlike dTrio and Unc-73, both DHPH domains of Kalirin play a role in neonatal cortical neurons; Kalirin DHPH1 reduces axonal length, whereas Kalirin DHPH2
induces dramatic axonal over-elongation and aberrant filopodial neurites.
Neurons encounter spatial issues not faced by other cells. One way they
could address these problems is by using dual-function GEFs such as
Kalirin-9 and Kalirin-12 to coordinate the actions of individual GEF
activities. The actions of full-length Kalirin-9 are not simply the sum
of the actions of its individual DHPH domains. The presence of two
distinct GEF activities in a single protein, such as Kalirin-9, allows
coordinated regulation of the morphological changes induced; this may
be especially important for neurite extension versus retraction. In the
context of the full-length Kalirin protein, both DHPH domains are
active in neonatal cortical neurons. Neither domain appears to be
maximally activated under control conditions, making it possible for
each domain to be activated in a regulated manner. Extracellular
attractive or repulsive cues may selectively activate one DHPH domain
or the other, and Kalirin-9 may have its separate DHPH domains
activated like a switch, to quickly respond to the growth needs of the
neuron, by virtue of its localization to active zones of growth.
The actions of DHPH1 and DHPH2 in neonatal cortical neurons are
different, more dramatic and more complex than those reported for Rac1
and RhoA alone. These differences may reflect localization of the DHPH
proteins or their ability to interact with multiple Rho proteins. The
ability of DHPH domains to bind Rho proteins without activating them
can clearly play a role in the differences observed. Diverse effects of
Rho GTPases on neuronal morphology have been reported previously (Luo
et al., 1994 ; Jin and Strittmatter, 1997 ; Li et al., 2000 ). For
example, activated Rac1 blocked axon growth in both
Drosophila and mice (Luo et al., 1994 , 1997 ),
inhibited axon formation in Xenopus (Ruchhoeft et al.,
1999 ), and caused growth cone collapse in embryonic chick (DRG) neurons
(Jin and Strittmatter, 1997 ). In other cases, activated Rac1 induced
growth of neurites (Kuhn et al., 1999 ), increased the number of primary and basal dendrites (Threadgill et al., 1997 ), and increased dendritic branching and dynamics (Li et al., 2000 ). Although activated RhoA stimulated neurite growth in chick embryonic motor neurons (Kuhn et
al., 1999 ) and increased the number of primary and basal dendrites in
rat cortical neurons (Threadgill et al., 1997 ), it mediated neurite
retraction, caused growth cone collapse, and inhibited neurite
extension in chick embryo ciliary neurons (Yamashita et al., 1999 ).
The effect of any DHPH domain will depend on the complement of Rho
proteins present in any given neuron at a particular time. In addition,
the action of a particular Rho family member may vary with cell type
and developmental stage. For example, C. elegans UNC-73B and
Drosophila Still life (SIF) both activate Rac1, yet UNC-73
stimulates axon growth and SIF inhibits it (Sone et al., 1997 ).
Tiam1-induced activation of Rac antagonizes Rho signaling, with a
balance determining neuronal morphology (van Leeuwen et al., 1997 ). GEF
signaling clearly cannot be reduced to simple bulk activation of Rho GTPases.
 |
FOOTNOTES |
Received June 19, 2001; revised Aug. 1, 2001; accepted Aug. 7, 2001.
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants
DA-00266 and DK-32948. We thank Dr. L. Redmond for her help with
neuronal transfections. We thank Drs. A. Ghosh, A. Kolodkin, and C. Hopf for their useful advice and for critically reading this manuscript.
Correspondence should be addressed to Betty A. Eipper, Department of
Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington
Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030. E-mail: eipper{at}uchc.edu.
 |
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