Abstract
Receptor-mediated cell polarization via heterotrimeric G-proteins induces cytoskeletal rearrangements in a variety of organisms. In yeast, Far1p is required for orienting cell growth towards the mating partner by linking activated Gbetagamma to the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Cdc24p, which activates the Rho-type GTPase Cdc42p. Here we investigated the role of Far1p in the regulation of Cdc24p in vivo. Using time-lapse microscopy of mating cells and artificial membrane targeting of Far1p, we show that Far1p is necessary and sufficient to recruit Cdc24p to the plasma membrane. Wild-type Far1p contains a PH-like domain, which is required for its membrane localization in vivo. Interestingly, expression of membrane-targeted Far1p causes toxicity, most likely by activating Cdc42p uniformly at the cell cortex. The ability of full-length Far1p to function as an activator of Cdc24p in vivo requires its interaction with Cdc24p and Gbetagamma. Our results imply that Gbetagamma not only targets Far1p to the correct site but may also trigger a conformational change in Far1p that is required for its ability to activate Cdc24p in vivo.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Cell Cycle Proteins / chemistry
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Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
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Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Cell Polarity
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
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Dimerization
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Diploidy
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GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / genetics
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GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / metabolism
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GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutation / genetics
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Pheromones / metabolism
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Repressor Proteins / chemistry
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
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Sequence Alignment
Substances
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CDC24 protein, S cerevisiae
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Cell Cycle Proteins
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
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FAR1 protein, S cerevisiae
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G-protein Beta gamma
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GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
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GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
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Pheromones
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Repressor Proteins
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
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Ste4 protein, S cerevisiae