RhoA Controls Retinoid Signaling by ROCK Dependent Regulation of Retinol Metabolism

Alberto García-Mariscal, Karine Peyrollier, Astrid Basse, Esben Ditlev Kølle Pedersen, Ralph Rühl, Jolanda van Hengel, Cord Brakebusch

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The ubiquitously expressed small GTPase RhoA is essential for embryonic development and mutated in different cancers. Functionally, it is well described as a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, but its role in gene regulation is less understood. Using primary mouse keratinocytes with a deletion of the RhoA gene, we have now been exploring how the loss of RhoA affects gene expression. Performing transcription factor reporter assays, we found a significantly decreased activity of a RAR luciferase reporter in RhoA-null keratinocytes. Inhibition of the RhoA effector ROCK in control cells reproduced this phenotype. ATRA and retinal, but not retinol increased RAR reporter activity of keratinocytes with impaired RhoA/ROCK signaling, suggesting that retinol metabolism is regulated by RhoA/ROCK signaling. Furthermore a significant percentage of known ATRA target genes displayed altered expression in RhoA-null keratinocytes. These data reveal an unexpected link between the cytoskeletal regulator RhoA and retinoid signaling and uncover a novel pathway by which RhoA regulates gene expression.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSmall GTPases
Volume9
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)433–444
ISSN2154-1248
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2018

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