Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Characterising a Novel Interaction between Rap1b and Rhea sheds light on new Mechanisms for Focal Adhesion Assembly

Castle, W. M. (2016) Characterising a Novel Interaction between Rap1b and Rhea sheds light on new Mechanisms for Focal Adhesion Assembly. Master of Science by Research (MScRes) thesis, University of Kent,. (KAR id:57858)

PDF
Language: English
Download this file
(PDF/6MB)
[thumbnail of 24FINAL 2 corrected NO HIGHLIGHTS.pdf]

Abstract

For the first time, we reveal a direct interaction between Rap1b and the fly homolog of talin, Rhea. Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical techniques, the Rap1 binding site on Rhea has been successfully mapped. Additionally, we reveal that an acidic-to-basic K17E substitution, on Rhea, completely abolishes Rap1 binding. Our collaborators have shown that this mutation results in non-viable embryos and our data links the Rap1:Rhea interaction to this lethal phenotype. The implications of our findings support currently proposed mechanisms of RIAM-independent integrin activation, that would challenge our understanding of focal adhesion formation.

Furthermore, we propose a double-dependent Rap1 integrin-activation pathway, involving Rap1 directly interacting with the FERM domain, alongside the known Rap1-dependent recruitment of talin.

Optimisations have allowed us to express both the wild-type and mutant Rhea F0 domain in E.coli BL21(DE3) cells. Efficient purification via Ni-NTA-based affinity chromatography results in yields of ~50-60 mg/litre being obtained. Using circular dichroism, it is shown that substitution of the K17 residue does not interfere with the structural integrity of Rhea; both proteins have identical full spectrum measurements and Tm values.

Optimal expression of the conserved G-domain of mouse Rap1b was achieved in the CK600K cell line. This region is highly conserved to that in fly (90% identical). NMR was used to show direct interaction between drosophila Rhea F0 and Rap1b; whilst additionally confirming that Rap1b was unable to induce chemical shifts in the F0-K17E mutant. Triple resonance NMR experiments revealed the location of the Rap1 binding site on the wild-type Rhea F0, with V15, K17, T18, K37 and E40 being highlighted at the centre of this interaction. Structural models of Rap1:Rhea F0 binding agree with our findings, with the 5 highlighted residues seen to make close contact with the Rap1 switch I domain.

Together this work confirms a direct interaction between Rhea and Rap1 whilst providing biochemical validation for the lethal phenotypes observed in mutant flies. It also provides further insight into new mechanisms of focal adhesion formation and integrin activation.

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Science by Research (MScRes))
Thesis advisor: Goult, Benjamin T
Uncontrolled keywords: BIOCHEMISTRY TALIN INTEGRIN RAP1 FOCAL ADHESION CELL MIGRATION NMR STRUCTURAL
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Users 1 not found.
Date Deposited: 12 Oct 2016 11:00 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 14:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57858 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Castle, W. M..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.