P-Rex1 (Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger), is an enzyme (~185 kDa) involved in intracellular signalling networks. P-Rex1 is highly expressed in leukocytes and the brain and activates the small Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (G protein) Rac. P-Rex1 controls leukocyte function and neuronal morphology, contributes to the regulation of motor coordination, and promotes cancer metastasis. P-Rex1 was the first member of the P-Rex enzyme family to be described and belongs to the Dbl family of Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs).

{{Protbox
  |Name=P-Rex1
  |Photo=
  |Caption=
  |Gene=[[PREX1|57580]]
  |Gene_type=Protein coding
  |Protein_length=1659
  |Molecular_weight=185,000
  |Structure=
  |Type=Guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)
  |Functions=Stabalises nucleotide free form of Rac GTPases
  |Domains=[[RhoGEF domain|DH]], [[Pleckstrin homology domain|PH]], DEP, [[PDZ domain]]
  |Motifs=
  |Alternative_products=
  |Catalytic_activity=
  |Cofactors=
  |Enzyme_regulation=Gβγ binding, PIP<sub>3</sub> production
  |Diseases=Overexpressed in some cancers<ref name="Qin_2009">{{cite journal | author =Qin J., Want B., Hoshino M., ''et al.'' | title = Upregulation of PIP<sub>3</sub>-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) promotes prostrate cancer metastasis | journal = Oncogene | volume = 28 | issue = 16 | pages = 1853–1863 | year = 2009 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 19305425 | doi = 10.1038/onc.2009.30| pmc = 2672965 | url = | issn = }}</ref>
  |Pharmaceuticals=
  |Taxa= 
  |Cells=Nervous and haematopoietic
  |Location=Cytosol and plasma membrane
  |Names=PREX1, KIAA1415
  |Pathways=
  |Interactions=Gβγ, PIP<sub>3</sub>, mTOR<ref name="Hernández-Negrete_2007">{{cite journal | author =Hernández-Negrete I., Carretero-Ortega J., Rosenfeldt H., ''et al.'' | title = P-Rex1 Links Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling to Rac Activation and Cell Migration | journal = J. Biol. Chem. | volume = 282 | issue = 32 | pages = 23708–23715 | year = 2007 | date = August 2007 | pmid = 17565979 | doi = 10.1074/jbc.M703771200| url = | issn =  | doi-access = free }}</ref>
  |Pages=
  |Review= 
}}

Discovery edit

P-Rex1 was purified from pig leukocyte cytosol in a screen for proteins mediating phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3)-dependent activation of the Rho-family G protein (GTPase) Rac1.[1] A cytosolic fraction corresponding to the major peak of PIP3-sensitive Rac-GEF activity was purified to yield a preparation that contained a single pure protein which was identified using MALDI-TOF and N-terminal sequencing and named P-Rex1.[1] The protein contains tandem DH/PH domains, typical of Dbl family GEFs, two DEP and two PDZ domains, and significant sequence similarity over its C-terminal half to Inositol Polyphosphate 4-Phosphatases.

Function and Activation edit

P-Rex1 contributes to cellular signalling events by activating the Rho-family G proteins Rac1 and Rac2 (with a preference for Rac2 in vivo.[2][3] In their resting state G proteins are bound to Guanosine diphosphate (GDP) and their activation requires the dissociation of GDP and binding of GTP. P-Rex1 is assumed to act as a classical Dbl family GEF, which activates small G proteins by stabilising the nucleotide free form, allowing excess free cytosolic GTP to bind. P-Rex1 is directly activated by the lipid second messenger PIP3, which is generated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), via it's PH domain, and was the first Rho GEF shown to be directly stimulated by the Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins.[1][4] P-Rex1 is maximally stimulated by Gβγ heterodimers containing Gβ1-4 complexed with γ2 while the Gα subunits Gs, Gi, Gq, G12, and G13 are unable to activate P-Rex1.[5] The cAMP-dependent kinase Protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates P-Rex1 and negatively regulates it's PIP3- and Gβγ-dependent GEF activity both in vitro and in vivo.[6] Truncation of protein domains C-terminal to the catalytic DH/PH tandem leads to increased basal and stimulated GEF activity, suggesting some level of interaction between these domains and the catalytic core in the basal state of the enzyme.[4]


P-Rex1 exists mainly in the cytosol but translocates to the cell membrane in response to chemoattractant receptor activation and PIP3- and Gβγ stimulation.[7][8] PKA activity, which inactivates P-Rex1 GEF activity, can also inhibit this translocation.[7] In addition to a negative effect on P-Rex1 GEF activity, the C-terminal domains also serve to keep the protein sequestered in the cytosol. A truncated form of P-Rex1, containing only the tandem DH/PH domains has a higher level of association with the plasma membrane.[8] PIP3 and Gβγ stimulation can increase the membrane association of this P-Rex1 mutant, suggesting that these tandem domains are sufficient for membrane translocation.[8] Membrane-derived P-Rex1 has higher basal activity than cytosolic P-Rex1.[8].

Cellular functions regulated by P-Rex1 edit

Role in leukocyte function edit

P-Rex1 controls neutrophil migration towards sites of inflammation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS or superoxide).


P-Rex1 functions to activate Rac2 (and to a lesser extent Rac1) in response to chemoattractant stimulation of GPCRs. Mouse neutrophils that lack P-Rex1 mount an impared NADPH-dependent ROS response to LPS priming and fMLP or C5a stimulation.[2][3] Similarly, the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation is severely impaired in mice that lack P-Rex1.[2] Isolated P-Rex1-deficient neutrophils migrate with slightly reduced speed but can orientate themselves in a chemotactic gradient.[2][3]

In macrophages, P-Rex1 regulates Rac1 activation and chemotaxis. Macrophages that lack P-Rex1 were deficient for ROS production after C5a stimulation and showed decreased Rac1 activation in experiments similar to those described above for neutrophils.[9]

Role in cancer metastasis edit

Role in neurons edit

P-Rex1 is expressed in a range of cells associated with the nervous system and it's expression changes throughout the stages of mouse brain development.[10][11] In neuronal cell culture studies P-Rex1 has been shown to regulate al migration and neurite differentiation.[12] Furthermore, transfection experiments with dominant-negative P-Rex1-constructs show that P-Rex1 can regulate neuronal migration in the developing mouse nervous system.[10]

Interactions edit

Gβγ, PIP3, mTOR[13], PTEN.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Welch H. C. E., Coadwell W. J., Ellson C. D.; et al. (March 2002). "P-Rex1, a PtdIns(3,4,5)P3- and Gβγ-Regulated Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Rac". Cell. 108 (6): 809–821. doi:10.1016/s0092-8674(02)00663-3. PMID 11955434. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c d Welch H. C., Condliffe A. M., Milne L. J.; et al. (October 2005). "P-Rex1 regulates neutrophil function". Curr. Biol. 15 (20): 1867–73. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2005.09.050. PMID 16243035. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c Dong X., Mo Z., Bokoch G.; et al. (October 2005). "P-Rex1 Is a Primary Rac2 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor in Mouse Neutrophils". Curr. Biol. 15 (20): 1874–79. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2005.09.014. PMID 16243036. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "Dong_2005" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Hill K., Krugmann S., Andrews S. R. (Feburary 2005). "Regulation of P-Rex1 by Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-Trisphosphate and Gβγ Subunits". J. Biol. Chem. 280 (6): 4166–4173. doi:10.1074/jbc.M411262200. PMID 15545267. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Mayeenuddin L. H., McIntrie W. E., Garrison J. C.; et al. (January 2006). "Differential Sensitivity of P-Rex1 to Isoforms of G Protein βγ Dimers". J. Biol. Chem. 281 (4): 1913–1920. doi:10.1074/jbc.M506034200. PMID 16301321. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Mayeenuddin L. H. and Garrison J. C. (January 2006). "Phosphorylation of P-Rex1 by the Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase Inhibits the Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-Trisphosphate and Gβγ-mediated Regulation of Its Activity". J. Biol. Chem. 281 (4): 1921–1928. doi:10.1074/jbc.M506035200. PMID 16301320.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ a b Zhao T., Nalbant P., Hoshino M.; et al. (April 2007). "Signaling requirements for translocation of P-Rex1, a key Rac2 exchange factor involved in chemoattractant-stimulated human neutrophil function". J. Leukoc. Biol. 81 (4): 1127–1136. doi:10.1189/jlb.0406251. PMID 17227822. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b c d Barber M., Donald S., Thelen S.; et al. (October 2007). "Membrane Translocation of P-Rex1 Is Mediated by G Protein βγ Subunits and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase". J. Biol. Chem. 282 (41): 29967–76. doi:10.1074/jbc.M701877200. PMID 17698854. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Wang Z., Dong X., Li Z.; et al. (December 2008). "Lack of a significant role of P-Rex1, a major regulator of macrophage Rac1 activation and chemotaxis, in atherogenesis". Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 87 (1–4): 9–13. doi:10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2008.04.001. PMC 3644862. PMID 18502673. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b Yoshizawa M., Kawauchi T., Sone M.; et al. (April 2005). "Involvement of a Rac activator,P-Rex1, in neurotrophin-derived signaling and neuronal migration". J. Neurosci. 25 (17): 4406–4419. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4955-04.2005. PMC 6725123. PMID 15858067. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Donald S., Humby T., Fyfe I.; et al. (March 2008). "P-Rex2 regulates Purkinje cell dendrite morphology and motor coordination". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A. 105 (11): 4483–4488. doi:10.1073/pnas.0712324105. PMC 2393786. PMID 18334636. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Waters J.E., Astle M. V., Ooms L. M.; et al. (September 2008). "P-Rex1 - a multidomain protein that regulates neurite differentiation". J. Cell Sci. 121 (17): 2892–2903. doi:10.1242/jcs.030353. PMID 18697831. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hernández-Negrete_2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Fine B., Hodadoski C., Koujak S.; et al. (September 2009). "Activation of the PI3K Pathway in Cancer Through Inhibition of PTEN by Exchange Factor P-Rex2". Science. 325 (5945): 1261–5. doi:10.1126/science.1173569. PMC 2936784. PMID 19729658. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Further reading edit