Coronin 1A promotes a cytoskeletal-based feedback loop that facilitates Rac1 translocation and activation

The activation of the Rac1 GTPase during cell signalling entails its translocation from the cytosol to membranes, release from sequestering Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors (RhoGDI), and GDP/GTP exchange. In addition to those steps, we show here that optimal Rac1 activation during cell signalling requires the engagement of a downstream, cytoskeletal-based feedback loop nucleated around the cytoskeletal protein coronin 1A and the Rac1 exchange factor ArhGEF7. These two proteins form a cytosolic complex that, upon Rac1-driven F-actin polymerization, translocates to juxtamembrane areas where it expands the pool of activated, membrane-bound Rac1. Such activity requires the formation of an F-actin/ArhGEF7-dependent physical complex of coronin 1A with Pak1 and RhoGDI alpha that, once assembled, promotes the Pak1-dependent dissociation of Rac1 from the Rac1/RhoGDI alpha complex and subsequent Rac1 activation. Genetic evidence demonstrates that this relay circuit is essential for generating sustained Rac1 activation levels during cell signalling. The EMBO Journal (2011) 30, 3913-3927.doi:10.1038/emboj.2011.310; Published online 26 August 2011