
Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a disease associated with defective endothelial junctions, result from autosomal dominant CCM1 mutations that cause loss of KRIT-1 protein function, though how the loss of KRIT-1 leads to CCM is obscure. KRIT-1 binds to Rap1, a guanosine triphosphatase that maintains the integrity of endothelial junctions. Here, we report that KRIT-1 protein is expressed in cultured arterial and venous endothelial cells and is present in cell–cell junctions. KRIT-1 colocalized and was physically associated with junctional proteins via its band 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin (FERM) domain. Rap1 activity regulated the junctional localization of KRIT-1 and its physical association with junction proteins. However, the association of the isolated KRIT-1 FERM domain was independent of Rap1. Small interfering RNA–mediated depletion of KRIT-1 blocked the ability of Rap1 to stabilize endothelial junctions associated with increased actin stress fibers. Thus, Rap1 increases KRIT-1 targeting to endothelial cell–cell junctions where it suppresses stress fibers and stabilizes junctional integrity.
570, Protein Structure, Biomedical and clinical sciences, Cell Membrane Permeability, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, Medical Physiology, CHO Cells, Cardiovascular, Medical and Health Sciences, Antibodies, Rare Diseases, Cricetulus, Underpinning research, Cricetinae, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Monoclonal, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, Animals, Humans, Aetiology, KRIT1 Protein, Research Articles, Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Endothelial Cells, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Biological Sciences, Brain Disorders, Protein Structure, Tertiary, Biological sciences, Protein Transport, Intercellular Junctions, Cattle, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Tertiary, Developmental Biology, Protein Binding
570, Protein Structure, Biomedical and clinical sciences, Cell Membrane Permeability, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, Medical Physiology, CHO Cells, Cardiovascular, Medical and Health Sciences, Antibodies, Rare Diseases, Cricetulus, Underpinning research, Cricetinae, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Monoclonal, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, Animals, Humans, Aetiology, KRIT1 Protein, Research Articles, Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Endothelial Cells, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Biological Sciences, Brain Disorders, Protein Structure, Tertiary, Biological sciences, Protein Transport, Intercellular Junctions, Cattle, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Tertiary, Developmental Biology, Protein Binding
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