KRIT-1/CCM1 is a Rap1 effector that regulates endothelial cell–cell junctions

A Glading, J Han, RA Stockton… - The Journal of cell …, 2007 - rupress.org
The Journal of cell biology, 2007rupress.org
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 …
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.
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