Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 11 · UniProt O15085
ARHGEF11 (PDZ-RhoGEF) is a multidomain guanine nucleotide exchange factor that converts G-protein-coupled receptor and cytoskeletal signals into localized RhoA activation, thereby controlling actomyosin organization, cell migration, and morphogenesis (PMID:10526156, PMID:23467409). Its tandem DH-PH module is a highly specific catalyst that accelerates RhoA nucleotide exchange ~2000-fold and acts selectively on RhoA/RhoB/RhoC but not Rac1, Cdc42, or TC10, with selectivity dictated by a small set of RhoA-specific polar contacts (PMID:10526156, PMID:16954208, PMID:20018869, PMID:21454492). The enzyme couples to heterotrimeric G proteins through its RGS-like domain, serving as the predominant RhoA activator downstream of Gα12/13-coupled receptors, an axis genetically required for receptor-driven proliferation, directional migration, and embryonic development (PMID:11470431, PMID:23467409); context-dependent coupling to Gαs and Gαi extends its output, with active Gαs conferring affinity for Cdc42 to drive filopodial protrusions (PMID:33023908, PMID:35041463). ARHGEF11 binds class B plexins through its PDZ domain to transduce semaphorin signaling, an interaction potentiated by Rnd1 and mediated by both the canonical C-terminal motif and a secondary plexin interface (PMID:12183458, PMID:12730235, PMID:26627240). Its activity is tightly restrained by an autoinhibitory C-terminal oligomerization region, by direct binding to F-actin via a novel IIxxFE motif, and by PAK4-mediated phosphorylation, while positive inputs include FAK/PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, recruitment to the plasma membrane, and p38-triggered Cullin3-KLHL20 ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis that relieves RhoA inhibition during neurite outgrowth (PMID:14625312, PMID:14712228, PMID:14742719, PMID:19618964, PMID:11799111, PMID:19759375, PMID:21670212). At epithelial tight junctions ARHGEF11 binds ZO-1 to drive RhoA- and myosin-light-chain-dependent perijunctional actomyosin ring assembly and paracellular barrier formation, and it acts more broadly as a Rac-to-Rho coupling factor enabling protrusion-retraction dynamics during migration (PMID:22665792, PMID:38102112).
Establishing that ARHGEF11 is a dedicated RhoA activator defined its core biochemical identity and pathway membership.
Evidence GDP release, GTPγS binding and protein binding assays with cell-based stress fiber induction
Domain dissection showed that membrane localization and the cell-rounding phenotype require a proline-rich motif beyond the catalytic DH/PH module, distinguishing localization from catalysis.
Evidence Intramolecular Rho-kinase reporter, deletion mutagenesis and imaging with LPA stimulation in neuroblastoma cells
The crystal structure of the RGS-like domain provided the structural basis for coupling to G12/13 heterotrimeric G proteins.
Evidence X-ray crystallography at 2.2 Å (MAD/Se-Met) with surface entropy reduction
Identification of PDZ-domain binding to class B plexins and FAK-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation placed ARHGEF11 downstream of semaphorin receptors and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.
Evidence Co-IP, yeast two-hybrid, dominant-negative PDZ overexpression, RhoA pull-down and phosphorylation assays in HEK-293T cells
PMID:11799111 PMID:12183458 PMID:12372594
Discovery that Rnd1 potentiates the plexin interaction while PAK4 binds and phosphorylates the C-terminus to suppress activity revealed opposing regulatory inputs converging on the same enzyme.
Evidence Co-IP, RhoA-GTP pull-down, kinase assays and epistasis with dominant-negative/inhibitor tools
Two studies defined autoinhibition: the C-terminal oligomerization region and a 25-aa actin-binding sequence both restrain in vivo Rho signaling without altering intrinsic catalysis.
Evidence Co-IP, in vitro GEF assay, SRE/focus formation reporters, F-actin cosedimentation and deletion mutagenesis
Structure-guided mutagenesis pinned RhoA-over-Cdc42 selectivity to a few specific DH-domain contacts, explaining the enzyme's restricted substrate range.
Evidence Site-directed mutagenesis with in vitro GEF assays based on the DH-PH/RhoA structure
Quantitative kinetics established the catalytic magnitude (~2000-fold acceleration) and a distinct functional role for the PH domain, refining the mechanistic model of exchange.
Evidence Real-time NMR nucleotide exchange assay with mutagenesis and fluorescence GEF comparison
Demonstration of the IIxxFE actin-binding motif and PYK2-mediated activation in vascular smooth muscle integrated cytoskeletal anchoring and calcium-driven RhoA signaling.
Evidence F-actin cosedimentation, mutagenesis, actin bundling assays, and adenoviral knockdown with in vitro phosphorylation
Comprehensive kinetics across Rho-family GTPases and the discovery of Cullin3-KLHL20/p38-driven proteolysis established both substrate scope and a degradation-based mode of regulating RhoA output.
Evidence Fluorescence GDP/GTP exchange kinetics; ubiquitination assays with p38/proteasome inhibitors and neurite outgrowth readouts
Identification of ZO-1-specific binding at tight junctions tied ARHGEF11 to epithelial barrier formation through RhoA-myosin-driven actomyosin ring assembly.
Evidence Co-IP, siRNA knockdown, MLC phosphorylation, barrier assays and ZO-2 double-knockdown epistasis in polarized epithelia
Triple-knockout MEFs proved ARHGEF11 (with LARG/p115) is essential and specific for G12/13→Rho signaling and development, while it also spatially organizes RhoA during tumor cell migration.
Evidence Knockout mice/MEFs with RhoA pull-down, migration/proliferation assays; RhoA biosensor and knockdown in breast tumor cells
A plexin-PDZ co-crystal structure and disease-relevant studies (invadopodia, metabolism, neurite remodeling) extended the structural and physiological reach of ARHGEF11 across contexts.
Evidence X-ray crystallography of PlexinB2-PDZ; β-arrestin Co-IP/invadopodia assays; knockout mouse metabolic phenotyping; C. elegans ortholog genetics
PMID:25359212 PMID:26512886 PMID:26522724 PMID:26627240
PDZ-domain co-structures with CXCR2 and discovery of exon-38 splice isoforms with divergent ZO-1 binding linked receptor-specific recruitment and isoform choice to opposing junctional versus migratory outputs.
Evidence X-ray crystallography of PDZ-CXCR2; RT-PCR isoform analysis, isoform-specific Co-IP and xenografts
Demonstration that Gαs and Gαi inputs reshape substrate preference (Gαs enabling Cdc42 binding; Gαi driving myosin polarization) broadened ARHGEF11 beyond canonical G12/13-RhoA signaling.
Evidence Constitutively active Gα/DREADD, Co-IP, Cdc42/RhoA pull-downs; BioID proximity labeling with neutrophil myosin readouts
In vivo cardiac studies and complex assembly with TROY/Pyk2 connected the G13-ARHGEF11-RhoA axis to pathological hypertrophy and glioblastoma signaling.
Evidence Knockout/transgenic mice with Co-IP and RhoA-inhibitor rescue; Co-IP of TROY/PDZ-RhoGEF/Pyk2 with knockdown phenotypes
Identification of Rac-dependent recruitment and Solo-mediated mechanical activation established ARHGEF11 as a coupling node integrating Rac activity and substrate stiffness into RhoA output.
Evidence Optogenetic Rac perturbation with Rho/Rac FRET biosensors; BioID, in vitro GEF reconstitution with purified Solo, and stress fiber assays
Synaptic studies implicated ARHGEF11 in dendritic spine morphogenesis and cognition under DISC1/miR-132 regulation, extending its role to neuronal function.
Evidence Spine-enrichment imaging, DISC1 interaction and miR-132 functional studies with behavioral phenotyping
| Year | Finding | Method | Journal | Conf | PMIDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | KIAA0380 (ARHGEF11/PDZ-RhoGEF) is a specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor for RhoA but not Rac1 or Cdc42, as demonstrated by GDP release, GTPγS binding, and protein binding assays. Expression of the DH/PH domain-containing form induced actin stress fibers in J82 cells, while the RGS homology domain prevented LPA-induced stress fiber formation. | GDP release assay, GTPγS binding assay, protein binding assay, cell overexpression | FEBS letters | High | 10526156 |
| 2000 | KIAA0380 (ARHGEF11) activates Rho/Rho kinase signaling. A proline-rich motif C-terminal to the DH/PH domain is essential for plasma membrane localization and cortical actin reorganization/cell rounding, whereas the DH/PH domain alone localizes to cytoplasm and induces stress fibers. In neuroblastoma cells, KIAA0380 localizes to neurite tips and its N-terminal fragment inhibits LPA-induced neurite retraction. | Vimentin head/Rho kinase chimera phosphorylation assay, deletion mutagenesis, cell imaging, LPA stimulation | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 10900204 |
| 2001 | The RGS-like (RGSL) domain of PDZ-RhoGEF adopts an all-helical fold similar to RGS proteins, with the last three helices forming an integral extension. Crystal structure at 2.2 Å resolution was determined by MAD using Se-Met incorporation; the fold provides structural basis for Gα12/13 interaction. | X-ray crystallography (MAD, 2.2 Å resolution), surface entropy reduction mutagenesis | Structure (London, England : 1993) | High | 11470431 |
| 2002 | PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG associate directly with Plexin B2 via their PDZ domains binding a PDZ-binding motif found only in class B plexins. Ligand-induced dimerization of Plexin B is sufficient to stimulate RhoA and induce cytoskeletal reorganization. Overexpression of the PDZ domain of PDZ-RhoGEF (but not its RGS domain) prevents cell rounding and neurite retraction induced by Sema4D/Plexin B1 activation. | Co-immunoprecipitation, dominant-negative PDZ domain overexpression, RhoA activation assay, cell morphology assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 12183458 |
| 2002 | PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG can be tyrosine-phosphorylated by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in response to thrombin receptor activation, which enhances RhoA activation in vivo. FAK is activated by thrombin, Gα12, Gα13, and Gαq and acts in a positive feedback loop to sustain Rho activation via RGL-containing RhoGEFs. | Rho-GTP pull-down assay, tyrosine kinase inhibitor studies, FAK overexpression, in vivo phosphorylation assays in HEK-293T cells | The Journal of biological chemistry | Medium | 11799111 |
| 2002 | B-family plexins (PlexinB1, B2, B3) interact directly with PDZ-RhoGEF via their C-termini and the PDZ domain of PDZ-RhoGEF. Mutation of the C-terminal amino acids of PlexinB1 or coexpression of dominant-negative PDZ-RhoGEF abrogated PlexinB1-induced stress fiber formation, establishing PDZ-RhoGEF as essential for B plexin–mediated Rho/Rho kinase signaling. | Yeast two-hybrid, dominant-negative overexpression, stress fiber formation assay | FEBS letters | Medium | 12372594 |
| 2003 | Rnd1 directly interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of Plexin-B1 and promotes the interaction between Plexin-B1 and PDZ-RhoGEF, dramatically potentiating Plexin-B1-mediated RhoA activation. Sema4D-induced cell contraction via Plexin-B1/Rnd1 was blocked by dominant-negative PDZ-RhoGEF or deletion of the PDZ-RhoGEF-binding region of Plexin-B1, placing PDZ-RhoGEF downstream of the Rnd1/Plexin-B1 complex in the PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoA/ROCK pathway. | Co-immunoprecipitation, RhoA-GTP pull-down, dominant-negative constructs, ROCK inhibitor, cell contraction assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 12730235 |
| 2003 | PAK4 (a Cdc42 effector serine-threonine kinase) directly binds to the C-terminal region of PDZ-RhoGEF and phosphorylates it, abolishing PDZ-RhoGEF's ability to mediate Gα13-stimulated RhoA-GTP accumulation. Active PAK4 overexpression dramatically decreased Rho-GTP loading and actin stress fibers in response to serum or LPA, establishing PAK4 as a negative regulator of PDZ-RhoGEF. | Co-immunoprecipitation, kinase phosphorylation assay, RhoA-GTP pull-down, stress fiber assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 14625312 |
| 2004 | PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG form homo- and hetero-oligomers mediated by their unique C-terminal regions. Deletion of the C-terminal tail of PDZ-RhoGEF had no significant effect on catalytic GEF activity toward Rho in vitro but dramatically increased RhoA-GTP accumulation and SRE reporter activation in vivo, and unleashed transforming potential, indicating the C-terminus acts as an inhibitory region controlling in vivo activity. | Co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro GEF activity assay, SRE luciferase reporter assay, focus formation assay | Oncogene | High | 14712228 |
| 2004 | PDZ-RhoGEF is partially localized at/near the plasma membrane coincident with cortical actin. A novel 25-amino acid sequence (residues 561–585) is necessary and sufficient for localization to the actin cytoskeleton and direct interaction with actin. PDZ-RhoGEF mutants lacking actin-binding display enhanced Rho-dependent signaling, indicating actin interaction negatively regulates PDZ-RhoGEF activity. | Latrunculin B treatment, co-immunoprecipitation, F-actin cosedimentation assay, deletion mutagenesis, SRE reporter assay, cell imaging | Molecular biology of the cell | High | 14742719 |
| 2006 | Mutational and functional studies based on the DH-PH/RhoA crystal structure revealed that RhoA selectivity of PDZ-RhoGEF is determined by polar contacts involving residues unique to RhoA; Trp58 of RhoA interacts with the DH domain but is not a selectivity determinant. Selectivity for RhoA over Cdc42 is defined by a small number of specific interactions. | Site-directed mutagenesis, in vitro GEF activity assays, structural analysis | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 16954208 |
| 2008 | FAK, PDZ-RhoGEF, and ROCKII cooperate to regulate adhesion movement and trailing-edge retraction in fibroblasts. FAK knockdown blocked LPA-induced adhesion movement; this was rescued by ectopic PDZ-RhoGEF or constitutively active RhoA/ROCK. PDZ-RhoGEF knockdown inhibited trailing-edge retraction and adhesion movement. Overexpressed PDZ-RhoGEF co-immunoprecipitated with FAK and localized to FAK-containing adhesions. | siRNA/shRNA knockdown, ectopic expression rescue, Co-IP, immunofluorescence, live cell imaging of adhesion dynamics | Journal of cell science | High | 18303050 |
| 2009 | The actin-binding domain of PDZ-RhoGEF (residues 561–585) directly binds F-actin in vitro. Key residues I568, I569, F572, and E573 define a novel IIxxFE actin-binding motif required for both actin binding and colocalization in cells. PDZ-RhoGEF can bundle actin filaments via dimerization-dependent activity in vitro. | F-actin cosedimentation assay, site-directed mutagenesis, inducible dimerization, actin bundling assay, cell colocalization | Biochemistry | High | 19618964 |
| 2009 | PDZ-RhoGEF mediates angiotensin II-induced RhoA activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. PYK2 phosphorylates and activates PDZ-RhoGEF in vitro, and PDZ-RhoGEF links PYK2 to RhoA. Both PYK2 and PDZ-RhoGEF are required for Ca2+-ionophore (A23187)-induced RhoA activation, establishing a PYK2→PDZ-RhoGEF→RhoA Ca2+ signaling axis. | Adenoviral overexpression/knockdown, RhoA translocation Western blot, MYPT1 phosphorylation, in vitro phosphorylation assay, Ca2+ ionophore stimulation | Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology | Medium | 19759375 |
| 2009 | Real-time NMR assay revealed that the DH-PH domain of PDZ-RhoGEF (DH-PH_PRG) accelerates RhoA nucleotide exchange by ~2000-fold (from 5.5×10⁻⁴ min⁻¹ to 1179×10⁻⁴ min⁻¹). Mutagenesis showed Arg-868 near CR3 and Glu-741 in CR1 of the DH domain are critical for full activity. RhoA E97A mutation (contacting the PH domain) reduced sensitivity to PDZ-RhoGEF 10-fold but not to LARG, indicating the PDZ-RhoGEF PH domain has a distinct functional role. | Real-time NMR nucleotide exchange assay, site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence-based GEF assay comparison | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 20018869 |
| 2010 | PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG bind to the C terminus of ABCA1 via a PDZ-PDZ interaction, preventing ABCA1 degradation by activating RhoA. PDZ-RhoGEF knockdown suppressed apoA-I-mediated ABCA1 stabilization. Exogenous PDZ-RhoGEF activated RhoA and increased ABCA1 protein levels and cholesterol efflux. Constitutively active RhoA retarded ABCA1 degradation. | RNA interference, co-immunoprecipitation, RhoA activation assay, Western blot, cholesterol efflux assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | Medium | 20348106 |
| 2011 | Detailed kinetic analysis showed PDZ-RhoGEF DH domain is a specific GEF for RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC but inactive toward Rac1, Cdc42, and TC10. A novel regulatory region at the N terminus of the DH domain participates in association with GDP-bound RhoA. The tandem PH domain of PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG) efficiently contributes to DH-mediated nucleotide exchange. | Fluorescence-based GDP/GTP exchange kinetics, protein binding assay with fluorescently labeled RhoA, in vitro GEF activity assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 21454492 |
| 2011 | The Cullin3-KLHL20 ubiquitin ligase complex targets PDZ-RhoGEF for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, restricting RhoA activity and facilitating neurite outgrowth. PDZ-RhoGEF phosphorylation by p38 MAPK is required for its targeting to KLHL20. Neurotrophins (BDNF, NT-3) activate p38, potentiating KLHL20-mediated PDZ-RhoGEF destruction to promote neurite outgrowth. | Co-immunoprecipitation, ubiquitination assay, proteasome inhibitor, p38 inhibitor, siRNA knockdown, neurite outgrowth measurement in hippocampal/cortical neurons | The Journal of cell biology | High | 21670212 |
| 2012 | ARHGEF11 (PDZ-RhoGEF) associates with tight junctions by binding to ZO-1 (but not the homologous ZO-2) in polarized epithelial cells. ARHGEF11 localizes first to primordial adherens junctions then to tight junctions as polarity is established. Knockdown of ARHGEF11 reduced myosin light chain phosphorylation and retarded junction assembly and paracellular barrier development. Simultaneous knockdown of ARHGEF11 and ZO-2 significantly impaired tight junctions and the perijunctional actomyosin ring. | Co-immunoprecipitation, siRNA knockdown, immunofluorescence localization, myosin light chain phosphorylation assay, paracellular barrier assay | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | High | 22665792 |
| 2013 | Combined knockout of PRG (Arhgef11), LARG, and p115 abolished Gα12/13 signaling to Rho and thrombin-induced cell proliferation, directional migration, and JNK/p38 nuclear signaling in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. PRG/LARG double knockout caused embryonic lethality, demonstrating essential developmental roles. Gα11/q-linked GPCR signaling to Rho was not impaired in triple RGS-RhoGEF knockout cells. | Knockout mice generation, RhoA-GTP pull-down, cell migration assay, proliferation assay, JNK/p38 phosphorylation | The Journal of biological chemistry | High | 23467409 |
| 2013 | PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG) is required for CXCR4-driven breast tumor cell migration and invasion. PRG mediates spatial organization of F-actin structures in the cell center (not periphery) and spatial regulation of RhoA activity in response to CXCL12. Loss of PRG enhanced adherens junctions in epithelial-like cells and inhibited directional persistence/polarity in mesenchymal cells. | siRNA knockdown, RhoA biosensor (spatial activity), F-actin immunofluorescence, migration/invasion assays, adherens junction staining | Journal of cell science | Medium | 23868972 |
| 2014 | In C. elegans, RHGF-1 (PDZ-RhoGEF ortholog) is associated with microtubules and inhibited by them. Upon microtubule disassembly, RHGF-1 acts through Rho-dependent kinase LET-502/ROCK to activate retrograde DLK-1 MAPK signaling, triggering synaptic branch retraction and PLM neurite overgrowth independently of myosin light chain activation. | C. elegans genetics, loss-of-function mutants, epistasis analysis, microtubule disruption assay, imaging of neurite remodeling | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | Medium | 25359212 |
| 2014 | Gα13/PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoA-ROCK signaling axis is essential for GRPR-mediated colon cancer cell migration. PRG (PDZ-RhoGEF) is the predominant RhoA activator downstream of GRPR/Gα13. PRG-RhoA-ROCK also contributes to Cox-2 expression and PGE2 production, which further contributes to cancer cell migration. | siRNA knockdown, RhoA-GTP pull-down, ROCK inhibitor, cell migration assay, Cox-2/PGE2 measurement | Molecular pharmacology | Medium | 24958816 |
| 2015 | Crystal structure of full-length cytoplasmic PlexinB2 in complex with the PDZ domain of PDZ-RhoGEF revealed a secondary interface between the 3D domain of PlexinB2 and the PDZ domain, in addition to the canonical C-terminal motif/PDZ interaction. Biophysical and cell-based assays showed the secondary interface contributes to specificity and to PlexinB2 signaling. | X-ray crystallography, biophysical binding assays, cell-based signaling assays | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | High | 26627240 |
| 2015 | β-arrestin-1 (β-arr1) directly interacts with PDZ-RhoGEF downstream of the endothelin A receptor (ETAR), activating RhoA and RhoC/ROCK-LIMK-cofilin signaling to promote invadopodia function and cell invasion in ovarian carcinoma. Depletion of PDZ-RhoGEF impaired invadopodia function, MMP activity, and invasion. | Co-immunoprecipitation, siRNA knockdown, invadopodia assay (cortactin/TKS5/MT1-MMP colocalization with matrix degradation), RhoA/RhoC activation assay, in vivo metastasis model | Oncogene | Medium | 26522724 |
| 2015 | PDZ-RhoGEF deletion in mice led to reduced adipocyte proliferation and early adipose tissue development, decreased adiposity, and protection from diet-induced obesity and T2D. Mechanistically, PDZ-RhoGEF enhances insulin/IGF-1 signaling in adipose tissue by controlling ROCK-dependent phosphorylation of IRS-1, placing PDZ-RhoGEF upstream of ROCK→IRS-1 in metabolic signaling. | Knockout mouse model, diet-induced obesity challenge, insulin/IGF-1 signaling Western blots, ROCK inhibitor, IRS-1 phosphorylation assay | eLife | Medium | 26512886 |
| 2016 | PAK4 (but not PAK1) mediates invadopodia maturation in melanoma cells likely via inhibition of PDZ-RhoGEF. PAK4 was identified as a novel invadopodia protein; its depletion impaired maturation whereas PAK1 depletion affected formation. Mechanistic link to PDZ-RhoGEF inhibition was supported by the previously established PAK4/PDZ-RhoGEF interaction (PMID:14625312). | siRNA isoform-specific depletion, in vitro and in vivo invasion assays, FRET-based FLIM, co-localization | Oncotarget | Low | 27765920 |
| 2016 | ARHGEF11 localizes to dendritic spines and synaptosomal fractions of rat cerebral cortex, co-immunoprecipitating with synaptophysin and PSD-95. Overexpression of ARHGEF11 significantly decreased the number of dendritic spines, indicating a role in spine morphogenesis through RhoA activation. | Subcellular fractionation, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, spine density quantification after overexpression | International journal of molecular sciences | Medium | 28036092 |
| 2017 | ARHGEF11 shows isoform-specific expression according to breast cancer subtype. The isoform lacking exon 38 (38–) binds ZO-1 at the perijunctional actomyosin ring and maintains cell-cell junctions. The isoform containing exon 38 (38+) does not bind ZO-1 and drives cell migration, motility, and cell growth in basal subtype breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. | RT-PCR for splice isoform identification, Co-IP for ZO-1 binding, siRNA knockdown, cell morphology assay, migration assay, in vivo xenograft | Oncotarget | Medium | 29190905 |
| 2017 | Crystal structure of the PDZ domain of PDZ-RhoGEF in complex with the CXCR2 C-terminal PDZ binding motif revealed binding specificity mediated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with the last four CXCR2 residues. An asymmetric disulfide bond-linked PDZ dimer was found, allowing simultaneous parallel binding of CXCR2 to two PDZ domains. | X-ray crystallography, PDZ domain binding assay | Biochemical and biophysical research communications | Medium | 28179147 |
| 2018 | PDZ-RhoGEF is a binding partner for TROY (TNFRSF19) and potentiates TROY-induced NF-κB activation necessary for glioblastoma cell invasion and survival. PDZ-RhoGEF also interacts with Pyk2 in the same signalsome. Silencing PDZ-RhoGEF reduced TROY-induced Rho activation, cell migration, and increased temozolomide sensitivity. | Co-immunoprecipitation (TROY/PDZ-RhoGEF/Pyk2 complex), siRNA knockdown, RhoA-GTP pull-down, NF-κB reporter, migration assay, orthotopic xenograft survival | Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) | Medium | 30219706 |
| 2020 | Active Gαs directly interacts with the DH and PH domains and their linker of PDZ-RhoGEF, enabling PDZ-RhoGEF to gain affinity for Cdc42 (in addition to its canonical RhoA substrate). Gs-coupled receptor signaling (but not Gi or Gq) enables endogenous PDZ-RhoGEF to bind Cdc42. This pathway drives filopodia-like protrusions and Cdc42 activation, with PRG-linker construct blocking both Gαs/PRG interaction and CREB phosphorylation. | Constitutively active Gαs expression, chemogenetic DREADD approach, Cdc42/RhoA pull-down, Co-IP, dominant-negative PRG-linker construct, cell morphology assay | The Journal of biological chemistry | Medium | 33023908 |
| 2022 | Active Gαi1 (but not Gαi2) stimulates PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG) as identified by BioID proximity labeling and validated by pull-down. In primary human neutrophils, active Gαi likely regulates polarization of phosphorylated myosin light chain through PRG activation, a process critical for migration. | BioID2 proximity labeling, TMT-based quantitative proteomics, pull-down validation, phospho-myosin light chain polarization assay in primary neutrophils | Science signaling | Medium | 35041463 |
| 2022 | PDZ-RhoGEF promotes pathological cardiac hypertrophy by linking activated Gα13 to RhoA-dependent signaling. PDZ-RhoGEF co-immunoprecipitates with activated Gα13. PDZ-RhoGEF-deficient mouse hearts showed attenuated cardiomyocyte enlargement and collagen deposition; PDZ-RhoGEF overexpression exaggerated these. Rescue experiments using a RhoA inhibitor and dominant-negative RhoA confirmed RhoA as downstream effector. | Knockout/transgenic mice, Co-IP (Gα13/PDZ-RhoGEF), RhoA inhibitor rescue, dominant-negative RhoA, cardiac morphometry, collagen deposition assay | Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) | Medium | 36448462 |
| 2023 | Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 are enriched at transient cell protrusions and retractions and are recruited to the plasma membrane by active Rac. Their depletion reduces Rho activity crosstalk, cell protrusion-retraction dynamics, and migration distance, and increases directionality. This establishes Arhgef11 as a Rac→Rho activity coupling factor that facilitates exploratory migration. | Rapid optogenetic Rac perturbation, Rho/Rac FRET biosensors, siRNA knockdown, live-cell imaging of protrusion-retraction cycles, plasma membrane recruitment assay | Nature communications | High | 38102112 |
| 2023 | Oncogenic Gαq Q209L drives full-length PDZ-RhoGEF and its DH-PH domain to interact with nucleotide-free RhoJ-G33A (an active RhoJ-GEF affinity mutant), indicating PDZ-RhoGEF can activate RhoJ when guided by oncogenic Gαq. Gαq Q209L binding was mapped to the PH domain of PDZ-RhoGEF. Expression of DH-PH construct caused endothelial cell contraction and sprout formation inhibited by dominant-negative RhoJ. | Co-immunoprecipitation with RhoJ-G33A mutant, dominant-negative RhoJ, Gαq Q209L constructs, cell morphology assay | International journal of molecular sciences | Low | 37958718 |
| 2024 | Solo (a RhoGEF) interacts with PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG) and restricts PRG localization to the basal area of cells at Solo accumulation sites. Solo itself has little intrinsic GEF activity, but directly activates PRG GEF activity through their interaction. Overexpression of either binding domain had a dominant-negative effect on actin polymerization and stress fiber formation in response to substrate stiffness. | BioID proximity labeling, Co-IP, in vitro GEF activity assay with purified proteins, dominant-negative binding domain OE, actin stress fiber assay | Molecular biology of the cell | High | 38656797 |
| 2025 | PDZ-RhoGEF is highly enriched in dendritic spines. DISC1 and miR-132 were identified as direct regulators of PDZ-RhoGEF's expression, synaptic localization, and enzymatic activity. PDZ-RhoGEF controls synaptic and cognitive phenotypes in vivo. | In silico screen, spine enrichment imaging, DISC1 interaction assays, miR-132 functional studies, behavioral phenotyping | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | Low | 39835891 |
| Year | Title | Journal | Citations | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Plexin B regulates Rho through the guanine nucleotide exchange factors leukemia-associated Rho GEF (LARG) and PDZ-RhoGEF. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 189 | 12183458 |
| 2002 | Regulation of G protein-linked guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho, PDZ-RhoGEF, and LARG by tyrosine phosphorylation: evidence of a role for focal adhesion kinase. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 135 | 11799111 |
| 2003 | Direct interaction of Rnd1 with Plexin-B1 regulates PDZ-RhoGEF-mediated Rho activation by Plexin-B1 and induces cell contraction in COS-7 cells. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 106 | 12730235 |
| 2008 | FAK, PDZ-RhoGEF and ROCKII cooperate to regulate adhesion movement and trailing-edge retraction in fibroblasts. | Journal of cell science | 95 | 18303050 |
| 2004 | Homo- and hetero-oligomerization of PDZ-RhoGEF, LARG and p115RhoGEF by their C-terminal region regulates their in vivo Rho GEF activity and transforming potential. | Oncogene | 94 | 14712228 |
| 2012 | Rho GTP exchange factor ARHGEF11 regulates the integrity of epithelial junctions by connecting ZO-1 and RhoA-myosin II signaling. | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | 73 | 22665792 |
| 2002 | B plexins activate Rho through PDZ-RhoGEF. | FEBS letters | 72 | 12372594 |
| 2001 | Structure of the RGS-like domain from PDZ-RhoGEF: linking heterotrimeric g protein-coupled signaling to Rho GTPases. | Structure (London, England : 1993) | 64 | 11470431 |
| 2003 | Direct interaction of p21-activated kinase 4 with PDZ-RhoGEF, a G protein-linked Rho guanine exchange factor. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 60 | 14625312 |
| 2011 | Mechanistic insights into specificity, activity, and regulatory elements of the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-containing Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) p115, PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG), and leukemia-associated RhoGEF (LARG). | The Journal of biological chemistry | 59 | 21454492 |
| 2013 | PDZ-RhoGEF and LARG are essential for embryonic development and provide a link between thrombin and LPA receptors and Rho activation. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 56 | 23467409 |
| 2009 | PYK2/PDZ-RhoGEF links Ca2+ signaling to RhoA. | Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology | 56 | 19759375 |
| 2007 | Increased PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in small mesenteric arteries of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats. | Journal of hypertension | 54 | 17620967 |
| 2015 | Endothelin A receptor drives invadopodia function and cell motility through the β-arrestin/PDZ-RhoGEF pathway in ovarian carcinoma. | Oncogene | 52 | 26522724 |
| 1999 | Rho-specific binding and guanine nucleotide exchange catalysis by KIAA0380, a dbl family member. | FEBS letters | 49 | 10526156 |
| 2002 | Characterization of the expression of PDZ-RhoGEF, LARG and G(alpha)12/G(alpha)13 proteins in the murine nervous system. | The European journal of neuroscience | 45 | 12492428 |
| 2011 | PDZ-RhoGEF ubiquitination by Cullin3-KLHL20 controls neurotrophin-induced neurite outgrowth. | The Journal of cell biology | 44 | 21670212 |
| 2000 | Functions of a rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor in neurite retraction. Possible role of a proline-rich motif of KIAA0380 in localization. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 43 | 10900204 |
| 2004 | Identification of a novel sequence in PDZ-RhoGEF that mediates interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. | Molecular biology of the cell | 41 | 14742719 |
| 2010 | Binding of PDZ-RhoGEF to ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) induces cholesterol efflux through RhoA activation and prevention of transporter degradation. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 36 | 20348106 |
| 2006 | The molecular basis of RhoA specificity in the guanine nucleotide exchange factor PDZ-RhoGEF. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 36 | 16954208 |
| 2009 | Real-time NMR study of guanine nucleotide exchange and activation of RhoA by PDZ-RhoGEF. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 34 | 20018869 |
| 2012 | Genetic variants in Arhgef11 are associated with kidney injury in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat. | Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) | 33 | 22987919 |
| 2014 | Gα13/PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoA signaling is essential for gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-mediated colon cancer cell migration. | Molecular pharmacology | 30 | 24958816 |
| 2013 | PDZ-RhoGEF is essential for CXCR4-driven breast tumor cell motility through spatial regulation of RhoA. | Journal of cell science | 30 | 23868972 |
| 2023 | Rho GTPase activity crosstalk mediated by Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 coordinates cell protrusion-retraction cycles. | Nature communications | 29 | 38102112 |
| 2014 | RHGF-1/PDZ-RhoGEF and retrograde DLK-1 signaling drive neuronal remodeling on microtubule disassembly. | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | 28 | 25359212 |
| 2007 | Evidence that Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 11 (ARHGEF11) on 1q21 is a type 2 diabetes susceptibility gene in the Old Order Amish. | Diabetes | 27 | 17369523 |
| 2016 | PAK4 suppresses PDZ-RhoGEF activity to drive invadopodia maturation in melanoma cells. | Oncotarget | 26 | 27765920 |
| 2013 | HspB1 silences translation of PDZ-RhoGEF by enhancing miR-20a and miR-128 expression to promote neurite extension. | Molecular and cellular neurosciences | 26 | 24141048 |
| 2007 | Variants in ARHGEF11, a candidate gene for the linkage to type 2 diabetes on chromosome 1q, are nominally associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians. | Diabetes | 26 | 17287471 |
| 2001 | Expression, purification, and crystallization of the RGS-like domain from the Rho nucleotide exchange factor, PDZ-RhoGEF, using the surface entropy reduction approach. | Protein expression and purification | 26 | 11281715 |
| 2015 | The Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor PDZ-RhoGEF governs susceptibility to diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes. | eLife | 23 | 26512886 |
| 2018 | MiR-20a Plays a Key Regulatory Role in the Repair of Spinal Cord Dorsal Column Lesion via PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoA/GAP43 Axis in Rat. | Cellular and molecular neurobiology | 22 | 30426336 |
| 2020 | Gαs directly drives PDZ-RhoGEF signaling to Cdc42. | The Journal of biological chemistry | 20 | 33023908 |
| 2022 | A network of Gαi signaling partners is revealed by proximity labeling proteomics analysis and includes PDZ-RhoGEF. | Science signaling | 18 | 35041463 |
| 2020 | Loss of Arhgef11 in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat Protects Against Hypertension-Induced Renal Injury. | Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) | 18 | 32148127 |
| 2016 | Human Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 11 (ARHGEF11) Regulates Dendritic Morphogenesis. | International journal of molecular sciences | 18 | 28036092 |
| 2011 | Association of ARHGEF11 R1467H polymorphism with risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance in Chinese population. | Molecular biology reports | 17 | 21210224 |
| 2009 | The amino acid motif L/IIxxFE defines a novel actin-binding sequence in PDZ-RhoGEF. | Biochemistry | 17 | 19618964 |
| 2020 | ARHGEF11 promotes proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma through activation of β-catenin pathway. | Aging | 14 | 33122451 |
| 2018 | PDZ-RhoGEF Is a Signaling Effector for TROY-Induced Glioblastoma Cell Invasion and Survival. | Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) | 14 | 30219706 |
| 2017 | The exon 38-containing ARHGEF11 splice isoform is differentially expressed and is required for migration and growth in invasive breast cancer cells. | Oncotarget | 14 | 29190905 |
| 2019 | Epigenetic alteration of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange Factor 11 (ARHGEF11) in cord blood samples in macrosomia exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia. | The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians | 13 | 30999786 |
| 2015 | Allelic Variants in Arhgef11 via the Rho-Rock Pathway Are Linked to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Contributes to Kidney Injury in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat. | PloS one | 13 | 26172442 |
| 2015 | Secondary PDZ domain-binding site on class B plexins enhances the affinity for PDZ-RhoGEF. | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | 13 | 26627240 |
| 2010 | R1467H Variants of Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 11 (ARHGEF11) are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Koreans. | Korean diabetes journal | 12 | 21246010 |
| 2004 | Preliminary crystallographic analysis of the complex of the human GTPase RhoA with the DH/PH tandem of PDZ-RhoGEF. | Acta crystallographica. Section D, Biological crystallography | 10 | 15039571 |
| 2017 | ARHGEF11 affecting the placental insulin signaling pathway in fetal macrosomia of normal glucose tolerance pregnant women. | Placenta | 8 | 29486856 |
| 2013 | ARHGEF11, a regulator of junction-associated actomyosin in epithelial cells. | Tissue barriers | 8 | 24665387 |
| 2022 | Detrimental Role of PDZ-RhoGEF in Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy. | Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) | 5 | 36448462 |
| 2017 | Structural basis of PDZ-mediated chemokine receptor CXCR2 scaffolding by guanine nucleotide exchange factor PDZ-RhoGEF. | Biochemical and biophysical research communications | 5 | 28179147 |
| 2024 | Solo regulates the localization and activity of PDZ-RhoGEF for actin cytoskeletal remodeling in response to substrate stiffness. | Molecular biology of the cell | 3 | 38656797 |
| 2025 | Identification of ARHGEF11 (PDZ-RhoGEF) as an in vivo regulator of synapses and cognition. | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | 2 | 39835891 |
| 2023 | Oncogenic Gαq activates RhoJ through PDZ-RhoGEF. | International journal of molecular sciences | 2 | 37958718 |
| 2019 | Transgenerational Obesity and Alteration of ARHGEF11 in the Rat Liver Induced by Intrauterine Hyperglycemia. | Journal of diabetes research | 1 | 31612150 |
| 2026 | Systemic and Proximal Tubule Specific Knockout of Arhgef11 and Impact on Hypertension and Kidney Injury. | Physiological genomics | 0 | 42222933 |
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