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Rac-dependent and -independent pathways mediate growth factor-induced Ca2+ influx
M P Peppelenbosch1, L G Tertoolen, A M de Vries-Smits
1Laboratory for Physiological Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, NL-3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We report that expressing interfering mutants of the small Ras-related GTPase Rac, using either recombinant vaccinia virus or stable DNA transfection, eliminates epidermal growth factor-induced Ca2+ signaling, without affecting Ca2+ mobilization or influx from G protein-coupled receptors. Platelet-derived growth factor-dependent Ca2+ influx, however, is only partly sensitive to dominant negative Rac proteins. Thus, whereas epidermal growth factor-induced Ca2+ influx is completely mediated by Rac proteins, platelet-derived growth factor-induced Ca2+ influx involves Rac-dependent and -independent signaling pathways.