Evidence for distinct mechanisms of transition state stabilization of GTPases by fluoride

GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) function by stabilizing the GTPase transition state. This has been most clearly demonstrated by the formation of a high-affinity complex between various GAPs and GDP-bound GTPases in the presence of aluminum tetrafluoride, which can mimic the gamma-phosphate of GTP. Herein, we report that p190 RhoGAP forms a high-affinity complex with Rho GTPases in the presence of fluoride ions, suggesting that p190 also functions to stabilize the GTPase transition state. However, this Rho-p190 complex does not require aluminum ions or even guanine nucleotide, indicating a distinct role for fluoride that is not consistent with the gamma-phosphate-mimicking hypothesis. These results indicate that it is necessary to reconsider the assumed role of fluoride in stabilizing a variety of other GTPase-GAP interactions where the requirement for aluminum or guanine nucleotide has not yet been addressed.