? Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) or cAMP-activated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (cAMP-GEF) is a novel intracellular cAMP receptor, which directly activates Rap1, a Ras-like small G protein. The discovery of Epac opens up a new dimension in the study of cAMP-mediated signaling. In particular, the finding of a second intracellular cAMP receptor in addition to PKA suggests that some, or even the majority of cAMP actions described in the vast cAMP literature, do not act through the activation of PKA alone, as previously believed. Recent studies also suggest that Epac is a multifunctional protein that is capable of mediating cAMP actions differentially from PKA. The major goal of this proposal is to dissect the cAMP-signaling pathways, with particular emphasis on the structure and function of the novel cAMP sensor protein Epac. Specifically we will: 1) study subcellular targeting of Epac, particularly the mitochondrial localization, and its regulation that is important for Epac's cellular functions using immunofluorescence microscopy and GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein; 2) test the hypothesis that tubulin/microtubule, acting either as an upstream regulator or downstream effector, is a bona fide Epac cellular partner by examining the biochemical and functional consequences of Epac and tubulin/microtubule interaction; 3) map the conformational changes associated with the activation of Epac by cAMP and Epac- Rap1 and Epac-tubulin interactions that are important to Epac functions using chemical protein footprinting and a sensitive MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) mapping technique. ? ? Our long-term goal is to understand how the disparate functions of cAMP binding and guanine nucleotide exchange activity are assembled and coordinated to mediate cAMP signaling at the molecular and structural levels by dissecting Epac-mediated cellular and biochemical interactions. These proposed studies are essential for further understanding cAMP signaling pathways and elucidating the actions of cAMP in cellular regulation under normal and pathologic states. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM066170-03
Application #
6888183
Study Section
Biochemistry Study Section (BIO)
Program Officer
Ikeda, Richard A
Project Start
2003-05-01
Project End
2008-04-30
Budget Start
2005-05-01
Budget End
2006-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$271,180
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771149
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555
Yang, Wenli; Mei, Fang C; Cheng, Xiaodong (2018) EPAC1 regulates endothelial annexin A2 cell surface translocation and plasminogen activation. FASEB J 32:2212-2222
Robichaux 3rd, William G; Cheng, Xiaodong (2018) Intracellular cAMP Sensor EPAC: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutics Development. Physiol Rev 98:919-1053
Zhu, Yingmin; Mei, Fang; Luo, Pei et al. (2017) A cell-based, quantitative and isoform-specific assay for exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP. Sci Rep 7:6200
Wang, Pingyuan; Liu, Zhiqing; Chen, Haiying et al. (2017) Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPACs): Emerging therapeutic targets. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 27:1633-1639
Liu, Zhiqing; Zhu, Yingmin; Chen, Haiying et al. (2017) Structure-activity relationships of 2-substituted phenyl-N-phenyl-2-oxoacetohydrazonoyl cyanides as novel antagonists of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPACs). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 27:5163-5166
Ye, Na; Zhu, Yingmin; Liu, Zhiqing et al. (2017) Identification of novel 2-(benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)-2-oxo-N-phenylacetohydrazonoyl cyanide analoguesas potent EPAC antagonists. Eur J Med Chem 134:62-71
Wild, Christopher T; Zhu, Yingmin; Na, Ye et al. (2016) Functionalized N,N-Diphenylamines as Potent and Selective EPAC2 Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 7:460-4
Almahariq, Muayad; Mei, Fang C; Cheng, Xiaodong (2016) The pleiotropic role of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (EPAC1) in cancer: implications for therapeutic intervention. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 48:75-81
Hu, Yaohua; Robichaux 3rd, William G; Mei, Fang C et al. (2016) Role of Exchange Protein Directly Activated by Cyclic AMP Isoform 1 in Energy Homeostasis: Regulation of Leptin Expression and Secretion in White Adipose Tissue. Mol Cell Biol 36:2440-50
Wang, Hui; Robichaux, William G; Wang, Ziqing et al. (2016) Inhibition of Epac1 suppresses mitochondrial fission and reduces neointima formation induced by vascular injury. Sci Rep 6:36552

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