A requirement for rac1 in the PDGF-stimulated migration of fibroblasts and vascular smooth cells

Rac1 is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases. Although rac1 has been demonstrated to regulate the cytoskeleton, relatively little is known regarding its role in directional migration of mammalian cells. To address this issue, we have used recombinant adenoviruses to transiently express in fibroblasts either a dominant negative (N17rac1) or constitutively active (V12rac1) isoform of the small GTP-binding protein rac1. Expression of N17rac1 is demonstrated to inhibit PDGF-stimulated migration of rat fibroblasts. Surprisingly, expression of V12rac1 also inhibited, albeit to a lesser degree, the chemotactic response to PDGF. In contrast, expression of N17rac1 had no effect on PDGF stimulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) or the adherence of cells to plastic or fibronectin coated surfaces. Similar to what was observed in fibroblasts, expression of N17rac1 inhibited the PDGF-stimulated migration of primary vascular smooth muscle cells. These results identify rac1 as an important downstream mediator of PDGF-induced chemotaxis.