ARAP3 is a PI3K- and rap-regulated GAP for RhoA

Rho and Arf family small GTPases [1] are well-known regulators of cellular actin dynamics. We recently identified ARAP3, a member of the ARAP family of dual GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for Arf and Rho family GTPases [2, 3], in a screen for PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) binding proteins. Ptdins(3,4,5)P(3) is the lipid product of class I phosphoinositide 30H-kinases (PI3Ks) [4] and is a signaling molecule used by growth factor receptors and integrins in the regulation of cell dynamics [5]. We report here that as a Rho GAP, ARAP3 prefers RhoA as a substrate and that it can be activated in vitro by the direct binding of Rap [6] proteins to a neighbouring Ras binding domain (RBD). This activation by Rap is GTP dependent and specific for Rap versus other Ras family members. We found no evidence for direct regulation of ARAP3's Rho GAP activity by PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) in vitro, but PI3K activity was required for activation by Rap in a cellular context, suggesting that PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)-dependent translocation of ARAP3 to the plasma membrane may be required for further activation by Rap. Our results indicate that ARAP3 is a Rap-effector that plays an important role in mediating PI3K-dependent crosstalk between Ras, Rho, and Arf family small GTPases.