Reconstitution of Ras-PI3Kγ membrane communication and feedback using light-induced signaling inputs.

Authors

Sophia Doerr, Andrés Olavarrieta Colasurdo, Scott D Hansen

Published in

Nature communications. Jul 16, 2026. Epub Jul 16, 2026.

Abstract

Reactions involving small GTPases and phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) lipids serve essential roles in signal transduction at the plasma membrane. In cells, these distinct classes of molecules are linked through positive and negative feedback loops that give rise to emergent properties such as excitability and polarization. Here, we reconstitute communication and feedback between Ras GTPase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ)-mediated PIP₃ production on supported membranes using purified proteins. We employ light-induced membrane recruitment to rapidly shift steady-state conditions and observe the spatiotemporal response of the signaling module. Alone, the Ras-PI3Kγ module exhibits transient and reversible activation due to global inhibition. The introduction of GEF-mediated positive feedback enables sustained threshold crossing and local amplification of Ras(GTP) and PIP₃, resulting in a traveling, bistable wave of activity with characteristics of an excitable network. Spatial coupling between Ras(GTP) and PIP₃ lipids depends on lateral diffusion and feedback circuit architecture. This work illuminates the roles activation thresholds, membrane diffusion, and positive feedback play in regulating the dynamics of Ras-PI3Kγ membrane signaling reactions in the presence of global inhibition.

PMID:
42463668
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Jul 2026.

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