Members of the Rho subfamily of GTP-binding proteins are implicated in the
regulation of phospholipase D (PLD). In the present study, we demonstrate a
physical association between a Rho family member, Cdc42, and PLD1. Binding
of Cdc42 to PLD1 and subsequent activation are GTP-dependent. Although bin
ding of Cdc42 to PLD1 does not require geranylgeranylation, activation of P
LD1 is dependent on this lipid modification of Cdc42. Specific point mutati
ons in the switch I region of Cdc42 abolish binding to and, therefore, acti
vation of PLD1 by Cdc42. Deletion of the Rho insert region, which consists
of residues 120-189, from Cdc42 does not interfere with binding to PLD1 but
inhibits Cdc42 stimulated PLD1 activity. Interestingly, deletion of the in
sert region from Cdc42 also inhibits activation of PLD1 by Arf and protein
kinase C. With the lack of specific inhibitors of PLD activity, the insert
deletion mutant of Cdc42 (designated (Delta L8)Cdc42) is a novel reagent fo
r in vitro studies of PLD1 regulation, as well as for in vivo studies of Cd
c42-mediated signaling pathways leading to PLD1 activation. Because the ins
ert region is required for the transforming activity of Cdc42, regulation o
f PLD1 by this region on Cdc42 is of major interest.