The J-domain protein Rme-8 interacts with Hsc70 to control clathrin-dependent endocytosis in Drosophila

J Cell Biol. 2004 Mar 29;164(7):1055-64. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200311084.

Abstract

By screening for mutants exhibiting interactions with a dominant-negative dynamin, we have identified the Drosophila homologue of receptor-mediated endocytosis (Rme) 8, a J-domain-containing protein previously shown to be required for endocytosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Analysis of Drosophila Rme-8 mutants showed that internalization of Bride of sevenless and the uptake of tracers were blocked. In addition, endosomal organization and the distribution of clathrin were greatly disrupted in Rme-8 cells, suggesting that Rme-8 participates in a clathrin-dependent process. The phenotypes of Rme-8 mutants bear a strong resemblance to those of Hsc70-4, suggesting that these two genes act in a common pathway. Indeed, biochemical and genetic data demonstrated that Rme-8 interacts specifically with Hsc70-4 via its J-domain. Thus, Rme-8 appears to function as an unexpected but critical cochaperone with Hsc70 in endocytosis. Because Hsc70 is known to act in clathrin uncoating along with auxilin, another J-protein, its interaction with Rme-8 indicates that Hsc70 can act with multiple cofactors, possibly explaining its pleiotropic effects on the endocytic pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / chemistry
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Clathrin / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • DNA Primers
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Mutagenesis
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Retina / physiology
  • Retina / ultrastructure
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Clathrin
  • DNA Primers
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • RME-8 protein, C elegans
  • Rme-8 protein, Drosophila