Rab5-activating protein 6, a novel endosomal protein with a role in endocytosis

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Feb 17;340(3):967-75. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.12.099. Epub 2006 Jan 4.

Abstract

Rab GTPases are regulators of membrane trafficking that cycle between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) states. In this study, we report the identification of a new human Rab5 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), which we have named RAP6 (Rab5-activating protein 6). RAP6 contains a Rab5 GEF and a Ras GAP domain. We show that the Vps9 domain is sufficient for the interaction of RAP6 with GDP-bound Rab5 and that RAP6 stimulates Rab5 guanine nucleotide exchange. We also find that the Ras GAP domain of RAP6 shows GAP activity for Ras. Immunofluorescence experiments reveal that RAP6 is associated with plasma membrane and small intracellular vesicles that also contain Rab5. Additionally, the overexpression of RAP6 affects both fluid phase and receptor-mediated endocytosis. This study is the first to show that RAP6 is a novel regulator of endocytosis that exhibits GEF activity specific for Rab5 and GAP activity specific for Ras.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Endocytosis*
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / chemistry*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Time Factors
  • Transferrin / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • GAPVD1 protein, human
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • SUN2 protein, human
  • Transferrin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases