GTP but not GDP analogues promote association of ADP-ribosylation factors, 20-kDa protein activators of cholera toxin, with phospholipids and PC-12 cell membranes.

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are a family of approximately 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins initially identified by their ability to enhance cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in the presence of GTP. ARFs have been purified from both membrane and cytosolic fractions. ARF purified from bovine brain cytosol requires phospholipid plus detergent for high affinity guanine nucleotide binding and for optimal enhancement of cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. The phospholipid requirements, combined with a putative role for ARF in vesicular transport, suggested that the soluble protein might interact reversibly with membranes. A polyclonal antibody against purified bovine ARF (sARF II) was used to detect ARF by immunoblot in membrane and soluble fractions from rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell homogenates. ARF was predominantly cytosolic but increased in membranes during incubation of homogenates with nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), guanylyl-(beta gamma-imido)-diphosphate, and guanylyl-(beta gamma-methylene)-diphosphate, and to a lesser extent, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). GTP, GDP, GMP, and ATP were inactive. Cytosolic ARF similarly associated with added phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, or cardiolipin in GTP gamma S-dependent fashion. ARF binding to phosphatidylserine was reversible and coincident with stimulation of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. These observations may reflect a mechanism by which ARF could cycle between soluble and membrane compartments in vivo.     

GIT proteins, A novel family of phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate-stimulated GTPase-activating proteins for ARF6

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) proteins are key players in numerous vesicular trafficking events ranging from the formation and fusion of vesicles in the Golgi apparatus to exocytosis and endocytosis. To complete their GTPase cycle, ARFs require a guanine nucleotide-exchange protein to catalyze replacement of GDP by GTP and a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) to accelerate hydrolysis of bound GTP. Recently numerous guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins and GAP proteins have been identified and partially characterized. Every ARF GAP protein identified to date contains a characteristic zinc finger motif. GIT1 and GIT2, two members of a new family of G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting proteins, also contain a putative zinc finger motif and display ARF GAP activity. Truncation of the amino-terminal region containing the zinc finger motif prevented GAP activity of GIT1. One zinc molecule was found associated per molecule of purified recombinant ARF-GAP1, GIT1, and GIT2 proteins, suggesting the zinc finger motifs of ARF GAPs are functional and should play an important role in their GAP activity. Unlike ARF-GAP1, GIT1 and GIT2 stimulate hydrolysis of GTP bound to ARF6. Accordingly we found that the phospholipid dependence of the GAP activity of ARF-GAP1 and GIT proteins was quite different, as the GIT proteins are stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate whereas ARF-GAP1 is stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These results suggest that although the mechanism of GTP hydrolysis is probably very similar in these two families of ARF GAPs, GIT proteins might specifically regulate the activity of ARF6 in cells in coordination with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathways.     

Specific interaction between the hop1 intracellular loop 3 domain of the human PAC(1) receptor and ARF

The PAC(1), VPAC(1) and VPAC(2) receptors are members of the secretin (Group II) family of G protein-coupled receptors. All members of this family activate adenylate cyclase and several have also been shown to activate phospholipase C. We have recently reported that the rat VPAC(1), VPAC(2) and PAC(1) receptors activate phospholipase D and that distinct pathways are utilised by two intracellular loop 3 splice variants of PAC(1), one of which is ARF-dependent. Phospholipase D activation by the hop1, but not the null (short), form of the PAC(1) receptor is sensitive to brefeldin A, an inhibitor of GTP exchange at ARF. We have expressed the null and hop1 intracellular loop 3 domains of the human PAC(1) receptor in bacteria as GST-fusion proteins and used them as peptide affinity matrices to determine whether a functional interaction exists between these domains and ARF. Using this GST pull-down assay, we have shown binding of the small G protein ARF6 to the hop1 but not the null domain of this receptor.     

Two distinct populations of ARF bound to Golgi membranes

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) is a small molecular weight GTP-binding protein (20 kD) and has been implicated in vesicular protein transport. The guanine nucleotide, bound to ARF protein is believed to modulate the activity of ARF but the mechanism of action remains elusive. We have previously reported that ARF binds to Golgi membranes after Brefeldin A-sensitive nucleotide exchange of ARF-bound GDP for GTP gamma S. Here we report that treatment with phosphatidylcholine liposomes effectively removed 40-60% of ARF bound to Golgi membranes with nonhydrolyzable GTP, presumably by competing for binding of activated ARF to lipid bilayers. This revealed the presence of two different pools of ARF on Golgi membranes. Whereas total ARF binding did not appear to be saturable, the liposome-resistant pool is saturable suggesting that this pool of ARF is stabilized by interaction with a Golgi membrane-component. We propose that activation of ARF by a guanine nucleotide-exchange protein results in association of myristoylated ARF GTP with the lipid bilayer of the Golgi apparatus. Once associated with the membrane, activated ARF can diffuse freely to associate stably with a target protein or possibly can be inactivated by a GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity.     

ADP-ribosylation factor is a subunit of the coat of Golgi-derived COP-coated vesicles: a novel role for a GTP-binding protein.

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) is an abundant and highly conserved low molecular weight GTP-binding protein that was originally identified as a key element required for the action of cholera toxin in mammalian cells, but whose physiological role is unknown. We report that ARF family proteins are highly concentrated in non-clathrin-coated transport vesicles and are coat proteins. About three copies of ARF are present on the outside of coated vesicles per alpha-COP (and thus per coatomer). ARF is highly enriched in coated vesicles as compared with parental Golgi cisternae, as shown both by biochemical and morphological methods, and ARF is removed from transport vesicles through uncoating during transport. Furthermore, ARF binds to Golgi cisternae in a GTP-dependent manner independently of coated vesicle budding. These observations strongly suggest a new role for GTP-binding proteins: ARF proteins may modulate vesicle budding and uncoating through controlled GTP hydrolysis.     

Activation of toxin ADP-ribosyltransferases by eukaryotic ADP-ribosylation factors

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are members of a multigene family of 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that ate regulatory components in several pathways of intracellular vesicular trafficking. The relatively small (~180-amino acids) ARF proteins interact with a variety of molecules (in addition to GTP/GDP, of course). Cholera toxin was the first to be recognized, hence the name. Later it was shown that ARF also activates phospholipase D. Different parts of the molecule are responsible for activation of the two enzymes. In vesicular trafficking, ARF must interact with coatomer to recruit it to a membrane and thereby initiate vesicle budding. ARF function requires that it alternate between GTP- and GDP-bound forms, which involves interaction with regulatory proteins. Inactivation of ARF-GTP depends on a GTPase-activating protein or GAP. A guanine nucleotide-exchange protein or GEP accelerates release of bound GDP from inactive ARF-GDP to permit GTP binding. Inhibition of GEP by brefeldin A (BFA) blocks ARF activation and thereby vesicular transport. In cells, it causes apparent disintegration of Golgi structure. Both BFA-sensitive and insensitive GEPs are known. Sequences of peptides from a BFA-sensitive GEP purified in our laboratory revealed the presence of a Sec7 domain, a sequence of ~200 amino acids that resembles a region in the yeast Sec7 gene product, which is involved in Golgi vesicular transport. Other proteins of unknown function also contain Sec7 domains, among them a lymphocyte protein called cytohesin-1. To determine whether it had GEP activity, recombinant cytohesin-1 was synthesized in E. coli. It preferentially activated class I ARFs 1 and 3 and was not inhibited by BFA but failed to activate ARF5 (class II). There are now five Sec7 domain proteins known to have GEP activity toward class I ARFs. It remains to be determined whether there are other Sec7 domain proteins that are GEPs for ARFs 4, 5, or 6.     

Effects of phospholipid and GTP on recombinant ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs). Molecular basis for differences in requirements for activity of mammalian ARFs.

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are highly conserved approximately 20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that were first identified based on their ability to stimulate the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha and thus activate adenylyl cyclase. Proteins with ARF activity have been characterized from different mammalian tissues and exhibited different requirements for activity, stability, and phospholipid. Based on molecular cloning and mRNA distribution, at least six mammalian ARFs, which fall into three classes, have been identified. To test whether individual ARFs might have different requirements for optimal activity, as judged by their ability to enhance cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, four ARFs from classes I, II, and III were produced as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli and characterized. Recombinant bovine ARF 2 (rARF 2) and human ARF 3 (rARF 3) (class I), human ARF 5 (rARF 5, class II), and human ARF 6 (rARF 6, class III) differed in the effects of phospholipid and detergent on their ability to enhance cholera toxin activity; rARFs 2, 3, and 5 required dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and cholate, whereas rARF 6 did not require phospholipid/detergent for activity. Further characterization of two of the more divergent ARFs (ARFs 2 and 6) showed that both exhibited guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding which was enhanced by DMPC/cholate. In the transferase assay, rARF 2 required approximately 4 microM GTP for half-maximal stimulation of toxin activity, whereas rARF 6 required 0.05 microM GTP. rARF 6 exhibited a delay in activation of toxin not detected with rARF 2 that may be related to a requirement for guanine nucleotide exchange and/or GTP binding. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the highly conserved members of the ARF family have different requirements for optimal activity.     

Evidence for ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) as a regulator of in vitro endosome-endosome fusion.

We have used an in vitro endosome fusion assay, recombinant ARF, synthetic peptides, and guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) to study the role of ARF during endocytosis. Previous work has shown that GTP gamma S stimulates in vitro endosome fusion in dilute cytosol (less than 0.5 mg/ml) but inhibits fusion in concentrated cytosol (greater than 1.0 mg/ml). Two peptides corresponding to the NH2-terminal 16 amino acids of human ARF1 and ARF4 blocked GTP gamma S stimulation of fusion in dilute cytosol and reversed GTP gamma S inhibition of fusion in concentrated cytosol. The addition of recombinant human ARF1 to endosomes in dilute or concentrated cytosol resulted in GTP gamma S-dependent inhibition of fusion. Only the myristoylated form of ARF inhibited fusion. The NH2-terminal ARF1 peptide reversed inhibition by recombinant ARF1. Preincubation experiments showed that endosomes could form an ARF-resistant intermediate during the fusion process. Western blot analysis revealed clathrin-coated vesicles extracted with detergent retained ARF. The results suggest that ARF is involved in both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of GTP gamma S in dilute and concentrated cytosol, respectively. Furthermore, myristoylation, the NH2-terminal domain, and binding to GTP appear to be critical for ARF activity during an early prefusion step required for endocytosis.     

Regulation of GTP hydrolysis on ADP-ribosylation factor-1 at the Golgi membrane

The interaction of the coatomer coat complex with the Golgi membrane is initiated by the active, GTP-bound state of the small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1), whereas GTP hydrolysis triggers coatomer dissociation. The hydrolysis of GTP on ARF1 depends on the action of members of a family of ARF1-directed GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). Previous studies in well defined systems indicated that the activity of a mammalian Golgi membrane-localized ARF GAP (GAP1) might be subjected to regulation by membrane lipids as well as by the coatomer complex. Coatomer was found to strongly stimulate GAP-dependent GTP hydrolysis on a membrane-independent mutant of ARF1, whereas we reported that GTP hydrolysis on wild type, myristoylated ARF1 loaded with GTP in the presence of phospholipid vesicles was coatomer-independent. To investigate the regulation of ARF1 GAPs under more physiological conditions, we studied GTP hydrolysis on Golgi membrane-associated ARF1. The activities at the Golgi of recombinant GAP1 as well as coatomer-depleted fractions from rat brain cytosol resembled those observed in the presence of liposomes; however, unlike in liposomes, GAP activities on Golgi membranes were approximately doubled upon addition of coatomer. By contrast, endogenous GAP activity in Golgi membrane preparations was unaffected by coatomer. Cytosolic GAP activity was partially reduced following immunodepletion of GAP1, indicating that GAP1 plays a significant although not exclusive role in the regulation of GTP hydrolysis at the Golgi. Unlike the activities of the mammalian proteins, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Glo3 ARF GAP displayed activity at the Golgi that was highly dependent on coatomer. We conclude that ARF GAPs in themselves can efficiently stimulate GTP hydrolysis on ARF1 at the Golgi, and that coatomer may play an auxiliary role in this reaction, which would lead to an increased cycling rate of ARF1 in COPI-coated regions of the Golgi membrane.     

A regulatory role for ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) in activation of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase

In activated neutrophils NADPH oxidase is regulated through various signaling intermediates, including heterotrimeric G proteins, kinases, GTPases, and phospholipases. ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) describes a family of GTPases associated with phospholipase D (PLD) activation. PLD is implicated in NADPH oxidase activation, although it is unclear whether activation of PLD by ARF is linked to receptor-mediated oxidase activation. We explored whether ARF participates in NADPH oxidase activation by formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP) and whether this involves PLD. Using multicolor forward angle light scattering analyses to measure superoxide production in differentiated neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells, we tested enhanced green fluorescent fusion proteins of wild-type ARF1 or ARF6, or their mutant counterparts. The ARF6(Q67L) mutant defective in GTP hydrolysis caused increased superoxide production, whereas the ARF6(T27N) mutant defective in GTP binding caused diminished responses to fMLP. The ARF1 mutants had no effect on fMLP responses, and none of the ARF proteins affected phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-elicited oxidase activity. PLD inhibitors 1-butanol and 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate, or the ARF6(N48R) mutant assumed to be defective in PLD activation, blocked fMLP-elicited oxidase activity in transfected cells. The data suggest that ARF6 but not ARF1 modulates receptor-mediated NADPH oxidase activation in a PLD-dependent mechanism. Because PMA-elicited NADPH oxidase activation also appears to be PLD-dependent, but ARF-independent, ARF6 and protein kinase C may act through distinct pathways, both involving PLD.     

The ARF-like 2 (ARL2)-binding protein, BART. Purification, cloning, and initial characterization.

ARF-like proteins (ARLs) comprise a functionally distinct group of incompletely characterized members in the ARF family of RAS-related GTPases. We took advantage of the GTP binding characteristics of human ARL2 to develop a specific, high affinity binding assay that allowed the purification of a novel ARL2-binding protein. A 19-kDa protein (BART, Binder of Arl Two) was identified and purified from bovine brain homogenate. BART binding is specific to ARL2.GTP with high affinity but does not interact with ARL2.GDP or activated ARF or RHO proteins. Based on peptide sequences of purified bovine BART, the human cDNA sequence was determined. The 489-base pair BART open reading frame encodes a novel 163-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 18,822 Da. Recombinant BART was found to bind ARL2.GTP in a manner indistinguishable from native BART. Northern and Western analyses indicated BART is expressed in all tissues sampled. The lack of detectable membrane association of ARL2 or BART upon activation of ARL2 is suggestive of actions quite distinct from those of the ARFs. The lack of ARL2 GTPase-activating protein activity in BART led us to conclude that the specific interaction with ARL2.GTP is most consistent with BART being the first identified ARL2-specific effector.     

Retrograde transport from the yeast Golgi is mediated by two ARF GAP proteins with overlapping function.

ARF proteins, which mediate vesicular transport, have little or no intrinsic GTPase activity. They rely on the actions of GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for their function. The in vitro GTPase activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARF proteins Arf1 and Arf2 is stimulated by the yeast Gcs1 protein, and in vivo genetic interactions between arf and gcs1 mutations implicate Gcs1 in vesicular transport. However, the Gcs1 protein is dispensable, indicating that additional ARF GAP proteins exist. We show that the structurally related protein Glo3, which is also dispensable, also exhibits ARF GAP activity. Genetic and in vitro approaches reveal that Glo3 and Gcs1 have an overlapping essential function at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi stage of vesicular transport. Mutant cells deficient for both ARF GAPs cannot proliferate, undergo a dramatic accumulation of ER and are defective for protein transport between ER and Golgi. The glo3Delta and gcs1Delta single mutations each interact with a sec21 mutation that affects a component of COPI, which mediates vesicular transport within the ER-Golgi shuttle, while increased dosage of the BET1, BOS1 and SEC22 genes encoding members of a v-SNARE family that functions within the ER-Golgi alleviates the effects of a glo3Delta mutation. An in vitro assay indicates that efficient retrieval from the Golgi to the ER requires these two proteins. These findings suggest that Glo3 and Gcs1 ARF GAPs mediate retrograde vesicular transport from the Golgi to the ER.     

Correct targeting of plant ARF GTPases relies on distinct protein domains

Indispensable membrane trafficking events depend on the activity of conserved small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), anchored to individual organelle membranes. In plant cells, it is currently unknown how these proteins reach their correct target membranes and interact with their effectors. To address these important biological questions, we studied two members of the ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPase family, ARF1 and ARFB, which are membrane anchored through the same N-terminal myristoyl group but to different target membranes. Specifically, we investigated how ARF1 is targeted to the Golgi and post-Golgi structures, whereas ARFB accumulates at the plasma membrane. While the subcellular localization of ARFB appears to depend on multiple domains including the C-terminal half of the GTPase, the correct targeting of ARF1 is dependent on two domains: an N-terminal ARF1 domain that is necessary for the targeting of the GTPase to membranes and a core domain carrying a conserved MxxE motif that influences the relative distribution of ARF1 between the Golgi and post-Golgi compartments. We also established that the N-terminal ARF1 domain alone was insufficient to maintain an interaction with membranes and that correct targeting is a protein-specific property that depends on the status of the GTP switch. Finally, an ARF1-ARFB chimera containing only the first 18 amino acids from ARF1 was shown to compete with ARF1 membrane binding loci. Although this chimera exhibited GTPase activity in vitro, it was unable to recruit coatomer, a known ARF1 effector, onto Golgi membranes. Our results suggest that the targeting of ARF GTPases to the correct membranes may not only depend on interactions with effectors but also relies on distinct protein domains and further binding partners on the Golgi surface.     

Specificity, promiscuity and localization of ARF protein interactions with NCS-1 and phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase-III beta

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) proteins are involved in multiple intracellular vesicular transport pathways. Most studies have focused on the functions of ARF1 or ARF6 and little is known about the remaining ARF isoforms. Although the mammalian ARF proteins share a high degree of sequence identity, recent evidence has indicated that they may control distinct trafficking steps within cells. A unanswered issue is the degree of specificity of ARF family members for different interacting proteins. To investigate potential functional differences between the human ARF proteins, we have examined the localization of all human ARF isoforms and their interactions with two ARF1 binding proteins, neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) and phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase-IIIbeta (PI4Kbeta). Use of a fluorescent protein fragment complementation method showed direct interactions between ARFs 1, 3, 5 and 6 with NCS-1 but at different intracellular locations in live HeLa cells. Photobleaching experiments indicated that complementation did not detect dynamic changes in protein interactions over short-time scales. A more specific interaction between ARFs 1/3 and PI4Kbeta was observed. Consistent with these latter findings ARF1 but not ARF5 or 6 enhanced the stimulatory effect of PI4Kbeta on regulated exocytosis, suggesting a specific role for class-I ARFs in the regulation of PI4Kbeta.     

ADP-ribosylation factors: a family of ∼20-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that activate cholera toxin

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) comprise a family of 20 kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that were discovered as one of several cofactors required in cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G_s, the guanine nucleotide-binding protein responsible for stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, and was subsequently found to enhance all cholera toxin-catalyzed reactions and to directly interact with, and activate the toxin. ARF is dependent on GTP or its analogues for activity, binds GTP with high affinity in the presence of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/cholate and contains consensus sequences for GTP-binding and hydrolysis. Six mammalian family members have been identified which have been classified into three groups (Class I, II, and III) based on size, deduced amino acid sequence identity, phylogenetic analysis and gene structure. ARFs are ubiquitous among eukaryotes, with a deduced amino acid sequence that is highly conserved across diverse species. They have recently been shown to associate with phospholipid and Golgi membranes in a GTP-dependent manner and are involved in regulating vesicular transport.Abbreviations ARF ADP-ribosylation factor - sARF I and sARF II soluble ADP-ribosylation factors purified from bovine brain - mARF purified membrane-associated ARF - hARF human ARF - bARF bovine ARF - yARF yeast ARF - ARF bacterially-expressed recombinant ARF - gARF Giardia ARF - dARF Drosophila ARF - G protein guanine nucleotide-binding protein - G_s G protein responsible for stimulation of adenylyl cyclase - GTPS guanosine-5-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) - CIAI cholera toxin A1 subunit - DMPC dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Identification of a novel, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive cytosolic factor required for vesicular transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network in vitro

We have recently described a cell-free system that reconstitutes the vesicular transport of 300-kD mannose 6-phosphate receptors from late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). We report here that the endosome----TGN transport reaction was significantly inhibited by low concentrations of the alkylating agent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Addition of fresh cytosol to NEM-inactivated reaction mixtures restored transport to at least 80% of control levels. Restorative activity was only present in cytosol fractions, and was sensitive to trypsin treatment or incubation at 100 degrees C. A variety of criteria demonstrated that the restorative activity was distinct from NSF, an NEM-sensitive protein that facilitates the transport of proteins from the ER to the Golgi complex and between Golgi cisternae. Cytosol fractions immunodepleted of greater than or equal to 90% of NSF protein, or heated to 37 degrees C to inactivate greater than or equal to 93% of NSF activity, were fully able to restore transport to NEM-treated reaction mixtures. The majority of restorative activity sedimented as a uniform species of 50-100 kD upon glycerol gradient centrifugation. We have termed this activity ETF-1, for endosome----TGN transport factor-1. Kinetic experiments showed that ETF-1 acts at a very early stage in vesicular transport, which may reflect a role for this factor in the formation of nascent transport vesicles. GTP hydrolysis appears to be required throughout the transport reaction. The ability of GTP gamma S to inhibit endosome----TGN transport required the presence of donor, endosome membranes, and cytosol, which may reflect a role for guanine nucleotides in vesicle budding. Finally, ETF-1 appears to act before a step that is blocked by GTP gamma S, during the process by which proteins are transported from endosomes to the TGN in vitro.     

The role of ARF and Rab GTPases in membrane transport.

Two key events of intracellular transport and membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells, the formation of transport vesicles and their specific delivery to target membranes, are controlled by small GTPases of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and Rab families, respectively. The past 18 months have seen the identification of proteins that regulate ARF and Rab GDP/GTP cycle, as well as the characterization of their effectors, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of ARF and Rab function.     

Microinjection of a 19-kDa guanine nucleotide-binding protein inhibits maturation of Xenopus oocytes

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are 19-21-kDa proteins purified from bovine brain that bind guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP). They exhibit GTP-dependent activity as activators of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of the adenylyl cyclase system (Gs alpha). ARF, which interacts directly with the catalytic subunit of cholera toxin, has no known physiologic role. Intracellular microinjection of ARF was employed to investigate the effect of ARF on progesterone- and insulin-stimulated maturation of Xenopus oocytes. Maturation was inhibited by injection of ARF 3-8 h before exposure of oocytes to progesterone or insulin. ARF inhibition was dependent on progesterone concentration but not on insulin concentration. Inhibition was enhanced by concomitant injection of GTP and to a greater extent by guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) which, in the absence of ARF, inhibited somewhat at early time points. The demonstration of this effect of ARF on both progesterone- and insulin-stimulated oocyte maturation may provide a clue to the physiologic role of this guanine nucleotide-binding protein.     

The protein cofactor necessary for ADP-ribosylation of Gs by cholera toxin is itself a GTP binding protein

A membrane-bound protein cofactor (ARF) is required for the cholera toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylation of the stimulatory regulatory component (Gs) of adenylate cyclase. Improved methods for the purification of ARF from bovine brain are described. ARF has a high-affinity binding site for guanine nucleotides. Binding of GTP or GTP gamma S to ARF is necessary for the activity of the cofactor; GDP X ARF does not support ADP-ribosylation of Gs. Although the protein as purified contains stoichiometric amounts of GDP, GTPase activity of isolated ARF was not detected. Cholera toxin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase thus requires two guanine nucleotide binding proteins.     

Role of ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) in gastric acid secretion

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) proteins are monomeric GTPases that are essential for membrane transport and exocytosis in a number of secretory cells. We investigated ARF6, the activation of which is insensitive to brefeldin A, to determine whether it regulates membrane traffic in gastric parietal cells. ARF6 translocated from cytosol to tubulovesicle in the presence of GTPgammaS, a potential inhibitor of acid secretion in permeabilized cells, whereas under the Mg2+-chelated condition where activity of ARF-GTPase activating protein is inhibited, ARF6 translocated to the apical secretory membrane. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that ARF6 mainly located in parietal cell within the gastric glands, and it translocated from the cytosol to the intracellular canaliculi when the glands were stimulated. These results indicated that the distribution of ARF6 between cytosol and the two different membranes was regulated by its GTPase activity. In cultured gastric glands infected with adenovirus expressing ARF6 Q67L, a mutant lacking GTP hydrolysis activity, gastric acid secretion was inhibited. These results suggest that ARF6 regulates gastric acid secretion in parietal cell and that the GTP hydrolysis cycle of ARF6 is essential for the activation pathway.