Rab GTPase function in Golgi trafficking

The Rab, ARF, and Arl members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases work together to control specific intracellular trafficking pathways. Here we focus on their roles in protein transport to and within the Golgi apparatus.     

An ARF6/Rab35 GTPase cascade for endocytic recycling and successful cytokinesis

Cytokinesis bridge instability leads to binucleated cells that can promote tumorigenesis in vivo. Membrane trafficking is crucial for animal cell cytokinesis, and several endocytic pathways regulated by distinct GTPases (Rab11, Rab21, Rab35, ARF6, RalA/B) contribute to the postfurrowing steps of cytokinesis. However, little is known about how these pathways are coordinated for successful cytokinesis. The Rab35 GTPase controls a fast endocytic recycling pathway and must be activated for SEPTIN cytoskeleton localization at the intercellular bridge, and thus for completion of cytokinesis. Here, we report that the ARF6 GTPase negatively regulates Rab35 activation and hence the Rab35 pathway. Human cells expressing a constitutively activated, GTP-bound ARF6 mutant display identical endocytic recycling and cytokinesis defects as those observed upon overexpression of the inactivated, GDP-bound Rab35 mutant. As a molecular mechanism, we identified the Rab35 GAP EPI64B as an effector of ARF6 in negatively regulating Rab35 activation. Unexpectedly, this regulation takes place at clathrin-coated pits, and activated ARF6 reduces Rab35 loading into the endocytic pathway. Thus, an effector of an ARF protein is a GAP for a downstream Rab protein, and we propose that this hierarchical ARF/Rab GTPase cascade controls the proper activation of a common endocytic pathway essential for cytokinesis.     

COPI recruitment is modulated by a Rab1b-dependent mechanism

The small GTPase Rab1b is essential for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi transport, but its exact function remains unclear. We have examined the effects of wild-type and three mutant forms of Rab1b in vivo. We show that the inactive form of Rab1b (the N121I mutant with impaired guanine nucleotide binding) blocks forward transport of cargo and induces Golgi disruption. The phenotype is analogous to that induced by brefeldin A (BFA): it causes resident Golgi proteins to relocate to the ER and induces redistribution of ER-Golgi intermediate compartment proteins to punctate structures. The COPII exit machinery seems to be functional in cells expressing the N121I mutant, but COPI is compromised, as shown by the release of beta-COP into the cytosol. Our results suggest that Rab1b function influences COPI recruitment. In support of this, we show that the disruptive effects of N121I can be reversed by expressing known mediators of COPI recruitment, the GTPase ARF1 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1. Further evidence is provided by the finding that cells expressing the active form of Rab1b (the Q67L mutant with impaired GTPase activity) are resistant to BFA. Our data suggest a novel role for Rab1b in ARF1- and GBF1-mediated COPI recruitment pathway.     

Rab11-FIP3 localises to a Rab11-positive pericentrosomal compartment during interphase and to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis

The Rab11-family interacting protein 3 (Rab11-FIP3), also known as Arfophilin and Eferin, is a Rab11 and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) binding protein of unknown function. Here, we sought to investigate the subcellular localisation and elucidate the function of Rab11-FIP3 in eukaryotic membrane trafficking. Utilising a polyclonal antibody specific for Rab11-FIP3, we have demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy that Rab11-FIP3 colocalises with Rab11 in a distinctive pericentrosomal location in A431 cells. Additionally, we found that Rab11-FIP3 localises to punctate vesicular structures dispersed throughout A431 cells. We have demonstrated that both Rab11 and Rab11-FIP3 localise to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis, and that Rab11-FIP3 localisation is dependent on both microtubule and actin filament integrity. We show that Rab11-FIP3 does not enter brefeldin A (BFA) induced membrane tubules that are positive for the transferrin receptor (TfnR). Furthermore, we show that expression of an amino-terminally truncated mutant of Rab11-FIP3 (Rab11-FIP3((244-756))) does not inhibit transferrin (Tfn) recycling in HeLa cells. It is likely that Rab11-FIP3 is involved in trafficking events other than Tfn trafficking; these may include the transport of endosomally derived membrane to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.     

Purification and identification of novel Rab effectors using affinity chromatography

Rab GTPases are central regulatory elements of the intracellular transport machinery of eukaryotic cells. To regulate vesicle docking and fusion as well as organelle dynamics Rab proteins interact with effector molecules in the GTP-bound active state. The identification of Rab effectors is, therefore, of primary importance for the mechanistic understanding of intracellular transport. Here we describe the experimental system we have developed to biochemically purify and identify effectors of the small GTPase Rab5. The method, which is based on an affinity chromatography procedure, results in the large-scale purification of Rab effectors in amounts sufficient for both their identification by microsequencing techniques and their functional characterization. In the case of Rab5, the procedure allows a comprehensive analysis of the downstream effectors and regulators of this GTPase. We expect this strategy to provide fundamental insights into the molecular mechanism of membrane transport but also to be applicable to several other GTPase-dependent biological functions.     

The role of ARF1 and rab GTPases in polarization of the Golgi stack

The organization and sorting of proteins within the Golgi stack to establish and maintain its cis to trans polarization remains an enigma. The function of Golgi compartments involves coat assemblages that facilitate vesicle traffic, Rab-tether-SNAP receptor (SNARE) machineries that dictate membrane identity, as well as matrix components that maintain structure. We have investigated how the Golgi complex achieves compartmentalization in response to a key component of the coat complex I (COPI) coat assembly pathway, the ARF1 GTPase, in relationship to GTPases-regulating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit (Sar1) and targeting fusion (Rab1). Following collapse of the Golgi into the ER in response to inhibition of activation of ARF1 by Brefeldin A, we found that Sar1- and Rab1-dependent Golgi reformation took place at multiple peripheral and perinuclear ER exit sites. These rapidly converged into immature Golgi that appeared as onion-like structures composed of multiple concentrically arrayed cisternae of mixed enzyme composition. During clustering to the perinuclear region, Golgi enzymes were sorted to achieve the degree of polarization within the stack found in mature Golgi. Surprisingly, we found that sorting of Golgi enzymes into their subcompartments was insensitive to the dominant negative GTP-restricted ARF1 mutant, a potent inhibitor of COPI coat disassembly and vesicular traffic. We suggest that a COPI-independent, Rab-dependent mechanism is involved in the rapid reorganization of resident enzymes within the Golgi stack following synchronized release from the ER, suggesting an important role for Rab hubs in directing Golgi polarization.     

Rab-dependent cellular trafficking and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Rab GTPases are becoming increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, although their role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been somewhat overlooked. However, dysfunction of intracellular transport is gaining increasing attention as a pathogenic mechanism in ALS. Many previous studies have focused axonal trafficking, and the extreme length of axons in motor neurons may contribute to their unique susceptibility in this disorder. In contrast, the role of transport defects within the cell body has been relatively neglected. Similarly, whilst Rab GTPases control all intracellular membrane trafficking events, their role in ALS is poorly understood. Emerging evidence now highlights this family of proteins in ALS, particularly the discovery that C9orf72 functions in intra transport in conjunction with several Rab GTPases. Here, we summarize recent updates on cellular transport defects in ALS, with a focus on Rab GTPases and how their dysfunction may specifically target neurons and contribute to pathophysiology. We discuss the molecular mechanisms associated with dysfunction of Rab proteins in ALS. Finally, we also discuss dysfunction in other modes of transport recently implicated in ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport and the ER-mitochondrial contact regions (MAM compartment), and speculate whether these may also involve Rab GTPases.     

Distinct roles of Rab3B and Rab13 in the polarized transport of apical,basolateral, and tight junctional membrane proteins to the plasma membrane

Regulated transport of proteins to distinct plasma membrane domains is essential for the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in all eukaryotic cells. The Rab family small G proteins play a crucial role in determining the specificity of vesicular transport pathways. Rab3B and Rab13 localize to tight junction in polarized epithelial cells and cytoplasmic vesicular structures in non-polarized fibroblasts, but their functions are poorly understood. Here we examined their roles in regulating the cell-surface transport of apical p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), basolateral low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and tight junctional Claudin-1 using transport assay in non-polarized fibroblasts. Overexpression of Rab3B mutants inhibited the cell-surface transport of LDLR, but not p75NTR and Claudin-1. In contrast, overexpression of Rab13 mutants impaired the transport of Claudin-1, but not LDLR and p75NTR. These results suggest that Rab3B and Rab13 direct the cell-surface transport of LDLR and Claudin-1, respectively, and may contribute to epithelial polarization.     

Rab9 GTPase is required for replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, filoviruses, and measles virus

Rab proteins and their effectors facilitate vesicular transport by tethering donor vesicles to their respective target membranes. By using gene trap insertional mutagenesis, we identified Rab9, which mediates late-endosome-to-trans-Golgi-network trafficking, among several candidate host genes whose disruption allowed the survival of Marburg virus-infected cells, suggesting that Rab9 is utilized in Marburg replication. Although Rab9 has not been implicated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, previous reports suggested that the late endosome is an initiation site for HIV assembly and that TIP47-dependent trafficking out of the late endosome to the trans-Golgi network facilitates the sorting of HIV Env into virions budding at the plasma membrane. We examined the role of Rab9 in the life cycles of HIV and several unrelated viruses, using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence Rab9 expression before viral infection. Silencing Rab9 expression dramatically inhibited HIV replication, as did silencing the host genes encoding TIP47, p40, and PIKfyve, which also facilitate late-endosome-to-trans-Golgi vesicular transport. In addition, silencing studies revealed that HIV replication was dependent on the expression of Rab11A, which mediates trans-Golgi-to-plasma-membrane transport, and that increased HIV Gag was sequestered in a CD63+ endocytic compartment in a cell line stably expressing Rab9 siRNA. Replication of the enveloped Ebola, Marburg, and measles viruses was inhibited with Rab9 siRNA, although the non-enveloped reovirus was insensitive to Rab9 silencing. These results suggest that Rab9 is an important cellular target for inhibiting diverse viruses and help to define a late-endosome-to-plasma-membrane vesicular transport pathway important in viral assembly.     

The Rab6 GTPase regulates recruitment of the dynactin complex to Golgi membranes

Dynactin is a multisubunit protein complex required for the activity of dynein in diverse intracellular motility processes, including membrane transport. Dynactin can bind to vesicles and liposomes containing acidic phospholipids, but general properties such as this are unlikely to explain the regulated recruitment of dynactin to specific sites on organelle membranes. Additional factors must therefore exist to control this process. Candidates for these factors are the Rab GTPases, which function in the tethering of vesicles to their target organelle prior to membrane fusion. In particular, Rab27a tethers melanosomes to the actin cytoskeleton. Other Rabs have been implicated in microtubule-dependent organelle motility; Rab7 controls lysosomal transport, and Rab6 is involved in microtubule-dependent transport pathways through the Golgi and from endosomes to the Golgi. We demonstrate that dynactin binds to Rab6 and shows a Rab6-dependent recruitment to Golgi membranes. Other Golgi Rabs do not bind to dynactin and are unable to support its recruitment to membranes. Rab6 therefore functions as a specificity or tethering factor controlling the recruitment of dynactin to membranes.     

Role of Rab family GTPases and their effectors in melanosomal logistics

Rab GTPases constitute a family of small GTPases that regulate a variety of membrane trafficking events in all eukaryotic cells by recruiting their specific effector molecules. Recent accumulating evidence indicates that members of the mammalian Rab small GTPase family are involved in certain physiological and pathological processes. In particular, functional impairments of specific Rab proteins, e.g. Rab38 and Rab27A, their regulators or their effectors cause pigmentation disorders in humans and coat colour variations in mice because such impairments cause defects in melanosomal logistics, i.e. defects in melanosome biogenesis and transport. Genetic and biochemical analyses of the gene products responsible for mammalian pigmentation disorders in the past decade have revealed that Rab-mediated endosomal transport systems and melanosome transport systems play crucial roles in the efficient darkening of mammalian hair and skin. In this article, we review current knowledge regarding melanosomal logistics, with particular focus on the roles of Rab small GTPases and their effectors.     

Stimulation-dependent recycling of integrin beta1 regulated by ARF6 and Rab11

In comparison to the internalization pathways of endocytosis, the recycling pathways are less understood. Even less defined is the process of regulated recycling, as few examples exist and their underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In this study, we examine the endocytic recycling of integrin β1, a process that has been suggested to play an important role during cell motility by mediating the redistribution of integrins to the migrating front. External stimulation regulates the endocytic itinerary of β1, mainly at an internal compartment that is likely to be a subset of the recycling endosomes. This stimulation-dependent recycling is regulated by ARF6 and Rab11, and also requires the actin cytoskeleton in an ARF6-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations being relevant for cell motility, mutant forms of ARF6 that affect either actin rearrangement or recycling inhibit the motility of a breast cancer cell line.     

Rab13 mediates the continuous endocytic recycling of occludin to the cell surface

During epithelial morphogenesis, adherens junctions (AJs) and tight junctions (TJs) undergo dynamic reorganization, whereas epithelial polarity is transiently lost and reestablished. Although ARF6-mediated endocytic recycling of E-cadherin has been characterized and implicated in the rapid remodeling of AJs, the molecular basis for the dynamic rearrangement of TJs remains elusive. Occludin and claudins are integral membrane proteins comprising TJ strands and are thought to be responsible for establishing and maintaining epithelial polarity. Here we investigated the intracellular transport of occludin and claudins to and from the cell surface. Using cell surface biotinylation and immunofluorescence, we found that a pool of occludin was continuously endocytosed and recycled back to the cell surface in both fibroblastic baby hamster kidney cells and epithelial MTD-1A cells. Biochemical endocytosis and recycling assays revealed that a Rab13 dominant active mutant (Rab13 Q67L) inhibited the postendocytic recycling of occludin, but not that of transferrin receptor and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in MTD-1A cells. Double immunolabelings showed that a fraction of endocytosed occludin was colocalized with Rab13 in MTD-1A cells. These results suggest that Rab13 specifically mediates the continuous endocytic recycling of occludin to the cell surface in both fibroblastic and epithelial cells.     

Visualization of Rab9-mediated vesicle transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi in living cells

Mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) are transported from endosomes to the trans-Golgi via a transport process that requires the Rab9 GTPase and the cargo adaptor TIP47. We have generated green fluorescent protein variants of Rab9 and determined their localization in cultured cells. Rab9 is localized primarily in late endosomes and is readily distinguished from the trans-Golgi marker galactosyltransferase. Coexpression of fluorescent Rab9 and Rab7 revealed that these two late endosome Rabs occupy distinct domains within late endosome membranes. Cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors are enriched in the Rab9 domain relative to the Rab7 domain. TIP47 is likely to be present in this domain because it colocalizes with the receptors in fixed cells, and a TIP47 mutant disrupted endosome morphology and sequestered MPRs intracellularly. Rab9 is present on endosomes that display bidirectional microtubule-dependent motility. Rab9-positive transport vesicles fuse with the trans-Golgi network as followed by video microscopy of live cells. These data provide the first indication that Rab9-mediated endosome to trans-Golgi transport can use a vesicle (rather than a tubular) intermediate. Our data suggest that Rab9 remains vesicle associated until docking with the Golgi complex and is rapidly removed concomitant with or just after membrane fusion.     

Regulation of the cell surface expression and function of angiotensin II type 1 receptor by Rab1-mediated endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi transport in cardiac myocytes

Rab1 GTPase coordinates vesicle-mediated protein transport specifically from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus. We recently demonstrated that Rab1 is involved in the export of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) to the cell surface in HEK293 cells and that transgenic mice overexpressing Rab1 in the myocardium develop cardiac hypertrophy. To expand these studies, we determined in this report whether the modification of Rab1-mediated ER-to-Golgi transport can alter the cell surface expression and function of endogenous AT1R and AT1R-mediated hypertrophic growth in primary cultures of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of wild-type Rab1 (Rab1WT) significantly increased cell surface expression of endogenous AT1R in neonatal cardiomyocytes, whereas the dominant-negative mutant Rab1N124I had the opposite effect. Brefeldin A treatment blocked the Rab1WT-induced increase in AT1R cell surface expression. Fluorescence analysis of the subcellular localization of AT1R revealed that Rab1 regulated AT1R transport specifically from the ER to the Golgi in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Consistent with their effects on AT1R export, Rab1WT and Rab1N124I differentially modified the AT1R-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and its upstream kinase MEK1. More importantly, adenovirus-mediated expression of Rab1N124I markedly attenuated the Ang II-stimulated hypertrophic growth as measured by protein synthesis, cell size, and sarcomeric organization in neonatal cardiomyocytes. In contrast, Rab1WT expression augmented the Ang II-mediated hypertrophic response. These data strongly indicate that AT1R function in cardiomyocytes can be modulated through manipulating AT1R traffic from the ER to the Golgi and provide the first evidence implicating the ER-to-Golgi transport as a regulatory site for control of cardiomyocyte growth.     

Membrane recruitment of effector proteins by Arf and Rab GTPases

In their GTP-bound form, Arf and Rab family GTPases associate with distinct organelle membranes, to which they recruit specific sets of effector proteins that regulate vesicular transport. The Arf GTPases are involved in the formation of coated carrier vesicles by recruiting coat proteins. On the other hand, the Rab GTPases are involved in the tethering, docking and fusion of transport vesicles with target organelles, acting in concert with the tethering and fusion machineries. Recent structural studies of the Arf1-GGA and Rab5-Rabaptin-5 complexes, as well as other effector structures in complex with the Arf and Rab GTPases, have shed light on the mechanisms underlying the GTP-dependent membrane recruitment of these effector proteins.     

LRRK2 Transport Is Regulated by Its Novel Interacting Partner Rab32

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a multi-domain 280 kDa protein that is linked to Parkinson''s disease (PD). Mutations especially in the GTPase and kinase domains of LRRK2 are the most common causes of heritable PD and are also found in sporadic forms of PD. Although the cellular function of LRRK2 is largely unknown there is increasing evidence that these mutations cause cell death due to autophagic dysfunction and mitochondrial damage. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of LRRK2 binding and transport, which involves the small GTPases Rab32 and Rab38. Rab32 and its closest homologue Rab38 are known to organize the trans-Golgi network and transport of key enzymes in melanogenesis, whereas their function in non-melanogenic cells is still not well understood. Cellular processes such as autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, phagocytosis or inflammatory processes in the brain have previously been linked to Rab32. Here, we demonstrate that Rab32 and Rab38, but no other GTPase tested, directly interact with LRRK2. GFP-Trap analyses confirmed the interaction of Rab32 with the endogenous LRRK2. In yeast two-hybrid experiments we identified a predicted coiled-coil motif containing region within the aminoterminus of LRRK2 as the possible interacting domain. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated a co-localization of Rab32 and LRRK2 at recycling endosomes and transport vesicles, while overexpression of a constitutively active mutant of Rab32 led to an increased co-localization with Rab7/9 positive perinuclear late endosomes/MVBs. Subcellular fractionation experiments supported the novel role of Rab32 in LRRK2 late endosomal transport and sorting in the cell. Thus, Rab32 may regulate the physiological functions of LRRK2.     

Rab27b regulates mast cell granule dynamics and secretion

The Rab GTPase family regulates membrane domain organization and vesicular transport pathways. Recent studies indicate that one member of the family, Rab27a, regulates transport of lysosome-related organelles in specialized cells, such as melanosomes and lytic granules. Very little is known about the related isoform, Rab27b. Here we used genetically modified mice to study the involvement of the Rab27 proteins in mast cells, which play key roles in allergic responses. Both Rab27a and Rab27b isoforms are expressed in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) and localize to secretory granules. Nevertheless, secretory defects as measured by beta-hexosaminidase release in vitro and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in vivo were found only in Rab27b and double Rab27 knockout (KO) mice. Immunofluorescence studies suggest that a subset of Rab27b and double Rab27-deficient BMMCs exhibit mild clustering of granules. Quantitative analysis of live-cell time-lapse imaging revealed that BMMCs derived from double Rab27 KO mice showed almost 10-fold increase in granules exhibiting fast movement (>1.5 microm/s), which could be disrupted by nocodazole. These results suggest that Rab27 proteins, particularly Rab27b, play a crucial role in mast cell degranulation and that their action regulates the transition from microtubule to actin-based motility.     

Rab5 and Rab7 control endocytic sorting along the axonal retrograde transport pathway

Vesicular pathways coupling the neuromuscular junction with the motor neuron soma are essential for neuronal function and survival. To characterize the organelles responsible for this long-distance crosstalk, we developed a purification strategy based on a fragment of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT H(C)) conjugated to paramagnetic beads. This approach enabled us to identify, among other factors, the small GTPase Rab7 as a functional marker of a specific pool of axonal retrograde carriers, which transport neurotrophins and their receptors. Furthermore, Rab5 is essential for an early step in TeNT H(C) sorting but is absent from axonally transported vesicles. Our data demonstrate that TeNT H(C) uses a retrograde transport pathway shared with p75(NTR), TrkB, and BDNF, which is strictly dependent on the activities of both Rab5 and Rab7. Therefore, Rab7 plays an essential role in axonal retrograde transport by controlling a vesicular compartment implicated in neurotrophin traffic.     

The giant protein HERC1 is recruited to aluminum fluoride-induced actin-rich surface protrusions in HeLa cells

HERC1 is a very large protein involved in membrane traffic through both its ability to bind clathrin and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity over ARF and Rab family GTPases. Herein, we show that HERC1 is recruited onto actin-rich surface protrusions in ARF6-transfected HeLa cells upon aluminum fluoride (AlF(4)(-)) treatment. Moreover, the fact that HERC1 overexpression does not stimulate protrusion formation in the absence of AlF(4)(-), in conditions where ARNO does, indicates that HERC1 is not acting as an ARF6-GEF in this system, but that instead its recruitment takes place downstream of ARF6 activation. Finally, we suggest a phosphoinositide-binding mechanism whereby HERC1 may translocate to these protrusions.