Rab coupling protein associates with phagosomes and regulates recycling from the phagosomal compartment

The Rab coupling protein (RCP) is a recently identified novel protein that belongs to the Rab11-FIP family. RCP interacts specifically with Rab4 and Rab11, small guanosine-5'-triphosphatases that function as regulators along the endosomal recycling pathway. We used fluorescence confocal microscopy and biochemical approaches to evaluate the participation of RCP during particle uptake and phagosome maturation. In macrophages, RCP is predominantly membrane-bound and displays a punctuate vesicular pattern throughout the cytoplasm. RCP is mainly associated with transferrin-containing structures and Rab11-labeled endosomes. Overexpression of H13, the carboxyl-terminal region of RCP that contains the Rab binding domain, results in an abnormal endosomal compartment. Interestingly, we found that RCP is associated as discrete patches or protein domains to early phagosomal membranes. In macrophages, overexpression of full-length RCP stimulates recycling from the phagosomal compartment, whereas overexpression of H13 diminishes this vesicular transport step. It is likely that acting as an intermediate between Rab4 and Rab11, RCP regulates membrane flux along the phagocytic pathway via recycling events.     

Reconstitution of vesicular transport to Rab11-positive recycling endosomes in vitro

Rab GTPases are key regulators of vesicular protein transport in both the endocytic and exocytic pathways. In endocytosis and recycling, Rab11 plays a role in receptor recycling to plasma membrane via the pericentriolar recycling compartment. However, little is known about the molecular requirements and partners that promote transport through Rab11-positive recycling endosomes. Here, we report a novel approach to reconstitute transport to immunoabsorbed recycling endosomes in vitro. We show that transport is temperature-, energy-, and time-dependent and requires the presence of Rab proteins, as it is inhibited by the Rab-interacting protein Rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor that removes Rab proteins from the membrane. Cytochalasin D, a drug that blocks actin polymerization, inhibits the in vitro assay, suggesting that transport to recycling endosomes depends on an intact actin cytoskeleton. Using an affinity chromatography approach we show the identification of Rab11-interacting proteins including actin that stimulate transport to recycling endosomes in vitro.     

Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the endosomal recycling compartment

Rab11-FIP3 is an endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) protein that is implicated in the process of membrane delivery from the ERC to sites of membrane insertion during cell division. Here we report that Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the ERC during interphase. We demonstrate that knockdown of Rab11-FIP3 and expression of a mutant of Rab11-FIP3 that is Rab11-binding deficient cause loss of all ERC-marker protein staining from the pericentrosomal region of A431 cells. Furthermore, we find that fluorophore-labelled transferrin cannot access the pericentrosomal region of cells in which Rab11-FIP3 function has been perturbed. We find that this Rab11-FIP3 function appears to be specific because expression of the equivalent Rab11-binding deficient mutant of Rab-coupling protein does not perturb ERC morphology. In addition, we find that other organelles such as sorting and late endosomes are unaffected by loss of Rab11-FIP3 function. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of an extensive coiled-coil region between residues 463 and 692 of Rab11-FIP3, which exists as a dimer in solution and is critical to support its function on the ERC. Together, these data indicate that Rab11-FIP3 is necessary for the structural integrity of the pericentrosomal ERC.     

Microfilaments and microtubules regulate recycling from phagosomes

It is clear that the uptake of large particles is driven by a finely controlled rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we present evidence that myosin motors and microtubules also participate in the Fcgamma-mediated internalization process in macrophages. During phagocytosis, a substantial amount of plasma membrane is internalized without a net reduction in cell surface area, implying an active mechanism for membrane recycling. Despite the importance of this recycling pathway in phagosome maturation and in the retrieval of immunogenic peptides from phagosomes, the cytoskeletal requirements are largely unknown. To study this vesicle-mediated recycling transport, we used a biochemical assay and we developed a method to follow this process by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, recycling from the phagosomal compartment was increased when the actin cortex was thinned by inhibitors of F-actin. In contrast, depolymerization of microtubules diminished both phagocytosis and recycling from phagosomes. Our results suggest that actin and microtubules are needed not only for phagosome biogenesis but also at other steps along the phagocytic pathway.     

Regulation of ENaC expression at the cell surface by Rab11

The epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) is an essential channel responsible for Na⁺ reabsorption. Coexpression of Rab11a and Rab3a small G proteins with ENaC results in a significant increase in channel activity. In contrast, coexpression of Rab5, Rab27a, and Arf-1 had no effect or slightly decreased ENaC activity. Inhibition of MEK with PD98059, Rho-kinase with Y27632 or PI3-kinase with LY294002 had no effect on ENaC activity in Rab11a-transfected CHO cells. Fluorescence imaging methods demonstrate that Rab11a colocalized with ENaC. Rab11a increases ENaC activity in an additive manner with dominant-negative dynamin, which is a GTPase responsible for endocytosis. Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of intracellular protein translocation, blocked the stimulatory action of Rab11a on ENaC activity. We conclude that ENaC channels, present on the apical plasma membrane, are being exchanged with channels from the intracellular pool in a Rab11-dependent manner.     

Rab11-FIP4 interacts with Rab11 in a GTP-dependent manner and its overexpression condenses the Rab11 positive compartment in HeLa cells

We have recently identified Rab11-FIP4 as the sixth member of the Rab11-FIP family of Rab11 interacting proteins. Here, we demonstrate that Rab11-FIP4 interacts with Rab11 in a GTP-dependent manner and that its C-terminal region allows the protein to self-interact and interact with pp75/Rip11, Rab11-FIP2, and Rab11-FIP3. However, Rab11-FIP4 does not appear to interact directly with Rab coupling protein (RCP). We investigated the subcellular localisation of Rab11-FIP4 in HeLa cells and show that it colocalises extensively with transferrin and with Rab11. Furthermore, when overexpressed, it causes a condensation of the Rab11 compartment in the perinuclear region. We demonstrate that the carboxy-terminal region of Rab11-FIP4 (Rab11-FIP4(C-ter)) is necessary and sufficient for its endosomal membrane association. Expression of Rab11-FIP4(C-ter) causes a dispersal of the Rab11 compartment towards the cell periphery and does not inhibit transferrin recycling in HeLa cells. It is likely that Rab11-FIP4 serves as a Rab11 effector in a Rab11 mediated function other than transferrin recycling.     

Rab11b resides in a vesicular compartment distinct from Rab11a in parietal cells and other epithelial cells

The Rab11 family of small GTPases is composed of three members, Rab11a, Rab11b, and Rab25. While recent work on Rab11a and Rab25 has yielded some insights into their function, Rab11b has received little attention. Therefore, we sought to examine the distribution of endogenous Rab11b in epithelial cells. In rabbit gastric parietal cells, unlike Rab11a, Rab11b did not colocalize or coisolate with H(+)/K(+)-ATPase. In MDCK cells, endogenous Rab11b localized to an apical pericentrisomal region distinct from Rab11a. The microtubule agents nocodazole and taxol dramatically alter Rab11a's localization in the cell, while effects on Rab11b's distribution were less apparent. These results indicate that in contrast to Rab11a, the Rab11b compartment in the apical region is not as dependent upon microtubules. While Rab11a is known to regulate transferrin trafficking in nonpolarized cells and IgA trafficking in polarized cells, Rab11b exhibited little colocalization with either of these cargoes. Thus, while Rab11a and Rab11b share high sequence homology, they appear to reside within distinct vesicle compartments.     

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.     

IL4/PGE2 induction of an enlarged early endosomal compartment in mouse macrophages is Rab5-dependent

The endosomal compartment and the plasma membrane form a complex partnership that controls signal transduction and trafficking of different molecules. The specificity and functionality of the early endocytic pathway are regulated by a growing number of Rab GTPases, particularly Rab5. In this study, we demonstrate that IL4 (a Th-2 cytokine) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synergistically induce Rab5 and several Rab effector proteins, including Rin1 and EEA1, and promote the formation of an enlarged early endocytic (EEE) compartment. Endosome enlargement is linked to a substantial induction of the mannose receptor (MR), a well-characterized macrophage endocytic receptor. Both MR levels and MR-mediated endocytosis are enhanced approximately 7-fold. Fluid-phase endocytosis is also elevated in treated cells. Light microscopy and fractionation studies reveal that MR colocalizes predominantly with Rab5a and partially with Rab11, an endosomal recycling pathway marker. Using retroviral expression of Rab5a:S34N, a dominant negative mutant, and siRNA Rab5a silencing, we demonstrate that Rab5a is essential for the large endosome phenotype and for localization of MR in these structures. We speculate that the EEE is maintained by activated Rab5, and that the EEE phenotype is part of some macrophage developmental program such as cell fusion, a characteristic of IL4-stimulated cells.     

ApRab11, a cnidarian homologue of the recycling regulatory protein Rab11, is involved in the establishment and maintenance of the Aiptasia-Symbiodinium endosymbiosis

Endosymbiotic association of the Symbiodinium dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) with their cnidarian host cells involves an alteration in the development of the alga-enclosing phagosomes. To uncover its molecular basis, we previously investigated and established that the intracellular persistence of the zooxanthella-containing phagosomes involves specific alga-mediated interference with the expression of ApRab5 and ApRab7, two key endocytic regulatory Rab proteins, which results in the selective retention of the former on and exclusion of the later from the organelles. Here we examined the role of ApRab11, a cnidarian homologue of the key endocytic recycling regulator, Rab11, in the Aiptasia-Symbiodinium endosymbiosis. ApRab11 protein shared 88% overall sequence identity with human Rab11A and contained all Rab-specific signature motifs. Co-localization and mutagenesis studies showed that EGFP-tagged ApRab11 was predominantly associated with recycling endosomes and functioned in the recycling of internalized transferrin. In phagocytosis of latex beads, ApRab11 was quickly recruited to and later gradually removed from the developing phagosomes. Significantly, although ApRab11 immunoreactivity was rapidly detected on the phagosomes containing either newly internalized, heat-killed zooxanthellae, or resident zooxanthellae briefly treated with the photosynthesis inhibitor DCMU, it was rarely observed in the majority of phagosomes containing either newly internalized live, or healthy resident, zooxanthellae. It was concluded that through active exclusion of ApRab11 from the phagosomes in which they reside, zooxanthellae interfere with the normal recycling process required for efficient phagosome maturation, and thereby, secure their intracellular persistence, and consequently their endosymbiotic relationship with their cnidarian hosts.     

The crystal structure of the small GTPase Rab11b reveals critical differences relative to the Rab11a isoform

Rab GTPases constitute the largest family of small monomeric GTPases, including over 60 members in humans. These GTPases share conserved residues related to nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, and main sequence divergences lie in the carboxyl termini. They cycle between inactive (GDP-bound) and active (GTP-bound) forms and the active site regions, termed Switch I and II, undergo the larger conformational changes between the two states. The Rab11 subfamily members, comprising Rab11a, Rab11b, and Rab25, act in recycling of proteins from the endosomes to the plasma membrane, in transport of molecules from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane and in phagocytosis. In this work, we describe Rab11b-GDP and Rab11b-GppNHp crystal structures solved to 1.55 and 1.95 angstroms resolution, respectively. Although Rab11b shares 90% amino acid identity to Rab11a, its crystal structure shows critical differences relative to previously reported Rab11a structures. Inactive Rab11a formed dimers with unusually ordered Switch regions and missing the magnesium ion at the nucleotide binding site. In this work, inactive Rab11b crystallized as a monomer showing a flexible Switch I and a magnesium ion which is coordinated by four water molecules, the phosphate beta of GDP (beta-P) and the invariant S25. S20 from the P-loop and S42 from the Switch I are associated to GTP hydrolysis rate. In the active structures, S20 interacts with the gamma-P oxygen in Rab11b-GppNHp but does not in Rab11a-GppNHp and the Q70 side chain is found in different positions. In the Rab11a-GTPgammaS structure, S40 is closer to S25 and S42 does not interact with the gamma-P oxygen. These differences indicate that the Rab11 isoforms may possess different GTP hydrolysis rates. In addition, the Switch II of inactive Rab11b presents a 3(10)-helix (residues 69-73) that disappears upon activation. This 3(10)-helix is not found in the Rab11a-GDP structure, which possesses a longer alpha2 helix, spanning from residue 73 to 82 alpha-helix 5.     

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

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.     

Abnormal Rab11‐Rab8‐vesicles cluster in enterocytes of patients with microvillus inclusion disease

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is a congenital enteropathy characterized by accumulation of vesiculo‐tubular endomembranes in the subapical cytoplasm of enterocytes, historically termed “secretory granules.” However, neither their identity nor pathophysiological significance is well defined. Using immunoelectron microscopy and tomography, we studied biopsies from MVID patients (3× Myosin 5b mutations and 1× Syntaxin3 mutation) and compared them to controls and genome‐edited CaCo2 cell models, harboring relevant mutations. Duodenal biopsies from 2 patients with novel Myosin 5b mutations and typical clinical symptoms showed unusual ultrastructural phenotypes: aberrant subapical vesicles and tubules were prominent in the enterocytes, though other histological hallmarks of MVID were almost absent (ectopic intra‐/intercellular microvilli, brush border atrophy). We identified these enigmatic vesiculo‐tubular organelles as Rab11‐Rab8‐positive recycling compartments of altered size, shape and location harboring the apical SNARE Syntaxin3, apical transporters sodium‐hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Our data strongly indicate that in MVID disrupted trafficking between cargo vesicles and the apical plasma membrane is the primary cause of a defect of epithelial polarity and subsequent facultative loss of brush border integrity, leading to malabsorption. Furthermore, they support the notion that mislocalization of transporters, such as NHE3 substantially contributes to the reported sodium loss diarrhea.      

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.     

Global Ablation of the Mouse Rab11a Gene Impairs Early Embryogenesis and Matrix Metalloproteinase Secretion

Rab11a has been conceived as a prominent regulatory component of the recycling endosome, which acts as a nexus in the endo- and exocytotic networks. The precise in vivo role of Rab11a in mouse embryonic development is unknown. We globally ablated Rab11a and examined the phenotypic and molecular outcomes in Rab11a^null blastocysts and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Using multiple trafficking assays and complementation analyses, we determined, among multiple important membrane-associated and soluble cargos, the critical contribution of Rab11a vesicular traffic to the secretion of multiple soluble MMPs. Rab11a^null embryos were able to properly form normal blastocysts but died at peri-implantation stages. Our data suggest that Rab11a critically controls mouse blastocyst development and soluble matrix metalloproteinase secretion.     

The role of Rab6 GTPase in the maturation of phagosome against Staphylococcus aureus

Phagocytosis, an evolutionarily conserved process in animals, plays a central role in host defense against pathogens. As reported, Rab6 GTPase was involved in the regulation of hemocytic phagocytosis in invertebrates. However, the role of Rab6 GTPase in mammalian phagocytosis remains to be addressed. In this study, the results showed that Rab6 GTPase took great effects on phagocytosis of mouse leukemic monocyte macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). It was revealed that Rab6 GTPase was required during the phagosome maturation by its interaction with bicaudal-D1 (BICD1) protein. Further data presented that the Rab6 GTPase-regulated phagocytosis could influence the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus in macrophages. Therefore, our study demonstrated a novel insight into the mechanism of regulation of mammalian phagocytosis by Rab6 GTPase and a novel strategy for the control of Staphylococcus aureus.     

Distinct membrane domains on endosomes in the recycling pathway visualized by multicolor imaging of Rab4, Rab5, and Rab11

Two endosome populations involved in recycling of membranes and receptors to the plasma membrane have been described, the early and the recycling endosome. However, this distinction is mainly based on the flow of cargo molecules and the spatial distribution of these membranes within the cell. To get insights into the membrane organization of the recycling pathway, we have studied Rab4, Rab5, and Rab11, three regulatory components of the transport machinery. Following transferrin as cargo molecule and GFP-tagged Rab proteins we could show that cargo moves through distinct domains on endosomes. These domains are occupied by different Rab proteins, revealing compartmentalization within the same continuous membrane. Endosomes are comprised of multiple combinations of Rab4, Rab5, and Rab11 domains that are dynamic but do not significantly intermix over time. Three major populations were observed: one that contains only Rab5, a second with Rab4 and Rab5, and a third containing Rab4 and Rab11. These membrane domains display differential pharmacological sensitivity, reflecting their biochemical and functional diversity. We propose that endosomes are organized as a mosaic of different Rab domains created through the recruitment of specific effector proteins, which cooperatively act to generate a restricted environment on the membrane.     

The Ypt/Rab family and the evolution of trafficking in fungi

The evolution of the eukaryotic endomembrane system and the transport pathways of their vesicular intermediates are poorly understood. A common set of organelles and pathways seems to be present in all free-living eukaryotes, but different branches of the tree of life have a variety of diverse, specialized organelles. Rab/Ypt proteins are small guanosine triphosphatases with tissue-specific and organelle-specific localization that emerged as markers for organelle diversity. Here, I characterize the Rab/Ypt family in the kingdom Fungi, a sister kingdom of Animals. I identify and annotate these proteins in 26 genomes representing near one billion years of evolution, multiple lifestyles and cellular types. Surprisingly, the minimal set of Rab/Ypt present in fungi is similar to, perhaps smaller than, the predicted eukaryotic ancestral set. This suggests that the saprophytic fungal lifestyle, multicellularity as well as the highly polarized secretion associated with hyphal growth did not require any major innovation in the molecular machinery that regulates protein trafficking. The Rab/Ypt and other protein traffic-related families are kept small, not paralleling increases in genome size, in contrast to the expansion of such components observed in other branches of the tree of life, such as the animal and plant kingdoms. This analysis suggests that multicellularity and cellular diversity in fungi followed different routes from those followed by plants and metazoa.     

A Rab11A/myosin Vb/Rab11-FIP2 complex frames two late recycling steps of langerin from the ERC to the plasma membrane

A large body of knowledge relating to the constitution of Rab GTPase/Rab effector complexes and their impact on both membrane domain organization and overall membrane trafficking has been built up in recent years. However in the context of the live cell there are still many questions that remain to be answered, such as where and when these complexes assemble and where they perform their primary function(s). We describe here the dynamic processes that take place in the final steps of the Rab11A dependent recycling pathway, in the context of the membrane platform constituted by Myosin Vb, Rab11A, and Rab11-FIP2. We first confirm that a series of previously reported observations obtained during the study of a number of trafficking cargoes also apply to langerin. Langerin is a cargo molecule that traffics through Rab11A-positive membrane domains of the endosomal recycling pathway. In order to explore the relative dynamics of this set of partners, we make extensive use of a combinatory approach of Live-FRET, fast FRAP video, fast confocal and TIRF microscopy modalities. Our data show that the Myosin Vb/Rab11A/Rab11-FIP2 platform is spatially involved in the regulation of langerin trafficking at two distinct sites within live cells, first at the sorting site in the endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) where transport vesicles are formed, and subsequently, in a strict time-defined order, at the very late stage of docking/tethering and fusion of these langerin recycling vesicles to the plasma membrane.