Signal transduction gRABs attention

Rab proteins are small GTPases involved in the regulation of vesicular membrane traffic. Research done in the past years has demonstrated that some of these proteins are under the control of signal transduction pathways. Still, several recent papers point out to a new unexpected role for this family of Ras-related proteins, as potential regulators of intracellular signaling pathways. In particular, several evidence indicate that members of the Rab family of small GTPases, through their effectors, are key molecules participating to the regulation of numerous signal transduction pathways profoundly influencing cell proliferation, cell nutrition, innate immune response, fragmentation of compartments during mitosis and apoptosis. Even more surprisingly, direct involvement of Rab proteins in signaling to the nucleus has been demonstrated. This review will focus on aspects of Rab proteins function connected to signal transduction and, in particular, connections between membrane traffic and other cell pathways will be examined.     

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.     

Rab8 regulates basolateral secretory, but not recycling, traffic at the recycling endosome

Rab8 is a monomeric GTPase that regulates the delivery of newly synthesized proteins to the basolateral surface in polarized epithelial cells. Recent publications have demonstrated that basolateral proteins interacting with the mu1-B clathrin adapter subunit pass through the recycling endosome (RE) en route from the TGN to the plasma membrane. Because Rab8 interacts with these basolateral proteins, these findings raise the question of whether Rab8 acts before, at, or after the RE. We find that Rab8 overexpression during the formation of polarity in MDCK cells, disrupts polarization of the cell, explaining how Rab8 mutants can disrupt basolateral endocytic and secretory traffic. However, once cells are polarized, Rab8 mutants cause mis-sorting of newly synthesized basolateral proteins such as VSV-G to the apical surface, but do not cause mis-sorting of membrane proteins already at the cell surface or in the endocytic recycling pathway. Enzymatic ablation of the RE also prevents traffic from the TGN from reaching the RE and similarly results in mis-sorting of newly synthesized VSV-G. We conclude that Rab8 regulates biosynthetic traffic through REs to the plasma membrane, but not trafficking of endocytic cargo through the RE. The data are consistent with a model in which Rab8 functions in regulating the delivery of TGN-derived cargo to REs.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pra1p/Yip3p interacts with Yip1p and Rab proteins.

The regulation of membrane traffic involves the Rab family of Ras-related GTPases, of which there are a total of 11 members in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previous work has identified PRA1 as a dual prenylated Rab GTPase and VAMP2 interacting protein [Martinic et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26991-26998]. In this study we demonstrate that the yeast counterpart of PRA1 interacts with Rab proteins and with Yip1p, a membrane protein of unknown function that has been reported to interact specifically with the Rab proteins Ypt1p and Ypt31p. Yeast Pra1p/Yip3p is a factor capable of biochemical interaction with a panel of different Rab proteins and does not show in vitro specificity for any particular Rab. The interactions between Pra1p/Yip3p and Rab proteins are dependent on the presence of the Rab protein C-terminal cysteines and require C-terminal prenylation.     

Expression of Rab3D N135I Inhibits Regulated Secretion of ACTH in AtT-20 Cells

Rab proteins are small molecular weight GTPases that control vesicular traffic in eucaryotic cells. A subset of Rab proteins, the Rab3 proteins are thought to play an important role in regulated exocytosis of vesicles. In transfected AtT-20 cells expressing wild-type Rab3D, we find that a fraction of the protein is associated with dense core granules. In the same cells, expression of a mutated isoform of Rab3D, Rab3D N135I, inhibits positioning of dense core granules near the plasma membrane, blocks regulated secretion of mature ACTH, and impairs association of Rab3A to membranes. Expression of Rab3D N135I does not change the levels of ACTH precursor or the efficiency with which the precursor is processed into ACTH hormone and packaged into dense core granules. We also find that cells expressing mutated Rab3D differentiate to the same extent as untransfected AtT-20 cells. We conclude that expression of Rab3D N135I specifically impairs late membrane trafficking events necessary for ACTH hormone secretion.     

Rab蛋白家族在神经类疾病中的作用

细胞内膜囊泡运输是一个复杂的通路网络,Rab GTPases是膜囊泡运输的主要调节剂,通常被认为是细胞内吞和分泌系统中各种细胞器和囊泡的特异性标记和识别物。与Rab蛋白相关的轴突运输、内体运输发生障碍是造成神经退行性疾病的重要原因之一。本文主要介绍了Rab蛋白在多种神经退行性疾病病理机制中的作用机理与调控机制,同时讨论了线粒体和胶质细胞功能异常与Rab蛋白之间的关联。深入探究Rab蛋白的作用机制对人类神经性疾病的早期诊断和治疗具有潜在的指导意义。     

Structure of doubly prenylated Ypt1:GDI complex and the mechanism of GDI-mediated Rab recycling

In eukaryotic cells Rab/Ypt GTPases represent a family of key membrane traffic controllers that associate with their targeted membranes via C-terminally conjugated geranylgeranyl groups. GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) is a general and essential regulator of Rab recycling that extracts prenylated Rab proteins from membranes at the end of their cycle of activity and facilitates their delivery to the donor membranes. Here, we present the structure of a complex between GDI and a doubly prenylated Rab protein. We show that one geranylgeranyl residue is deeply buried in a hydrophobic pocket formed by domain II of GDI, whereas the other lipid is more exposed to solvent and is skewed across several atoms of the first moiety. Based on structural information and biophysical measurements, we propose mechanistic and thermodynamic models for GDI and Rab escort protein-mediated interaction of RabGTPase with intracellular membranes.     

Small GTPase Rab12 regulates constitutive degradation of transferrin receptor

Transferrin receptor (TfR) is a well-characterized plasma membrane protein that travels between the plasma membrane and intracellular membrane compartments. Although TfR itself should undergo degradation, the same as other intracellular proteins, whether a specific TfR degradation pathway exists has never been investigated. In this study, we screened small GTPase Rab proteins, common regulators of membrane traffic in all eukaryotes, for proteins that are specifically involved in TfR degradation. We performed the screening by three sequential methods, i.e. colocalization of Rab with TfR, colocalization with lysosomes, and knockdown of Rab by specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), and succeeded in identifying Rab12, a previously uncharacterized Rab isoform, as a prime candidate among the 60 human or mouse Rabs screened. We showed that expression of a constitutive active mutant of Rab12 reduced the amount of TfR protein, whereas functional ablation of Rab12 by knockdown of either Rab12 itself or its upstream activator Dennd3 increased the amount of TfR protein. Interestingly, however, knockdown of Rab12 had no effect on the degradation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein, i.e. on a conventional degradation pathway. Our findings indicated that TfR is constitutively degraded by a Rab12-dependent pathway (presumably from recycling endosomes to lysosomes), which is independent of the conventional degradation pathway.     

Synaptotagmin-like protein 5: a novel Rab27A effector with C-terminal tandem C2 domains

Synaptotagmin-like proteins 1-4 (Slp1-4) are new members of the carboxyl-terminal-type (C-type) tandem C2 proteins and are classified as a subfamily distinct from the synaptotagmin and the Doc2 families, because the Slp family contains a unique homology domain at the amino terminus, referred to as the Slp homology domain (SHD). We previously showed that the SHD functions as a binding site for Rab27A, which is associated with human hemophagocytic syndrome (Griscelli syndrome) [J. Biol. Chem. 277 (2002) 9212; J. Biol. Chem. 277 (2002) 12432]. In the present study, we identified a novel member of the Slp family, Slp5. The same as other Slp family members, the SHD of Slp5 preferentially interacted with the GTP-bound form of Rab27A and marginally with Rab3A and Rab6A, both in vitro and in intact cells, but not with other Rabs tested (Rab1, Rab2, Rab4A, Rab5A, Rab7, Rab8, Rab9, Rab10, Rab11A, Rab17, Rab18, Rab20, Rab22, Rab23, Rab25, Rab28, and Rab37). However, unlike other members of the Slp family, expression of Slp5 mRNA was highly restricted to human placenta and liver. Expression of Slp5 protein and in vivo association of Slp5 with Rab27A in the mouse liver were further confirmed by immunoprecipitation. The results suggest that Slp5 might be involved in Rab27A-dependent membrane trafficking in specific tissues.     

The Rab GTPase family

The Rab family is part of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. There are at least 60 Rab genes in the human genome, and a number of Rab GTPases are conserved from yeast to humans. The different Rab GTPases are localized to the cytosolic face of specific intracellular membranes, where they function as regulators of distinct steps in membrane traffic pathways. In the GTP-bound form, the Rab GTPases recruit specific sets of effector proteins onto membranes. Through their effectors, Rab GTPases regulate vesicle formation, actin- and tubulin-dependent vesicle movement, and membrane fusion.     

The RCP-Rab11 complex regulates endocytic protein sorting

Rab 11 GTPase is an important regulator of endocytic membrane traffic. Recently, we and others have identified a novel family of Rab11 binding proteins, known as Rab11-family interacting proteins (FIPs). One of the family members, Rab coupling protein (RCP), was identified as a protein binding to both Rab4 and Rab11 GTPases. RCP was therefore suggested to serve a dual function as Rab4 and Rab11 binding protein. In this study, we characterized the cellular functions of RCP and mapped its interactions with Rab4 and Rab11. Our data show that RCP interacts only weakly with Rab4 in vitro and does not play the role of coupling Rab11 and Rab4 in vivo. Furthermore, our data indicate that the RCP-Rab11 complex regulates the sorting of transferrin receptors from the degradative to the recycling pathway. We therefore propose that RCP functions primarily as a Rab11 binding protein that regulates protein sorting in tubular endosomes.     

Rab GTPases regulating receptor trafficking at the late endosome-lysosome membranes

Lysosomes serve key degradative functions for the turnover of membrane lipids and protein components. Its biogenesis is principally dependent on exocytic traffic from the late endosome via the trans-Golgi network, and it also receives cargo to be degraded from the endocytic pathway. Membrane trafficking to the late endosome-lysosome is tightly regulated to maintain the amplitude of signalling events and cellular homeostasis. Key coordinators of lysosomal traffic include members of the Rab small GTPase family. Amongst these, Rab7, Rab9 and the more recently studied Rab22B/31 have all been reported to regulate membrane trafficking processed at the late endosome-lysosome system. We discuss what is known about the roles of these Rab proteins and their interacting partners on the regulation of traffic of important receptor proteins such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the mannose 6-phosphate receptor (M6PR), in association with the late endosome-lysosome system. Better knowledge of EGFR and M6PR traffic in this regard may aid in understanding the pathological processes, such as oncogenic transformations associated with these receptors. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Rab6-binding kinesin, Rab6-KIFL, is required for cytokinesis

The Rab6-binding kinesin, Rab6-KIFL, was identified in a two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with Rab6, a small GTPase involved in membrane traffic through the Golgi apparatus. We find that Rab6-KIFL accumulates in mitotic cells where it localizes to the midzone of the spindle during anaphase, and to the cleavage furrow and midbody during telophase. Overexpression of Rab6-KIFL causes a cell division defect resulting in cell death. Microinjection of antibodies to Rab6-KIFL results in the cells becoming binucleate after one cell cycle, and time-lapse microscopy reveals that this is due to a defect in cleavage furrow formation and thus cytokinesis. These data show that endogenous Rab6-KIFL functions in cell division during cleavage furrow formation and cytokinesis, in addition to its previously described role in membrane traffic.     

Rab3A and Rab3D control the total granule number and the fraction of granules docked at the plasma membrane in PC12 cells

Rab proteins are Ras-like GTPases that regulate traffic along the secretory or endocytic pathways. Within the Rab family, Rab3 proteins are expressed at high levels in neurons and endocrine cells where they regulate release of dense core granules and synaptic vesicles. Immuno-electron microscopy shows that Rab3A and Rab3D can coexist on the same granule before and after docking. Using electron microscopy of transfected PC12 cells, we report that expression of wild-type Rab3A (or Rab3D) increases the total number of granules and the percentage that is docked at the plasma membrane. Mutated Rab3A N135I (or Rab3D N135I) decreases the total granule number and the fraction of granules docked to the plasma membrane. These data show that at least one of the functions of Rab3A and Rab3D proteins is to control the number of granules docked at the plasma membrane.     

Expression analysis and chromosomal assignment of PRA1 and RILP genes

PRA1 (prenylated Rab acceptor) is a general regulator of Rab proteins, while RILP (Rab interacting lysosomal protein) is a specific effector for Rab7. It has been shown that PRA1 interacts with Rab proteins and with VAMP2. Therefore PRA1 is probably an important factor for membrane traffic, linking together the function of Rab proteins and SNAREs. RILP has a key role in the control of transport to degradative compartments together with Rab7 and probably links Rab7 function to the cytoskeleton. Here we have studied by Northern blot the expression of the two genes in several different human tissues. The 0.8-kb mRNA for human PRA1 is ubiquitously expressed, while the two mRNAs for RILP are differentially expressed. In addition, we have assigned the human PRA1 gene to chromosome 19q13.13-q13.2 and the human RILP gene to chromosome 17p13.3.     

Rab13 is upregulated during osteoclast differentiation and associates with small vesicles revealing polarized distribution in resorbing cells

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinucleated cells that undergo drastic changes in their polarization due to heavy vesicular trafficking during the resorption cycle. These events require the precise orchestration of membrane traffic in order to maintain the unique characteristics of the different membrane domains in osteoclasts. Rab proteins are small GTPases involved in regulation of most, if not all, steps of vesicle trafficking. The investigators studied RAB genes in human osteoclasts and found that at least 26 RABs were expressed in osteoclasts. Out of these, RAB13 gene expression was highly upregulated during differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytic cells into osteoclasts. To study its possible function in osteoclasts, the investigators performed immunolocalization studies for Rab13 and various known markers of osteoclast vesicular trafficking. Rab13 localized to small vesicular structures at the superior parts of the osteoclast between the trans-Golgi network and basolateral membrane domain. Rab13 localization suggests that it is not involved in endocytosis or transcytosis of bone degradation products. In addition, Rab13 did not associate with early endosomes or recycling endosomes labeled with EEA1 or TRITC-conjugated transferrin, respectively. Its involvement in glucose transporter traffic was excluded as well. It is suggested that Rab13 is associated with a putative secretory function in osteoclasts.     

The Golgi apparatus: defining the identity of Golgi membranes

The Golgi apparatus is a stack of compartments that serves as a central junction for membrane traffic, with carriers moving through the stack as well as arriving from, and departing toward, many other destinations in the cell. This requires that the different compartments in the Golgi recruit from the cytosol a distinct set of proteins to mediate accurate membrane traffic. This recruitment appears to reflect recognition of small GTPases of the Rab and Arf family, or of lipid species such as PtdIns(4)P and diacylglycerol, which provide a unique "identity" for each compartment. Recent work is starting to reveal the mechanisms by which these labile landmarks are generated in a spatially restricted manner on specific parts of the Golgi.     

Rab GTPases regulating receptor trafficking at the late endosome–lysosome membranes

Lysosomes serve key degradative functions for the turnover of membrane lipids and protein components. Its biogenesis is principally dependent on exocytic traffic from the late endosome via the trans‐Golgi network, and it also receives cargo to be degraded from the endocytic pathway. Membrane trafficking to the late endosome–lysosome is tightly regulated to maintain the amplitude of signalling events and cellular homeostasis. Key coordinators of lysosomal traffic include members of the Rab small GTPase family. Amongst these, Rab7, Rab9 and the more recently studied Rab22B/31 have all been reported to regulate membrane trafficking processed at the late endosome–lysosome system. We discuss what is known about the roles of these Rab proteins and their interacting partners on the regulation of traffic of important receptor proteins such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the mannose 6‐phosphate receptor (M6PR), in association with the late endosome–lysosome system. Better knowledge of EGFR and M6PR traffic in this regard may aid in understanding the pathological processes, such as oncogenic transformations associated with these receptors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rab-regulated interaction of early endosomes with lipid droplets

Recent studies indicate that lipid droplets isolated from a variety of different cells are rich in proteins known to regulate membrane traffic. Among these proteins are multiple Rab GTPases. Rabs are GTP switches that regulate intracellular membrane traffic through an ability to control membrane-membrane docking as well as vesicle motility. Here we present evidence that the multiple Rabs associated with droplets have a function in regulating membrane traffic. Droplet Rabs are removed by Rab GDP-dissociation inhibitor (RabGDI) in a GDP-dependent reaction, and are recruited to Rab-depleted droplets from cytosol in a GTP-dependent reaction. Rabs also control the recruitment of the early endosome (EE) marker EEA1 from cytosol. We use an in vitro reconstitution assay to show that transferrin receptor positive EEs bind to the droplet in a GTP/Rab-dependent reaction that appears not to lead to membrane fusion. This docking reaction is insensitive to ATP(gamma s) but is blocked by ATP. Finally, we show that when GTP bound active or GDP bound inactive Rab5 is targeted to the droplet, the active form recruits EEA1. We conclude that the Rabs associated with droplets may be capable of regulating the transient interaction of specific membrane systems, probably to transport lipids between membrane compartments.