RESUMO
In their active GTP-bound form, Rab proteins interact with proteins termed effector molecules. In this study, we have thoroughly characterized a Rab effector domain that is present in proteins of the Mical and EHBP families, both known to act in endosomal trafficking. Within our study, we show that these effectors display a preference for Rab8 family proteins (Rab8, 10, 13 and 15) and that some of the effector domains can bind two Rab proteins via separate binding sites. Structural analysis allowed us to explain the specificity towards Rab8 family members and the presence of two similar Rab binding sites that must have evolved via gene duplication. This study is the first to thoroughly characterize a Rab effector protein that contains two separate Rab binding sites within a single domain, allowing Micals and EHBPs to bind two Rabs simultaneously, thus suggesting previously unknown functions of these effector molecules in endosomal trafficking.
Assuntos
Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Proteínas de Transporte/genética , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/genética , Evolução Molecular , Duplicação Gênica , Proteínas com Domínio LIM/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Proteínas com Domínio LIM/metabolismo , Proteínas dos Microfilamentos , Oxigenases de Função Mista , Domínios Proteicos , Proteínas rab de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
Members of the family of small GTPases regulate a variety of important cellular functions. In order to accomplish this, tight temporal and spatial regulation is absolutely necessary. The two most important factors for this regulation are GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), the latter being responsible for the activation of the GTPase downstream pathways at the correct location and time. Although a large number of exchange factors have been identified, it is likely that a similarly large number remains unidentified. We have therefore developed a procedure to specifically enrich GEF proteins from biological samples making use of the high affinity binding of GEFs to nucleotide-free GTPases. In order to verify the results of these pull-down experiments, we have additionally developed two simple validation procedures: An in vitro transcription/translation system coupled with a GEF activity assay and a yeast two-hybrid screen for detection of GEFs. Although the procedures were established and tested using the Rab protein Sec4, the similar basic principle of action of all nucleotide exchange factors will allow the method to be used for identification of unknown GEFs of small GTPases in general.
