RUTBC2 protein, a Rab9A effector and GTPase-activating protein for Rab36

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jun 29;287(27):22740-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.362558. Epub 2012 May 25.

Abstract

Rab GTPases regulate vesicle budding, motility, docking, and fusion. In cells, their cycling between active, GTP-bound states and inactive, GDP-bound states is regulated by the action of opposing enzymes called guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). The substrates for most RabGAPs are unknown, and the potential for cross-talk between different membrane trafficking pathways remains uncharted territory. Rab9A and its effectors regulate recycling of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from late endosomes to the trans Golgi network. We show here that RUTBC2 is a TBC domain-containing protein that binds to Rab9A specifically both in vitro and in cultured cells but is not a GAP for Rab9A. Biochemical screening of Rab protein substrates for RUTBC2 revealed highest GAP activity toward Rab34 and Rab36. In cells, membrane-associated RUTBC2 co-localizes with Rab36, and expression of wild type RUTBC2, but not the catalytically inactive, RUTBC2 R829A mutant, decreases the amount of membrane-associated Rab36 protein. These data show that RUTBC2 can act as a Rab36 GAP in cells and suggest that RUTBC2 links Rab9A function to Rab36 function in the endosomal system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / physiology*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Vero Cells
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • SGSM1 protein, human
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • RAB9A protein, human
  • Rab36 protein, human
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins