Regulation of Arf6 and ACAP1 signaling by the PTB-domain-containing adaptor protein GULP

Curr Biol. 2007 Apr 17;17(8):722-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.03.014. Epub 2007 Mar 29.

Abstract

The GTPase Arf6 regulates multiple cellular processes, including endocytosis, secretion, phagocytosis, cell adhesion, and cell migration [1, 2]. The Arf6-specific GAP ACAP1 is a negative regulator of Arf6-mediated signaling [3-7]. However, regulation of ACAP1- and Arf6-mediated signaling by other cellular proteins is not well understood. GULP/CED-6 is a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB)-domain-containing adaptor protein linked to engulfment of apoptotic cells [8-13] and to cholesterol homeostasis [14]. Here, we identify a novel role for GULP as a positive regulator of Arf6. Knockdown of GULP decreased cellular Arf6-GTP, whereas GULP overexpression increased cellular Arf6-GTP. At the mechanistic level, GULP influenced Arf6 at four levels. First, GULP bound directly to GDP-bound Arf6 via its PTB domain. Second, GULP associated with the Arf6-GAP ACAP1 at endogenous levels. Third, GULP reversed the Arf6-GTP decrease induced by ACAP1, and countered the ACAP1-mediated inhibition of cell migration. Fourth, GULP, ACAP1, and GDP-bound Arf6 were part of a tripartite complex, suggesting sequestration of ACAP1 as one mechanism of GULP action. Taken together, these data identify GULP as a modifier of cellular Arf6-GTP through regulation of ACAP1. Because PTB-domain-containing adaptor proteins influence endocytosis and trafficking of membrane proteins and cell migration [15, 16], our data support a model wherein PTB-domain-containing adaptor proteins regulate Arf family proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6
  • ADP-Ribosylation Factors / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Guanosine Diphosphate / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Guanosine Diphosphate
  • ADP-Ribosylation Factors
  • ARF6 protein, human
  • Arf6 protein, mouse