Class I Rab11-family interacting proteins are binding targets for the Rab14 GTPase

Vesicle-mediated transport of ALIX and ESCRT-III to the intercellular bridge during cytokinesis

Cellular abscission is the final step of cytokinesis that leads to the physical separation of the two daughter cells. The scaffold protein ALIX and the ESCRT-I protein TSG101 contribute to recruiting ESCRT-III to the midbody, which orchestrates the final membrane scission of the intercellular bridge. Here, we addressed the transport mechanisms of ALIX and ESCRT-III subunit CHMP4B to the midbody. Structured illumination microscopy revealed gradual accumulation of ALIX at the midbody, resulting in the formation of spiral-like structures extending from the midbody to the abscission site, which strongly co-localized with CHMP4B. Live-cell microscopy uncovered that ALIX appeared together with CHMP4B in vesicular structures, whose motility was microtubule-dependent. Depletion of ALIX led to structural alterations of the midbody and delayed recruitment of CHMP4B, resulting in delayed abscission. Likewise, depletion of the kinesin-1 motor KIF5B reduced the motility of ALIX-positive vesicles and delayed midbody recruitment of ALIX, TSG101 and CHMP4B, accompanied by impeded abscission. We propose that ALIX, TSG101 and CHMP4B are associated with endosomal vesicles transported on microtubules by kinesin-1 to the cytokinetic bridge and midbody, thereby contributing to their function in abscission.

Lipid Polarization during Cytokinesis

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells is composed of a large number of lipid species that are laterally segregated into functional domains as well as asymmetrically distributed between the outer and inner leaflets. Additionally, the spatial distribution and organization of these lipids dramatically change in response to various cellular states, such as cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis. Division of one cell into two daughter cells is one of the most fundamental requirements for the sustenance of growth in all living organisms. The successful completion of cytokinesis, the final stage of cell division, is critically dependent on the spatial distribution and organization of specific lipids. In this review, we discuss the properties of various lipid species associated with cytokinesis and the mechanisms involved in their polarization, including forward trafficking, endocytic recycling, local synthesis, and cortical flow models. The differences in lipid species requirements and distribution in mitotic vs. male meiotic cells will be discussed. We will concentrate on sphingolipids and phosphatidylinositols because their transbilayer organization and movement may be linked via the cytoskeleton and thus critically regulate various steps of cytokinesis.

Rab11FIP1-deficient mice develop spontaneous inflammation and show increased susceptibility to colon damage

The small GTPase, Rab11a, regulates vesicle trafficking and cell polarity in epithelial cells through interaction with Rab11 family-interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs). We hypothesized that deficiency of Rab11-FIP1 would affect mucosal integrity in the intestine. Global Rab11FIP1 knockout (KO) mice were generated by deletion of the second exon. Pathology of intestinal tissues was analyzed by immunostaining of colonic sections and RNA-sequencing of isolated colonic epithelial cells. A low concentration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 2%) was added to drinking water for 5 days, and injury score was compared between Rab11FIP1 KO, Rab11FIP2 KO, and heterozygous littermates. Rab11FIP1 KO mice showed normal fertility and body weight gain. More frequent lymphoid patches and infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils were identified in Rab11FIP1 KO mice before the development of rectal prolapse compared with control mice. The population of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3)-positive goblet cells was significantly lower, and the ratio of proliferative to nonproliferative cells was higher in Rab11FIP1 KO colons. Transcription signatures indicated that Rab11FIP1 deletion downregulated genes that mediate stress tolerance response, whereas genes mediating the response to infection were significantly upregulated, consistent with the inflammatory responses in the steady state. Lack of Rab11FIP1 also resulted in abnormal accumulation of subapical vesicles in colonocytes and the internalization of transmembrane mucin, MUC13, with Rab14. After DSS treatment, Rab11FIP1 KO mice showed greater body weight loss and more severe mucosal damage than those in heterozygous littermates. These findings suggest that Rab11FIP1 is important for cytoprotection mechanisms and for the maintenance of colonic mucosal integrity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although Rab11FIP1 is important in membrane trafficking in epithelial cells, the gastrointestinal phenotype of Rab11FIP1 knockout (KO) mice had never been reported. This study demonstrated that Rab11FIP1 loss induces mistrafficking of Rab14 and MUC13 and decreases in colonic goblet cells, resulting in impaired mucosal integrity.

CD82 palmitoylation site mutations at Cys5+Cys74 affect EGFR internalization and metabolism through recycling pathway

Tetraspanin CD82 often participates in regulating the function of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met). Palmitoylation is a post-translational modification that contributes to tetraspanin web formation and affects tetraspanin-dependent cell signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CD82 palmitoylation affects the localization and stability of EGFR and c-Met have not yet been elucidated. This study focuses on the expression and distribution of EGFR and c-Met in breast cancer as well as the related metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms associated with different CD82 palmitoylation site mutations. The results show that CD82 with a palmitoylation mutation at Cys5+Cys74 can promote the internalization of EGFR. EGFR is internalized and strengthened by direct binding to CD82 with the tubulin assistance and located at the recycling endosome. After studying the recycling pathway marker proteins Rab11a and FIP2, we found that formation of the EGFR/CD82/Rab11a/FIP2 complex promotes the internalization and metabolism of EGFR through the recycling pathway and results in the re-expression of EGFR and CD82 on the cell membrane.

RAB14 GTPase is essential for actin-based asymmetric division during mouse oocyte maturation

Objectives

RAB14 is a member of small GTPase RAB family which localizes at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus and endosomal compartments. RAB14 acts as molecular switches that shift between a GDP‐bound inactive state and a GTP‐bound active state and regulates circulation of vesicles between the Golgi and endosomal compartments. In present study, we investigated the roles of RAB14 during oocyte meiotic maturation.

Materials and methods

Microinjection with siRNA and exogenous mRNA for knock down and rescue, and immunofluorescence staining, Western blot and real‐time RT‐PCR were utilized for the study.

Results

Our results showed that RAB14 localized in the cytoplasm and accumulated at the cortex during mouse oocyte maturation, and it was also enriched at the spindle periphery. Depletion of RAB14 did not affect polar body extrusion but caused large polar bodies, indicating the failure of asymmetric division. We found that absence of RAB14 did not affect spindle organization but caused the spindle migration defects, and this might be due to the regulation on cytoplasmic actin assembly via the ROCK‐cofilin signalling pathway. We also found that RAB14 depletion led to aberrant Golgi apparatus distribution. Exogenous Myc‐Rab14 mRNA supplement could significantly rescue these defects caused by Rab14 siRNA injection.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that RAB14 affects ROCK‐cofilin pathway for actin‐based spindle migration and Golgi apparatus distribution during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

RBD11, a bioengineered Rab11-binding module for visualizing and analyzing endogenous Rab11

The small GTPase Rab11 (herein referring to the Rab11A and Rab11B isoforms) plays pivotal roles in diverse physiological phenomena, including the recycling of membrane proteins, cytokinesis, neurite outgrowth and epithelial morphogenesis. One effective method of analyzing the function of endogenous Rab11 is to overexpress a Rab11-binding domain from one of its effectors, for example, the C-terminal domain of Rab11-FIP2 (Rab11-FIP2-C), as a dominant-negative construct. However, the drawback of this method is the broader Rab-binding specificity of the effector domain, because Rab11-FIP2-C binds to Rabs other than Rab11, for example, to Rab14 and Rab25. In this study, we bioengineered an artificial Rab11-specific binding domain, named RBD11. Expression of RBD11 allowed visualization of endogenous Rab11 without affecting its localization or function, whereas expression of a tandem RBD11, named 2×RBD11, inhibited epithelial morphogenesis and induced a multi-lumen phenotype characteristic of Rab11-deficient cysts. We also developed two tools for temporally and reversibly analyzing Rab11-dependent membrane trafficking - tetracycline-inducible 2×RBD11 and an artificially oligomerized domain (FM)-tagged RBD11.

Rab14/MACF2 complex regulates endosomal targeting during cytokinesis

Abscission is a complex cellular process that is required for mitotic division. It is well established that coordinated and localized changes in actin and microtubule dynamics are vital for cytokinetic ring formation, as well as establishment of the abscission site. Actin cytoskeleton reorganization during abscission would not be possible without the interplay between Rab11- and Rab35-containing endosomes and their effector proteins, whose roles in regulating endocytic pathways at the cleavage furrow have now been studied extensively. Here, we identified Rab14 as a novel regulator of cytokinesis. We demonstrate that depletion of Rab14 causes either cytokinesis failure or significantly prolongs division time. We show that Rab14 contributes to the efficiency of recruiting Rab11-endosomes to the thin intracellular bridge (ICB) microtubules and that Rab14 knockout leads to inhibition of actin clearance at the abscission site. Finally, we demonstrate that Rab14 binds to microtubule minus-end interacting MACF2/CAMSAP3 complex and that this binding affects targeting of endosomes to the ICB microtubules. Collectively, our data identified Rab14 and MACF2/CAMSAP3 as proteins that regulate actin depolymerization and endosome targeting during cytokinesis.

Uncovering Tumor-Stroma Inter-relationships Using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Tumorigenesis involves a complex interplay between genetically modified cancer cells and their adjacent normal tissue, the stroma. We used an established breast cancer mouse model to investigate this inter-relationship. Conditional activation of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) in a model of mammary tumorigenesis enhances tumor growth and progression by educating the stroma and enhancing the production and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. We used peptide matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to quantify the proteomic changes occurring within tumors and their stroma in their regular spatial context. Peptides were ranked according to their ability to discriminate between the two groups, using a receiver operating characteristic tool. Peptides were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and protein expression was validated by quantitative immunofluorescence using an independent set of tumor samples. We have identified and validated four key proteins upregulated in ROCK-activated mammary tumors relative to those expressing kinase-dead ROCK, namely, collagen I, α-SMA, Rab14, and tubulin-β4. Rab14 and tubulin-β4 are expressed within tumor cells, whereas collagen I is localized within the stroma. α-SMA is predominantly localized within the stroma but is also expressed at higher levels in the epithelia of ROCK-activated tumors. High expression of COL1A, the gene encoding the pro-α 1 chain of collagen, correlates with cancer progression in two human breast cancer genomic data sets, and high expression of COL1A and ACTA2 (the gene encoding α-SMA) are associated with a low survival probability (COLIA, p = 0.00013; ACTA2, p = 0.0076) in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients. To investigate whether ROCK-activated tumor cells cause stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to upregulate expression of collagen I and α-SMA, we treated CAFs with medium conditioned by primary mammary tumor cells in which ROCK had been activated. This led to abundant production of both proteins in CAFs, clearly highlighting the inter-relationship between tumor cells and CAFs and identifying CAFs as the potential source of high levels of collagen 1 and α-SMA and associated enhancement of tissue stiffness. Our research emphasizes the capacity of MALDI-MSI to quantitatively assess tumor-stroma inter-relationships and to identify potential prognostic factors for cancer progression in human patients, using sophisticated mouse cancer models.

Thrombin-activated PAR1 membrane expression is regulated by Rab11a-RCP complex dissociation

PAR1 activation by thrombin promotes intracellular signaling leading to RPE cell transformation, proliferation, and migration, characteristic of fibroproliferative eye diseases. Due to the cleavage of PAR1 N-terminal domain, carried by thrombin, the arrest of PAR1 signaling is achieved by transport into lysosomes and degradation. Recent findings suggest that the GTPase Rab11a in conjunction with its effector RCP may direct PAR1 to lysosomes. Hereby we demonstrate that thrombin-induced PAR1 internalization and lysosomal targeting requires the disassembly of the Rab11a/RCP complex, and that this process depends on thrombin-induced intracellular calcium increase and calpain activation. These findings unveil a novel mechanism that regulates thrombin activated PAR1 internalization and degradation.

The Endosomal Recycling Pathway-At the Crossroads of the Cell

The endosomal recycling pathway lies at the heart of the membrane trafficking machinery in the cell. It plays a central role in determining the composition of the plasma membrane and is thus critical for normal cellular homeostasis. However, defective endosomal recycling has been linked to a wide range of diseases, including cancer and some of the most common neurological disorders. It is also frequently subverted by many diverse human pathogens in order to successfully infect cells. Despite its importance, endosomal recycling remains relatively understudied in comparison to the endocytic and secretory transport pathways. A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that support transport through the endosomal recycling pathway will provide deeper insights into the pathophysiology of disease and will likely identify new approaches for their detection and treatment. This review will provide an overview of the normal physiological role of the endosomal recycling pathway, describe the consequences when it malfunctions, and discuss potential strategies for modulating its activity.

Human Golgi phosphoprotein 3 is an effector of RAB1A and RAB1B

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) is a peripheral membrane protein localized at the trans-Golgi network that is also distributed in a large cytosolic pool. GOLPH3 has been involved in several post-Golgi protein trafficking events, but its precise function at the molecular level is not well understood. GOLPH3 is also considered the first oncoprotein of the Golgi apparatus, with important roles in several types of cancer. Yet, it is unknown how GOLPH3 is regulated to achieve its contribution in the mechanisms that lead to tumorigenesis. Binding of GOLPH3 to Golgi membranes depends on its interaction to phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate. However, an early finding showed that GTP promotes the binding of GOLPH3 to Golgi membranes and vesicles. Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown whether this response is consequence of the function of GTP-dependent regulatory factors, such as proteins of the RAB family of small GTPases. Interestingly, in Drosophila melanogaster the ortholog of GOLPH3 interacts with- and behaves as effector of the ortholog of RAB1. However, there is no experimental evidence implicating GOLPH3 as a possible RAB1 effector in mammalian cells. Here, we show that human GOLPH3 interacted directly with either RAB1A or RAB1B, the two isoforms of RAB1 in humans. The interaction was nucleotide dependent and it was favored with GTP-locked active state variants of these GTPases, indicating that human GOLPH3 is a bona fide effector of RAB1A and RAB1B. Moreover, the expression in cultured cells of the GTP-locked variants resulted in less distribution of GOLPH3 in the Golgi apparatus, suggesting an intriguing model of GOLPH3 regulation.

RAB14 activates MAPK signaling to promote bladder tumorigenesis

Bladder cancer (BC) is a fatal invasive malignancy accounting for approximately 5% of all cancer deaths in humans; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential targeted therapeutics for BC patients remain unclear. We report herein that RAB14 was overexpressed in BC tissues and cells with high metastatic potential and its abundance was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), a high-grade tumor stage (P = 0.009), poor differentiation (P < 0.001) and unfavorable prognoses of BC patients (P = 0.003, log-rank test). Interference by RAB14 mediated a reduction in the TWIST1 protein and inhibited cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05). Moreover, silencing RAB14 reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and suppressed tumorigenesis in a mouse xenograft model. We demonstrated that RAB14-promoted BC cancer development and progression were associated with activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling through upregulation of MAPK1/MAPK8 and downregulation of dual-specificity protein phosphatase 6/Src homology 2 domain containing transforming protein/Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOS). We provide evidence that RAB14 acts as a tumor promoter and modulates the invasion and metastatic potential of BC cells via activating the MAPK pathway.

Rab22a regulates the establishment of epithelial polarity

Membrane trafficking establishes and maintains epithelial polarity. Rab22a has a polarized distribution in activated T-cells, but its role in epithelial polarity has not been investigated. We showed previously that Rab14 acts upstream of Arf6 to establish the apical membrane initiation site (AMIS), but its interaction with Rab22a is unknown. Here we show that Rab14 and Rab22a colocalize in endosomes of both unpolarized and polarized MDCK cells and Rab22a localizes to the cell:cell interface of polarizing cell pairs. Knockdown of Rab22a results in a multi-lumen phenotype in three-dimensional culture. Further, overexpression of Rab22a in Rab14 knockdown cells rescues the multi-lumen phenotype observed with Rab14 knockdown, suggesting that Rab22a is downstream of Rab14. Because of the relationship between Rab14 and Arf6, we investigated the effect of Rab22a knockdown on Arf6. We find that Rab22a knockdown results in decreased active Arf6 and that Rab22a co-immunoprecipitates with the Arf6 GEF EFA6. In addition, EFA6 is retained in intracellular puncta in Rab22a KD cells. These results suggest that Rab22a acts downstream of Rab14 to traffic EFA6 to the AMIS to regulate Arf6 in the establishment of polarity.

CHML promotes liver cancer metastasis by facilitating Rab14 recycle

Metastasis-associated recurrence is the major cause of poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that expression of choroideremia-like (CHML) is increased in HCC, associated with poor survival, early recurrence and more satellite nodules in HCC patients. CHML promotes migration, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells, in a Rab14-dependent manner. Mechanism study reveals that CHML facilitates constant recycling of Rab14 by escorting Rab14 to the membrane. Furthermore, we identify several metastasis regulators as cargoes carried by Rab14-positive vesicles, including Mucin13 and CD44, which may contribute to metastasis-promoting effects of CHML. Altogether, our data establish CHML as a potential promoter of HCC metastasis, and the CHML-Rab14 axis may be a promising therapeutic target for HCC.

Rab GTPase regulation of bacteria and protozoa phagocytosis occurs through the modulation of phagocytic receptor surface expression

Phagocytosis of invading microorganisms by professional phagocytic cells has a central role in innate immunity. However, several microorganisms developed strategies to subvert this process. Previously, we reported that bacteria and protozoa modulate differently the expression of Rab GTPases. Moreover, our results suggested that this modulation can contribute to avoid phagocytosis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei and the bacterium Escherichia coli subvert phagocytosis through the modulation of Rab14 or Rab9a expression, respectively. We first confirmed that the scavenger receptor CD36 and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 are required for the phagocytosis of P. berghei and E. coli, respectively. Interestingly, we observed that Rab14 silencing leads to an increase in the surface expression of CD36 in macrophages, which can explain the increase in the phagocytosis of P. berghei we reported previously. Similar results were obtained for Rab9a and TLR4, i.e. Rab9a silencing causes an upregulation of TLR4 surface expression in macrophages. Furthermore, we found that the decrease in the internalization of CD36 and TLR4, upon Rab14 or Rab9a silencing, respectively, can explain the increase in the surface levels of these receptors. Thus, our studies provide evidence that the modulation of phagocytosis caused by changes in Rab expression is operated, at least partly through changes in the surface levels of phagocytic receptors.

HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Trafficking through the Endosomal Recycling Compartment Is Required for Particle Incorporation

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) encodes specific trafficking signals within its long cytoplasmic tail (CT) that regulate incorporation into HIV-1 particles. Rab11-family interacting protein 1C (FIP1C) and Rab14 are host trafficking factors required for Env particle incorporation, suggesting that Env undergoes sorting from the endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) to the site of particle assembly on the plasma membrane. We disrupted outward sorting from the ERC by expressing a C-terminal fragment of FIP1C (FIP1C_560-649) and examined the consequences on Env trafficking and incorporation into particles. FIP1C_560-649 reduced cell surface levels of Env and prevented its incorporation into HIV-1 particles. Remarkably, Env was trapped in an exaggerated perinuclear ERC in a CT-dependent manner. Mutation of either the Yxxϕ endocytic motif or the YW₇₉₅ motif in the CT prevented Env trapping in the ERC and restored incorporation into particles. In contrast, simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac239 Env was not retained in the ERC, while substitution of the HIV-1 CT for the SIV CT resulted in SIV Env retention in this compartment. These results provide the first direct evidence that Env traffics through the ERC and support a model whereby HIV-1 Env is specifically targeted to the ERC prior to FIP1C- and CT-dependent outward sorting to the particle assembly site on the plasma membrane.IMPORTANCE The HIV envelope protein is an essential component of the viral particle. While many aspects of envelope protein structure and function have been established, the pathway it follows in the cell prior to reaching the site of particle assembly is not well understood. The envelope protein has a very long cytoplasmic tail that interacts with the host cell trafficking machinery. Here, we utilized a truncated form of the trafficking adaptor FIP1C protein to arrest the intracellular transport of the envelope protein, demonstrating that it becomes trapped inside the cell within the endosomal recycling compartment. Intracellular trapping resulted in a loss of envelope protein on released particles and a corresponding loss of infectivity. Mutations of specific trafficking motifs in the envelope protein tail prevented its trapping in the recycling compartment. These results establish that trafficking to the endosomal recycling compartment is an essential step in HIV envelope protein particle incorporation.

Viral interactions with host cell Rab GTPases

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that utilize cellular machinery for many aspects of their replication cycles. Enveloped viruses generally rely upon host vesicular trafficking machinery to direct their structural proteins and genomes to sites of virus replication, assembly, and budding. Rab GTPases have been implicated in the replication of many important viral pathogens infecting humans. This review provides a summary of virus-Rab protein interactions, with a particular focus on the role of Rab-related trafficking pathways on late events in the lifecycle of herpesviruses and of HIV-1.

Acquisition of Rab11 and Rab11-Fip2-A novel strategy for Chlamydia pneumoniae early survival

The initial steps in chlamydial infection involve adhesion and internalization into host cells and, most importantly, modification of the nascent inclusion to establish the intracellular niche. Here, we show that Chlamydia pneumoniae enters host cells via EGFR-dependent endocytosis into an early endosome with a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P) membrane identity. Immediately after entry, the early chlamydial inclusion acquires early endosomal Rab GTPases including Rab4, Rab5, Rab7, as well as the two recycling-specific Rabs Rab11 and Rab14. While Rab5, Rab11 and Rab14 are retained in the vesicular membrane, Rab4 and Rab7 soon disappear. Loss of Rab7 enables the C. pneumoniae inclusion to escape delivery to, and degradation in lysosomes. Loss of Rab4 and retention of Rab11/ Rab14 designates the inclusion as a slowly recycling endosome—that is protected from degradation. Furthermore, we show that the Rab11/ Rab14 adaptor protein Rab11-Fip2 (Fip2) is recruited to the nascent inclusion upon internalization and retained in the membrane throughout infection. siRNA knockdown of Fip2 demonstrated that the protein is essential for internalization and infection, and expression of various deletion variants revealed that Fip2 regulates the intracellular positioning of the inclusion. Additionally, we show that binding to Rab11 and Fip2 recruits the unconventional actin motor protein myosin Vb to the early inclusion and that together they regulate the relocation of the nascent inclusion from the cell periphery to the perinuclear region, its final destination. Here, we characterize for the first time inclusion identity and inclusion-associated proteins to delineate how C. pneumoniae establishes the intracellular niche essential for its survival.

Here, we show for the first time how Chlamydia pneumoniae an obligate intracellular pathogen establishes its intracellular niche. After EGFR-dependent endocytosis into host cells, the nascent chlamydial inclusion acquires early endosomal membrane identity and the Rab GTPases Rab4, Rab5 and Rab7, as well as the recycling-specific Rab11 and Rab14. We show that Rab5, Rab11 and Rab14 are retained in the vesicular membrane, while Rab4 and Rab7 subsequently disappear. Thus, C. pneumoniae escapes lysosomal degradation by hiding in a recycling endosome vesicle. Furthermore, we show that the Rab11/Rab14 adaptor protein Rab11-Fip2 (Fip2), together with the unconventional actin motor protein myosin Vb, is recruited to the nascent inclusion. Both are essential for internalization and infection, as they regulate the intracellular positioning of the inclusion, which is essential for intracellular transport from the cell periphery to the perinuclear region. Here, we characterize for the first time inclusion identity and inclusion-associated proteins to understand how C. pneumoniae establishes the intracellular niche, which is essential for its survival.

Phosphorylation of Rab-coupling protein by LMTK3 controls Rab14-dependent EphA2 trafficking to promote cell:cell repulsion

The Rab GTPase effector, Rab-coupling protein (RCP) is known to promote invasive behaviour in vitro by controlling integrin and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) trafficking, but how RCP influences metastasis in vivo is unclear. Here we identify an RTK of the Eph family, EphA2, to be a cargo of an RCP-regulated endocytic pathway which controls cell:cell repulsion and metastasis in vivo. Phosphorylation of RCP at Ser435 by Lemur tyrosine kinase-3 (LMTK3) and of EphA2 at Ser897 by Akt are both necessary to promote Rab14-dependent (and Rab11-independent) trafficking of EphA2 which generates cell:cell repulsion events that drive tumour cells apart. Genetic disruption of RCP or EphA2 opposes cell:cell repulsion and metastasis in an autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma-whereas conditional knockout of another RCP cargo, α5 integrin, does not suppress pancreatic cancer metastasis-indicating a role for RCP-dependent trafficking of an Eph receptor to drive tumour dissemination in vivo.

Rabs set the stage for polarity

Cell polarity refers to the asymmetric localization of cellular components that allows cells to carry out their specialized functions, be they epithelial barrier function, transmission of action potentials in nerve cells, or modulation of the immune response. The establishment and maintenance of cell polarity requires the directed trafficking of membrane proteins and lipids - essential processes that are mediated by Rab GTPases. Interestingly, several of the Rabs that impact polarity are present in the earliest eukaryotes, and the Rab polarity repertoire has expanded as cells have become more complex. There is a substantial conservation of Rab function across diverse cell types. Rabs act through an assortment of effector proteins that include scaffolding proteins, cytoskeletal motors, and other small GTPases. In this review we highlight the similarities and differences in Rab function for the instruction of polarity in diverse cell types.

Proteomics Screen Identifies Class I Rab11 Family Interacting Proteins as Key Regulators of Cytokinesis

The 14-3-3 protein family orchestrates a complex network of molecular interactions that regulates various biological processes. Owing to their role in regulating the cell cycle and protein trafficking, 14-3-3 proteins are prevalent in human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. 14-3-3 proteins are expressed in all eukaryotic cells, suggesting that they mediate their biological functions through evolutionarily conserved protein interactions. To identify these core 14-3-3 client proteins, we used an affinity-based proteomics approach to characterize and compare the human and Drosophila 14-3-3 interactomes. Using this approach, we identified a group of Rab11 effector proteins, termed class I Rab11 family interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs), or Rip11 in Drosophila We found that 14-3-3 binds to Rip11 in a phospho-dependent manner to ensure its proper subcellular distribution during cell division. Our results indicate that Rip11 plays an essential role in the regulation of cytokinesis and that this function requires its association with 14-3-3 but not with Rab11. Together, our results suggest an evolutionarily conserved role for 14-3-3 in controlling Rip11-dependent protein transport during cytokinesis.

Rab14 specifies the apical membrane through Arf6-mediated regulation of lipid domains and Cdc42

The generation of cell polarity is essential for the development of multi-cellular organisms as well as for the function of epithelial organs in the mature animal. Small GTPases regulate the establishment and maintenance of polarity through effects on cytoskeleton, membrane trafficking, and signaling. Using short-term 3-dimensional culture of MDCK cells, we find that the small GTPase Rab14 is required for apical membrane specification. Rab14 knockdown results in disruption of polarized lipid domains and failure of the Par/aPKC/Cdc42 polarity complex to localize to the apical membrane. These effects are mediated through tight control of lipid localization, as overexpression of the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase α [PtdIns(4)P5K] activator Arf6 or PtdIns(4)P5K alone, or treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdInsI3K) inhibitor wortmannin, rescued the multiple-apical domain phenotype observed after Rab14 knockdown. Rab14 also co-immunoprecipitates and colocalizes with the small GTPase Cdc42, and Rab14 knockdown results in increased Cdc42 activity. Furthermore, Rab14 regulates trafficking of vesicles to the apical domain, mitotic spindle orientation, and midbody position, consistent with Rab14’s reported localization to the midbody as well as its effects upon Cdc42. These results position Rab14 at the top of a molecular cascade that regulates the establishment of cell polarity.

Rab14 Suppression Mediated by MiR-320a Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion in Breast Cancer

We found that microRNA-320a (miR-320a) was an attractive prognostic biomarker in breast cancer (BC) previously, whereas its regulatory mechanism in BC was not well understood. Our aim was to identify miR-320a target gene, examine the clinical relationship between miR-320a and its target, and further explore the functions of its target in BC. In this study, miR-320a downstream target gene was determined in HEK-293T cells by dual luciferase reporter assay. Then western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess miR-320a target gene expression in fresh frozen (n=19, breast cancer and matched non-malignant adjacent tissue samples) and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) (n=130, invasive BC tissues, the same panel detected for miR-320a expression previously) breast tissues, respectively. The results suggested that miR-320a could significantly suppressed Rab14 3'-untranslated region luciferase-reporter activity, and thus Rab14 was first identified as miR-320a target in BC. In 19 matched breast tissues, 12 (63%) breast cancer tissues showed high expression of Rab14 compared with the corresponding normal tissues. Rab14 immunoreactivity was mainly detected in the cytoplasm, 77/130 (59.2%) showed high expression. Furthermore, Rab14 expression was found to be inversely correlated with miR-320a expression in fresh-frozen breast tissues as well as in FFPE invasive breast cancer samples. In addition, Rab14 expression levels were positively related to tumor size (P = 0.034), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.001), histological grade (P = 0.035) and clinical tumor lymph-node metastasis stage (P = 0.001). Patients with higher Rab14 expression showed shorter overall survival time. Moreover, silencing of Rab14 could suppress proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines. Collectively, our results indicate that miR-320a could target Rab14 and that they could interact biologically in BC.

The functional interplay of Rab11, FIP3 and Rho proteins on the endosomal recycling pathway controls cell shape and symmetry

Several families of small GTPases regulate a variety of fundamental cellular processes, encompassing growth factor signal transduction, vesicular trafficking and control of the cytoskeleton. Frequently, their action is hierarchical and complementary, but much of the detail of their functional interactions remains to be clarified. It is well established that Rab family members regulate a variety of intracellular vesicle trafficking pathways. Moreover, Rho family GTPases are pivotal for the control of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. However, the interplay between these 2 types of GTPases has been rarely reported. We discuss here our recent findings showing that Rab11, a key regulator of endosomal recycling, and Rac1, a central actin cytoskeleton regulator involved in lamellipodium formation and cell migration, interplay on endosomes through the Rab11 effector FIP3. In the context of the rapidly reactive T lymphocytes, Rab11-Rac1 endosomal functional interplay is important to control cell shape changes and cell symmetry during lymphocyte spreading and immunological synapse formation and ultimately modulate T cell activation.

Anaplasma marginale Actively Modulates Vacuolar Maturation during Intracellular Infection of Its Tick Vector, Dermacentor andersoni

Tick-borne transmission of bacterial pathogens in the order Rickettsiales is responsible for diverse infectious diseases, many of them severe, in humans and animals. Transmission dynamics differ among these pathogens and are reflected in the pathogen-vector interaction. Anaplasma marginale has been shown to establish and maintain infectivity within Dermacentor spp. for weeks to months while escaping the complex network of vacuolar peptidases that are responsible for digestion of the tick blood meal. How this prolonged maintenance of infectivity in a potentially hostile environment is achieved has been unknown. Using the natural vector Dermacentor andersoni, we demonstrated that A. marginale-infected tick vacuoles (AmVs) concurrently recruit markers of the early endosome (Rab5), recycling endosome (Rab4 and Rab11), and late endosome (Rab7), are maintained near neutral pH, do not fuse with lysosomes, exclude the protease cathepsin L, and engage the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus for up to 21 days postinfection. Maintenance of this safe vacuolar niche requires active A. marginale protein synthesis; in its absence, the AmVs mature into acidic, protease-active phagolysosomes. Identification of this bacterially directed modeling of the tick midgut endosome provides a mechanistic basis for examination of the differences in transmission efficiency observed among A. marginale strains and among vector populations.

IMPORTANCE

Ticks transmit a variety of intracellular bacterial pathogens that cause significant diseases in humans and animals. For successful transmission, these bacterial pathogens must first gain entry into the tick midgut digestive cells, avoid digestion, and establish a replicative niche without harming the tick vector. Little is known about how this replicative niche is established and maintained. Using the ruminant pathogen A. marginale and its natural tick vector, D. andersoni, this study characterized the features of the A. marginale niche in the tick midgut and demonstrates that A. marginale protein synthesis is required for the maintenance of this niche. This work opens a new line of inquiry about the pathogen effectors and their targets within the tick that mediate tick-pathogen interactions and ultimately serve as the determinants of pathogen success.

Rab coupling protein mediated endosomal recycling of N-cadherin influences cell motility

Rab coupling protein (RCP) is a Rab GTPase effector that functions in endosomal recycling. The RCP gene is frequently amplified in breast cancer, leading to increased cancer aggressiveness. Furthermore, RCP enhances the motility of ovarian cancer cells by coordinating the recycling of α5β1 integrin and EGF receptor to the leading edge of migrating cells. Here we report that RCP also influences the motility of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Knockdown of RCP inhibits the motility of A549 cells in 2D and 3D migration assays, while its overexpression enhances migration in these assays. Depletion of RCP leads to a reduction in N-cadherin protein levels, which could be restored with lysosomal inhibitors. Trafficking assays revealed that RCP knockdown inhibits the return of endocytosed N-cadherin to the cell surface. We propose that RCP regulates the endosomal recycling of N-cadherin, and in its absence N-cadherin is diverted to the degradative pathway. The increased aggressiveness of tumour cells that overexpress RCP may be due to biased recycling of N-cadherin in metastatic cancer cells.

Rab14 limits the sorting of Glut4 from endosomes into insulin-sensitive regulated secretory compartments in adipocytes

Insulin increases glucose uptake by increasing the rate of exocytosis of the facilitative glucose transporter isoform 4 (Glut4) relative to its endocytosis. Insulin also releases Glut4 from highly insulin-regulated secretory compartments (GSVs or Glut4 storage vesicles) into constitutively cycling endosomes. Previously it was shown that both overexpression and knockdown of the small GTP-binding protein Rab14 decreased Glut4 translocation to the plasma membrane (PM). To determine the mechanism of this perturbation, we measured the effects of Rab14 knockdown on the trafficking kinetics of Glut4 relative to two proteins that partially co-localize with Glut4, the transferrin (Tf) receptor and low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). Our data support the hypothesis that Rab14 limits sorting of proteins from sorting (or 'early') endosomes into the specialized GSV pathway, possibly through regulation of endosomal maturation. This hypothesis is consistent with known Rab14 effectors. Interestingly, the insulin-sensitive Rab GTPase-activating protein Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160) affects both sorting into and exocytosis from GSVs. It has previously been shown that exocytosis of GSVs is rate-limited by Rab10, and both Rab10 and Rab14 are in vitro substrates of AS160. Regulation of both entry into and exit from GSVs by AS160 through sequential Rab substrates would provide a mechanism for the finely tuned 'quantal' increases in cycling Glut4 observed in response to increasing concentrations of insulin.

Rab11-FIP1A regulates early trafficking into the recycling endosomes

The Rab11 family of small GTPases, along with the Rab11-family interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs), are critical regulators of intracellular vesicle trafficking and recycling. We have identified a point mutation of Threonine-197 site to an Alanine in Rab11-FIP1A, which causes a dramatic dominant negative phenotype when expressed in HeLa cells. The normally perinuclear distribution of GFP-Rab11-FIP1A was condensed into a membranous cisternum with almost no GFP-Rab11-FIP1A(T197A) remaining outside of this central locus. Also, this condensed GFP-FIP1A(T197A) altered the distribution of proteins in the Rab11a recycling pathway including endogenous Rab11a, Rab11-FIP1C, and transferrin receptor (CD71). Furthermore, this condensed GFP-FIP1A(T197A)-containing structure exhibited little movement in live HeLa cells. Expression of GFP-FIP1A(T197A) caused a strong blockade of transferrin recycling. Treatment of cells expressing GFP-FIP1A(T197A) with nocodazole did not disperse the Rab11a-containing recycling system. We also found that Rab5 and EEA1 were accumulated in membranes by GFP-Rab11-FIP1A but Rab4 was unaffected, suggesting that a direct pathway may exist from early endosomes into the Rab11a-containing recycling system. Our study of a potent inhibitory trafficking mutation in Rab11-FIP1A shows that Rab11-FIP1A associates with and regulates trafficking at an early step in the process of membrane recycling.

Small GTPases in peroxisome dynamics

In this review article, we summarize current knowledge on peroxisome biogenesis/functions and the role that small GTPases may play in these processes. Precise intracellular distribution of cell organelles requires their regulated association to microtubules and the actin cytoskeleton. In this respect, RhoGDP/RhoGTP favor binding of peroxisomes to microtubules and actin filaments. In its GTP-bound form, RhoA activates a regulatory cascade involving Rho kinaseII and non-muscle myosinIIA. Such interactions frequently depend on phosphoinositides (PIs) of which PI4P, PI(4,5)P2, and PI(3,5)P2 were found to be present in the peroxisomal membrane. PIs are pivotal determinants of intracellular signaling and known to regulate a wide range of cellular functions. In many of these functions, small GTPases are implicated. The small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1), for example, is known to stimulate synthesis of PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 on the Golgi to regulate protein and lipid sorting. In vitro binding assays localized Arf1 and the COPI complex to peroxisomes. In light of the recent discussion of pre-peroxisomal vesicle generation at the ER, peroxisomal Arf1-COPI vesicles may serve retrograde transport of ER-resident components. A mass spectrometric screen localized various Rab proteins to peroxisomes. Overexpression of these proteins in combination with laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy co-localized Rab6, Rab8, Rab10, Rab14, and Rab18 with peroxisomal structures. By analogy to the role these proteins play in other organelle dynamics, we may envisage what the function of these proteins may be in relation to the peroxisomal compartment.

Insulin promotes Rip11 accumulation at the plasma membrane by inhibiting a dynamin- and PI3-kinase-dependent, but Akt-independent, internalisation event

Rip11 is a Rab11 effector protein that has been shown to be important in controlling the trafficking of several intracellular cargoes, including the fatty acid transporter FAT/CD36, V-ATPase and the glucose transporter GLUT4. We have previously demonstrated that Rip11 translocates to the plasma membrane in response to insulin and here we examine the basis of this regulated phenomenon in more detail. We show that Rip11 rapidly recycles between the cell interior and surface, and that the ability of insulin to increase the appearance of Rip11 at the cell surface involves an inhibition of Rip11 internalisation from the plasma membrane. By contrast the hormone has no effect on the rate of Rip11 translocation towards the plasma membrane. The ability of insulin to inhibit Rip11 internalisation requires dynamin and class I PI3-kinases, but is independent of the activation of the protein kinase Akt; characteristics which are very similar to the mechanism by which insulin inhibits GLUT4 endocytosis.

A tyrosine-based motif in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein tail mediates cell-type- and Rab11-FIP1C-dependent incorporation into virions

Lentiviruses such as HIV-1 encode envelope glycoproteins (Env) with long cytoplasmic tails (CTs) that include motifs mediating interactions with host-cell-trafficking factors. We demonstrated recently that Rab11-family interacting protein 1C (FIP1C) is required for CT-dependent incorporation of Env into HIV-1 particles. Here, we used viruses bearing targeted substitutions within CT to map the FIP1C-dependent incorporation of Env. We identified YW795 as a critical motif mediating cell-type-dependent Env incorporation. Disruption of YW795 reproduced the cell-type-dependent particle incorporation of Env that had previously been observed with large truncations of CT. A revertant virus bearing a single amino acid change near the C terminus of CT restored wild-type levels of Env incorporation, Gag-Env colocalization on the plasma membrane, and viral replication. These findings highlight the importance of YW795 in the cell-type-dependent incorporation of Env and support a model of HIV assembly in which FIP1C/RCP mediates Env trafficking to the particle assembly site.

Structure-Function Analyses of the Interactions between Rab11 and Rab14 Small GTPases with Their Shared Effector Rab Coupling Protein (RCP)

Rab GTPases recruit effector proteins, via their GTP-dependent switch regions, to distinct subcellular compartments. Rab11 and Rab25 are closely related small GTPases that bind to common effectors termed the Rab11 family of interacting proteins (FIPs). The FIPs are organized into two subclasses (class I and class II) based on sequence and domain organization, and both subclasses contain a highly conserved Rab-binding domain at their C termini. Yeast two-hybrid and biochemical studies have revealed that the more distantly related Rab14 also interacts with class I FIPs. Here, we perform detailed structural, thermodynamic, and cellular analyses of the interactions between Rab14 and one of the class I FIPs, the Rab-coupling protein (RCP), to clarify the molecular aspects of the interaction. We find that Rab14 indeed binds to RCP, albeit with reduced affinity relative to conventional Rab11-FIP and Rab25-FIP complexes. However, in vivo, Rab11 recruits RCP onto biological membranes. Furthermore, biophysical analyses reveal a noncanonical 1:2 stoichiometry between Rab14-RCP in dilute solutions, in contrast to Rab11/25 complexes. The structure of Rab14-RCP reveals that Rab14 interacts with the canonical Rab-binding domain and also provides insight into the unusual properties of the complex. Finally, we show that both the Rab coupling protein and Rab14 function in neuritogenesis.

The AP2 clathrin adaptor protein complex regulates the abundance of GLR-1 glutamate receptors in the ventral nerve cord of Caenorhabditis elegans

Regulation of glutamate receptor trafficking controls synaptic strength and plasticity. This study takes advantage of viable, null mutations in subunits of the clathrin adaptor protein 2 (AP2) complex in Caenorhabditis elegans to reveal a novel and unexpected AP2-dependent trafficking step for glutamate receptors early in the secretory pathway.

Regulation of glutamate receptor (GluR) abundance at synapses by clathrin-mediated endocytosis can control synaptic strength and plasticity. We take advantage of viable, null mutations in subunits of the clathrin adaptor protein 2 (AP2) complex in Caenorhabditis elegans to characterize the in vivo role of AP2 in GluR trafficking. In contrast to our predictions for an endocytic adaptor, we found that levels of the GluR GLR-1 are decreased at synapses in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of animals with mutations in the AP2 subunits APM-2/μ2, APA-2/α, or APS-2/σ2. Rescue experiments indicate that APM-2/μ2 functions in glr-1–expressing interneurons and the mature nervous system to promote GLR-1 levels in the VNC. Genetic analyses suggest that APM-2/μ2 acts upstream of GLR-1 endocytosis in the VNC. Consistent with this, GLR-1 accumulates in cell bodies of apm-2 mutants. However, GLR-1 does not appear to accumulate at the plasma membrane of the cell body as expected, but instead accumulates in intracellular compartments including Syntaxin-13– and RAB-14–labeled endosomes. This study reveals a novel role for the AP2 clathrin adaptor in promoting the abundance of GluRs at synapses in vivo, and implicates AP2 in the regulation of GluR trafficking at an early step in the secretory pathway.

Rab antibody characterization: comparison of Rab14 antibodies

Rab14 functions in the endocytic recycling pathway, having been implicated in the trafficking of the ADAM10 protease, GLUT4, and components of cell-cell junctions to the plasma membrane. It localizes predominantly to endocytic membranes with a pool also found on trans-Golgi network (TGN) membranes, and is most closely related to the Rab11 subfamily of GTPases. Certain intracellular bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Salmonella enterica utilize Rab14 to promote their maturation and replication. Furthermore, the HIV envelope glycoprotein complex subverts the function of Rab14, and its effector the Rab Coupling Protein (RCP), in order to direct its transport to the plasma membrane. Since the use of antibodies is critical for the functional characterization of cellular proteins and their specificity and sensitivity is crucial in drawing reliable conclusions, it is important to rigorously characterize antibodies prior to their use in cell biology or biochemistry experiments. This is all the more critical in the case of antibodies raised to a protein which belongs to a protein family. In this chapter, we present our evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity of a number of commercially available Rab14 antibodies. We hope that this analysis provides guidance for researchers for antibody characterization prior to its use in cellular biology or biochemistry.

Distinct patterns of phosphatidylserine localization within the Rab11a-containing recycling system

The Rab11 GTPases and Rab11 family-interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs) define integrated yet distinct compartments within the slow recycling pathway. The lipid content of these compartments is less well understood, although past studies have indicated phosphatidylserine (PS) is an integral component of recycling membranes. We sought to identify key differences in the presence of PS within Rab and Rab11-FIP containing membranes. We used live cell fluorescence microscopy and structured illumination microscopy to determine whether the previously published LactC2 probe for PS displays differential patterns of overlap with various Rab GTPases and Rab11-FIPs. Selective overlap was observed between the LactC2 probe and Rab GTPases when co-expressed in HeLa cells. Rab11-FIP1 proteins consistently overlapped with LactC2 along peripheral and pericentriolar compartments. The specificity of Rab11-FIP1 association with LactC2 was further confirmed by demonstrating that additional Rab11-FIPs (FIP2, FIP3, and FIP5) exhibited selective association with LactC2 containing compartments. Live cell dual expression studies of Rab11-FIPs with LactC2 indicated that PS is enriched along tubular compartments of the Rab11a-dependent recycling system. Additionally, we found that the removal of C2 domains from the Rab11-FIPs induced an accumulation of LactC2 probe in the pericentriolar region, suggesting that inhibition of trafficking through the recycling system can influence the distribution of PS within cells. Finally, we confirmed these findings using structured illumination microscopy suggesting that the overlapping fluorescent signals were on the same membranes. These results suggest distinct associations of Rab GTPases and Rab11-FIPs with PS-containing recycling system membrane domains.

Structural basis of myosin V Rab GTPase-dependent cargo recognition

Specific recognition of the cargo that molecular motors transport or tether to cytoskeleton tracks allows them to perform precise cellular functions at particular times and positions in cells. However, very little is known about how evolution has favored conservation of functions for some isoforms, while also allowing for the generation of new recognition sites and specialized cellular functions. Here we present several crystal structures of the myosin Va or the myosin Vb globular tail domain (GTD) that gives insights into how the motor is linked to the recycling membrane compartments via Rab11 or to the melanosome membrane via recognition of the melanophilin adaptor that binds to Rab27a. The structures illustrate how the Rab11-binding site has been conserved during evolution and how divergence at another site of the GTD allows more specific interactions such as the specific recognition of melanophilin by the myosin Va isoform. With atomic structural insights, these structures also show how either the partner or the GTD structural plasticity upon association is critical for selective recruitment of the motor.

A central role for vesicle trafficking in epithelial neoplasia: intracellular highways to carcinogenesis

Epithelial cell carcinogenesis involves the loss of cell polarity, alteration of polarized protein presentation, dynamic cell morphology changes, increased proliferation, and increased cell motility and invasion. Membrane vesicle trafficking underlies all of these processes. Specific membrane trafficking regulators, including RAB small GTPases, through the coordinated dynamics of intracellular trafficking along cytoskeletal pathways, determine the cell surface presentation of proteins and the overall function of both differentiated and neoplastic cells. Although mutations in vesicle trafficking proteins may not be direct drivers of transformation, components of the machinery of vesicle movement have crucial roles in the phenotypes of neoplastic cells. Therefore, the regulators of membrane vesicle trafficking decisions are essential mediators of the full range of cell physiologies that drive cancer cell biology, including initial loss of cell polarity, invasion and metastasis. Targeting of these fundamental intracellular processes may permit the manipulation of cancer cell behaviour.

GRAB is a binding partner for the Rab11a and Rab11b GTPases

Co-ordination of Rab GTPase function has emerged as a crucial mechanism in the control of intracellular trafficking processes in eukaryotic cells. Here, we show that GRAB/Rab3IL1 [guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rab3A; RAB3A interacting protein (rabin3)-like 1], a protein that has previously be shown to act as a GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) for Rab3a, Rab8a and Rab8b, is also a binding partner for Rab11a and Rab11b, but not the closely related Rab25 GTPase. We demonstrate that exogenous expression of Rab11a and Rab11b shift GRAB's distribution from the cytoplasm onto membranes. We find that the Rab11a/Rab11b-binding region of GRAB lies within its carboxy-terminus, a region distinct from its GEF domain and Rab3a-binding region. Finally, we describe a GRAB deletion mutant (GRABΔ223-228) that is deficient in Rab11-binding ability. These data identify GRAB as a dual Rab-binding protein that could potentially link Rab3 and Rab11 and/or Rab8 and Rab11-mediated intracellular trafficking processes.

Structural and functional analysis of FIP2 binding to the endosome-localised Rab25 GTPase

Rab small GTPases are the master regulators of intracellular trafficking in eukaryotes. They mediate spatial and temporal recruitment of effector proteins to distinct cellular compartments through GTP-induced changes in their conformation. Despite numerous structural studies, the molecular basis for Rab/effector specificity and subsequent biological activity remains poorly understood. Rab25, also known as Rab11c, which is epithelial-specific, has been heavily implicated in ovarian cancer development and independently appears to act as a tumour suppressor in the context of a distinct subset of carcinomas. Here, we show that Rab25 associates with FIP2 and can recruit this effector protein to endosomal membranes. We report the crystal structure of Rab25 in complex with the C-terminal region of FIP2, which consists of a central dimeric FIP2 coiled-coil that mediates a heterotetrameric Rab25-(FIP2)2-Rab25 complex. Thermodynamic analyses show that, despite a relatively conserved interface, FIP2 binds to Rab25 with an approximate 3-fold weaker affinity than to Rab11a. Reduced affinity is mainly associated with lower enthalpic gains for Rab25:FIP2 complex formation, and can be attributed to subtle differences in the conformations of switch 1 and switch 2. These cellular, structural and thermodynamic studies provide insight into the Rab11/Rab25 subfamily of small GTPases that regulate endosomal trafficking pathways in eukaryotes.

The rab11 effector protein FIP1 regulates adiponectin trafficking and secretion

Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted by white adipocytes involved in regulating insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. Secretion of adiponectin in adipocytes relies on the endosomal system, however, the intracellular machinery involved in mediating adiponectin release is unknown. We have previously reported that intracellular adiponectin partially compartmentalizes with rab 5 and rab11, markers for the early/sorting and recycling compartments respectively. Here we have examined the role of several rab11 downstream effector proteins (rab11 FIPs) in regulating adiponectin trafficking and secretion. Overexpression of wild type rab11 FIP1, FIP3 and FIP5 decreased the amount of secreted adiponectin expressed in HEK293 cells, whereas overexpression of rab11 FIP2 or FIP4 had no effect. Furthermore shRNA-mediated depletion of FIP1 enhanced adiponectin release whereas knock down of FIP5 decreased adiponectin secretion. Knock down of FIP3 had no effect. In 3T3L1 adipocytes, endogenous FIP1 co-distributed intracellularly with endogenous adiponectin and FIP1 depletion enhanced adiponectin release without altering insulin-mediated trafficking of the glucose transporter Glut4. While adiponectin receptors internalized with transferrin receptors, there were no differences in transferrin receptor recycling between wild type and FIP1 depleted adipocytes. Consistent with its inhibitory role, FIP1 expression was decreased during adipocyte differentiation, by treatment with thiazolidinediones, and with increased BMI in humans. In contrast, FIP1 expression increased upon exposure of adipocytes to TNFα. In all, our findings identify FIP1 as a novel protein involved in the regulation of adiponectin trafficking and release.

Identification and characterization of multiple novel Rab-myosin Va interactions

A systematic screen of the entire human Rab GTPase family for interactions with myosin Va identified 10 novel Rab partners for myosin Va, all of which belong to the endocytic recycling and post-Golgi secretory membrane network. However, Rab10 and Rab11 appear to be the major determinants of its recruitment to intracellular membranes.

Myosin Va is a widely expressed actin-based motor protein that binds members of the Rab GTPase family (3A, 8A, 10, 11A, 27A) and is implicated in many intracellular trafficking processes. To our knowledge, myosin Va has not been tested in a systematic screen for interactions with the entire Rab GTPase family. To that end, we report a yeast two-hybrid screen of all human Rabs for myosin Va-binding ability and reveal 10 novel interactions (3B, 3C, 3D, 6A, 6A′, 6B, 11B, 14, 25, 39B), which include interactions with three new Rab subfamilies (Rab6, Rab14, Rab39B). Of interest, myosin Va interacts with only a subset of the Rabs associated with the endocytic recycling and post-Golgi secretory systems. We demonstrate that myosin Va has three distinct Rab-binding domains on disparate regions of the motor (central stalk, an alternatively spliced exon, and the globular tail). Although the total pool of myosin Va is shared by several Rabs, Rab10 and Rab11 appear to be the major determinants of its recruitment to intracellular membranes. We also present evidence that myosin Va is necessary for maintaining a peripheral distribution of Rab11- and Rab14-positive endosomes.

The Rab family of proteins: 25 years on

Intracellular membrane trafficking requires the complex interplay of several classes of trafficking proteins. Rab proteins, the largest subfamily of the Ras superfamily of small G-proteins, are central regulators of all aspects of intracellular trafficking processes including vesicle budding and uncoating, motility, tethering and fusion. In the present paper, we discuss the discovery, evolution and characterization of the Rab GTPase family. We examine their basic functional roles, their important structural features and the regulatory proteins which mediate Rab function. We speculate on outstanding issues in the field, such as the mechanisms of Rab membrane association and the co-ordinated interplay between distinct Rab proteins. Finally, we summarize the data implicating Rab proteins in an ever increasing number of diseases.

Rab11 proteins in health and disease

Comprising over 60 members, Rab proteins constitute the largest branch of the Ras superfamily of low-molecular-mass G-proteins. This protein family have been primarily implicated in various aspects of intracellular membrane trafficking processes. On the basis of distinct subfamily-specific sequence motifs, many Rabs have been grouped into subfamilies. The Rab11 GTPase subfamily comprises three members: Rab11a, Rab11b and Rab25/Rab11c, which, between them, have been demonstrated to bind more than 30 proteins. In the present paper, we review the function of the Rab11 subfamily. We describe their localization and primary functional roles within the cell and their implication, to date, in disease processes. We also summarize the protein machinery currently known to regulate or mediate their functions and the cargo molecules which they have been shown to transport.

Rab11-FIP1C and Rab14 direct plasma membrane sorting and particle incorporation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex

The incorporation of the envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) onto the developing particle is a crucial step in the HIV-1 lifecycle. The long cytoplasmic tail (CT) of Env is required for the incorporation of Env onto HIV particles in T cells and macrophages. Here we identify the Rab11a-FIP1C/RCP protein as an essential cofactor for HIV-1 Env incorporation onto particles in relevant human cells. Depletion of FIP1C reduced Env incorporation in a cytoplasmic tail-dependent manner, and was rescued by replenishment of FIP1C. FIP1C was redistributed out of the endosomal recycling complex to the plasma membrane by wild type Env protein but not by CT-truncated Env. Rab14 was required for HIV-1 Env incorporation, and FIP1C mutants incapable of binding Rab14 failed to rescue Env incorporation. Expression of FIP1C and Rab14 led to an enhancement of Env incorporation, indicating that these trafficking factors are normally limiting for CT-dependent Env incorporation onto particles. These findings support a model for HIV-1 Env incorporation in which specific targeting to the particle assembly microdomain on the plasma membrane is mediated by FIP1C and Rab14.

Enveloped viruses must develop strategies to ensure that a sufficient quantity of their receptor-binding envelope proteins are incorporated onto the surface of viruses as they form. The HIV envelope glycoprotein is specifically incorporated onto assembling virions in relevant cells such as T lymphocytes in a manner that requires its long cytoplasmic tail. The mechanism underlying this specific incorporation has remained unknown. Here, we identify a cellular trafficking pathway that is required for the incorporation of HIV envelope onto virions. A combination of the adaptor protein Rab11-FIP1C and Rab14 directs the envelope protein onto assembling virions, and loss of either of these host factors results in the production of virus particles lacking envelope. We also found that FIP1C was required for replication in T cell lines. This study identifies a trafficking complex required for HIV envelope incorporation and for the formation of infectious HIV particles.

A role for Rab14 in the endocytic trafficking of GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin enhances the uptake of glucose into adipocytes and muscle cells by promoting the redistribution of the glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT4) from intracellular compartments to the cell surface. Rab GTPases regulate the trafficking itinerary of GLUT4 and several have been found on immunopurified GLUT4 vesicles. Specifically, Rab14 has previously been implicated in GLUT4 trafficking in muscle although its role, if any, in adipocytes is poorly understood. Analysis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes using confocal microscopy demonstrated that endogenous GLUT4 and endogenous Rab14 exhibited a partial colocalisation. However, when wild-type Rab14 or a constitutively-active Rab14Q70L mutant were overexpressed in these cells, the colocalisation with both GLUT4 and IRAP became extensive. Interestingly, this colocalisation was restricted to enlarged 'ring-like' vesicular structures (mean diameter 1.3 µm), which were observed in the presence of overexpressed wild-type Rab14 and Rab14Q70L, but not an inactive Rab14S25N mutant. These enlarged vesicles contained markers of early endosomes and were rapidly filled by GLUT4 and transferrin undergoing endocytosis from the plasma membrane. The Rab14Q70L mutant reduced basal and insulin-stimulated cell surface GLUT4 levels, probably by retaining GLUT4 in an insulin-insensitive early endosomal compartment. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated depletion of Rab14 inhibited the transit of GLUT4 through early endosomal compartments towards vesicles and tubules in the perinuclear region. Given the previously reported role of Rab14 in trafficking between endosomes and the Golgi complex, we propose that the primary role of Rab14 in GLUT4 trafficking is to control the transit of internalised GLUT4 from early endosomes into the Golgi complex, rather than direct GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane.

Localization of Rab proteins to peroxisomes: a proteomics and immunofluorescence study

A proteomics screen was initiated to identify Rab proteins regulating transport to and away from peroxisomes. Mass spectrometry-based protein correlation profiling of rat liver organelles and immunofluorescence analysis of the peroxisome candidate Rab proteins revealed Rab6, Rab10, Rab14 and Rab18 to associate with the peroxisomal membrane. While Rab14 localized to peroxisomes predominantly in its dominant-active form, other Rab proteins associated with peroxisomes in both their GTP- and GDP-bound state. In summary, our data suggest that Rab6, Rab10, Rab14 and Rab18 associate with the peroxisomal compartment and similar as previously shown for Rab8, Rab18 in its GDP-bound state favors peroxisome proliferation.

Rab11-family interacting proteins define spatially and temporally distinct regions within the dynamic Rab11a-dependent recycling system

The Rab11-family interacting proteins (Rab11-FIPs) facilitate Rab11-dependent vesicle recycling. We hypothesized that Rab11-FIPs define discrete subdomains and carry out temporally distinct roles within the recycling system. We used live-cell deconvolution microscopy of HeLa cells expressing chimeric fluorescent Rab11-FIPs to examine Rab11-FIP localization, transferrin passage through Rab11-FIP-containing compartments, and overlap among Rab11-FIPs within the recycling system. FIP1A, FIP2, and FIP5 occupy widely distributed mobile tubules and vesicles, whereas FIP1B, FIP1C, and FIP3 localize to perinuclear tubules. Internalized transferrin entered Rab11-FIP-containing compartments within 5 min, reaching maximum colocalization with FIP1B and FIP2 early in the time course, whereas localization with FIP1A, FIP1C, FIP3, and FIP5 was delayed until 10 min or later. Whereas direct interactions with FIP1A were only observed for FIP1B and FIP1C, FIP1A also associated with membranes containing FIP3. Live-cell dual-expression studies of Rab11-FIPs revealed the tubular dynamics of Rab11-FIP-containing compartments and demonstrated a series of selective associations among Rab11-FIPs in real time. These findings suggest that Rab11-FIP1 proteins participate in spatially and temporally distinct steps of the recycling process along a complex and dynamic tubular network in which Rab11-FIPs occupy discrete domains.

Membrane dynamics during cytokinesis

Endocytic membrane transport has recently emerged as a key process required for the successful completion of cytokinesis. Specific endocytic membranes act in concert with the cytoskeleton and ESCRT proteins to regulate the various stages of cytokinesis. In this review, we focus on the different endocytic Arf and Rab GTPases and their interaction proteins that regulate organelle transport to the intracellular bridge during cytokinesis. The identity and function of these endocytic organelles during the late stages of cell division will also be discussed.

Rab11-family of interacting protein 2 associates with chlamydial inclusions through its Rab-binding domain and promotes bacterial multiplication

Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular pathogen, survives within host cells in a special compartment named 'inclusion' and takes advantage of host vesicular transport pathways for its growth and replication. Rab GTPases are key regulatory proteins of intracellular trafficking. Several Rabs, among them Rab11 and Rab14, are implicated in chlamydial development. FIP2, a member of the Rab11-Family of Interacting Proteins, presents at the C-terminus a Rab-binding domain that interacts with both Rab11 and Rab14. In this study, we determined and characterized the recruitment of endogenous and GFP-tagged FIP2 to the chlamydial inclusions. The recruitment of FIP2 is specific since other members of the Rab11-Family of Interacting Proteins do not associate with the chlamydial inclusions. The Rab-binding domain of FIP2 is essential for its association. Our results indicate that FIP2 binds to Rab11 at the chlamydial inclusion membrane through its Rab-binding domain. The presence of FIP2 at the chlamydial inclusion favours the recruitment of Rab14. Furthermore, our results show that FIP2 promotes inclusion development and bacterial replication. In agreement, the silencing of FIP2 decreases the bacterial progeny. C. trachomatis likely recruits FIP2 to hijack host intracellular trafficking to redirect vesicles full of nutrients towards the inclusion.