The N-terminal Leu-Pro-Gln sequence of Rab34 is required for ciliogenesis in hTERT-RPE1 cells

We have previously shown that Rab34 is an important regulator of ciliogenesis and that its unique long N-terminal region (amino acids 1-49) is essential for ciliogenesis in certain cultured mammalian cells. In the present study, we performed an in-depth deletion analysis of the N-terminal region of Rab34 together with Ala-based site-directed mutagenesis to identify the essential amino acids that are required for serum-starvation-induced ciliogenesis in hTERT-RPE1 cells. The results showed that a Rab34 mutant lacking an N-terminal 18 amino acids and a Rab34 mutant carrying an LPQ-to-AAA mutation (amino acids 16-18) failed to rescue a Rab34-KO phenotype (i.e., defect in ciliogenesis). Our findings suggest that the LPQ sequence of Rab34 is crucial for ciliogenesis in hTERT-RPE1 cells.Abbreviations: AA, amino acid(s); ac-Tub, acetylated tubulin; bsr, blasticidin S-resistant gene; HRP, horseradish peroxidase; hTERT-RPE1, human telomerase reverse transcriptase retinal pigment epithelium 1; KO, knockout; NS, not significant; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; puro, puromycin-resistant gene.

A comprehensive analysis of Rab GTPases reveals a role for Rab34 in serum starvation-induced primary ciliogenesis

Primary cilia are sensors of chemical and mechanical signals in the extracellular environment. The formation of primary cilia (i.e. ciliogenesis) requires dynamic membrane trafficking events, and several Rab small GTPases, key regulators of membrane trafficking, have recently been reported to participate in ciliogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms of Rab-mediated membrane trafficking during ciliogenesis remain largely unknown. In the present study, we used a collection of siRNAs against 62 human Rabs to perform a comprehensive knockdown screening for Rabs that regulate serum starvation-induced ciliogenesis in human telomerase reverse transcriptase retinal pigment epithelium 1 (hTERT-RPE1) cells and succeeded in identifying Rab34 as an essential Rab. Knockout (KO) of Rab34, but not of Rabs previously reported to regulate ciliogenesis (e.g. Rab8 and Rab10) in hTERT-RPE1 cells, drastically impaired serum starvation-induced ciliogenesis. Rab34 was also required for serum starvation-induced ciliogenesis in NIH/3T3 cells and MCF10A cells but not for ciliogenesis in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-II cysts. We then attempted to identify a specific region(s) of Rab34 that is essential for ciliogenesis by performing deletion and mutation analyses of Rab34. Unexpectedly, instead of a specific sequence in the switch II region, which is generally important for recognizing effector proteins (e.g. Rab interacting lysosomal protein [RILP]), a unique long N-terminal region of Rab34 before the conserved GTPase domain was found to be essential. These findings suggest that Rab34 is an atypical Rab that regulates serum starvation-induced ciliogenesis through its unique N-terminal region.

Cellular Mechanisms of Ciliary Length Control

Cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved, membrane-bound, microtubule-based organelles on the surface of most eukaryotic cells. They play important roles in coordinating a variety of signaling pathways during growth, development, cell mobility, and tissue homeostasis. Defects in ciliary structure or function are associated with multiple human disorders called ciliopathies. These diseases affect diverse tissues, including, but not limited to the eyes, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Many processes must be coordinated simultaneously in order to initiate ciliogenesis. These include cell cycle, vesicular trafficking, and axonemal extension. Centrioles play a central role in both cell cycle progression and ciliogenesis, making the transition between basal bodies and mitotic spindle organizers integral to both processes. The maturation of centrioles involves a functional shift from cell division toward cilium nucleation which takes place concurrently with its migration and fusion to the plasma membrane. Several proteinaceous structures of the distal appendages in mother centrioles are required for this docking process. Ciliary assembly and maintenance requires a precise balance between two indispensable processes; so called assembly and disassembly. The interplay between them determines the length of the resulting cilia. These processes require a highly conserved transport system to provide the necessary substances at the tips of the cilia and to recycle ciliary turnover products to the base using a based microtubule intraflagellar transport (IFT) system. In this review; we discuss the stages of ciliogenesis as well as mechanisms controlling the lengths of assembled cilia.