Organization of endomembrane compartments in all eukaryotic cells is dependent on continuous transport of membrane vesicles. Major part of the core regulators of intracellular membrane transport is represented by small GTPases from the Rab family. Rab GTPases cycle between the GTP-bound "active" and GDP-bound "inactive" forms. In their active form, they are able to interact with specific effectors and perform their functions. Exocyst is an octameric complex involved in regulation of secretion. It functions as an effector of Rab GTPases in yeast and mammals and tethers secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane prior to the actual membrane fusion. Using publicly available expression data, we have identified candidates from Rab GTPase family for the interaction with exocyst subunit AtSEC15b in plants and demonstrated that AtSEC15b specifically interacts with AtRABA4a GTPase. We also showed that, like in yeast and mammals, Arabidopsis Sec15b binds Rab GTPase also probably in GTP-dependent manner, implying that this interaction is well conserved throughout the eukaryotic kingdoms. We also successfully demonstrated the complementation of yeast thermo-sensitive mutant strain, sec15-1. Based on this observation we concluded that AtSEC15b is able to substitute the function of yeast SEC15 and restore the phenotype....

8 ABSTRACT Rab GTPases (Rabs) are the most populous branch of eukaryotic Ras GTPase superfamily. In active GTP-binding conformation, they serve as key instruments in defining transient membrane identity and through various effectors regulate formation, transport, conversion, and fusion of membrane vesicles. This is important for upkeep of compartmentalized structure of eukaryotic cells and for facilitating both endo- and exocytic processes. Rabs are converted into GDP-binding conformation by interactions with Rab GTPase activating proteins (Rab GAPs) that possess ability to significantly speed up weak intrinsic GTP hydrolytic activity of Rabs. Through this process, Rab GAPs can limit scope of the Rabs' activity and lay out spatiotemporal boundaries for varying Rab populations. In this thesis, I tried to characterize a Rab GAP, GAP2, seemingly necessary for standard development of thale cress plants. Besides TBC catalytic domain, GAP2 (product of At2g39280 gene) possesses a C-terminal coiled-coil motif, which was previously found to interact with Rab GTPases. Experiments aiming to complement T-DNA insertion mutant in GAP2, elucidate GAP2 intracellular localization, novel interacting partners, and character of interaction with the Rabs discovered in the pilot study were undertaken. The results suggest that...

Universiẗat, Diss., 2003--Münster (Westfalen).

Techn. University, Diss., 2004--Dresden.

Rab GTPases are small signaling molecules that play an important role in vesicle trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Correct signaling through small GTPases allows orchestration of vesicle transport among cellular organelles and also to the cell wall providing cell wall material for cell growth and elongation. Engagement of Rab GTPases in the regulation of endomembrane trafficking is one of the evolutionary conserved aspects of secretion regulation. The network of Rab GTPases interaction includes also various downstream effectors. One of them is the exocyst complex involved in vesicle docking at the plasma membrane. It is a complex composed of eight different subunits (Sec3, Sec5, Sec6, Sec8, Sec10, Sec15, Exo70 and Exo84). Exocyst was discovered as Sec4p Rab GTPase effector in yeast and also data from animal models describe the Sec15 exocyst subunit as the Rab-interacting partner, but data from plants are missing. On the other hand, numerous studies identified exocyst role in tip growth of pollen tube and root hairs, seed coat formation, cell plate and cell wall formation, hypocotyl elongation, and importantly also PIN auxin efflux carriers recycling and polar auxin transport. There are two paralogues of SEC15 in the Arabidopsis genome, SEC15a and SEC15b, the previous one already shown to be...

The p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has long been thought of as a regulatory subunit that has no other function than the regulation of the p110 catalytic subunit. Our laboratory is studying other roles of the p85 subunit, in particular determining the role of the p85 BH domain. The BH domain has homology to GTPase activating protein (GAP) domains that are involved in the stimulation of monomeric G proteins to hydrolyze their bound GTP to GDP. This converts the G protein from its active conformation to its inactive conformation. We have determined that p85 interacts with Rab proteins, monomeric G proteins that regulate vesicle fusion during the endocytosis of receptors. We have shown that p85 binds to Rab5 regardless of nucleotide-bound state of Rab5. The p85 subunit of PI3K has in vitro GAP activity towards Rab5. It was determined that p85 also has in vitro GAP activity towards Rab4, Rab7, Rab6 as well as the Rho-family G proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42. This GAP activity was localized to the BH domain of p85 and mutation of Arg 274 to Ala abolishes the GAP activity of p85. When this p85R274A mutant was expressed in cells, PDGFR degradation was severely inhibited and there was a corresponding increase in the duration of MAPK and Akt signalling. This increase in cell signalling caused a transformed phenotype in cells expressing the p85 protein with the Arg 274 mutation. These cells have lost contact inhibition for growth, are able to grow independent of attachment as well as in the presence of limited growth factors. They also form tumours in nude mice. These cellular effects seem to be due to an increase in receptor recycling because of the loss of the GAP activity of p85. This increase in receptor recycling may interfere with receptor targeting to the late endosome, which would cause the decrease in receptor degradation that is seen in the p85R274A cells.

The p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has long been thought of as a regulatory subunit that has no other function than the regulation of the p110 catalytic subunit. Our laboratory is studying other roles of the p85 subunit, in particular determining the role of the p85 BH domain. The BH domain has homology to GTPase activating protein (GAP) domains that are involved in the stimulation of monomeric G proteins to hydrolyze their bound GTP to GDP. This converts the G protein from its active conformation to its inactive conformation. We have determined that p85 interacts with Rab proteins, monomeric G proteins that regulate vesicle fusion during the endocytosis of receptors. We have shown that p85 binds to Rab5 regardless of nucleotide-bound state of Rab5. The p85 subunit of PI3K has in vitro GAP activity towards Rab5. It was determined that p85 also has in vitro GAP activity towards Rab4, Rab7, Rab6 as well as the Rho-family G proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42. This GAP activity was localized to the BH domain of p85 and mutation of Arg 274 to Ala abolishes the GAP activity of p85. When this p85R274A mutant was expressed in cells, PDGFR degradation was severely inhibited and there was a corresponding increase in the duration of MAPK and Akt signalling. This increase in cell signalling caused a transformed phenotype in cells expressing the p85 protein with the Arg 274 mutation. These cells have lost contact inhibition for growth, are able to grow independent of attachment as well as in the presence of limited growth factors. They also form tumours in nude mice. These cellular effects seem to be due to an increase in receptor recycling because of the loss of the GAP activity of p85. This increase in receptor recycling may interfere with receptor targeting to the late endosome, which would cause the decrease in receptor degradation that is seen in the p85R274A cells.

Eukaryotic cells depend on cargo uptake into the endocytic membrane system, which comprises a functionally interconnected network of endosomal compartments. The establishment and maintenance of such diverse compartments in face of the high rates of exchange between them, poses a major challenge for obtaining a molecular understanding of the endocytic system. Rab-GTPases have emerged as architectural key element thereof: Individual family members localize selectively to endosomal compartments, where they recruit a multitude of cytoplasmic effector proteins and coordinate them into membrane sub-domains. Such "Rab-domains" constitute modules of molecular membrane identity, which pattern the endocytic membrane system into a mosaic of Rab-domains. The main objective of this thesis research was to link such "static" mosaic-view with the highly dynamic nature of the endosomal system. The following questions were addressed: How are neighbouring Rab-domains coordinated? Are Rab-domains stable or can they undergo assembly and disassembly? Are the dynamics of Rab-domains utilized in cargo transport? The first part of this thesis research focused on the organization of Rab-domains in the recycling pathway. Utilizing Total Internal Reflection (TIRF) microscopy, Rab11-, but neither Rab4- nor Rab5-positive vesicles were observed to fuse with the plasma membrane. Rab4-positive membranes, however, could be induced to fuse in presence of Brefeldin A. Thus, these experiments complete the view of the recycling pathway by the following steps: a) Rab11-carriers likely mediate the return of recycling cargo to the surface; b) such carriers are presumably generated in an Arf-dependent fission reaction from Rab4-positive compartments. Rab11-chromatography was subsequently carried out in the hope of identifying Rab11-effectors functioning at the Rab4-Rab11 domain interface. An as yet uncharacterized ubiquitin ligase was identified, which selectively interacts with both Rab4 and Rab11. Contrary to expectations, however, the protein (termed RUL for *R*ab interacting *U*biquitin *L*igase) does not function in recycling,but appears to mediate trafficking between Golgi/TGN and endosomes instead.In order to address the dynamics of Rab-domains, fluorescently tagged Rab-GTPases were imaged during cargo transport reactions in living cells. Herefore high-speed/long-term imaging procedures and novel computational image analysis tools were developed. The application of such methodology to the analysis of Rab5-positive early endosomes showed that a) The amount of Rab5 associated with individual endosomes fluctuates strongly over time; b) such fluctuations can lead to the "catastrophic" loss of the Rab5-machinery from membranes; c) Rab5 catastrophe is part of a functional cycle of early endosomes, involving net centripetal motility, continuous growth and increase in Rab5 density. Next, the relevance of Rab5 catastrophe with respect to cargo transfer into either the recycling- or degradative pathway was examined. Recycling cargo (transferrin) could be observed to exit Rab5-positive early endosomes via the frequent budding of tubular exit carriers. Exit of degradative cargo (LDL) from Rab5-positive endosomes did not involve budding, but the rapid loss of Rab5 from the limiting membrane.Rab5-loss was further coordinated with the concomitant acquisition of Rab7, suggesting "Rab conversion" as mechanism of transport between early- and late endosomes.Altogether, this thesis research has shown that first, Rab-machineries can be acquired and lost from membranes. Second, such dynamics provide a molecular mechanism for cargo exchange between endosomal compartments. Jointly, these findings lead to the concept of Rab-domain dynamics modulation in /trans/ between neighbouring domains as mechanistic principle behind the dynamic organization of membrane trafficking pathways.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Virginia, 2009. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-260).

La couche cornée, couche la plus superficielle de l'épiderme, assure une fonction de barrière multifonctionnelle vitale pour l'organisme. Le maintien de cette barrière dépend de la fonctionnalité des cellules sous-jacentes, les kératinocytes granuleux, dernière couche de cellules vivantes de l'épiderme. Les kératinocytes granuleux contiennent dans leur cytoplasme de nombreux organites tubulo-vésiculaires sécrétoires, appelés corps lamellaires (CL). Les CL jouent un rôle majeur dans la formation et le maintien de cette barrière en déversant leur contenu (lipides, lipases, protéases, inhibiteurs de protéases, peptides antimicrobiens,...) à la transition couche cornée - couche granuleuse. Le trafic intracellulaire des CL est donc un processus déterminant dans l'homéostasie de la couche cornée. Cependant, les mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans la régulation de ce trafic ne sont pas élucidés. Précédemment, au laboratoire, une analyse systématique par spectrométrie de masse des protéines associées aux CL a permis d'identifier plusieurs GTPases de la famille Rab et certains de leurs effecteurs. Ces protéines étant des régulateurs majeurs du trafic vésiculaire dans tous les types cellulaires, elles pourraient jouer un rôle dans le routage des CL et, ainsi, dans la fonctionnalité de la barrière épidermique. L'objectif de ma thèse était d'identifier les GTPases Rab et effecteurs impliqués dans la régulation du trafic intracellulaire des CL. Dans un premier temps, j'ai mis en évidence que la GTPase Rab11a est fortement exprimée dans les kératinocytes granuleux où elle est partiellement associée aux CL. J'ai montré que la déplétion de Rab11a dans un modèle tridimensionnel d'épiderme reconstruit in vitro réalisée grâce à la technique d'interférence à l'ARN, induit une diminution de la densité et de la sécrétion des CL. L'extinction de Rab11a entraîne également une baisse du taux de céramides et de cholestérol, une désorganisation des lipides intercornéocytaires et une augmentation de la perméabilité de la couche cornée. Dans les épidermes reconstruits déplétés, les composants des CL non-sécrétés sont adressés vers une voie de dégradation lysosomale. Dans un deuxième temps, j'ai observé que la perte d'expression de Rab11a induit une anomalie de distribution du moteur moléculaire Myosine-Vb, effecteur majeur de Rab11a. J'ai donc analysé les conséquences de la déplétion de Myosine-Vb dans les épidermes reconstruits et montré qu'elle induit un phénotype comparable à celui observé lors de la déplétion de Rab11a. L'ensemble de ces résultats suggèrent fortement que le complexe bipartite Rab11a-Myosine-Vb constitue un régulateur majeur de la biogenèse des CL et ainsi, de l'homéostasie de la barrière épidermique. Mon travail de thèse est la première étape du décryptage des voies moléculaires impliquées dans la biogenèse des CL et contribue à une meilleure compréhension du rôle du trafic intracellulaire dans la constitution de la barrière épidermique. Il pourrait permettre de caractériser les mécanismes physiopathologiques associés à un défaut de trafic des CL. / The stratum corneum, the most superficial layer of the epidermis, provides a multifunctional protective barrier which is vital for the organism. The maintenance of this barrier is directly dependent on the underlying granular keratinocytes which are the last living cells in the epidermis. The granular keratinocytes contain in their cytoplasm numerous tubulovesicular secretory organelles called lamellar bodies (LB). LB play a major role in the establishment and the maintenance of the epidermal barrier by releasing their content (lipids, lipases, proteases, protease inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides,...) at the junction between the stratum corneum and the stratum granulosum. Because of LB importance in the maintenance of the stratum corneum homeostasis, the regulation of their trafficking deserves further study.Previously, in my laboratory, a proteomic characterization of LB by mass spectrometry has identified several Rab family GTPases and some of their effectors. In any cell type, from yeast to human, Rab GTPases are considered as major regulator of vesicular trafficking. Thus, I postulated that these proteins could play a role in the regulation of LB routing in the cytoplasm of granular keratinocytes. In this context, the aim of my thesis was to determine which Rab GTPases and effectors are involved in this process. In a first step, I demonstrated that Rab11a is strongly expressed in granular keratinocytes where it is associated with LB. I showed that Rab11a silencing using RNA interference technique in an in vitro tridimensional model of reconstructed human epidermis induces a decrease of LB density and secretion in granular keratinocytes. The Rab11a depletion also leads to a decrease of ceramide and cholesterol level and a disorganization of intercorneocyte lipids, generating a defective epidermal barrier. In depleted reconstructed epidermis, there is a missorting of non-secreted LB components, driven to the lysosomal degradation pathway. In a second step, I observed that Rab11a silencing affects distribution of its effector, the molecular motor Myosin-Vb. So, I analyzed the consequences of Myosin-Vb depletion in the model of reconstructed epidermis and I demonstrated that the phenotype obtained is similar that of a Rab11a depleted epidermis. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the bipartite complex Rab11a-Myosin-Vb is able to regulate the biogenesis of LB in granular keratinocytes. Thus, this molecular complex is a crucial regulator of the epidermal barrier homeostasis. My thesis work is a first step in the deciphering of the molecular pathway involved in LB biogenesis. It is a breakthrough in the comprehension that membrane dynamic in the granular keratinocytes is a major regulator of epidermal barrier. It may contribute to a better understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms related to dysregulated LB trafficking in skin diseases.