FIP-2, a coiled-coil protein, links Huntingtin to Rab8 and modulates cellular morphogenesis

Curr Biol. 2000 Dec;10(24):1603-6. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00864-2.

Abstract

Huntington's disease is characterised by the death of cortical and striatal neurons, and is the result of an expanded polyglutamine tract in the Huntingtin protein [1]. Huntingtin is present on both endocytic and secretory membrane organelles but its function is unclear [2,3]. Rab GTPases regulate both of these transport pathways [4]. We have previously shown that Rab8 controls polarised membrane transport by modulating cell morphogenesis [5]. To understand Rab8-mediated processes, we searched for Rab8-interacting proteins by the yeast two-hybrid system. Here, we report that Huntingtin is linked to the Rab8 protein through FIP-2, a tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-inducible coiled-coil protein related to the NEMO protein [6,7]. The activated form of Rab8 interacted with the amino-terminal region of FIP-2, whereas dominant-negative Rab8 did not. Huntingtin bound to the carboxy-terminal region of FIP-2. Coexpressed FIP-2 and Huntingtin enhanced the recruitment of Huntingtin to Rab8-positive vesicular structures, and FIP-2 promoted cell polarisation in a similar way to Rab8. We propose a model in which Huntingtin, together with FIP-2 and Rab8, are part of a protein network that regulates membrane trafficking and cellular morphogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Size
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / physiopathology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Morphogenesis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • RAB8A protein, human
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins