The Golgi localization of GOLPH2 (GP73/GOLM1) is determined by the transmembrane and cytoplamic sequences

PLoS One. 2011;6(11):e28207. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028207. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

Abstract

Golgi phosphoprotein 2 (GOLPH2) is a resident Golgi type-II membrane protein upregulated in liver disease. Given that GOLPH2 traffics through endosomes and can be secreted into the circulation, it is a promising serum marker for liver diseases. The structure of GOLPH2 and the functions of its different protein domains are not known. In the current study, we investigated the structural determinants for Golgi localization using a panel of GOLPH2 truncation mutants. The Golgi localization of GOLPH2 was not affected by the deletion of the C-terminal part of the protein. A truncated mutant containing the N-terminal portion (the cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane domain (TMD)) localized to the Golgi. Sequential deletion analysis of the N-terminal indicated that the TMD with a positively charged residue in the cytoplasmic N-terminal tail were sufficient to support Golgi localization. We also showed that both endogenous and secreted GOLPH2 exist as a disulfide-bonded dimer, and the coiled-coil domain was sufficient for dimerization. This structural knowledge is important for the understanding the pathogenic role of GOLPH2 in liver diseases, and the development of GOLPH2-based hepatocellular cancer diagnostic methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Disulfides / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutant Proteins / chemistry
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • GOLM1 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Protein Sorting Signals