Structure of the APPL1 BAR-PH domain and characterization of its interaction with Rab5

Guangyu Zhu, Jia Chen, Jay Liu, Joseph S. Brunzelle, Bo Huang, Nancy Wakeham, Simon Terzyan, Xuemei Li, Zihe Rao, Guangpu Li, Xuejun C. Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

115 Scopus citations

Abstract

APPL1 is an effector of the small GTPase Rab5. Together, they mediate a signal transduction pathway initiated by ligand binding to cell surface receptors. Interaction with Rab5 is confined to the amino (N)-terminal region of APPL1. We report the crystal structures of human APPL1 N-terminal BAR-PH domain motif. The BAR and PH domains, together with a novel linker helix, form an integrated, crescent-shaped, symmetrical dimer. This BAR-PH interaction is likely conserved in the class of BAR-PH containing proteins. Biochemical analyses indicate two independent Rab-binding sites located at the opposite ends of the dimer, where the PH domain directly interacts with Rab5 and Rab21. Besides structurally supporting the PH domain, the BAR domain also contributes to Rab binding through a small surface region in the vicinity of the PH domain. In stark contrast to the helix-dominated, Rab-binding domains previously reported, APPL1 PH domain employs β-strands to interact with Rab5. On the Rab5 side, both switch regions are involved in the interaction. Thus we identified a new binding mode between PH domains and small GTPases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3484-3493
Number of pages10
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume26
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 25 2007

Keywords

  • APPL1
  • BAR-PH domain
  • Rab5
  • Signaling endosome
  • Trafficking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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