The TRAPP complex is a nucleotide exchanger for Ypt1 and Ypt31/32

Mol Biol Cell. 2000 Dec;11(12):4403-11. doi: 10.1091/mbc.11.12.4403.

Abstract

In yeast, the Ypt1 GTPase is required for ER-to-cis-Golgi and cis-to-medial-Golgi protein transport, while Ypt31/32 are a functional pair of GTPases essential for exit from the trans-Golgi. We have previously identified a Ypt1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity and characterized it as a large membrane-associated protein complex that localizes to the Golgi and can be extracted from the membrane by salt, but not by detergent. TRAPP is a large protein complex that is required for ER-to-Golgi transport and that has properties similar to those of Ypt1 GEF. Here we show that TRAPP has Ypt1 GEF activity. GST-tagged Bet3p or Bet5p, two of the TRAPP subunits, were expressed in yeast cells and were precipitated by glutathione-agarose (GA) beads. The resulting precipitates can stimulate both GDP release and GTP uptake by Ypt1p. The majority of the Ypt1 GEF activity associated with the GST-Bet3p precipitate has an apparent molecular weight of > 670 kDa, indicating that the GEF activity resides in the TRAPP complex. Surprisingly, TRAPP can also stimulate nucleotide exchange on the Ypt31/32 GTPases, but not on Sec4p, a Ypt-family GTPase required for the last step of the exocytic pathway. Like the previously characterized Ypt1 GEF, the TRAPP Ypt1-GEF activity can be inhibited by the nucleotide-free Ypt1-D124N mutant protein. This mutant protein also inhibits the Ypt32 GEF activity of TRAPP. Coprecipitation and overexpression studies suggest that TRAPP can act as a GEF for Ypt1 and Ypt31/32 in vivo. These data suggest the exciting possibility that a GEF complex common to Ypt1 and Ypt31/32 might coordinate the function of these GTPases in entry into and exit from the Golgi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*
  • Yeasts / genetics
  • Yeasts / metabolism*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • BET3 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • transport protein particle, TRAPP
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • YPT31 protein, S cerevisiae
  • YPT1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • YPT32 protein, S cerevisiae
  • SEC4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins