The class C Vps complex functions at multiple stages of the vacuolar transport pathway

Traffic. 2001 Jul;2(7):476-86. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0854.2001.20705.x.

Abstract

The Class C Vps complex, consisting of Vps11, Vps16, Vps18, and Vps33, is required for SNARE-mediated membrane fusion at the lysosome-like yeast vacuole. However, Class C vps mutants display more severe and pleiotropic phenotypes than mutants specifically defective in endosome-to-vacuole transport, suggesting that there are additional functions for the Class C Vps complex. A SNARE double mutant which is defective for both Golgi-to-endosome and endosome-to-vacuole trafficking replicates many of the phenotypes observed in Class C vps mutants. We show that genetic interactions exist between Class C vps alleles and alleles of the Class D vps group, which are defective in the docking and fusion of Golgi-derived vesicles at the endosome. Moreover, the Class D protein Vac1 was found to physically bind to the Class C Vps complex through a direct association with Vps11. Finally, using a random mutagenic screen, a temperature-conditional allele which shares many of the phenotypes of mutants which are selectively defective in Golgi-to-endosome trafficking was isolated (vps11-3ts). Collectively, these results indicate that the Class C Vps complex plays essential roles in the processes of membrane docking and fusion at both the Golgi-to-endosome and endosome-to-vacuole stages of transport.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Alleles
  • Carrier Proteins*
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genotype
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Vacuoles / metabolism*
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PEP3 protein, S cerevisiae
  • PEP5 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • VPS16 protein, S cerevisiae
  • VPS33 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins