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Esophageal atresia (EA/TEF) is a common congenital abnormality present in 1 of 4000 births. Here we show that atretic esophagi lack Noggin (NOG) expression, resulting in immature esophagus that contains respiratory glands. Moreover, when using mouse esophageal organoid units (EOUs) or tracheal organoid units (TOUs) as a model of foregut development and differentiation in vitro, NOG determines whether foregut progenitors differentiate toward esophageal or tracheal epithelium. These results indicate that NOG is a critical regulator of cell fate decisions between esophageal and pulmonary morphogenesis, and its lack of expression results in EA/TEF.

MARK2 regulates the establishment of polarity in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in part through phosphorylation of serine 227 of Rab11-FIP2. We identified Eps15 as an interacting partner of phospho-S227-Rab11-FIP2 (pS227-FIP2). During recovery from low calcium, Eps15 localized to the lateral membrane before pS227-FIP2 arrival. Later in recovery, Eps15 and pS227-FIP2 colocalized at the lateral membrane. In MDCK cells expressing the pseudophosphorylated FIP2 mutant FIP2(S227E), during recovery from low calcium, Eps15 was trapped and never localized to the lateral membrane. Mutation of any of the three NPF domains within GFP-FIP2(S227E) rescued Eps15 localization at the lateral membrane and reestablished single-lumen cyst formation in GFP-FIP2(S227E)-expressing cells in three-dimensional (3D) culture. Whereas expression of GFP-FIP2(S227E) induced the loss of E-cadherin and occludin, mutation of any of the NPF domains of GFP-FIP2(S227E) reestablished both proteins at the apical junctions. Knockdown of Eps15 altered the spatial and temporal localization of pS227-FIP2 and also elicited formation of multiple lumens in MDCK 3D cysts. Thus an interaction of Eps15 and pS227-FIP2 at the appropriate time and location in polarizing cells is necessary for proper establishment of epithelial polarity., (© 2017 Lapierre et al. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).)

A tripartite association of Rab11a with both Rab11-FIP2 and MYO5B regulates recycling endosome trafficking. We sought to define the intermolecular interactions required between Rab11-FIP2 and MYO5B. Using a random mutagenesis strategy, we identified point mutations at S229P or G233E in Rab11-FIP2 that caused loss of interaction with MYO5B in yeast two-hybrid assays as well as loss of interaction of Rab11-FIP2(129-356) with MYO5B tail when expressed in HeLa cells. Single mutations or the double S229P/G233E mutation failed to alter the association of full-length Rab11-FIP2 with MYO5B tail in HeLa cells. While EGFP-Rab11-FIP2 wild type colocalized with endogenous MYO5B staining in MDCK cells, EGFP-Rab11-FIP2(S229P/G233E) showed a significant decrease in localization with endogenous MYO5B. Analysis of Rab11a-containing vesicle movement in live HeLa cells demonstrated that when the MYO5B/Rab11-FIP2 association is perturbed by mutation or by Rab11-FIP2 knockdown, vesicle movement is increased in both speed and track length, consistent with an impairment of MYO5B tethering at the cytoskeleton. These results support a critical role for the interaction of MYO5B with Rab11-FIP2 in stabilizing the functional complex with Rab11a, which regulates dynamic movements of membrane recycling vesicles., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The norepinephrine transporter (NET) is a presynaptic plasma membrane protein that mediates reuptake of synaptically released norepinephrine. NET is also a major target for medications used for the treatment of depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity. NET is regulated by numerous mechanisms, including catalytic activation and membrane trafficking. Amphetamine (AMPH), a psychostimulant and NET substrate, has also been shown to induce NET trafficking. However, neither the molecular basis nor the nature of the relevant membrane compartments of AMPH-modulated NET trafficking has been defined. Indeed, direct visualization of drug-modulated NET trafficking in neurons has yet to be demonstrated. In this study, we used a recently developed NET antibody and the presence of large presynaptic boutons in sympathetic neurons to examine basal and AMPH-modulated NET trafficking. Specifically, we establish a role for Rab11 in AMPH-induced NET trafficking. First, we found that, in cortical slices, AMPH induces a reduction in surface NET. Next, we observed AMPH-induced accumulation and colocalization of NET with Rab11a and Rab4 in presynaptic boutons of cultured neurons. Using tagged proteins, we demonstrated that NET and a truncated Rab11 effector (FIP2DeltaC2) do not redistribute in synchrony, whereas NET and wild-type Rab11a do. Analysis of various Rab11a/b mutants further demonstrates that Rab11 regulates NET trafficking. Expression of the truncated Rab11a effector (FIP2DeltaC2) attenuates endogenous Rab11 function and prevented AMPH-induced NET internalization as does GDP-locked Rab4 S22N. Our data demonstrate that AMPH leads to an increase of NET in endosomes of single boutons and varicosities in a Rab11-dependent manner.

Sorting and recycling of endocytosed proteins are required for proper cellular function and growth. Internalized receptors either follow a fast constitutive recycling pathway, returning to the cell surface directly from the early endosomes, or a slow pathway that involves transport via perinuclear recycling endosomes. Slow recycling pathways are thought to play a key role in directing recycling proteins to specific locations on cell surfaces, such as the leading edges of motile cells. These pathways are regulated by various Rab GTPases, such as Rab4 and Rab11. Here we characterize the role of Rip11/FIP5, a known Rab11-binding protein, in regulating endocytic recycling. We use a combination of electron and fluorescent microscopy with siRNA-based protein knockdown to show that Rip11/FIP5 is present at the peripheral endosomes, where it regulates the sorting of internalized receptors to a slow recycling pathway. We also identify kinesin II as a Rip11/FIP5-binding protein and show that it is required for directing endocytosed proteins into the same recycling pathway. Thus, we propose that the Rip11/FIP5-kinesin-II complex has a key role in the routing of internalized receptors through the perinuclear recycling endosomes.

By interacting with the cytoplasmic tail of a Golgi-processed form of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha), Naked2 coats TGFalpha-containing exocytic vesicles and directs them to the basolateral corner of polarized epithelial cells where the vesicles dock and fuse in a Naked2 myristoylation-dependent manner. These TGFalpha-containing Naked2-associated vesicles are not directed to the subapical Sec6/8 exocyst complex as has been reported for other basolateral cargo, and thus they appear to represent a distinct set of basolaterally targeted vesicles. To identify constituents of these vesicles, we exploited our finding that myristoylation-deficient Naked2 G2A vesicles are unable to fuse at the plasma membrane. Isolation of a population of myristoylation-deficient, green fluorescent protein-tagged G2A Naked2-associated vesicles was achieved by biochemical enrichment followed by flow cytometric fluorescence-activated vesicle sorting. The protein content of these plasma membrane de-enriched, flow-sorted fluorescent G2A Naked2 vesicles was determined by LC/LC-MS/MS analysis. Three independent isolations were performed, and 389 proteins were found in all three sets of G2A Naked2 vesicles. Rab10 and myosin IIA were identified as core machinery, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1 was identified as an additional cargo within these vesicles. As an initial validation step, we confirmed their presence and that of three additional proteins tested (annexin A1, annexin A2, and IQGAP1) in wild-type Naked2 vesicles. To our knowledge, this is the first large scale protein characterization of a population of basolaterally targeted exocytic vesicles and supports the use of fluorescence-activated vesicle sorting as a useful tool for isolation of cellular organelles for comprehensive proteomics analysis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects polarized epithelia, which have tightly regulated trafficking because of the separation and maintenance of the apical and basolateral membranes. Previously we established a link between the apical recycling endosome (ARE) and the assembly of RSV. The current studies tested the role of a major ARE-associated protein, Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (FIP2) in the virus life cycle. A dominant-negative form of FIP2 lacking its N-terminal C2 domain reduced the supernatant-associated RSV titer 1,000-fold and also caused the cell-associated virus titer to increase. These data suggested that the FIP2 C2 mutant caused a failure at the final budding step in the virus life cycle. Additionally, truncation of the Rab-binding domain from FIP2 caused its accumulation into mature filamentous virions. RSV budding was independent of the ESCRT machinery, the only well-defined budding mechanism for enveloped RNA viruses. Therefore, RSV uses a virus budding mechanism that is controlled by FIP2.

Transcytosis through the apical recycling system of polarized cells is regulated by Rab11a and a series of Rab11a-interacting proteins. We have identified a point mutant in Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (Rab11-FIP2) that alters the function of Rab11a-containing trafficking systems. Rab11-FIP2(S229A/R413G) or Rab11-FIP2(R413G) cause the formation of a tubular cisternal structure containing Rab11a and decrease the rate of polymeric IgA transcytosis. The R413G mutation does not alter Rab11-FIP interactions with any known binding partners. Overexpression of Rab11-FIP2(S229A/R413G) alters the localization of a subpopulation of the apical membrane protein GP135. In contrast, Rab11-FIP2(129-512) alters the localization of early endosome protein EEA1. The distributions of both Rab11-FIP2(S229A/R413G) and Rab11-FIP2(129-512) were not dependent on the integrity of the microtubule cytoskeleton. The results indicate that Rab11-FIP2 regulates trafficking at multiple points within the apical recycling system of polarized cells.

Cells use multiple pathways to internalize and recycle cell surface components. Although Rab11a and Myosin Vb are involved in the recycling of proteins internalized by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Rab8a has been implicated in nonclathrin-dependent endocytosis and recycling. By yeast two-hybrid assays, we have now demonstrated that Myosin Vb can interact with Rab8a, but not Rab8b. We have confirmed the interaction of Myosin Vb with Rab11a and Rab8a in vivo by using fluorescent resonant energy transfer techniques. Rab8a and Myosin Vb colocalize to a tubular network containing EHD1 and EHD3, which does not contain Rab11a. Myosin Vb tail can cause the accumulation of both Rab11a and Rab8a in collapsed membrane cisternae, whereas dominant-negative Rab11-FIP2(129-512) selectively accumulates Rab11a but not Rab8a. Additionally, dynamic live cell imaging demonstrates distinct pathways for Rab11a and Rab8a vesicle trafficking. These findings indicate that Rab8a and Rab11a define different recycling pathways that both use Myosin Vb.

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) regulates water reabsorption in renal collecting duct principal cells. Its binding to Gs-coupled vasopressin V2 receptors increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) and subsequently elicits the redistribution of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane (AQP2 shuttle), thereby facilitating water reabsorption from primary urine. The AQP2 shuttle is a paradigm for cAMP-dependent exocytic processes. Using sections of rat kidney, the AQP2-expressing cell line CD8, and primary principal cells, we studied the role of the motor protein myosin Vb, its vesicular receptor Rab11, and the myosin Vb- and Rab11-binding protein Rab11-FIP2 in the AQP2 shuttle. Myosin Vb colocalized with AQP2 intracellularly in resting and at the plasma membrane in AVP-treated cells. Rab11 was found on AQP2-bearing vesicles. A dominant-negative myosin Vb tail construct and Rab11-FIP2 lacking the C2 domain (Rab11-FIP2-DeltaC2), which disrupt recycling, caused condensation of AQP2 in a Rab11-positive compartment and abolished the AQP2 shuttle. This effect was dependent on binding of myosin Vb tail and Rab11-FIP2-DeltaC2 to Rab11. In summary, we identified myosin Vb as a motor protein involved in AQP2 recycling and show that myosin Vb- and Rab11-FIP2-dependent recycling of AQP2 is an integral part of the AQP2 shuttle.

Rab11a is a member of the Rab11 small GTPase family, and plays an important role in plasma membrane recycling. Rab11-Family Interacting Protein 1 (Rab11-FIP1) binds to Rab11 through a carboxyl-terminal amphipathic alpha helix. We have identified eight alternatively spliced Rab11-FIP1 gene transcripts from human chromosome 8. Among them, Rab11-FIP1A-D have carboxyl terminal Rab11 binding domains, while Rab11-FIP1E-H do not contain the Rab11 binding domain. While Rab11-FIP1B and F gene transcripts are ubiquitous, other Rab11-FIP1 transcripts demonstrate more limited patterns of expression in human tissue cDNAs. EGFP-Rab11-FIP1A-D proteins over-expressed in HeLa cells targeted to Rab11a-containing membranes, while EGFP-Rab11-FIP1E/F and H proteins did not localize with recycling system membranes. However, transferrin trafficking was not significantly altered in HeLa cells over-expressing expressing any of the EGFP-Rab11-FIP1 proteins. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies specific for Rab11-FIP1B and Rab11-FIP1C/RCP demonstrated that Rab11-FIP1B and Rab11-FIP1C/RCP are expressed endogenously. Strikingly, endogenous staining for Rab11-FIP1C/RCP only partially co-localized with EGFP-Rab11-FIP1A, EGFP-Rab11-FIP1B, and EGFP-Rab11a in the perinuclear region, indicating that Rab11-FIP1C/RCP resides in a differentiable subcellular compartment within the plasma membrane recycling system compared with Rab11-FIP1A and Rab11-FIP1B. These data suggest that Rab11-FIP1 proteins may play coordinated roles in regulating plasma membrane recycling with regional specificity within the Rab11a-containing recycling system.

Members of the Rab family of small GTPases are involved in multiple trafficking events in both endocytotic and biosynthetic pathways. To understand more fully the regulation of these events, a concerted effort is underway to ascertain the binding partners and regulators of Rabs. Here, we describe methods to assess binding of Rab11a with Rab11-FIP2 and other Rab11-FIPs utilizing a modified far-Western approach. We then broaden this application to assess binding of Rab11-FIP2 with myosin Vb and homodimerization of Rab11-FIP2.

Agonist-stimulated internalization followed by recycling to the cell membrane play an important role in fine-tuning the activity of chemokine receptors. Because the recycling of chemokine receptors is critical for the reestablishment of the cellular responsiveness to ligand, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms underlying the receptor recycling and resensitization. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the chemokine receptor CXCR2 associated with myosin Vb and Rab11-family interacting protein 2 (FIP2) in a ligand-dependent manner. Truncation of the C-terminal domain of the receptor did not affect the association, suggesting that the interactions occur upstream of the C terminus of CXCR2. After ligand stimulation, the internalized CXCR2 colocalized with myosin Vb and Rab11-FIP2 in Rab11a-positive vesicles. The colocalization lasted for approximately 2 h, and little colocalization was observed after 4 h of ligand stimulation. CXCR2 also colocalized with myosin Vb tail or Rab11-FIP2 (129-512), the N-terminal-truncated mutants of myosin Vb and Rab11-FIP2, respectively, but in a highly condensed manner. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged myosin Vb tail significantly retarded the recycling and resensitization of CXCR2. CXCR2 recycling was also reduced by the expression Rab11-FIP2 (129-512). Moreover, expression of the myosin Vb tail reduced CXCR2- and CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis. These data indicate that Rab11-FIP2 and myosin Vb regulate CXCR2 recycling and receptor-mediated chemotaxis and that passage of internalized CXCR2 through Rab11a-positive recycling system is critical for physiological response to a chemokine.

CLIC4 is a member of the chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) protein family whose principal cellular functions are poorly understood. Recently, we demonstrated that several CLIC proteins, including CLIC4, interact with AKAP350. AKAP350 is concentrated at the Golgi apparatus, centrosome, and midbody and acts as a scaffolding protein for several protein kinases and phosphatases. In this report, we show that endogenous CLIC4 and AKAP350 colocalize at the centrosome and midbody of cultured cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. Unlike AKAP350, CLIC4 is not enriched in the Golgi apparatus but is enriched in mitochondria, actin-based structures at the cell cortex, and the nuclear matrix, indicating that CLIC4-AKAP350 interactions are regulated at specific subcellular sites in vivo. In addition to the centrosome and midbody, CLIC4 colocalizes with AKAP350 and the tight junction protein ZO-1 in the apical region of polarized epithelial cells, suggesting that CLIC4 may play a role in maintaining apical-basolateral membrane polarity during mitosis and cytokinesis. Biochemical studies show that CLIC4 behaves mainly as a soluble cytosolic protein and can associate with proteins of the microtubule cytoskeleton. The localization of CLIC4 to the cortical actin cytoskeleton and its association with AKAP350 at the centrosome and midbody suggests that CLIC4 may be important for regulating cytoskeletal organization during the cell cycle. These findings lead to the conclusion that CLIC4 and possibly other CLIC proteins have alternate cellular functions that are distinct from their proposed roles as chloride channels., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Plasma membrane recycling is an important process necessary for maintaining membrane composition. The motor protein myosin Vb regulates plasma membrane recycling through its association with Rab11a. Overexpression of the tail of myosin Vb disrupts trafficking out of plasma membrane recycling systems and leads to the accumulation of Rab11a in both polarized and non-polarized cells. We have investigated the association of Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (Rab11-FIP2) with myosin Vb as an adapter protein between Rab11a and myosin Vb. Immunofluorescence studies indicated a colocalization of endogenous Rab11-FIP2 with green fluorescent protein-myosin Vb tail overexpressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Yeast two hybrid assays showed that amino acids 129-356 of Rab11-FIP2 were important for binding to myosin Vb tail. In vitro association assays and co-transfection experiments in both MDCK and HeLa cells confirmed this result but further refined the binding site to amino acids 129-290 of Rab11-FIP2. Like myosin Vb, functional studies indicated that Rab11-FIP2 is also important for normal plasma membrane recycling. Green fluorescent protein-Rab11-FIP2 (129-512), which lacks its amino-terminal C2 domain, functioned as a dominant negative acting truncation that caused accumulation of Rab11a and disrupted IgA trafficking in MDCK cells and transferrin trafficking in HeLa cells. The ternary association of myosin Vb and Rab11-FIP2 with Rab11a suggests that a multimeric protein complex is involved in vesicle trafficking through plasma membrane recycling systems.

AKAP350 can scaffold a number of protein kinases and phosphatases at the centrosome and the Golgi apparatus. We performed a yeast two-hybrid screen of a rabbit parietal cell library with a 3.2-kb segment of AKAP350 (nucleotides 3611-6813). This screen yielded a full-length clone of rabbit chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1). CLIC1 belongs to a family of proteins, all of which contain a high degree of homology in their carboxyl termini. All CLIC family members were able to bind a 133-amino acid domain within AKAP350 through the last 120 amino acids in the conserved CLIC carboxyl termini. Antibodies developed against a bovine CLIC, p64, immunoprecipitated AKAP350 from HCA-7 colonic adenocarcinoma cell extracts. Antibodies against CLIC proteins recognized at least five CLIC species including a novel 46-kDa CLIC protein. We isolated the human homologue of bovine p64, CLIC5B, from HCA-7 cell cDNA. A splice variant of CLIC5, the predicted molecular mass of CLIC5B corresponds to the molecular mass of the 46-kDa CLIC immunoreactive protein in HCA-7 cells. Antibodies against CLIC5B colocalized with AKAP350 at the Golgi apparatus with minor staining of the centrosomes. AKAP350 and CLIC5B association with Golgi elements was lost following brefeldin A treatment. Furthermore, GFP-CLIC5B-(178-410) targeted to the Golgi apparatus in HCA-7 cells. The results suggest that AKAP350 associates with CLIC proteins and specifically that CLIC5B interacts with AKAP350 at the Golgi apparatus in HCA-7 cells.

The protein kinase A-anchoring proteins (AKAPs) are defined by their ability to scaffold protein kinase A to specific subcellular compartments. Each of the AKAP family members utilizes unique targeting domains specific for a particular subcellular compartment. AKAP350 is a multiply spliced AKAP family member localized to the centrosome and the Golgi apparatus. Three splicing events in the carboxyl terminus of AKAP350 generate the AKAP350A, AKAP350B, and AKAP350C proteins. A monoclonal antibody recognizing all three splice variants as well as a polyclonal antibody specific for AKAP350A demonstrated both centrosomal and Golgi apparatus staining in paraformaldehyde-fixed HCA-7 cells. Golgi apparatus-associated AKAP350A staining was dispersed following brefeldin A treatment. Using GFP chimeric constructs of the carboxyl-terminal regions of AKAP350A, a Golgi apparatus targeting domain was identified between amino acids 3259 and 3307 of AKAP350A. This domain was functionally distinguishable from the recently described centrosomal targeting domain (PACT domain, amino acids 3308-3324) located adjacent to the Golgi targeting domain. These data definitively establish the specific association of AKAP350A with the Golgi apparatus in HCA-7 cells.

AKAP350 is a multiply spliced family of 350-450-kDa protein kinase A-anchoring proteins localized to the centrosomes and the Golgi apparatus. Using AKAP350A as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a rabbit parietal cell library, we have identified a novel AKAP350-interacting protein, transforming acidic coiled-coil-containing protein 4 (TACC4). Two-hybrid binary assays demonstrate interaction of both TACC3 and TACC4 with AKAP350A and AKAP350B. Antibodies raised to a TACC4-specific peptide sequence colocalize TACC4 with AKAP350 at the centrosome in interphase Jurkat cells. Mitotic cell staining reveals translocation of TACC4 from the centrosome to the spindle apparatus with the majority of TACC4 at the spindle poles. Truncated TACC4 proteins lacking the AKAP350 minimal binding domain found in the carboxyl coiled-coil region of TACC4 could no longer target to the centrosome. Amino-truncated TACC4 proteins could no longer target to the spindle apparatus. Further, overexpression of TACC4 fusion proteins that retained spindle localization in mitotic cells resulted in an increased proportion of cells present in prometaphase. We propose that AKAP350 is responsible for sequestration of TACC4 to the centrosome in interphase, whereas a separate TACC4 domain results in functional localization of TACC4 to the spindle apparatus in mitotic cells.

Tight junctions create a regulated intercellular seal between epithelial and endothelial cells and also establish polarity between plasma membrane domains within the cell. Tight junctions have also been implicated in many other cellular functions, including cell signaling and growth regulation, but they have yet to be directly implicated in vesicle movement. Occludin is a transmembrane protein located at tight junctions and is known to interact with other tight junction proteins, including ZO-1. To investigate occludin's role in other cellular functions we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using the cytoplasmic C terminus of occludin and a human liver cDNA library. From this screen we identified VAP-33 which was initially cloned from Aplysia by its ability to interact with VAMP/synaptobrevin and thus was implicated in vesicle docking/fusion. Extraction characteristics indicated that VAP-33 was an integral membrane protein. Antibodies to the human VAP-33 co-localized with occludin at the tight junction in many tissues and tissue culture cell lines. Subcellular fractionation of liver demonstrated that 83% of VAP-33 co-isolated with occludin and DPPIV in a plasma membrane fraction and 14% fractionated in a vesicular pool. Thus, both immunofluorescence and fractionation data suggest that VAP-33 is present in two distinct pools in the cells. In further support of this conclusion, a GFP-VAP-33 chimera also distributed to two sites within MDCK cells and interestingly shifted occludin's localization basally. Since VAP-33 has previously been implicated in vesicle docking/fusion, our results suggest that tight junctions may participate in vesicle targeting at the plasma membrane or alternatively VAP-33 may regulate the localization of occludin.

Protein kinase A-anchoring proteins (AKAPs) localize the second messenger response to particular subcellular domains by sequestration of the type II protein kinase A. Previously, AKAP120 was identified from a rabbit gastric parietal cell cDNA library; however, a monoclonal antibody raised against AKAP120 labeled a 350-kDa band in Western blots of parietal cell cytosol. Recloning has now revealed that AKAP120 is a segment of a larger protein, AKAP350. We have now obtained a complete sequence of human gastric AKAP350 as well as partial cDNA sequences from human lung and rabbit parietal cells. The genomic region containing AKAP350 is found on chromosome 7q21 and is multiply spliced, producing at least three distinct AKAP350 isoforms as well as yotiao, a protein associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Rabbit parietal cell AKAP350 is missing a sequence corresponding to a single exon in the middle of the molecule located just after the yotiao homology region. Two carboxyl-terminal splice variants were also identified. Both of the major splice variants showed tissue- and cell-specific expression patterns. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that AKAP350 was associated with centrosomes in many cell types. In polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, AKAP350 localized asymmetrically to one pole of the centrosome, and nocodazole did not alter its localization. During the cell cycle, AKAP350 was associated with the centrosomes as well as with the cleavage furrow during anaphase and telophase. Several epithelial cell types also demonstrated noncentrosomal pools of AKAP350, especially parietal cells, which contained multiple cytosolic immunoreactive foci throughout the cells. The localization of AKAP350 suggests that it may regulate centrosomal and noncentrosomal cytoskeletal systems in many different cell types.

The tubulovesicles of gastric parietal cells sequester H+/K+-ATPase molecules within resting parietal cells. Stimulation of parietal cell secretion elicits delivery of intracellular H+/K+-ATPase to the apically oriented secretory canaliculus. Previous investigations have suggested that this process requires the regulated fusion of intracellular tubulovesicles with the canalicular target membrane. We have sought to investigate the presence of critical putative regulators of vesicle fusion on immunoisolated gastric parietal cell tubulovesicles. Highly purified tubulovesicles were prepared by gradient fractionation and immunoisolation on magnetic beads coated with monoclonal antibodies against the alpha subunit of H+/K+-ATPase. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of Rab11, Rab25, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP-2) and secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) on immunoisolated vesicles. The same cohort of proteins was recovered on vesicles immunoisolated with monoclonal antibodies against SCAMPs and VAMP-2. In contrast, whereas immunoreactivities for syntaxin 1A/1B and synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25) were present in gradient-isolated vesicles, none of the immunoreactivity was associated with immunoisolated vesicles. The observation of VAMP-2 and two Rab proteins on immunoisolated H+/K+-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles supports the role for tubulovesicles in a regulated vesicle fusion process. In addition, the presence of SCAMPs along with Rab11 and Rab25 implicates the tubulovesicles as a critical apical recycling vesicle population.

The type-II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-Kinase) partitions primarily into the particulate fraction in gastric parietal cells. Localization of this kinase to particular subcellular domains is mediated through the binding of the regulatory subunit (RII) dimer to A-Kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Using a [32P]RII overlay assay, we have screened a rabbit gastric parietal cell cDNA library and have isolated a single RII-binding protein clone. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame coding for 1022 amino acids (AKAP120). Recombinant fragments of the full-length clone were prepared and the RII-binding region mapped to an area between amino acids 489 and 549. This area contained a putative alpha-helical RII-binding region between amino acids 503 and 516. Incubation of [32P]RII with a synthetic peptide of AKAP120-(489-522) completely inhibited the binding of [32P]RII to the recombinant AKAP120 fragments that demonstrated RII binding. In vitro RII-binding affinity studies indicated a high-affinity interaction between AKAP120 and RII with a Kapp between 50 and 120 nM for the three recombinant fragments that bound [32P]RII. RNase-protection analysis revealed that AKAP120 is a widely distributed protein, with the highest levels of mRNA observed in gastric fundus. The presence of this novel high-affinity AKAP in gastric parietal cells suggests that it may regulate RII subcellular sequestration in this cell type.