ARAP1 regulates endocytosis of EGFR

Traffic. 2008 Dec;9(12):2236-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2008.00839.x. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Abstract

Signaling through the EGF receptor is regulated by endocytosis. ARAP1 is a protein with Arf guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein (GAP) and Rho GAP domains. We investigated the role of ARAP1 in EGF receptor endocytic trafficking. Following EGF treatment of cells, ARAP1 rapidly and transiently associated with the edge of the cell and punctate structures containing Rab5, rabaptin 5 and EGFR but not early embryonic antigen 1 (EEA1). EGF associated with the ARAP1-positive punctate structures prior to EEA1-positive early endosomes. Recruitment of ARAP1 to the punctate structures required active Rab5 and an additional signal from EGFR. Decreasing ARAP1 levels with small interfering RNA accelerated association of EGF with EEA1 endosomes and degradation of EGFR. Phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-amino-terminal kinase (JNK) was diminished and more transient in cells with reduced levels of ARAP1 than in controls. Based on these findings, we propose that ARAP1 regulates the endocytic traffic of EGFR and, consequently, the rate of EGFR signal attenuation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • ARAP1 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins