Krit 1 interactions with microtubules and membranes are regulated by Rap1 and integrin cytoplasmic domain associated protein‐1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The small G protein Rap1 regulates diverse cellular processes such as integrin activation, cell adhesion, cell–cell junction formation and cell polarity. It is crucial to identify Rap1 effectors to better understand the signalling pathways controlling these processes. Krev interaction trapped 1 (Krit1), a protein with FERM (band four‐point‐one/ezrin/radixin/moesin) domain, was identified as a Rap1 partner in a yeast two‐hybrid screen, but this interaction was not confirmed in subsequent studies. As the evidence suggests a role for Krit1 in Rap1‐dependent pathways, we readdressed this question. In the present study, we demonstrate by biochemical assays that Krit1 interacts with Rap1A, preferentially its GTP‐bound form. We show that, like other FERM proteins, Krit1 adopts two conformations: a closed conformation in which its N‐terminal NPAY motif interacts with its C‐terminus and an opened conformation bound to integrin cytoplasmic domain associated protein (ICAP)‐1, a negative regulator of focal adhesion assembly. We show that a ternary complex can form in vitro between Krit1, Rap1 and ICAP‐1 and that Rap1 binds the Krit1 FERM domain in both closed and opened conformations. Unlike ICAP‐1, Rap1 does not open Krit1. Using sedimentation assays, we show that Krit1 binds in vitro to microtubules through its N‐ and C‐termini and that Rap1 and ICAP‐1 inhibit Krit1 binding to microtubules. Consistently, YFP‐Krit1 localizes on cyan fluorescent protein‐labelled microtubules in baby hamster kidney cells and is delocalized from microtubules upon coexpression with activated Rap1V12. Finally, we show that Krit1 binds to phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐P2‐containing liposomes and that Rap1 enhances this binding. Based on these results, we propose a model in which Krit1 would be delivered by microtubules to the plasma membrane where it would be captured by Rap1 and ICAP‐1.

This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit: