Lysosomal localization of GLUT8 in the testis--the EXXXLL motif of GLUT8 is sufficient for its intracellular sorting via AP1- and AP2-mediated interaction

FEBS J. 2009 Jul;276(14):3729-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07089.x. Epub 2009 Jun 11.

Abstract

The class III sugar transport facilitator GLUT8 co-localizes with the lysosomal protein LAMP1 in heterologous expression systems. GLUT8 carries a [D/E]XXXL[L/I]-type dileucine sorting signal that has been postulated to retain the protein in an endosomal/lysosomal compartment via interactions with clathrin adaptor protein (AP) complexes. However, contradictory findings have been described regarding the subcellular localization of the endogenous GLUT8 and the adaptor proteins that interact with its dileucine motif. Here we demonstrate that endogenous GLUT8 is localized in a late endosomal/lysosomal compartment of spermatocytes and spermatids, and that the adaptor complexes AP1 and AP2, but not AP3 or AP4, interact with its N-terminal intracellular domain (NICD). In addition, fusion of the GLUT8 NICD to the tailless lumenal domain of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain (TAC) protein (interleukin-2 receptor a chain) targeted the protein to intracellular membranes, indicating that its N-terminal dileucine signal is sufficient for endosomal/lysosomal targeting of the transporter. The localization and targeting of GLUT8 show striking similarities to sorting mechanisms reported for lysosomal proteins. Therefore, we suggest a potential role for GLUT8 in the so far unexplored substrate transport across intracellular membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Protein Complex 1 / genetics
  • Adaptor Protein Complex 1 / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Protein Complex 2 / genetics
  • Adaptor Protein Complex 2 / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative / chemistry
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative / genetics
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lysosomal Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Rats
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Protein Complex 1
  • Adaptor Protein Complex 2
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative
  • Lamp1 protein, mouse
  • Lysosomal Membrane Proteins
  • SLC2A8 protein, human
  • Slc2a8 protein, mouse
  • Slc2a8 protein, rat
  • Transcription Factors
  • enhancer-binding protein AP-3