Regulation of cargo exocytosis by a Reps1-Ralbp1-RalA module

Sci Adv. 2023 Feb 22;9(8):eade2540. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ade2540. Epub 2023 Feb 22.

Abstract

Surface levels of membrane proteins are determined by a dynamic balance between exocytosis-mediated surface delivery and endocytosis-dependent retrieval from the cell surface. Imbalances in surface protein levels perturb surface protein homeostasis and cause major forms of human disease such as type 2 diabetes and neurological disorders. Here, we found a Reps1-Ralbp1-RalA module in the exocytic pathway broadly regulating surface protein levels. Reps1 and Ralbp1 form a binary complex that recognizes RalA, a vesicle-bound small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPase) promoting exocytosis through interacting with the exocyst complex. RalA binding results in Reps1 release and formation of a Ralbp1-RalA binary complex. Ralbp1 selectively recognizes GTP-bound RalA but is not a RalA effector. Instead, Ralbp1 binding maintains RalA in an active GTP-bound state. These studies uncovered a segment in the exocytic pathway and, more broadly, revealed a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism for small GTPases, GTP state stabilization.

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Exocytosis
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • REPS1 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • RALBP1 protein, human
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • RALA protein, human
  • ral GTP-Binding Proteins