The neuronal proteins CIPP, Cypin and IRSp53 form a tripartite complex mediated by PDZ and SH3 domains.

ABSTRACT

Here we report the dissection of a tripartite complex formed by CIPP (channel-interacting PDZ protein), IRSp53 (insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate protein) and Cypin (cytosolic PSD-95 interactor) in cultured cells. The three proteins are expressed in similar neuronal districts, where CIPP binds to different membrane channels and receptors, IRSp53 regulates the morphogenesis of actin-rich dendritic spines, and Cypin promotes dendrite branching and patterning by binding to tubulin heterodimers. We observed that the interaction among the three proteins is mediated by small binding domains CIPP works as a bridge, linking the carboxy-termini of IRSp53 and Cypin with its PDZ domains; IRSp53 connects Cypin, through an unusual SH3-mediated association, which can be impaired by substituting two crucial positively charged residues of Cypin. The observation that the three engineered proteins co-localize in the cytoplasm, and at the tip of induced neurites in neuronal cells, raises the interesting possibility that they work together in the formation of neuronal protrusions.