Dimerization properties of Rabaptin-5 and its isoforms.

ABSTRACT

Rabaptin-5 plays an important role in intracellular membrane traffic acting as an effector molecule of small GTPases Rab5 and Rab4. It was previously demonstrated that Rabaptin-5 exists as a part of a large protein complex in vivo and is able to form dimers in vitro. Data of X-ray structural analysis suggest that dimerization of Rabaptin-5 is an important feature required for its interaction with Rab5 GTPase. Recently several isoforms of Rabaptin-5 characterized by various deletions in the polypeptide chains have been identified. These isoforms might exhibit functional properties that differ from those of Rabaptin-5. In this study, we have investigated dimerization properties of delta and gamma isoforms of Rabaptin-5. In addition, we have provided the first direct evidence for Rabaptin-5 dimerization in cells.