Endogenous plasma membrane t-SNARE syntaxin 4 is present in rab11 positive endosomal membranes and associates with cortical actin cytoskeleton

FEBS Lett. 2002 Nov 20;531(3):513-9. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03605-0.

Abstract

Membrane fusion requires the formation of a complex between a vesicle protein (v-SNARE) and the target membrane proteins (t-SNAREs). Syntaxin 4 is a t-SNARE that, according to previous overexpression studies, is predominantly localized at the plasma membrane. In the present study endogenous syntaxin 4 was found in intracellular vesicular structures in addition to regions of the plasma membrane. In these vesicular structures syntaxin 4 colocalized with rab11, a marker of recycling endosomes. Furthermore, syntaxin 4 colocalized with actin at the dynamic regions of the plasma membrane. Treatment with N-ethylmaleimide, the membrane transport inhibitor, caused an increased accumulation of syntaxin 4/rab11 positive vesicles in actin filament-like structures. Finally, purified recombinant syntaxin 4 but not syntaxin 2 or 3 cosedimented with actin filaments in vitro, suggesting direct interaction between these two proteins. Taken together, these data suggest that syntaxin 4 regulates secretion at the actin-rich areas of the plasma membrane and may be recycled through rab11 positive intracellular membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • Ethylmaleimide / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • rab11 protein
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Ethylmaleimide