Distinct roles of Rab3B and Rab13 in the polarized transport of apical, basolateral, and tight junctional membrane proteins to the plasma membrane

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Aug 22;308(2):270-5. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)01358-5.

Abstract

Regulated transport of proteins to distinct plasma membrane domains is essential for the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in all eukaryotic cells. The Rab family small G proteins play a crucial role in determining the specificity of vesicular transport pathways. Rab3B and Rab13 localize to tight junction in polarized epithelial cells and cytoplasmic vesicular structures in non-polarized fibroblasts, but their functions are poorly understood. Here we examined their roles in regulating the cell-surface transport of apical p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), basolateral low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and tight junctional Claudin-1 using transport assay in non-polarized fibroblasts. Overexpression of Rab3B mutants inhibited the cell-surface transport of LDLR, but not p75NTR and Claudin-1. In contrast, overexpression of Rab13 mutants impaired the transport of Claudin-1, but not LDLR and p75NTR. These results suggest that Rab3B and Rab13 direct the cell-surface transport of LDLR and Claudin-1, respectively, and may contribute to epithelial polarization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity
  • Claudin-1
  • Cricetinae
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rab3 GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab3 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • trans-Golgi Network / metabolism

Substances

  • CLDN1 protein, human
  • Claudin-1
  • Cldn1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • RAB13 protein, human
  • RAB3B protein, human
  • Rab13 protein, mouse
  • Rab3b protein, mouse
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rab3 GTP-Binding Proteins