The MICAL proteins and rab1: a possible link to the cytoskeleton?

The small GTPase rab1 plays a role in vesicle trafficking between ER and the Golgi complex. Recently, MICAL-1 was identified as new rab1 interacting protein. In this study, we show an interaction between two additional members of the MICAL family and rab1 in a yeast two-hybrid approach and GST pulldown experiments. We present data about the previously uncharacterized MICAL-3 concerning tissue distribution, size, and cellular localization. Furthermore, we investigated the connection between MICAL proteins and the cytoskeleton. Using the microtubule depolymerizing drug nocodazole we detected a link between MICAL-1 and -3, and the microtubule cytoskeleton.