Regulation of Arf6 and ACAP1 Signaling by the PTB-Domain-Containing Adaptor Protein GULP

SummaryThe GTPase Arf6 regulates multiple cellular processes, including endocytosis, secretion, phagocytosis, cell adhesion, and cell migration 1 and 2. The Arf6-specific GAP ACAP1 is a negative regulator of Arf6-mediated signaling 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. However, regulation of ACAP1- and Arf6-mediated signaling by other cellular proteins is not well understood. GULP/CED-6 is a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB)-domain-containing adaptor protein linked to engulfment of apoptotic cells 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 and to cholesterol homeostasis [14]. Here, we identify a novel role for GULP as a positive regulator of Arf6. Knockdown of GULP decreased cellular Arf6-GTP, whereas GULP overexpression increased cellular Arf6-GTP. At the mechanistic level, GULP influenced Arf6 at four levels. First, GULP bound directly to GDP-bound Arf6 via its PTB domain. Second, GULP associated with the Arf6-GAP ACAP1 at endogenous levels. Third, GULP reversed the Arf6-GTP decrease induced by ACAP1, and countered the ACAP1-mediated inhibition of cell migration. Fourth, GULP, ACAP1, and GDP-bound Arf6 were part of a tripartite complex, suggesting sequestration of ACAP1 as one mechanism of GULP action. Taken together, these data identify GULP as a modifier of cellular Arf6-GTP through regulation of ACAP1. Because PTB-domain-containing adaptor proteins influence endocytosis and trafficking of membrane proteins and cell migration 15 and 16, our data support a model wherein PTB-domain-containing adaptor proteins regulate Arf family proteins.