Cytoplasmic domains of the transporter associated with antigen processing and P-glycoprotein interact with subunits of the proteasome

The proteasome is a multi-protein complex that degrades cellular proteins as well as foreign proteins destined for antigen presentation. The latter function involves the immunoproteasome, in which several proteasome subunits are exchanged for γ-interferon-induced subunits. The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) transports proteasome-generated peptides across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) prior to presentation on the plasma membrane. We demonstrate interactions between the cytoplasmic domains of TAP subunits and subunits of both the proteasome and the immunoproteasome, suggesting direct targeting of antigenic peptides to the ER via a TAP-proteasome association. We also show interaction between one of the cytoplasmic domains of P-glycoprotein and a proteasome subunit, but not the corresponding immunoproteasome subunit, suggesting a possible role for P-glycoprotein in the transport of proteasome-derived peptides.