PDZ domain protein GIPC interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of melanosomal membrane protein gp75 (tyrosinase-related protein-1)

J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 21;276(38):35768-77. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M103585200. Epub 2001 Jul 5.

Abstract

Tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related proteins (TRPs) are a family of melanosomal membrane proteins involved in mammalian pigmentation. Whereas the melanogenic functions of TRPs are localized in their amino-terminal domains that reside within the lumen of melanosomes, the sorting and targeting of these proteins to melanosomes is mediated by signals in their cytoplasmic domains. To identify proteins that interact with the cytoplasmic tail of gp75 (TRP-1), the most abundant melanosomal membrane protein, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening of a melanocyte cDNA library. Here, we show that the cytoplasmic domain of gp75 interacts with a PDZ domain-containing protein. The gp75-interacting protein is identical to GIPC, an RGS (regulator of G protein signaling)/GAIP-interacting protein, and to SEMCAP-1, a transmembrane semaphorin-binding protein. Carboxyl-terminal amino acid residues, Ser-Val-Val, of gp75 are necessary and sufficient for interaction of gp75 with the single PDZ domain in GIPC. Although endogenous and transfected GIPCs bind efficiently to transiently expressed gp75, only a small amount of GIPC is found associated with gp75 at steady state. Using a strategy to selectively synchronize the biosynthesis of endogenous gp75, we demonstrate that only newly synthesized gp75 associates with GIPC, primarily in the juxtanuclear Golgi region. Our data suggest that GIPC/SEMCAP-1 plays a role in biosynthetic sorting of proteins, specifically gp75, to melanosomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Melanosomes / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • GIPC1 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neuropeptides