Hypertonia-associated protein Trak1 is a novel regulator of endosome-to-lysosome trafficking

J Mol Biol. 2008 Oct 10;382(3):638-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.07.045. Epub 2008 Jul 25.

Abstract

Hypertonia, which is characterized by stiff gait, abnormal posture, jerky movements, and tremor, is associated with a number of neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy, dystonia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Recently, a spontaneous mutation in the gene encoding trafficking protein, kinesin-binding 1 (Trak1), was identified as the genetic defect that causes hypertonia in mice. The subcellular localization and biological function of Trak1 remain unclear. Here we report that Trak1 interacts with hepatocyte-growth-factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs), an essential component of the endosomal sorting and trafficking machinery. Double-label immunofluorescence confocal studies show that the endogenous Trak1 protein partially colocalizes with Hrs on early endosomes. Like Hrs, both overexpression and small-interfering-RNA-mediated knockdown of Trak1 inhibit degradation of internalized epidermal growth factor receptors through a block in endosome-to-lysosome trafficking. Our findings support a role for Trak1 in the regulation of Hrs-mediated endosomal sorting and have important implications for understanding hypertonia associated with neurological disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis / physiology
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Endosomes / metabolism*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Muscle Hypertonia / genetics
  • Muscle Hypertonia / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TRAK1 protein, human
  • Trak1 protein, mouse
  • hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors