Gaf-1, a gamma -SNAP-binding protein associated with the mitochondria

J Biol Chem. 2001 Apr 20;276(16):13127-35. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M009424200. Epub 2001 Jan 25.

Abstract

The role of alpha/beta-SNAP (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein) in vesicular trafficking is well established; however, the function of the ubiquitously expressed gamma-SNAP remains unclear. To further characterize the cellular role of this enigmatic protein, a two-hybrid screen was used to identify new, gamma-SNAP-binding proteins and to uncover potentially novel functions for gamma-SNAP. One such SNAP-binding protein, termed Gaf-1 (gamma-SNAP associate factor-1) specifically binds gamma- but not alpha-SNAP. The full-length Gaf-1 (75 kDa) is ubiquitously expressed and is found stoichiometrically associated with gamma-SNAP in cellular extracts. This binding is distinct from other SNAP interactions since no alpha-SNAP or NSF coprecipitated with Gaf-1. Subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence analysis show that Gaf-1 is peripherally associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane. Only a fraction of gamma-SNAP was mitochondrial with the balance being either cytosolic or associated with other membrane fractions. GFP-gamma-SNAP and the C-terminal domain of Gaf-1 both show a reticular distribution in HEK-293 cells. This reticular structure colocalizes with Gaf-1 and mitochondria as well as with microtubules but not with other cytoskeletal elements. These data identify a class of gamma-SNAP interactions that is distinct from other members of the SNAP family and point to a potential role for gamma-SNAP in mitochondrial dynamics.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Proteins
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transfection
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • RAB11FIP5 protein, human
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Proteins
  • Tubulin
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins