Mutations in the SPG3A gene encoding the GTPase atlastin interfere with vesicle trafficking in the ER/Golgi interface and Golgi morphogenesis.

Abstract

Mutations in SPG3A causing autosomal dominant pure spastic paraplegia led to identification of atlastin, a new dynamin-like large GTPase. Atlastin is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi, neurites and growth cones and has been implicated in neurite outgrowth. To investigate whether it exerts its activity in the early secretory system, we expressed normal and mutant atlastin in cell culture. Pathogenic mutations in the GTPase domain interfered with the maturation of Golgi complexes by preventing the budding of vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas mutations in other regions of the protein disrupted fission of endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicles or their migration to their Golgi target. Atlastin, therefore, plays a role in vesicle trafficking in the ER/Golgi interface. Furthermore, atlastin partially co-localized with proteins of the p24/emp/gp25L family that regulate vesicle budding and trafficking in the early secretory pathway, and co-immunoprecipitated p24, suggesting a functional relationship that should be further explored.

• Authors: M Namekawa, M-P Muriel, A Janer, M Latouche, A Dauphin, T Debeir, E Martin, C Duyckaerts, A Prigent, C Depienne, A Sittler, A Brice, M Ruberg
• Journal: Molecular and cellular neurosciences (Mol Cell Neurosci) Vol. 35 Issue 1 Pg. 1-13 (May 2007) ISSN: 1044-7431 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17321752 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Epitopes
• Membrane Proteins
• ATL1 protein, human
• GTP Phosphohydrolases
• GTP-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Cell Line
• Cytoplasmic Vesicles (enzymology, ultrastructure)
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (enzymology, ultrastructure)
• Epitopes
• GTP Phosphohydrolases (genetics, metabolism)
• GTP-Binding Proteins
• Golgi Apparatus (enzymology, ultrastructure)
• Humans
• Kidney (cytology)
• Membrane Proteins
• Microscopy, Electron
• Motor Cortex (cytology)
• Motor Neurons (enzymology)
• Paraplegia (genetics, metabolism)
• Point Mutation
• Protein Transport (physiology)
• Spinal Cord (cytology)