Analysis of the role of Rab27 effector Slp4-a/Granuphilin-a in dense-core vesicle exocytosis

Methods Enzymol. 2005:403:445-57. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(05)03039-9.

Abstract

Slp4-a/granuphilin-a is a member of the synaptotagmin-like protein (Slp) family and consists of an N-terminal Slp homology domain (SHD) and C-terminal tandem C2 domains. Slp4-a is specifically localized on secretory granules in some endocrine and exocrine cells through its SHD, and it attenuates Ca(2+)-dependent dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis when transiently expressed in endocrine cells. Although the SHD of Slp4-a interacts with three distinct Rab species (Rab3A, Rab8A, and Rab27A) in vitro, in contrast to other Slp members, which only recognize Rab27 isoforms, Slp4-a functions as a Rab27A effector during DCV exocytosis under physiological conditions. This chapter describes various approaches that have been used to characterize the function of Slp4-a as a Rab27A effector, rather than a Rab3A or Rab8A effector, both in in vitro and in neuroendocrine PC12 cells. Specifically, the methods that have been used to analyze (1) the physical interaction between Slp4-a and Rab27A, including pull-down assay and cotransfection assay in COS-7 cells; (2) the localization of Slp4-a-Rab27A complex on DCVs in PC12 cells; and (3) the involvement of Slp4-a and Rab27A in DCV exocytosis by neuropeptide Y (NPY) cotransfection assay combined with site-directed mutagenesis are described.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Exocytosis / drug effects
  • Exocytosis / physiology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neuropeptide Y / pharmacology
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / physiology*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • rab27 GTP-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Neuropeptide Y
  • SYTL4 protein, human
  • Sytl4 protein, mouse
  • Sytl4 protein, rat
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • rab27 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • RAB27A protein, human
  • Rab27a protein, mouse
  • Rab27a protein, rat
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins