A Specific Feature of the Angiosperm Rab Escort Protein (REP) and Evolution of the REP/GDI Superfamily

Hála, Michal; Eliáš, M.; Žárský, Viktor
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 348 [5]: 1299-1313, 2005

Keywords: REP; Arabidopsis; Rab geranylgeranyl transferase
Abstract: Rab GTPases participating in the regulation of vesicle trafficking in eukaryotes are geranylgeranylated by the Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (RabGGTase) in complex with the Rab escort protein (REP). Here, we describe basic properties of the Arabidopsis thaliana REP (AthREP) mainly the N188 residue replacing the conserved arginine residue, R195, known to be crucial for yeast REP function. A point mutant allele of AthREP with arginine at this position complemented the yeast REP mutation, while wild-type AthREP did not. Based on phylogenetic analysis of REP and GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) sequences from a broad range of eukaryotic lineages, we propose a new view on evolution of the REP/GDI superfamily with a bi-functional REP/GDI protein as a direct ancestor.
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IEB authors: Michal Hála, Viktor Žárský