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The HECT ubiquitin ligase AIP4 regulates the cell surface expression of select TRP channels
Author(s) -
Wegierski Tomasz,
Hill Kerstin,
Schaefer Michael,
Walz Gerd
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601429
Subject(s) - biology , ubiquitin ligase , ubiquitin , microbiology and biotechnology , ubiquitin protein ligases , dna ligase , genetics , dna , gene
TRPV4 is a widely expressed member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family that facilitates Ca 2+ entry into nonexcitable cells. TRPV4 is activated by several stimuli, but it is largely unknown how the activity of this channel is terminated. Here, we show that ubiquitination represents an important mechanism to control the presence of TRPV4 at the plasma membrane. Ubiquitination of TRPV4 is dramatically increased by the HECT ( h omologous to E 6‐AP c arboxyl t erminus)‐family ubiquitin ligase AIP4 without inducing degradation of this channel. Instead, AIP4 promotes the endocytosis of TRPV4 and decreases its amount at the plasma membrane. Consequently, the basal activity of TRPV4 is reduced despite an overall increase in TRPV4 levels. This mode of regulation is not limited to TRPV4. TRPC4, another member of the TRP channel family, is also strongly ubiquitinated in the presence of AIP4, leading to the increased intracellular localization of TRPC4 and the reduction of its basal activity. However, ubiquitination of several other TRP channels is not affected by AIP4, demonstrating that AIP4‐mediated regulation is a unique property of select TRP channels.