Src-dependent aProtein Kinase C ι/λ (aPKCι/λ) Tyrosine Phosphorylation Is Required for aPKCι/λ Association with Rab2 and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase on Pre-Golgi Intermediates

Abstract The small GTPase Rab2 is required for membrane transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex. Rab2 associates with pre-Golgi intermediates (also termed vesicular tubular clusters; VTCs) that sort cargo to the anterograde pathway from recycling proteins retrieved to the ER. Our previous studies have shown that Rab2 stimulates atypical protein kinase C ι/λ (aPKCι/λ) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) recruitment to VTCs. Both aPKCι/λ and GAPDH bind directly to Rab2 and aPKCι/λ and GAPDH interact. Based on the reports demonstrating aPKCι-Src interaction and Src activity in the retrograde pathway (Golgi-ER), studies were initiated to learn whether Rab2 also promoted Src recruitment to VTCs. Using a quantitative membrane binding assay, we found that Rab2-stimulated Src membrane association in a dose-dependent manner. The recruited Src binds to aPKCι/λ and GAPDH on the membrane; however, Src does not interact with Rab2. The membrane-associated Src tyrosine phosphorylates aPKCι/λ on the VTC. To determine the consequence of aPKCι/λ tyrosine phosphorylation, the membrane binding assay was supplemented with the Src-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine (PP2). Although Rab2, Src, and GAPDH recruitment was not affected, the Rab2-PP2-treated membranes contained a negligible amount of aPKCι/λ. Since Rab2 requires aPKCι/λ for the downstream recruitment of β-coat protein (β-COP) to VTCs, the Rab2-PP2-treated membranes were evaluated for the presence of β-COP. Like aPKCι/λ, the membranes contained a negligible amount of β-COP that was reflected by the drastic reduction in Rab2-dependent vesicle formation. These data suggest that Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of aPKCι/λ facilitates aPKCι/λ association with Rab2-Src-GAPDH on VTCs, which is ultimately necessary for the downstream recruitment of β-COP and release of Rab2-mediated retrograde-directed vesicles.