title: The PRA1 gene family in Arabidopsis.
abstract: Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 (PRA1) domain proteins are small transmembrane proteins that regulate vesicle trafficking as receptors of Rab GTPases and the vacuolar soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor protein VAMP2. However, little is known about PRA1 family members in plants. Sequence analysis revealed that higher plants, compared with animals and primitive plants, possess an expanded family of PRA1 domain-containing proteins. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PRA1 (AtPRA1) proteins were found to homodimerize and heterodimerize in a manner corresponding to their phylogenetic distribution. Different AtPRA1 family members displayed distinct expression patterns, with a preference for vascular cells and expanding or developing tissues. AtPRA1 genes were significantly coexpressed with Rab GTPases and genes encoding vesicle transport proteins, suggesting an involvement in the vesicle trafficking process similar to that of their animal counterparts. Correspondingly, AtPRA1 proteins were localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and endosomes/prevacuolar compartments, hinting at a function in both secretory and endocytic intracellular trafficking pathways. Taken together, our data reveal a high functional diversity of AtPRA1 proteins, probably dealing with the various demands of the complex trafficking system.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claire Lessa
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Alvim Kamei
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boruc
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vandepoele
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van den Daele
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Russinova
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inzé
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Veylder
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000235:genetics; D019281:Dimerization; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000378:metabolism; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D005966:Glucuronidase; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins