The small G protein Arl8 contributes to lysosomal function and long-range axonal transport in <i>Drosophila</i>.

ABSTRACT: The small GTPase Arl8 has emerged as a major regulatory GTPase on lysosomes. Studies in mammalian cells have shown that it regulates both fusion with late endosomes and also lysosomal motility. In its active GTP-bound state, it recruits to lysosomes the HOPS (homotypic fusion and protein sorting) endosomal tethering complex and also proteins that link lysosomes to microtubule motors such as the kinesin adaptor PLEKHM2. To gain further insights into Arl8 biology, we examined the single Drosophila ortholog. Drosophila Arl8 is essential for viability, and mitotic clones of mutant cells are able to continue to divide but show perturbation of the late endocytic pathway. Progeny-lacking Arl8 die as late larvae with movement-paralysis characteristic of defects in neuronal function.

SUBMITTER: Rosa-Ferreira C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6176938 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature