Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access originally published online on February 8, 2008
Human Molecular Genetics 2008 17(11):1517-1526; doi:10.1093/hmg/ddn040
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VAPB interacts with and modulates the activity of ATF6
1 The Centre for Neuroscience Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK 2 Division of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44 1316511961; Fax: +44 1316506530; Email: paul.skehel{at}ed.ac.uk
Received December 7, 2007; Accepted February 6, 2008
A mis-sense point mutation in the human VAPB gene is associated with a familial form of motor neuron disease that has been classified as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis type VIII. Affected individuals suffer from a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or an atypical slowly progressing form of ALS. Mammals have two homologous VAP genes, vapA and vapB. VAPA and VAPB share 76% similar or identical amino acid residues; both are COOH-terminally anchored membrane proteins enriched on the endoplasmic reticulum. Several functions have been ascribed to VAP proteins including membrane trafficking, cytoskeleton association and membrane docking interactions for cytoplasmic factors. It is shown here that VAPA and VAPB are expressed in tissues throughout the body but at different levels, and that they are present in overlapping but distinct regions of the endoplasmic reticulum. The disease-associated mutation in VAPB, VAPBP56S, lies within a highly conserved N-terminal region of the protein that shares extensive structural homology with the major sperm protein (MSP) from nematodes. The MSP domain of VAPA and VAPB is found to interact with the ER-localized transcription factor ATF6. Over expression of VAPB or VAPBP56S attenuates the activity of ATF6-regulated transcription and the mutant protein VAPBP56S appears to be a more potent inhibitor of ATF6 activity. These data indicate that VAP proteins interact directly with components of ER homeostatic and stress signalling systems and may therefore be parts of a previously unidentified regulatory pathway. The mis-function of such regulatory systems may contribute to the pathological mechanisms of degenerative motor neuron disease.