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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Amos Bairoch (1957–2025), the creator of PROSITE. We wish to dedicate our latest paper, published shortly before his death, to him. He will always be a source of inspiration to us.
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Amos Bairoch

PROSITE documentation PDOC51205
VPS9 domain profile


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PURL: https://purl.expasy.org/prosite/documentation/PDOC51205

Description

Rab proteins form a family of signal-transducing GTPases that cycle between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound forms. The Rab5 GTPase is an essential regulator of endocytosis and endosome biogenesis. Rab5 is activated by GDP-GTP exchange factors (GEFs) that contain a VPS9 domain and generate the Rab5-GTP complex [1]. The VPS9 domain catalyzes nucleotide exchange on Rab5 or the yeast homolog VPS21. The domain has a length of ~140 residues and forms the central part of the yeast VPS9 (vacuolar protein sorting-associated) protein, which acts as a GEF for VPS21. Some domains which can occur in combination with the VPS9 domain are CUE (see <PDOC51140>), A20-type zinc finger (see <PDOC51036>), Ras-associating (RA) (see <PDOC50200>), SH2 (see <PDOC50001>), RCC1 (see <PDOC00544>), DH (see <PDOC00605>), PH (see <PDOC50003>), rasGAP (see <PDOC00438>), MORN and ankyrin repeat (see <PDOC50088>).

Structurally, the VPS9 domain adopts a layered fold of six α helices (see <PDB:1TXU>). Conserved residues from the fourth and sixth helices and the loops N-terminal to these helices form the surface that interacts with Rab5 and Rab21 [2].

Some proteins known to contain a VPS9 domain:

  • Fungal Vacuolar Protein Sorting-associated protein VPS9, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rab-like GTPase VPS21. VPS9 is needed for the transport of proteins from biosynthetic and endocytic pathways into the vacuole.
  • Mammalian Rab5 GDP/GTP exchange factor or Rabex-5 (Rababtin-5 associated exchange factor for Rab5), catalyzes nucleotide exchange on RAB5A. Rabex-5 promotes endocytic membrane fusion and is involved in membrane trafficking of recycling endosomes.
  • Mammalian Ras and Rab interactor 1 (RIN1), 2 (RIN2) and 3 (RIN3).
  • Mammalian alsin or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis protein 2 (ALS2). Different juvenile-onset forms of neurodegenerative diseases (ALS2, JPLS, IAHSP) are caused by mutations in the ALS2 gene, which result in truncated alsin lacking the C-terminal part of the VPS9 domain.
  • Fruit fly protein sprint, which is a RIN homologue.
  • Caenorhabditis elegans RME-6 protein, which is conserved among metazoans.

The profile we developed covers the entire VPS9 domain.

Last update:

May 2006 / First entry.

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Technical section

PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:

VPS9, PS51205; VPS9 domain profile  (MATRIX)


References

1AuthorsCarney D.S. Davies B.A. Horazdovsky B.F.
TitleVps9 domain-containing proteins: activators of Rab5 GTPases from yeast to neurons.
SourceTrends Cell Biol. 16:27-35(2006).
PubMed ID16330212
DOI10.1016/j.tcb.2005.11.001

2AuthorsDelprato A. Merithew E. Lambright D.G.
TitleStructure, exchange determinants, and family-wide rab specificity of the tandem helical bundle and Vps9 domains of Rabex-5.
SourceCell 118:607-617(2004).
PubMed ID15339665
DOI10.1016/j.cell.2004.08.009



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