The small GTPASE - ARF like protein 1 (ARL1) is a new regulator of golgi structure and function

Abstract

Arl1 (ARF like protein1) is a poorly understood member of ARF family small GTPases. This thesis presents an original characterization of Arl1 and its effectors. Arl1 was localized to the tans Golgi under EM. Over expression of guanine nucleotide mutants of Arl1 dramatically affects the structure and function of Golgi apparatus. Arl1-GTP was found to interact with GRIP domain of Golgins (Golgin-97, Golgin-245, GCC1 and KIAA0336). The interaction was dependent on the conserved amino acids on both switch II region of Arl1 and the GRIP domain. Collectively, the research presented in this thesis reveals Arl1 is a new regulator of Golgi structure and function and one mechanism of Arl1a??s function is that it recruits and regulates its effectors a?? GRIP domain Golgins to Golgi.