Small GTPases and BAR domain proteins regulate branched actin to make clathrin and dynamin independent endocytic vesicles

Abstract

Numerous endocytic pathways operate simultaneously at the cell surface. Here we focus on the molecular machinery involved in the generation of endocytic vesicles of the clathrin and dynamin-independent CLIC/GEEC (CG) pathway. This pathway internalises many GPI-anchored proteins and a large fraction of the fluid-phase in different cell types. We developed a real-time TIRF assay using pH-sensitive GFP-GPI to identify nascent CG endocytic sites. The temporal profile of known CG pathway modulators showed that ARF1/GBF1 (GTPase/GEF pair) and CDC42 (RhoGTPase) are recruited sequentially to CG endocytic sites, [~]60s and [~]9s prior to scission. Using a limited RNAi screen, we found several BAR domain proteins affecting CG endocytosis and focused on IRSp53 and PICK1 that have interactions with CDC42 and ARF1 respectively. IRSp53, an I-BAR domain containing protein, was recruited to the plasma membrane at the site of forming CG endocytic vesicles and in its absence, nascent endocytic CLICs, did not form. The requirement for actin polymerization in the CG pathway suggested a role for nucleators of actin polymerization, and ARP2/3 was found enriched at the site of the forming endocytic vesicle. PICK1, a BAR domain containing protein and the ARP2/3 inhibitor is recruited at an early stage along with ARP2/3, but is removed from the endocytic site coincident with CDC42 recruitment and a burst of Factin polymerization. This study provides a spatio-temporal understanding of the molecular machinery necessary to build a CG endocytic vesicle.