A requirement for membrane cholesterol in the beta-arrestin- and clathrin-dependent endocytosis of LPA1 lysophosphatidic acid receptors.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulates heterotrimeric G protein signaling by activating three closely related receptors, termed LPA(1), LPA(2) and LPA(3). Here we show that in addition to promoting LPA(1) signaling, membrane cholesterol is essential for the association of LPA(1) with beta-arrestin, which leads to signal attenuation and clathrin-dependent endocytosis of LPA(1). Reduction of clathrin heavy chain expression, using small interfering RNAs, inhibited LPA(1) endocytosis.

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) interaction is not sufficient for yeast GGA protein function or localization.

Golgi-localized gamma-ear homology domain, ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)-binding proteins (GGAs) facilitate distinct steps of post-Golgi traffic. Human and yeast GGA proteins are only ~25% identical, but all GGA proteins have four similar domains based on function and sequence homology. GGA proteins are most conserved in the region that interacts with ARF proteins.