GIP, a G-protein-coupled receptor interacting protein.

A novel protein was cloned while screening for partners interacting with the second intracellular loop of the V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R). The protein was named GIP as in G-protein-coupled receptor Interacting Protein; the corresponding gene was located on the 17th chromosome where three exons encode for a 379-amino-acid protein.GIP subcellular localization was studied by immunocytochemistry and also using a biotinylating agent. The protein was found to be localized, at least in part, on the plasma membrane, probably in the form of a trimer. The results indicated that GIP is a transmembrane protein and the most part of the molecule is intracellular. Sequence homology inferred that GIP cytosolic domain is folded as a collagen-like helix followed by a globular domain. The interaction of the globular domain with the V2R was confirmed by pull-down experiments indicating that this structural motif can also interact with cytosolic proteins.