Bsp1p/Ypr171p is an adapter that directly links some synaptojanin family members to the cortical actin cytoskeleton in yeast.

In this study we identified a novel protein, Bsp1p, that interacts directly with two yeast synaptojanins, Sjl2p and Sjl3p, but not with Sjl1p. The interaction takes place via the Sac1/polyphosphoinositide phosphatase domain, whose conserved C-terminal region is important for binding. Subcellular localization and genetic interactions revealed a function of Bsp1p in the cortical actin cytoskeleton. A fraction of Bsp1p was found to be membrane-associated. Studies with mutants of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, PIK1, suggested that the interaction with membranes is facilitated by phosphoinositides. We propose that Bsp1p is an adapter that links Sjl2p and Sjl3p to the cortical actin cytoskeleton.