Calmodulin binds to the Rab GTPase activating protein required for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation.

Recently, we described a 160 kDa protein with a Rab GTPase activating protein domain that is phosphorylated on multiple sites by the protein kinase Akt (designated AS160). Phosphorylation of AS160 in adipocytes is required for insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. In the present study, we searched for proteins that interact with the GTPase activating protein (GAP) domain region of AS160 by the yeast two-hybrid screen. This search indicated that calmodulin bound to a small domain just amino terminal to the GAP domain of AS160, and this association has been confirmed by three other methods, including co-immunoprecipitation from lysates of adipocytes. The association was Ca ion dependent. The role of calmodulin binding to AS160 in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation was examined through the generation of a point mutant of AS160 that did not bind calmodulin. This mutation did not interfere with the capacity of AS160 lacking Akt phosphorylation sites to inhibit GLUT4 translocation. Consequently, calmodulin binding is probably not required for the participation of AS160 in insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation.