Interaction of calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion 1 (CAPS1) with the class II ADP-ribosylation factor small GTPases is required for dense-core vesicle trafficking in the trans-Golgi network.

Ca(2+)-dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS) regulates exocytosis of catecholamine- or neuropeptide-containing dense-core vesicles (DCVs) at secretion sites, such as nerve terminals. However, large amounts of CAPS protein are localized in the cell soma, and the role of somal CAPS protein remains unclear. The present study shows that somal CAPS1 plays an important role in DCV trafficking in the trans-Golgi network. The anti-CAPS1 antibody appeared to pull down membrane fractions, including many Golgi-associated proteins, such as ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) small GTPases. Biochemical analyses of the protein-protein interaction showed that CAPS1 interacted specifically with the class II ARF4/ARF5, but not with other classes of ARFs, via the pleckstrin homology domain in a GDP-bound ARF form-specific manner. The pleckstrin homology domain of CAPS1 showed high affinity for the Golgi membrane, thereby recruiting ARF4/ARF5 to the Golgi complex. Knockdown of either CAPS1 or ARF4/ARF5 expression caused accumulation of chromogranin, a DCV marker protein, in the Golgi, thereby reducing its DCV secretion. In addition, the overexpression of CAPS1 binding-deficient ARF5 mutants induced aberrant chromogranin accumulation in the Golgi and consequently reduced its DCV secretion. These findings implicate a functional role for CAPS1 protein in the soma, a major subcellular localization site of CAPS1 in many cell types, in regulating DCV trafficking in the trans-Golgi network; this activity occurs via protein-protein interaction with ARF4/ARF5 in a GDP-dependent manner.