Functional and physical interactions of the adaptor protein complex AP-4 with ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs)

AP-4 is a member of the family of heterotetrameric adaptor protein (AP) complexes that mediate the sorting of integral membrane proteins in post-Golgi compartments. This complex consists of four subunits (ε, β4, µ4 and σ4) and localizes to the cytoplasmic face of the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Here, we show that the recruitment of endogenous AP-4 to the TGN in vivo is regulated by the small GTP-binding protein ARF1. In addition, we demonstrate a direct interaction of the ε and µ4 subunits of AP-4 with ARF1. ε binds only to ARF1·GTP and requires residues in the switch I and switch II regions of ARF1. In contrast, µ4 binds equally well to the GTP- and GDP-bound forms of ARF1 and is less dependent on switch I and switch II residues. These observations establish AP-4 as an ARF1 effector and suggest a novel mode of interaction between ARF1 and an AP complex involving both constitutive and regulated interactions.