Detailing the Structural and Dynamic Interactions Between WDR44 and Rab11

DR44 is a Rab11 effector protein that is thought to regulate ciliogenesis by competing with pro-ciliogenesis factors for Rab11 binding. The structure of WDR44 and the molecular mechanism of its interaction with Rab11 is unknown. To explore the interactions between these two proteins multiple WDR44 constructs were designed and pulled down with Rab11. Using the results of the pulldown assay as a guide we used protein complex prediction software, and hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to identify the binding interface between WDR44 and Rab11. Mutagenesis was used to make specific mutations in the putative Rab11 binding region of WDR44.