Characterization of Rab5:Q79L-Stimulated Endosome Fusion

Fusion of intracellular membrane-bound compartments is a common step in the transport of macromolecules along the endocytic and secretory pathways. Previous work has shown that GTPγS stimulates endosome fusion in the presence of low concentrations of cytosol. In this study, we have characterized the effect of rab5:Q79L, a mutant with reduced GTPase activity, on endosome fusion in a cell-free assay. rab5:Q79L stimulatesin vitroendosome fusion. The stimulatory effects required ATP, were blocked byN-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and anti-NEM-sensitive fusion (NSF) protein antibody, but could proceed in the absence of cytosol. Stimulation of fusion with rab5:Q79L led to rapid inactivation of the vesicles when tested in a second incubation for fusogenic activity. By electron microscopy, endosomes connected by tubular structures were frequently observed in the presence of rab5:Q79L. Rab5:Q79L promoted fusion only among early endosomes; when the ligands were chased into more mature endocytic compartments, fusion was not observed. Phospholipase A2 inhibitors blocked rab5:Q79L-stimulated fusion. The results indicate that rab5:Q79L promotes fusion by activating factors already present in the membranes and that NSF and phospholipase A2 activities are required downstream of rab5.