Cloning and Characterization of BAI-Associated Protein 1: A PDZ Domain-Containing Protein That Interacts with BAI1

Abstract

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1), which is a p53-target gene specifically expressed in brain, encodes a seven-span transmembrane protein. Using a two-hybrid system, we isolated a cDNA that encodes a protein, named BAP1 (BAI1-associated protein), which interacts with the cytoplasmic region of BAI1. BAP1 is a novel member of the MAGUK (membrane-associated guanylate kinase homologue) family; it possesses a guanylate kinase domain, WW domains, and multiple PDZ domains. Interaction between BAI1 and BAP1 was mediated by a QTEV motif in the carboxy-terminal region of BAI1 and PDZ domains of BAP1. By immunocytochemical analysis of COS-7 cells transfected with BAI1 and BAP1, both products were co-localized at the cytoplasmic membrane, especially at cell–cell junctions. Cells transfected with BAI1 formed filopodia-like cytoplasmic extensions. These results suggest that BAI1 and BAP1 might be involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction in brain.