Recycling of the human prostacyclin receptor is regulated through a direct interaction with Rab11a GTPase

The human prostacyclin receptor (hIP) undergoes agonist-induced internalization but the mechanisms regulating its intracellular trafficking and/or recycling to the plasma membrane are poorly understood. Herein, we conducted a yeast-two-hybrid screen to identify proteins interacting with the carboxyl-terminal (C)-tail domain of the hIP and discovered a novel interaction with Rab11a. This interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitations in mammalian HEK293 and was augmented by cicaprost stimulation. The hIP co-localized to Rab11-containing recycling endosomes in both HEK293 and endothelial EA.hy 926 cells in a time-dependent manner following cicaprost stimulation. Moreover, over-expression of Rab11a significantly increased recycling of the hIP, while the dominant negative Rab11^S25N impaired that recycling. Conversely, while the hIP co-localized to Rab4-positive endosomes in response to cicaprost, ectopic expression of Rab4a did not substantially affect overall recycling nor did Rab4a directly interact with the hIP. The specific interaction between the hIP and Rab11a was dependent on a 22 amino acid (Val²⁹⁹-Gln³²⁰) sequence within its C-tail domain and was independent of isoprenylation of the hIP. This study elucidates a critical role for Rab11a in regulating trafficking of the hIP and has identified a novel Rab11 binding domain (RBD) within its C-tail domain that is both necessary and sufficient to mediate interaction with Rab11a.