Expression of ARF6 mutants in neuroendocrine cells suggests a role for ARF6 in synaptic vesicle biogenesis

ARF6 regulates membrane trafficking between the plasma membrane and endosom es, We investigated the role of ARF6 in synaptic vesicle biogenesis as this process occurs both at the plasma membrane and at endosomes, We used a syn aptic vesicle marker protein, p-selectin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP), to f ollow the effects of ARF6 expression on synaptic vesicle biogenesis in PC12 neuroendocrine cells. Expression of a constitutively active ARF6 mutant in creased, while expression of a nucleotide-free ARF6 mutant decreased, p-sel ectin-HRP levels in the synaptic vesicle peak, These results provide the fi rst direct evidence for a role for ARF6 in synaptic vesicle biogenesis. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of Eur opean Biochemical Societies.