The phosphoinositide binding Phox Homology domain of Sorting Nexins 1 and 2
The PX domain is a phosphoinositide (PI) binding module present in many proteins with diverse functions. Sorting nexins (SNXs) make up the largest group among PX domain containing proteins. They are involved in regulating membrane traffic and protein sorting in the endosomal system. The PX domain of SNXs binds PIs and targets the protein to PI-enriched membranes. SNXs differ from each other in PI-binding specificity and affinity, and the presence of other protein-protein interaction domains, which help determine subcellular localization and specific function in the endocytic pathway. This subfamily consists of SNX1, SNX2, and similar proteins. They harbor a Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain, which detects membrane curvature, C-terminal to the PX domain. Both domains have been shown to determine the specific membrane-targeting of SNX1. SNX1 and SNX2 are components of the retromer complex, a membrane coat multimeric complex required for endosomal retrieval of lysosomal hydrolase receptors to the Golgi. The retromer consists of a cargo-recognition subcomplex and a subcomplex formed by a dimer of sorting nexins (SNX1 and/or SNX2), which ensures effcient cargo sorting by facilitating proper membrane localization of the cargo-recognition subcomplex.
Comment:Two basic residues are key in binding with phosphoinositides: one forms hydrogen bonds with the 3-phosphate of PI(3)P and another forms hydrogen bonds with the 4-and 5-hydroxyl groups of PI(3)P.
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