Rab11-FIP3 localises to a Rab11-positive pericentrosomal compartment during interphase and to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis

The Rab11-family interacting protein 3 (Rab11-FIP3), also known as Arfophilin and Eferin, is a Rab11 and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) binding protein of unknown function. Here, we sought to investigate the subcellular localisation and elucidate the function of Rab11-FIP3 in eukaryotic membrane trafficking. Utilising a polyclonal antibody specific for Rab11-FIP3, we have demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy that Rab11-FIP3 colocalises with Rab11 in a distinctive pericentrosomal location in A431 cells. Additionally, we found that Rab11-FIP3 localises to punctate vesicular structures dispersed throughout A431 cells. We have demonstrated that both Rab11 and Rab11-FIP3 localise to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis, and that Rab11-FIP3 localisation is dependent on both microtubule and actin filament integrity. We show that Rab11-FIP3 does not enter brefeldin A (BFA) induced membrane tubules that are positive for the transferrin receptor (TfnR). Furthermore, we show that expression of an amino-terminally truncated mutant of Rab11-FIP3 (Rab11-FIP3_(244-756)) does not inhibit transferrin (Tfn) recycling in HeLa cells. It is likely that Rab11-FIP3 is involved in trafficking events other than Tfn trafficking; these may include the transport of endosomally derived membrane to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.