ARF6 stimulates clathrin/AP-2 recruitment to synaptic membranes by activating phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type Iγ

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis of synaptic vesicle membranes involves the recruitment of clathrin and AP-2 adaptor complexes to the presynaptic plasma membrane. Phosphoinositides have been implicated in nucleating coat assembly by directly binding to several endocytotic proteins including AP-2 and AP180. Here, we show that the stimulatory effect of ATP and GTPγS on clathrin coat recruitment is mediated at least in part by increased levels of PIP(2). We also provide evidence for a role of ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) via direct stimulation of a synaptically enriched phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase type Iγ (PIPKIγ), in this effect. These data suggest a model according to which activation of PIPKIγ by ARF6-GTP facilitates clathrin-coated pit assembly at the synapse.