The KIBRA-aPKC connection: A potential regulator of membrane trafficking and cell polarity

The kidney and brain protein (KIBRA) is a scaffold or an adaptor-like protein with WW, C2-like and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC)-binding domains. Genetic studies in Drosophila revealed that KIBRA is an upstream regulator of the conserved Hippo pathway, which is implicated in organ size determination. In addition, genome-wide studies revealed an association between the single nucleotide polymorphism in the KIBRA gene locus and human episodic memory performance. However, the mechanism of action through which KIBRA is linked to these functions remains poorly understood. Recent studies on the biochemical and cellular properties of KIBRA reveal the role of KIBRA as a regulator of membrane trafficking. Further, KIBRA directly inhibits the activity of the cell polarity regulator, aPKC, which is required for apical protein exocytosis. Here, we discuss how this KIBRA-aPKC connection, a potential regulator of membrane trafficking and cell polarity, can contribute to the recently discovered functions of KIBRA.