The small GTPase Rab27A has recently been shown to regulate melanosome transport in mammalian skin melanocytes through sequentially interacting with two Rab27A effectors, Slac2-a/melanophilin and Slp2-a. Although Slac2-a and Slp2-a contain a similar N-terminal Rab27A-binding domain (named SHD, Slp homology domain), nothing is known about the functional differences between the Slac2-a SHD and Slp2-a SHD. In this study, the Rab27A-binding affinity of ten putative Rab27A effector proteins has been investigated. It has been found that they could be classified into a low-affinity group (e.g., Slac2-a) and a high-affinity group (e.g., Slp2-a and Slp4-a) based on their Rab27A-binding affinity. Kinetic analysis of the GTP-Rab27A-binding to the SHD of Slp2-a, Slp4-a, and Slac2-a by surface plasmon resonance further indicated that the kinetic parameters of Rab27A for the Slp2-a SHD, Slp4-a SHD, and Slac2-a SHD consisted of a fast association rate constant (3.35 x 10(4), 2.06 x 10(4), and 2.11 x 10(4) M-1 s(-1), respectively) and a slow dissociation rate constant (4.48 x 10(-4), 3.96 x 10(-4), and 2.37 x 10(-3) s(-1) respectively), and their equilibrium dissociation constants were determined to be 13.4, 19.2, and 112 nM, respectively. Our data suggest that distinct Rab27A binding activities of Slac2-a and Slp2-a ensure the order (or hierarchy) of Rab27A effectors that sequentially function in melanosome transport in melanocytes. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.