BLOC-1 interacts with BLOC-2 and the AP-3 complex to facilitate protein trafficking on endosomes

Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase type II alpha contains an AP-3-sorting motif and a kinase domain that are both required for endosome traffic

The adaptor complex 3 (AP-3) targets membrane proteins from endosomes to lysosomes, lysosome-related organelles and synaptic vesicles. Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase type II alpha (PI4KIIalpha) is one of several proteins possessing catalytic domains that regulate AP-3-dependent sorting. Here we present evidence that PI4KIIalpha uniquely behaves both as a membrane protein cargo as well as an enzymatic regulator of adaptor function. In fact, AP-3 and PI4KIIalpha form a complex that requires a dileucine-sorting motif present in PI4KIIalpha. Mutagenesis of either the PI4KIIalpha-sorting motif or its kinase-active site indicates that both are necessary to interact with AP-3 and properly localize PI4KIIalpha to LAMP-1-positive endosomes. Similarly, both the kinase activity and the sorting signal present in PI4KIIalpha are necessary to rescue endosomal PI4KIIalpha siRNA-induced mutant phenotypes. We propose a mechanism whereby adaptors use canonical sorting motifs to selectively recruit a regulatory enzymatic activity to restricted membrane domains.

An immunoblotting assay to facilitate the molecular diagnosis of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) comprises a constellation of human autosomal recessive disorders characterized by albinism and platelet storage pool deficiency. At least eight types of HPS have been defined based on the identity of the mutated gene. These genes encode components of four ubiquitously expressed protein complexes, named Adaptor Protein (AP)-3 and Biogenesis of Lysosome-related Organelles Complex (BLOC)-1 through -3. In patients of Puerto Rican origin, the molecular diagnosis can be based on analysis of two founder mutations. On the other hand, identification of the HPS type in other patients relies on the sequencing of all candidate genes. In this work, we have developed a biochemical assay to minimize the number of candidate genes to be sequenced per patient. The assay consists of immunoblotting analysis of extracts prepared from skin fibroblasts, using antibodies to one subunit per protein complex. The assay allowed us to determine which complex was defective in each of a group of HPS patients with unknown genetic lesions, thus subsequent sequencing was limited to genes encoding the corresponding subunits. Because no mutations within the two genes encoding BLOC-3 subunits could be found in two patients displaying reduced BLOC-3 levels, the possible existence of additional subunits was considered. Through size-exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity analysis, the native molecular mass of BLOC-3 was estimated to be 140+/-30 kDa, a value most consistent with the idea that BLOC-3 is a HPS1HPS4 heterodimer (approximately 156 kDa) albeit not inconsistent with the putative existence of a relatively small third subunit.

Melanosomes--dark organelles enlighten endosomal membrane transport

Melanosomes are tissue-specific lysosome-related organelles of pigment cells in which melanins are synthesized and stored. Analyses of the trafficking and fate of melanosomal components are beginning to reveal how melanosomes are formed through novel pathways from early endosomal intermediates. These studies unveil generalized structural and functional modifications of the endosomal system in specialized cells, and provide unexpected insights into the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies and how compartmentalization regulates protein refolding. Moreover, genetic disorders that affect the biogenesis of melanosomes and other lysosome-related organelles have shed light onto the molecular machinery that controls specialized endosomal sorting events.

Lysosomes: fusion and function

Lysosomes are dynamic organelles that receive and degrade macromolecules from the secretory, endocytic, autophagic and phagocytic membrane-trafficking pathways. Live-cell imaging has shown that fusion with lysosomes occurs by both transient and full fusion events, and yeast genetics and mammalian cell-free systems have identified much of the protein machinery that coordinates these fusion events. Many pathogens that hijack the endocytic pathways to enter cells have evolved mechanisms to avoid being degraded by the lysosome. However, the function of lysosomes is not restricted to protein degradation: they also fuse with the plasma membrane during cell injury, as well as having more specialized secretory functions in some cell types.

The subcellular localization of the Niemann-Pick Type C proteins depends on the adaptor complex AP-3

Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C) disease, caused by mutations in either human NPC1 (hNPC1) or human NPC2 (hNPC2), is characterized by the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in late endosomes. Although it is known that the NP-C proteins are targeted to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments, their delivery mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. To identify mechanisms regulating NP-C protein localization, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which expresses functional homologs of both NP-C proteins - scNcr1p and scNpc2p. Targeting of scNcr1p to the vacuole was perturbed in AP-3-deficient yeast cells, whereas the delivery of scNpc2p was affected by deficiencies in either AP-3 or GGA. We focused on the role of the AP-3 pathway in the targeting of the mammalian NP-C proteins. We found that, although mouse NPC1 (mNPC1) and hNPC2 co-localize with AP-3 to a similar extent in fibroblasts, hNPC2 preferentially co-localizes with AP-1. Importantly, the targeting of both mammalian NPC1 and NPC2 is dependent on AP-3. Moreover, and consistent with the NP-C proteins playing a role in cholesterol metabolism, AP-3-deficient cells have reduced levels of cholesterol. These results provide information about how the NP-C proteins are targeted to their sites of action and illustrate the possibility that defective sorting of the NP-C proteins along the endocytic route can alter cellular cholesterol.

Proper perinuclear localization of the TRIM-like protein myospryn requires its binding partner desmin

Desmin, the muscle-specific intermediate filament protein, surrounds the Z disks and links the entire contractile apparatus to the sarcolemmal cytoskeleton, cytoplasmic organelles, and the nucleus. In an attempt to explore the molecular mechanisms of these associations, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening of a cardiac cDNA library. We showed that the desmin amino-terminal domain (N-(1-103)) binds to a 413-kDa TRIM-like protein, myospryn, originally identified as the muscle-specific partner of dysbindin, a component of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex 1 (BLOC-1). Binding of desmin with myospryn was confirmed with glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays and coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Western blot analysis revealed that the complex immunoprecipitated by desmin antibodies, in addition to myospryn, contained the BLOC-1 components dysbindin and pallidin. Deletion analysis revealed that only the (N-(1-103)) fragment of desmin binds to myospryn carboxyl terminus and that this association takes place through the 24-amino acid-long carboxyl-terminal end of the SPRY domain of myospryn. Using an antibody against the COOH terminus of myospryn, we demonstrated that myospryn colocalizes with desmin at the periphery of the nucleus, in close proximity to the endoplasmic reticulum, of mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes. In adult heart muscle, the two proteins colocalize, predominantly at intercalated disks and costameres. We also showed that myospryn colocalizes with lysosomes. Using desmin null hearts, we determined that desmin is required for both the proper perinuclear localization of myospryn, as well as the proper positioning of lysosomes, thus suggesting a potential role of desmin intermediate filaments in lysosomes and lysosome-related organelle biogenesis and/or positioning.

What is the function of neuronal AP-3?

Neurotransmission requires the proper organization and rapid recycling of synaptic vesicles. Rapid retrieval has been suggested to occur either by kiss-and-stay or kiss-and-run mechanisms, whereas classical recycling is mediated by clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Molecular coats are key components in the selection of cargos, AP-2 (adaptor protein 2) playing a prominent role in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Another coat protein, AP-3, has been implicated in synaptic vesicle biogenesis and in the generation of secretory and lysosomal-related organelles. In the present review, we will particularly focus on the recent data concerning the recycling of synaptic vesicles and the function of AP-3 and the v-SNARE (vesicular soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-attachment protein receptor) TI-VAMP (tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein) in these processes. We propose that AP-3 plays an important regulatory role in neurons which contributes to the basal and stimulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles.

Lysosome-related organelles: driving post-Golgi compartments into specialisation

Some cells harbour specialised lysosome-related organelles (LROs) that share features of late endosomes/lysosomes but are functionally, morphologically and/or compositionally distinct. Ubiquitous trafficking machineries cooperate with cell type specific cargoes to produce these organelles. Several genetic diseases are caused by dysfunctional LRO formation and/or motility. Many genes affected by these diseases have been recently identified, revealing new cellular components of the trafficking machinery. Current research reveals how the products of these genes cooperate to generate LROs and how these otherwise diverse organelles are related by the mechanisms through which they form.

Myosins in melanocytes: to move or not to move?

The actin network has been implicated in the intracellular transport and positioning of the melanosomes, organelles that are specialized in the biosynthesis and the storage of melanin. It contributes also to molecular mechanisms that underlie the intracellular membrane dynamics and thereby can control the biogenesis of melanosomes. Two mechanisms for actin-based movements have been identified: one is dependent on the motors associated to actin namely the myosins; the other is dependent on actin polymerization. This review will focus on to the role of the actin cytoskeleton and myosins in the transport and in the biogenesis of melanosomes. Myosins involved in membrane traffic are largely seen as transporters of organelles or membrane vesicles containing cargos along the actin networks. Yet increasing evidence suggests that some of the myosins contribute to the dynamics of internal membrane by using other mechanisms. The role of the myosins and the different molecular mechanisms by which they contribute or may contribute to the distribution, the movement and the biogenesis of the melanosomes in epidermal melanocytes and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells will be discussed.

Neuronal and non-neuronal functions of the AP-3 sorting machinery

Vesicles selectively exchange lipids, membrane proteins and luminal contents between organelles along the exocytic and endocytic routes. The repertoire of membrane proteins present in these vesicles is crucial for their targeting and function. Vesicle composition is determined at the time of their biogenesis by cytosolic coats. The heterotetrameric protein adaptor protein complex 3 (AP-3), a coat component, participates in the generation of a diverse group of secretory organelles and lysosome-related organelles. Recent work has shed light on the mechanisms that regulate AP-3 and the trafficking pathways controlled by this adaptor. Phenotypic analysis of organisms carrying genetic deficiencies in the AP-3 pathway highlight its role regulating the targeting of lysosomal, melanosomal and synaptic vesicle-specific membrane proteins. Synaptic vesicles from AP-3-deficient mice possess altered levels of neurotransmitter and ion transporters, molecules that ultimately define the type and amount of neurotransmitter stored in these vesicles. These findings reveal a complex picture of how AP-3 functions in multiple tissues, including neuronal tissue, and expose potential links between endocytic sorting mechanisms and the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Improper trafficking of melanocyte-specific proteins in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type-5

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a disorder of lysosome-related organelle biogenesis resulting in melanosome dysfunction and absent platelet dense bodies. HPS patients have oculocutaneous albinism, bruising, and bleeding. HPS-5 results from deficiency of the HPS5 protein, a component of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-2 (BLOC-2). HPS5 has an unknown function and lacks homology to known proteins. We performed ultrastructural studies of HPS-5 melanocytes revealing predominantly early-stage melanosomes with many small 3,4(OH)2-phenylalanine-positive vesicles throughout the cell body and dendrites. These findings resemble the distinct ultrastructural features of HPS-3 melanocytes; HPS3 is also a BLOC-2 component. Immunofluorescence and immunoEM studies showed decreased TYRP1 labeling in the dendrites of HPS-5 melanocytes, and the overall abundance of TYRP1 was reduced. No substantial differences were observed in the distribution or abundance of Pmel17 in HPS-5 melanocytes. In normal melanocytes, endogenous tyrosinase colocalized with Pmel17 and TYRP1 in the perinuclear area and dendritic tips; this was much reduced in HPS-5 melanocytes, particularly in the tips. We conclude that early stage melanosome formation and Pmel17 trafficking are preserved in HPS5-deficient cells. Tyrosinase and TYRP1 are mistrafficked, however, and fail to be efficiently delivered to melanosomes of HPS-5 melanocytes.

Zinc transporter 2 (SLC30A2) can suppress the vesicular zinc defect of adaptor protein 3-depleted fibroblasts by promoting zinc accumulation in lysosomes

Zinc accumulation in the lumen of cytoplasmic vesicles is one of the mechanisms by which cells can store significant amounts of this essential but potentially toxic biometal. Previous studies had demonstrated reduced vesicular zinc levels in fibroblasts from mutant mice deficient in adaptor protein 3 (AP-3), a complex involved in protein trafficking to late endosomes and lysosomes. We have observed a similar phenotype in the human fibroblastoid cell line, M1, upon small interference RNA-mediated AP-3 knockdown. A survey of the expression and localization of zinc transporter (ZnT) family members identified ZnT2, ZnT3, and ZnT4 as likely mediators of vesicular zinc accumulation in M1 cells. Expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged ZnT2 and ZnT3 promoted accumulation of vesicular zinc as visualized using the indicator zinquin. Moreover, GFP-ZnT2 overexpression elicited a significant accumulation of zinc within mature lysosomes, which in untransfected M1 cells contained little or no chelatable zinc, and restored the zinc storage capability of AP-3-deficient cells. These results suggest that ZnT2 can facilitate vesicular zinc accumulation independently of AP-3 function, and validate the M1 fibroblastoid line as a human cell culture system amenable to the study of vesicular zinc regulation using techniques compatible with functional genomic approaches.

Dystrobrevins in muscle and non-muscle tissues

The alpha- and beta-dystrobrevins belong to the family of dystrophin-related and dystrophin-associated proteins. As constituents of the dystrophin-associated protein complex, alpha-dystrobrevin was believed to have a role predominantly in muscles and beta-dystrobrevin in non-muscle tissues. Recent reports described novel localisations and molecular characteristics of alpha-dystrobrevin isoforms in non-muscle tissues (developing and adult). While single and double knockout studies have revealed distinct functions of dystrobrevin in some tissues, these also suggested a strong compensatory mechanism, where dystrobrevins displaying overlapping tissue expression pattern and structure/function similarity can substitute each other. No human disease has been unequivocally associated within mutations of dystrobrevin genes. However, some significant exceptions to these overlapping expression patterns, mainly in the brain, suggest that dystrobrevin mutations might underlie some specific motor, behavioural or cognitive defects. Dystrobrevin binding partner DTNBP1 (dysbindin) is a probable susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder in some populations. As dysbindin abnormality is linked to Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, dystrobrevins and/or their binding partners may also be required for proper function of other non-muscle tissues.

Comparative proteomics of clathrin-coated vesicles

Clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) facilitate the transport of cargo between the trans-Golgi network, endosomes, and the plasma membrane. This study presents the first comparative proteomics investigation of CCVs. A CCV-enriched fraction was isolated from HeLa cells and a "mock CCV" fraction from clathrin-depleted cells. We used a combination of 2D difference gel electrophoresis and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) in conjunction with mass spectrometry to analyze and compare the two fractions. In total, 63 bona fide CCV proteins were identified, including 28 proteins whose association with CCVs had not previously been established. These include numerous post-Golgi SNAREs; subunits of the AP-3, retromer, and BLOC-1 complexes; lysosomal enzymes; CHC22; and five novel proteins of unknown function. The strategy outlined in this paper should be widely applicable as a means of distinguishing genuine organelle components from contaminants.

Characterization of rat BLOS2/Ceap, a putative yeast She3 homolog, as interaction partner of apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor/Che-1

AATF/Che-1 is a coactivator of several transcription factors, including steroid hormone receptors. In search of novel interaction partners of AATF, we identified BLOS2 (BLOC1S2, also termed Ceap) from a rat cDNA library. BLOS2 is extremely conserved with a high degree of homology to yeast She3p. The clone isolated represents a splice variant encoding a polypeptide of 168 residues. Rat BLOS2 mRNA is highly expressed in brain and testis and at lower levels in other tissues, but not in skeletal or smooth muscle. Expression as a tagged fusion protein revealed predominant cytoplasmic, but also nuclear localization. In the cytoplasm, BLOS2 fusion proteins exhibit diffuse, filamentous, or dotted distribution, with the latter partially co-localizing with recycling endosomes. In addition, BLOS2 localizes to centrosomes or the pericentrosomal region. Moreover, BLOS2 co-localizes with myosin V globular tail domains in vesicle-like structures. However, a direct interaction could not be demonstrated. In transactivation assays, BLOS2 enhanced transcription from androgen receptor and p53-responsive promoters. However, this enhancement correlated with accumulation of both androgen receptor and p53, suggesting that BLOS2 has a stabilizing effect on these transcription factors. We propose that BLOS2 functions as an adapter in processes such as protein and vesicle processing and transport, and perhaps transcription.

BLOC-1 is required for cargo-specific sorting from vacuolar early endosomes toward lysosome-related organelles

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a genetic disorder characterized by defects in the formation and function of lysosome-related organelles such as melanosomes. HPS in humans or mice is caused by mutations in any of 15 genes, five of which encode subunits of biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex (BLOC)-1, a protein complex with no known function. Here, we show that BLOC-1 functions in selective cargo exit from early endosomes toward melanosomes. BLOC-1-deficient melanocytes accumulate the melanosomal protein tyrosinase-related protein-1 (Tyrp1), but not other melanosomal proteins, in endosomal vacuoles and the cell surface due to failed biosynthetic transit from early endosomes to melanosomes and consequent increased endocytic flux. The defects are corrected by restoration of the missing BLOC-1 subunit. Melanocytes from HPS model mice lacking a different protein complex, BLOC-2, accumulate Tyrp1 in distinct downstream endosomal intermediates, suggesting that BLOC-1 and BLOC-2 act sequentially in the same pathway. By contrast, intracellular Tyrp1 is correctly targeted to melanosomes in melanocytes lacking another HPS-associated protein complex, adaptor protein (AP)-3. The results indicate that melanosome maturation requires at least two cargo transport pathways directly from early endosomes to melanosomes, one pathway mediated by AP-3 and one pathway mediated by BLOC-1 and BLOC-2, that are deficient in several forms of HPS.

The Drosophila Pigmentation Gene pink (p) Encodes a Homologue of Human Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome 5 (HPS5)

Lysosome-related organelles comprise a group of specialized intracellular compartments that include melanosomes and platelet dense granules (in mammals) and eye pigment granules (in insects). In humans, the biogenesis of these organelles is defective in genetic disorders collectively known as Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS). Patients with HPS-2, and two murine HPS models, carry mutations in genes encoding subunits of adaptor protein (AP)-3. Other genes mutated in rodent models include those encoding VPS33A and Rab38. Orthologs of all of these genes in Drosophila melanogaster belong to the 'granule group' of eye pigmentation genes. Other genes associated with HPS encode subunits of three complexes of unknown function, named biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex (BLOC)-1, -2 and -3, for which the Drosophila counterparts had not been characterized. Here, we report that the gene encoding the Drosophila ortholog of the HPS5 subunit of BLOC-2 is identical to the granule group gene pink (p), which was first studied in 1910 but had not been identified at the molecular level. The phenotype of pink mutants was exacerbated by mutations in AP-3 subunits or in the orthologs of VPS33A and Rab38. These results validate D. melanogaster as a genetic model to study the function of the BLOCs.