Manipulating proteostasis

Golgi-situated endoplasmic reticulum α-1, 2-mannosidase contributes to the retrieval of ERAD substrates through a direct interaction with γ-COP

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) α-1, 2-mannosidase and γ-COP contribute to a Golgi-based quality control module that facilitates the retrieval of captured ER-associated protein degradation substrates back to the ER.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) α-1, 2-mannosidase (ERManI) contributes to ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) by initiating the formation of degradation signals on misfolded N-linked glycoproteins. Despite its inferred intracellular location, we recently discovered that the mammalian homologue is actually localized to the Golgi complex. In the present study, the functional role of Golgi-situated ERManI was investigated. Mass spectrometry analysis and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) identified a direct interaction between ERManI and γ-COP, the gamma subunit of coat protein complex I (COPI) that is responsible for Golgi-to-ER retrograde cargo transport. The functional relationship was validated by the requirement of both ERManI and γ-COP to support efficient intracellular clearance of the classical ERAD substrate, null Hong Kong (NHK). In addition, site-directed mutagenesis of suspected γ-COP–binding motifs in the cytoplasmic tail of ERManI was sufficient to disrupt the physical interaction and ablate NHK degradation. Moreover, a physical interaction between NHK, ERManI, and γ-COP was identified by co-IP and Western blotting. RNA interference–mediated knockdown of γ-COP enhanced the association between ERManI and NHK, while diminishing the efficiency of ERAD. Based on these findings, a model is proposed in which ERManI and γ-COP contribute to a Golgi-based quality control module that facilitates the retrieval of captured ERAD substrates back to the ER.

Why proteins in mammalian cells?

Producing recombinant mammalian proteins in native or near-native conformation is fundamental to many aspects of biology. Unfortunately, it is also a task whose outcome is extremely unpredictable. A protein that has been shaped over millions of generations of evolution for expression at a level appropriate to a specific cell type or in a particular developmental stage, may be toxic to a new host cell, or become insoluble (among many possible obstacles) when overexpressed in vitro. The object of this volume, "Protein Expression in Mammalian Cells," is to offer guidance for those who wish (or who have been forced by circumstance) to overexpress a mammalian protein in mammalian cells.

Compromised mutant EFEMP1 secretion associated with macular dystrophy remedied by proteostasis network alteration

R345W EFEMP1 is secreted poorly, causing the macular dystrophy malattia leventinese. A novel assay shows that other substitutions (F, Y, P) at residue 345 impair secretion, partly by reducing native disulfide bonds. EFEMP1 secretion is rescued by reduced growth temperature and translational attenuation—potential strategies to delay disease.

An Arg345Trp (R345W) mutation in epidermal growth factor–containing, fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) causes its inefficient secretion and the macular dystrophy malattia leventinese/Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (ML/DHRD). To understand the influence of the protein homeostasis (or proteostasis) network in rescuing mutant EFEMP1 misfolding and inefficient secretion linked to ML/DHRD, we developed a convenient and sensitive cell-based luminescence assay to monitor secretion versus intracellular accumulation. Fusing EFEMP1 to Gaussia luciferase faithfully recapitulates mutant EFEMP1 secretion defects observed previously using more cumbersome methodology. To understand what governs mutant intracellular retention, we generated a series of R345 mutants. These mutants revealed that aromatic residue substitutions (i.e., Trp, Tyr, and Phe) at position 345 cause significant EFEMP1 secretion deficiencies. These secretion defects appear to be caused, in part, by reduced native disulfide bonding in domain 6 harboring the 345 position. Finally, we demonstrate that mutant EFEMP1 secretion and proper disulfide formation are enhanced by adaptation of the cellular environment by a reduced growth temperature and/or translational attenuation. This study highlights the mechanisms underlying the inefficient secretion of R345W EFEMP1 and demonstrates that alteration of the proteostasis network may provide a strategy to alleviate or delay the onset of this macular dystrophy.