Perturbations to the ubiquitin conjugate proteome in yeast δubx mutants identify Ubx2 as a regulator of membrane lipid composition

Dissecting Ubiquitylation and DNA Damage Response Pathways in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using a Proteome-Wide Approach

In response to genotoxic stress, cells evolved with a complex signaling network referred to as the DNA damage response (DDR). It is now well established that the DDR depends upon various posttranslational modifications; among them, ubiquitylation plays a key regulatory role. Here, we profiled ubiquitylation in response to the DNA alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using quantitative proteomics. To discover new proteins ubiquitylated upon DNA replication stress, we used stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture, followed by an enrichment of ubiquitylated peptides and LC-MS/MS. In total, we identified 1853 ubiquitylated proteins, including 473 proteins that appeared upregulated more than 2-fold in response to MMS treatment. This enabled us to localize 519 ubiquitylation sites potentially regulated upon MMS in 435 proteins. We demonstrated that the overexpression of some of these proteins renders the cells sensitive to MMS. We also assayed the abundance change upon MMS treatment of a selection of yeast nuclear proteins. Several of them were differentially regulated upon MMS treatment. These findings corroborate the important role of ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation in regulating the DDR.

Yeast Smy2 and its human homologs GIGYF1 and -2 regulate Cdc48/VCP function during transcription stress

The "last resort" pathway results in ubiquitylation and degradation of RNA polymerase II in response to transcription stress and is governed by factors such as Def1 in yeast. Here, we show that the SMY2 gene acts as a multi-copy suppressor of DEF1 deletion and functions at multiple steps of the last resort pathway. We also provide genetic and biochemical evidence from disparate cellular processes that Smy2 works more broadly as a hitherto overlooked regulator of Cdc48 function. Similarly, the Smy2 homologs GIGYF1 and -2 affect the transcription stress response in human cells and regulate the function of the Cdc48 homolog VCP/p97, presently being explored as a target for cancer therapy. Indeed, we show that the apoptosis-inducing effect of VCP inhibitors NMS-873 and CB-5083 is GIGYF1/2 dependent.

The Cys Sense: Thiol Redox Switches Mediate Life Cycles of Cellular Proteins

Protein homeostasis is an essential component of proper cellular function; however, sustaining protein health is a challenging task, especially during the aerobic lifestyle. Natural cellular oxidants may be involved in cell signaling and antibacterial defense; however, imbalanced levels can lead to protein misfolding, cell damage, and death. This merges together the processes of protein homeostasis and redox regulation. At the heart of this process are redox-regulated proteins or thiol-based switches, which carefully mediate various steps of protein homeostasis across folding, localization, quality control, and degradation pathways. In this review, we discuss the "redox code" of the proteostasis network, which shapes protein health during cell growth and aging. We describe the sources and types of thiol modifications and elaborate on diverse strategies of evolving antioxidant proteins in proteostasis networks during oxidative stress conditions. We also highlight the involvement of cysteines in protein degradation across varying levels, showcasing the importance of cysteine thiols in proteostasis at large. The individual examples and mechanisms raised open the door for extensive future research exploring the interplay between the redox and protein homeostasis systems. Understanding this interplay will enable us to re-write the redox code of cells and use it for biotechnological and therapeutic purposes.

APOE4 disrupts intracellular lipid homeostasis in human iPSC-derived glia

The E4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) has been established as a genetic risk factor for many diseases including cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. APOE is a lipid transport protein, and the dysregulation of lipids has recently emerged as a key feature of several neurodegenerative diseases including AD. However, it is unclear how APOE4 perturbs the intracellular lipid state. Here, we report that APOE4, but not APOE3, disrupted the cellular lipidomes of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocytes generated from fibroblasts of APOE4 or APOE3 carriers, and of yeast expressing human APOE isoforms. We combined lipidomics and unbiased genome-wide screens in yeast with functional and genetic characterization to demonstrate that human APOE4 induced altered lipid homeostasis. These changes resulted in increased unsaturation of fatty acids and accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets both in yeast and in APOE4-expressing human iPSC-derived astrocytes. We then identified genetic and chemical modulators of this lipid disruption. We showed that supplementation of the culture medium with choline (a soluble phospholipid precursor) restored the cellular lipidome to its basal state in APOE4-expressing human iPSC-derived astrocytes and in yeast expressing human APOE4 Our study illuminates key molecular disruptions in lipid metabolism that may contribute to the disease risk linked to the APOE4 genotype. Our study suggests that manipulating lipid metabolism could be a therapeutic approach to help alleviate the consequences of carrying the APOE4 allele.

Regulation of the conserved 3'-5' exoribonuclease EXOSC10/Rrp6 during cell division, development and cancer

The conserved 3'-5' exoribonuclease EXOSC10/Rrp6 processes and degrades RNA, regulates gene expression and participates in DNA double-strand break repair and control of telomere maintenance via degradation of the telomerase RNA component. EXOSC10/Rrp6 is part of the multimeric nuclear RNA exosome and interacts with numerous proteins. Previous clinical, genetic, biochemical and genomic studies revealed the protein's essential functions in cell division and differentiation, its RNA substrates and its relevance to autoimmune disorders and oncology. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms that control the transcription, translation and stability of EXOSC10/Rrp6 during cell growth, development and disease and how these mechanisms evolved from yeast to human. Herein, we provide an overview of the RNA- and protein expression profiles of EXOSC10/Rrp6 during cell division, development and nutritional stress, and we summarize interaction networks and post-translational modifications across species. Additionally, we discuss how known and predicted protein interactions and post-translational modifications influence the stability of EXOSC10/Rrp6. Finally, we explore the idea that different EXOSC10/Rrp6 alleles, which potentially alter cellular protein levels or affect protein function, might influence human development and disease progression. In this review we interpret information from the literature together with genomic data from knowledgebases to inspire future work on the regulation of this essential protein's stability in normal and malignant cells.

A protein quality control pathway at the mitochondrial outer membrane

Maintaining the essential functions of mitochondria requires mechanisms to recognize and remove misfolded proteins. However, quality control (QC) pathways for misfolded mitochondrial proteins remain poorly defined. Here, we establish temperature-sensitive (ts-) peripheral mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) proteins as novel model QC substrates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ts- proteins sen2-1HA^ts and sam35-2HA^ts are degraded from the MOM by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Ubiquitination of sen2-1HA^ts is mediated by the ubiquitin ligase (E3) Ubr1, while sam35-2HA^ts is ubiquitinated primarily by San1. Mitochondria-associated degradation (MAD) of both substrates requires the SSA family of Hsp70s and the Hsp40 Sis1, providing the first evidence for chaperone involvement in MAD. In addition to a role for the Cdc48-Npl4-Ufd1 AAA-ATPase complex, Doa1 and a mitochondrial pool of the transmembrane Cdc48 adaptor, Ubx2, are implicated in their degradation. This study reveals a unique QC pathway comprised of a combination of cytosolic and mitochondrial factors that distinguish it from other cellular QC pathways.

The COP9 signalosome mediates the Spt23 regulated fatty acid desaturation and ergosterol biosynthesis

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a conserved eukaryotic complex, essential for vitality in all multicellular organisms and critical for the turnover of key cellular proteins through catalytic and non-catalytic activities. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model organism for studying fundamental aspects of the CSN complex, since it includes a conserved enzymatic core but lacks non-catalytic activities, probably explaining its non-essentiality for life. A previous transcriptomic analysis of an S. cerevisiae strain deleted in the CSN5/RRI1 gene, encoding to the CSN catalytic subunit, revealed a downregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism. We now show that the S. cerevisiae CSN holocomplex is essential for cellular lipid homeostasis. Defects in CSN assembly or activity lead to decreased quantities of ergosterol and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA); vacuole defects; diminished lipid droplets (LDs) size; and to accumulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The molecular mechanism behind these findings depends on CSN involvement in upregulating mRNA expression of SPT23. Spt23 is a novel activator of lipid desaturation and ergosterol biosynthesis. Our data reveal for the first time a functional link between the CSN holocomplex and Spt23. Moreover, CSN-dependent upregulation of SPT23 transcription is necessary for the fine-tuning of lipid homeostasis and for cellular health.

A Transcriptional Regulatory System of theS. cerevisiae OLE1Gene Responds to Fatty Acid Species and Intracellular Amount, and not Simply Membrane Status

We examined the effects of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) species and their concentration on the expression ofOLE1,which encodes the stearoyl CoA desaturase, inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We controlled the amount of UFA taken up by the cell by varying the concentration of tergitol in the medium. When cultured with 1 mM fatty acid in 0.1% tergitol, cells took up much more fatty acid than when cultured with the same concentration of fatty acid at 1% tergitol, although the amount incorporated was dependent on UFA species. For each fatty acid tested, we found that the higher uptake (0.1% tergitol condition) had a stronger impact onOLE1regulation. A principal product of the desaturase 16:1∆9, and the nonnative UFA 18:2∆9,12, most strongly repressed the reporter constructOLE1-lacZtranscription, while the other major product of the desaturase, 18:1∆9, and the nonnative UFA 17:1∆10 caused a more diminished response. Based on these results, our initial hypothesis was thatOLE1was regulated in response to membrane fluidity; however, subsequent work does not support that idea; we have found that conditions that affect membrane fluidity such as growth temperature and growth with saturated ortransfatty acid supplementation, do not regulateOLE1in the direction predicted by fluidity changes. We conclude that at least one signal that regulatesOLE1transcriptional expression is most likely based on the fatty acids themselves.

Integrating Rio1 activities discloses its nutrient-activated network in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinase/adenosine triphosphatase Rio1 regulates rDNA transcription and segregation, pre-rRNA processing and small ribosomal subunit maturation. Other roles are unknown. When overexpressed, human ortholog RIOK1 drives tumor growth and metastasis. Likewise, RIOK1 promotes 40S ribosomal subunit biogenesis and has not been characterized globally. We show that Rio1 manages directly and via a series of regulators, an essential signaling network at the protein, chromatin and RNA levels. Rio1 orchestrates growth and division depending on resource availability, in parallel to the nutrient-activated Tor1 kinase. To define the Rio1 network, we identified its physical interactors, profiled its target genes/transcripts, mapped its chromatin-binding sites and integrated our data with yeast’s protein–protein and protein–DNA interaction catalogs using network computation. We experimentally confirmed network components and localized Rio1 also to mitochondria and vacuoles. Via its network, Rio1 commands protein synthesis (ribosomal gene expression, assembly and activity) and turnover (26S proteasome expression), and impinges on metabolic, energy-production and cell-cycle programs. We find that Rio1 activity is conserved to humans and propose that pathological RIOK1 may fuel promiscuous transcription, ribosome production, chromosomal instability, unrestrained metabolism and proliferation; established contributors to cancer. Our study will advance the understanding of numerous processes, here revealed to depend on Rio1 activity.

Two Cdc48 cofactors Ubp3 and Ubx2 regulate mitochondrial morphology and protein turnover

Mitochondria continuously undergo coordinated fusion and fission during vegetative growth to keep their homogeneity and to remove damaged components. A cytosolic AAA ATPase, Cdc48, is implicated in the mitochondrial fusion event and turnover of a fusion-responsible GTPase in the mitochondrial outer membrane, Fzo1, suggesting a possible linkage of mitochondrial fusion and Fzo1 turnover. Here, we identified two Cdc48 cofactor proteins, Ubp3 and Ubx2, involving mitochondria regulation. In the absence of UBP3, mitochondrial fragmentation and aggregation were observed. The turnover of Fzo1 was not affected in Δubp3, but instead a deubiquitylase Ubp12 that removes fusion-required polyubiquitin chains from Fzo1 was stabilized. Thus, excess amount of Ubp12 may lead to mitochondrial fragmentation by removal of fusion-competent ubiquitylated Fzo1. In contrast, deletion of UBX2 perturbed disassembly of Fzo1 oligomers and their degradation without alteration of mitochondrial morphology. The UBX2 deletion led to destabilization of Ubp2 that negatively regulates Fzo1 turnover by removing degradation-signalling polyubiquitin chains, suggesting that Ubx2 would directly facilitate Fzo1 degradation. These results indicated that two different Cdc48-cofactor complexes independently regulate mitochondrial fusion and Fzo1 turnover.

Regulation of yeast fatty acid desaturase in response to iron deficiency

Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) are essential components of phospholipids that greatly contribute to the biophysical properties of cellular membranes. Biosynthesis of UFAs relies on a conserved family of iron-dependent fatty acid desaturases, whose representative in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is Ole1. OLE1 expression is tightly regulated to adapt UFA biosynthesis and lipid bilayer properties to changes in temperature, and in UFA or oxygen availability. Despite iron deficiency being the most extended nutritional disorder worldwide, very little is known about the mechanisms and the biological relevance of fatty acid desaturases regulation in response to iron starvation. In this report, we show that endoplasmic reticulum-anchored transcription factor Mga2 activates OLE1 transcription in response to nutritional and genetic iron deficiencies. Cells lacking MGA2 display low UFA levels and do not grow under iron-limited conditions, unless UFAs are supplemented or OLE1 is overexpressed. The proteasome, E3 ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 and the Cdc48^Npl4/Ufd1 complex are required for OLE1 activation during iron depletion. Interestingly, Mga2 also activates the transcription of its own mRNA in response to iron deficiency, hypoxia, low temperature and low UFAs. MGA2 up-regulation contributes to increase OLE1 expression in these situations. These results reveal the mechanism of OLE1 regulation when iron is scarce and identify the MGA2 auto-regulation as a potential activation strategy in multiple stresses.

Ub-ProT reveals global length and composition of protein ubiquitylation in cells

Protein ubiquitylation regulates diverse cellular processes via distinct ubiquitin chains that differ by linkage type and length. However, a comprehensive method for measuring these properties has not been developed. Here we describe a method for assessing the length of substrate-attached polyubiquitin chains, "ubiquitin chain protection from trypsinization (Ub-ProT)." Using Ub-ProT, we found that most ubiquitylated substrates in yeast-soluble lysate are attached to chains of up to seven ubiquitin molecules. Inactivation of the ubiquitin-selective chaperone Cdc48 caused a dramatic increase in chain lengths on substrate proteins, suggesting that Cdc48 complex terminates chain elongation by substrate extraction. In mammalian cells, we found that ligand-activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is rapidly modified with K63-linked tetra- to hexa-ubiquitin chains following EGF treatment in human cells. Thus, the Ub-ProT method can contribute to our understanding of mechanisms regulating physiological ubiquitin chain lengths and composition.

Regulation of tRNA synthesis by posttranslational modifications of RNA polymerase III subunits

RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) transcribes tRNA genes, 5S RNA as well as a number of other non-coding RNAs. Because transcription by RNAPIII is an energy-demanding process, its activity is tightly linked to the stress levels and nutrient status of the cell. Multiple signaling pathways control RNAPIII activity in response to environmental cues, but exactly how these pathways regulate RNAPIII is still poorly understood. One major target of these pathways is the transcriptional repressor Maf1, which inhibits RNAPIII activity under conditions that are detrimental to cell growth. However, recent studies have found that the cell can also directly regulate the RNAPIII machinery through phosphorylation and sumoylation of RNAPIII subunits. In this review we summarize post-translational modifications of RNAPIII subunits that mainly have been identified in large-scale proteomics studies, and we highlight several examples to discuss their relevance for regulation of RNAPIII.

UBX domain-containing proteins are involved in lipid homeostasis and stress responses in Pichia pastoris

Ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing proteins constitute a family of proteins and are substrate adaptors of AAA ATPase Cdc48. UBX proteins can bind to the N-terminal region of Cdc48 to perform endoplasmic reticulum associated protein degradation (ERAD). In this study, we identified two UBX domain-containing proteins, Ubx1 and Ubx2, in Pichia pastoris and found that the two proteins could recover the growth defect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in ubx2Δ. Our results revealed that Ubx1 and Ubx2 play critical roles in synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by affecting Spt23. In addition, the results demonstrated that both Ubx1 and Ubx2 are involved in lipid droplet formation and protein degradation. Deletion of UBX1 led to increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and disruption of UBX2 impaired cell viability under osmotic stress. The phenotypes of ubx1Δ+UBX2, ubx2Δ+UBX1 and ubx1Δubx2Δ and RNA-seq data suggested that Ubx1 and Ubx2 play different roles in cell functions, and the roles of Ubx1 may be more numerous than Ubx2. In summary, our findings provide new insights into the relationship between lipid homeostasis and cell functions in the oil-producing organism P. pastoris.

Control of membrane fluidity: the OLE pathway in focus

The maintenance of a fluid lipid bilayer is key for membrane integrity and cell viability. We are only beginning to understand how eukaryotic cells sense and maintain the characteristic lipid compositions and bulk membrane properties of their organelles. One of the key factors determining membrane fluidity and phase behavior is the proportion of saturated and unsaturated acyl chains in membrane lipids. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an ideal model organism to study the regulation of the lipid acyl chain composition via the OLE pathway. The OLE pathway comprises all steps involved in the regulated mobilization of the transcription factors Mga2 and Spt23 from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which then drive the expression of OLE1 in the nucleus. OLE1 encodes for the essential Δ9-fatty acid desaturase Ole1 and is crucial for de novo biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) that are used as lipid building blocks. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the OLE pathway, the best-characterized, eukaryotic sense-and-control system regulating membrane lipid saturation, and identifies open questions to indicate future directions.

Cdc48 and Ubx1 participate in a pathway associated with the inner nuclear membrane that governs Asi1 degradation

The nuclear envelope is a barrier comprising outer and inner membranes that separate the cytoplasm from the nucleoplasm. The two membranes have different physical characteristics and protein compositions. The processes governing the stability of inner nuclear membrane (INM) proteins are not well characterized. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the INM Asi1-Asi3 complex, principally composed of integral membrane proteins Asi1 and Asi3, is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. In addition to its well-documented function in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation, the Doa10 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex partially localizes to the INM. The Asi1-Asi3 and Doa10 complexes define independent INM-associated degradation (INMAD) pathways that target discrete sets of nuclear substrates for proteasomal degradation. Here, we report that Asi1 is rapidly turned over (t1/2≤30 min). Its turnover depends on ubiquitin-mediated degradation by nucleus-localized proteasomes, exhibiting a clear requirement for the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc7, Cue1 and the AAA ATPase Cdc48 and co-factor Ubx1. Asi1 turnover occurs largely independently of the Asi1-Asi3 or Doa10 complexes, indicating that it is subject to quality control at the INM in a manner distinct from that of the characterized INMAD pathways.

Control of Formin Distribution and Actin Cable Assembly by the E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Dma1 and Dma2

Formins are widespread actin-polymerizing proteins that play pivotal roles in a number of processes, such as cell polarity, morphogenesis, cytokinesis, and cell migration. In agreement with their crucial function, formins are prone to a variety of regulatory mechanisms that include autoinhibition, post-translational modifications, and interaction with formin modulators. Furthermore, activation and function of formins is intimately linked to their ability to interact with membranes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the two formins Bni1 and Bnr1 play both separate and overlapping functions in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, they are controlled by both common and different regulatory mechanisms. Here we show that proper localization of both formins requires the redundant E3 ubiquitin ligases Dma1 and Dma2, which were previously involved in spindle positioning and septin organization. In dma1 dma2 double mutants, formin distribution at polarity sites is impaired, thus causing defects in the organization of the actin cable network and hypersensitivity to the actin depolymerizer latrunculin B. Expression of a hyperactive variant of Bni1 (Bni1-V360D) rescues these defects and partially restores proper spindle positioning in the mutant, suggesting that the failure of dma1 dma2 mutant cells to position the spindle is partly due to faulty formin activity. Strikingly, Dma1/2 interact physically with both formins, while their ubiquitin-ligase activity is required for formin function and polarized localization. Thus, ubiquitylation of formin or a formin interactor(s) could promote formin binding to membrane and its ability to nucleate actin. Altogether, our data highlight a novel level of formin regulation that further expands our knowledge of the complex and multilayered controls of these key cytoskeleton organizers.

Lipid droplet dynamics in budding yeast

Eukaryotic cells store excess fatty acids as neutral lipids, predominantly triacylglycerols and sterol esters, in organelles termed lipid droplets (LDs) that bulge out from the endoplasmic reticulum. LDs are highly dynamic and contribute to diverse cellular functions. The catabolism of the storage lipids within LDs is channeled to multiple metabolic pathways, providing molecules for energy production, membrane building blocks, and lipid signaling. LDs have been implicated in a number of protein degradation and pathogen infection processes. LDs may be linked to prevalent human metabolic diseases and have marked potential for biofuel production. The knowledge accumulated on LDs in recent years provides a foundation for diverse, and even unexpected, future research. This review focuses on recent advances in LD research, emphasizing the diverse physiological roles of LDs in the model system of budding yeast.

Identification of a New Class of Antifungals Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids

Recent estimates suggest that >300 million people are afflicted by serious fungal infections worldwide. Current antifungal drugs are static and toxic and/or have a narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal drugs. The fungal sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is critical in promoting virulence of a variety of human-pathogenic fungi. In this study, we screened a synthetic drug library for compounds that target the synthesis of fungal, but not mammalian, GlcCer and found two compounds [N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-methylbenzohydrazide (BHBM) and its derivative, 3-bromo-N'-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide (D0)] that were highly effective in vitro and in vivo against several pathogenic fungi. BHBM and D0 were well tolerated in animals and are highly synergistic or additive to current antifungals. BHBM and D0 significantly affected fungal cell morphology and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular vesicles. Deep-sequencing analysis of drug-resistant mutants revealed that four protein products, encoded by genes APL5, COS111, MKK1, and STE2, which are involved in vesicular transport and cell cycle progression, are targeted by BHBM.

IMPORTANCE

Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antifungal drugs suffer from various drawbacks, including toxicity, drug resistance, and narrow spectrum of activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that pharmaceutical inhibition of fungal glucosylceramide presents a new opportunity to treat cryptococcosis and various other fungal infections. In addition to being effective against pathogenic fungi, the compounds discovered in this study were well tolerated by animals and additive to current antifungals. These findings suggest that these drugs might pave the way for the development of a new class of antifungals.

Crosstalk of lipid and protein homeostasis to maintain membrane function

Biological membranes are a defining feature of cellular life. They serve as selective diffusion barriers, compartmentalize biochemical processes and protect the cellular milieu. We are only beginning to understand the principles underlying their homeostasis and the functional relevance of their complex compositions. Here, we summarize some recent evidences that suggest an intense crosstalk between the pathways of protein quality control and lipid homeostasis. We discuss paradigms of lipid regulation by protein degradation machineries and highlight the intricate connections between lipid droplet morphology, membrane biogenesis and ER-stress.

p97-dependent retrotranslocation and proteolytic processing govern formation of active Nrf1 upon proteasome inhibition

Proteasome inhibition elicits an evolutionarily conserved response wherein proteasome subunit mRNAs are upregulated, resulting in recovery (i.e., ‘bounce-back’) of proteasome activity. We previously demonstrated that the transcription factor Nrf1/NFE2L1 mediates this homeostatic response in mammalian cells. We show here that Nrf1 is initially translocated into the lumen of the ER, but is rapidly and efficiently retrotranslocated to the cytosolic side of the membrane in a manner that depends on p97/VCP. Normally, retrotranslocated Nrf1 is degraded promptly by the proteasome and active species do not accumulate. However, in cells with compromised proteasomes, retrotranslocated Nrf1 escapes degradation and is cleaved N-terminal to Leu-104 to yield a fragment that is no longer tethered to the ER membrane. Importantly, this cleavage event is essential for Nrf1-dependent activation of proteasome gene expression upon proteasome inhibition. Our data uncover an unexpected role for p97 in activation of a transcription factor by relocalizing it from the ER lumen to the cytosol.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01856.001

Cells exposed to high temperatures, infections and other forms of stress often produce oxygen ions and peroxide molecules that can cause damage to proteins and DNA. Cells therefore rely on molecular machines called proteasomes to eliminate damaged proteins, before they cause too much harm. Two related transcription factors—proteins that interact with DNA to ‘switch on’ the expression of genes—are involved in a cell’s responses to stress, but in different ways. Nrf2 switches on genes that limit the damage caused by oxygen ions and peroxide molecules, while Nrf1 switches on the genes that encode the components of the proteasome. As such, Nrf1 helps to restart proteasome activity if it has been shut off—a phenomenon known as ‘bounce-back’.

Within a cell, Nrf1 is known to start off embedded within the membranes of a structure called the endoplasmic reticulum. However, it is not clear how activated Nrf1 leaves this membrane and enters the nucleus to interact with the cell’s DNA. Now, Radhakrishnan et al. show that when Nrf1 is produced, most of its length is found inside the endoplasmic reticulum, with only a small piece being anchored in the surrounding membrane. This is unlike previously described transcription factors that associate with the endoplasmic reticulum, which are stuck to the outside of this structure.

Radhakrishnan et al. also discovered that the activation of Nrf1 depends on an enzyme called p97 or VCP. This enzyme helps to flip Nrf1 from the inside of the endoplasmic reticulum to its outside surface. In most cells, the proteasome then breaks down this part of Nrf1. However, if the proteasome is inhibited, an unknown enzyme cuts Nrf1 free from the endoplasmic reticulum, allowing it to migrate to the nucleus and promote the production of more proteasome components to counteract the inhibition.

Interestingly, drugs that inhibit the proteasome are used to combat cancer because the build-up of damaged proteins is toxic to the cancer cells. By showing that p97 promotes the ‘bounce-back’ of the proteasome, the work of Radhakrishnan et al. suggests that combining existing proteasome inhibitors with drugs that inhibit p97 could eventually lead to new, more effective, therapies for cancer or other diseases.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01856.002

The natural diyne-furan fatty acid EV-086 is an inhibitor of fungal delta-9 fatty acid desaturation with efficacy in a model of skin dermatophytosis

Human fungal infections represent a therapeutic challenge. Although effective strategies for treatment are available, resistance is spreading, and many therapies have unacceptable side effects. A clear need for novel antifungal targets and molecules is thus emerging. Here, we present the identification and characterization of the plant-derived diyne-furan fatty acid EV-086 as a novel antifungal compound. EV-086 has potent and broad-spectrum activity in vitro against Candida, Aspergillus, and Trichophyton spp., whereas activities against bacteria and human cell lines are very low. Chemical-genetic profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutants identified lipid metabolic processes and organelle organization and biogenesis as targets of EV-086. Pathway modeling suggested that EV-086 inhibits delta-9 fatty acid desaturation, an essential process in S. cerevisiae, depending on the delta-9 fatty acid desaturase OLE1. Delta-9 unsaturated fatty acids-but not saturated fatty acids-antagonized the EV-086-mediated growth inhibition, and transcription of the OLE1 gene was strongly upregulated in the presence of EV-086. EV-086 increased the ratio of saturated to unsaturated free fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acyl chains, respectively. Furthermore, EV-086 was rapidly taken up into the lipid fraction of the cell and incorporated into phospholipids. Together, these findings demonstrate that EV-086 is an inhibitor of delta-9 fatty acid desaturation and that the mechanism of inhibition might involve an EV-086-phospholipid. Finally, EV-086 showed efficacy in a guinea pig skin dermatophytosis model of topical Trichophyton infection, which demonstrates that delta-9 fatty acid desaturation is a valid antifungal target, at least for dermatophytoses.