1
|
Duan M, Gao G, Lin A, Mackey EJ, Banfield DK, Merz AJ. SM protein Sly1 and a SNARE Habc domain promote membrane fusion through multiple mechanisms. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202001034. [PMID: 38478017 PMCID: PMC10943372 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202001034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
SM proteins including Sly1 are essential cofactors of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. Using SNARE and Sly1 mutants and chemically defined in vitro assays, we separate and assess proposed mechanisms through which Sly1 augments fusion: (i) opening the closed conformation of the Qa-SNARE Sed5; (ii) close-range tethering of vesicles to target organelles, mediated by the Sly1-specific regulatory loop; and (iii) nucleation of productive trans-SNARE complexes. We show that all three mechanisms are important and operate in parallel, and that close-range tethering promotes trans-complex assembly when cis-SNARE assembly is a competing process. Further, we demonstrate that the autoinhibitory N-terminal Habc domain of Sed5 has at least two positive activities: it is needed for correct Sed5 localization, and it directly promotes Sly1-dependent fusion. "Split Sed5," with Habc presented solely as a soluble fragment, can function both in vitro and in vivo. Habc appears to facilitate events leading to lipid mixing rather than promoting opening or stability of the fusion pore.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengtong Duan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Guanbin Gao
- The Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ariel Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emma J. Mackey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David K. Banfield
- The Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Alexey J. Merz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duan M, Plemel RL, Takenaka T, Lin A, Delgado BM, Nattermann U, Nickerson DP, Mima J, Miller EA, Merz AJ. SNARE chaperone Sly1 directly mediates close-range vesicle tethering. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202001032. [PMID: 38478018 PMCID: PMC10943277 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The essential Golgi protein Sly1 is a member of the Sec1/mammalian Unc-18 (SM) family of SNARE chaperones. Sly1 was originally identified through remarkable gain-of-function alleles that bypass requirements for diverse vesicle tethering factors. Employing genetic analyses and chemically defined reconstitutions of ER-Golgi fusion, we discovered that a loop conserved among Sly1 family members is not only autoinhibitory but also acts as a positive effector. An amphipathic lipid packing sensor (ALPS)-like helix within the loop directly binds high-curvature membranes. Membrane binding is required for relief of Sly1 autoinhibition and also allows Sly1 to directly tether incoming vesicles to the Qa-SNARE on the target organelle. The SLY1-20 mutation bypasses requirements for diverse tethering factors but loses this ability if the tethering activity is impaired. We propose that long-range tethers, including Golgins and multisubunit tethering complexes, hand off vesicles to Sly1, which then tethers at close range to initiate trans-SNARE complex assembly and fusion in the early secretory pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengtong Duan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rachael L. Plemel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Ariel Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | | | - Una Nattermann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Biophysics, Structure, and Design Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Joji Mima
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Alexey J. Merz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Orr A, Wickner W. Sec18 binds the tethering/SM complex HOPS to engage the Qc-SNARE for membrane fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar71. [PMID: 38536444 PMCID: PMC11151092 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e24-02-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is regulated by Rab GTPases, their tethering effectors such as HOPS, SNARE proteins on each fusion partner, SM proteins to catalyze SNARE assembly, Sec17 (SNAP), and Sec18 (NSF). Though concentrated HOPS can support fusion without Sec18, we now report that fusion falls off sharply at lower HOPS levels, where direct Sec18 binding to HOPS restores fusion. This Sec18-dependent fusion needs adenine nucleotide but neither ATP hydrolysis nor Sec17. Sec18 enhances HOPS recognition of the Qc-SNARE. With high levels of HOPS, Qc has a Km for fusion of a few nM. Either lower HOPS levels, or substitution of a synthetic tether for HOPS, strikingly increases the Km for Qc to several hundred nM. With dilute HOPS, Sec18 returns the Km for Qc to low nM. In contrast, HOPS concentration and Sec18 have no effect on Qb-SNARE recognition. Just as Qc is required for fusion but not for the initial assembly of SNAREs in trans, impaired Qc recognition by limiting HOPS without Sec18 still allows substantial trans-SNARE assembly. Thus, in addition to the known Sec18 functions of disassembling SNARE complexes, oligomerizing Sec17 for membrane association, and allowing Sec17 to drive fusion without complete SNARE zippering, we report a fourth Sec18 function, the Sec17-independent binding of Sec18 to HOPS to enhance functional Qc-SNARE engagement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Orr A, Wickner W. MARCKS Effector Domain, a reversible lipid ligand, illuminates late stages of membrane fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar123. [PMID: 37672336 PMCID: PMC10846624 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-06-0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Yeast vacuolar HOPS tethers membranes, catalyzes trans-SNARE assembly between R- and Q-SNAREs, and shepherds SNAREs past early inhibition by Sec17. After partial SNARE zippering, fusion is driven slowly by either completion of SNARE zippering or by Sec17/Sec18, but rapid fusion needs zippering and Sec17/Sec18. Using reconstituted-vacuolar fusion, we find that MARCKS Effector Domain (MED) peptide, a lipid ligand, blocks fusion reversibly at a late reaction stage. The MED fusion blockade is overcome by either salt extraction, inactivation with the MED ligand calmodulin, or addition of Sec17/Sec18. During incubation with MED, SNAREs assemble stable complexes in trans and fusion becomes resistant to antibody to the Qa SNARE. When Q-SNAREs are preassembled, a synthetic tether can replace HOPS for fusion. With a synthetic tether, fusion needs both complete SNARE zippering and Sec17/Sec18 to overcome a MED block. In contrast, when SNARE domains are only two-third zippered, only HOPS will support Sec17/Sec18 driven fusion without needing complete zippering. HOPS thus remains engaged with SNAREs during zippering. MED facilitates the study of distinct fusion stages: tethering, initial trans-SNARE assembly and its sensitivity to Sec17, SNARE zippering, Sec17/Sec18 engagement, and lipid and lumenal mixing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shome I, Thathapudi NC, Aramati BMR, Kowtharapu BS, Jangamreddy JR. Stages, pathogenesis, clinical management and advancements in therapies of age-related macular degeneration. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:3891-3909. [PMID: 37347455 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-023-02767-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal degenerative disorder prevalent in the elderly population, which leads to the loss of central vision. The disease progression can be managed, if not prevented, either by blocking neovascularization ("wet" form of AMD) or by preserving retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells ("dry" form of AMD). Although current therapeutic modalities are moderately successful in delaying the progression and management of the disease, advances over the past years in regenerative medicine using iPSC, embryonic stem cells, advanced materials (including nanomaterials) and organ bio-printing show great prospects in restoring vision and efficient management of either forms of AMD. This review focuses on the molecular mechanism of the disease, model systems (both cellular and animal) used in studying AMD, the list of various regenerative therapies and the current treatments available. The article also highlights on the recent clinical trials using regenerative therapies and management of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Shome
- UR Advanced Therapeutics Private Limited, ASPIRE-BioNest, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Neethi C Thathapudi
- Centre de Recherche Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Bindu Madhav Reddy Aramati
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Bhavani S Kowtharapu
- UR Advanced Therapeutics Private Limited, ASPIRE-BioNest, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Jaganmohan R Jangamreddy
- UR Advanced Therapeutics Private Limited, ASPIRE-BioNest, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Orr A, Wickner W. PI3P regulates multiple stages of membrane fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar17. [PMID: 36735517 PMCID: PMC10011722 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-10-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The conserved catalysts of intracellular membrane fusion are Rab-family GTPases, effector complexes that bind Rabs for membrane tethering, SNARE proteins of the R, Qa, Qb, and Qc families, and SNARE chaperones of the SM, Sec17/SNAP, and Sec18/NSF families. Yeast vacuole fusion is regulated by phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P). PI3P binds directly to the vacuolar Qc-SNARE and to HOPS, the vacuolar tethering/SM complex. We now report several distinct functions of PI3P in fusion. PI3P binds the N-terminal PX domain of the Qc-SNARE to enhance its engagement for fusion. Even when Qc has been preassembled with the Qa- and Qb-SNAREs, PI3P still promotes trans-SNARE assembly and fusion between these 3Q proteoliposomes and those with R-SNARE, whether with the natural HOPS tether or with a synthetic tether. With HOPS, efficient trans-SNARE complex formation needs PI3P on the 3Q-SNARE proteoliposomes, in cis to the Qc. PI3P is also needed for HOPS to confer resistance to Sec17/Sec18. With a synthetic tether, fusion is supported by PI3P on either fusion partner membrane, but this fusion is blocked by Sec17/Sec18. PI3P thus supports multiple stages of fusion: the engagement of the Qc-SNARE, trans-SNARE complex formation with preassembled Q-SNAREs, HOPS protection of SNARE complexes from Sec17/Sec18, and fusion per se after tethering and Q-SNARE assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Orr A, Wickner W. Sec18 supports membrane fusion by promoting Sec17 membrane association. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar127. [PMID: 36103252 PMCID: PMC9634978 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-07-0274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is driven by Sec17, Sec18, and SNARE zippering. Sec17 bound to SNAREs promotes fusion through its membrane-proximal N-terminal apolar loop domain. At its membrane-distal end, Sec17 serves as a high-affinity receptor for Sec18. At that distance from the fusion site, it has been unclear how Sec18 can aid Sec17 to promote fusion. We now report that Sec18, with ATPγS, lowers the Km of Sec17 for fusion. A C-terminal and membrane-distal Sec17 mutation, L291A,L292A, diminishes Sec17 affinity for Sec18. High levels of wild-type Sec17 or Sec17-L291AL292A show equivalent fusion without Sec18, but Sec18 causes far less fusion enhancement with low levels of Sec17-L291AL292A than with wild-type Sec17. Another mutant, Sec17-F21SM22S, has reduced N-loop apolarity. Only very high levels of this mutant protein support fusion, but Sec18 still lowers the apparent fusion Km for Sec17-F21SM22S. Thus Sec18 stimulates fusion through Sec17 and acts at the well-described interface between Sec18 and Sec17. ATP acts as a ligand to activate Sec18 for Sec17-dependent fusion, but ATP hydrolysis is not required. Even without SNAREs, Sec18 and Sec17 exhibit interdependent stable association with lipids, with several Sec17 bound for each Sec18 hexamer, explaining how Sec18 stabilization of surface-concentrated clusters of Sec17 lowers the Sec17 Km for assembly with SNAREs. Each of the associations, between SNARE complex, Sec18, Sec17, and lipid, helps assemble the fusion machinery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail Building, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail Building, Hanover, NH 03755,*Address correspondence to: William Wickner ()
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Orr A, Song H, Wickner W. Fusion with wild-type SNARE domains is controlled by juxtamembrane domains, transmembrane anchors, and Sec17. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar38. [PMID: 35171720 PMCID: PMC9282010 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-11-0583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion requires tethers, SNAREs of R, Qa, Qb, and Qc families, and chaperones of the SM, Sec17/SNAP, and Sec18/NSF families. SNAREs have N-domains, SNARE domains that zipper into 4-helical RQaQbQc coiled coils, a short juxtamembrane (Jx) domain, and (often) a C-terminal transmembrane anchor. We reconstitute fusion with purified components from yeast vacuoles, where the HOPS protein combines tethering and SM functions. The vacuolar Rab, lipids, and R-SNARE activate HOPS to bind Q-SNAREs and catalyze trans-SNARE associations. With SNAREs initially disassembled, as they are on the organelle, we now report that R- and Qa-SNAREs require their physiological juxtamembrane (Jx) regions for fusion. Swap of the Jx domain between the R- and Qa-SNAREs blocks fusion after SNARE association in trans. This block is bypassed by either Sec17, which drives fusion without requiring complete SNARE zippering, or transmembrane-anchored Qb-SNARE in complex with Qa. The abundance of the trans-SNARE complex is not the sole fusion determinant, as it is unaltered by Sec17, Jx swap, or the Qb-transmembrane anchor. The sensitivity of fusion to Jx swap in the absence of a Qb transmembrane anchor is inherent to the SNAREs, because it remains when a synthetic tether replaces HOPS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail Building, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail Building, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail Building, Hanover, NH 03755
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Torng T, Wickner W. Phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate activate HOPS to catalyze SNARE assembly, allowing small headgroup lipids to support the terminal steps of membrane fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:ar19. [PMID: 34495682 PMCID: PMC8693972 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-07-0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular membrane fusion requires Rab GTPases, tethers, SNAREs of the R, Qa, Qb, and Qc families, and SNARE chaperones of the Sec17 (SNAP), Sec18 (NSF), and SM (Sec1/Munc18) families. The vacuolar HOPS complex combines the functions of membrane tethering and SM catalysis of SNARE assembly. HOPS is activated for this catalysis by binding to the vacuolar lipids and Rab. Of the eight major vacuolar lipids, we now report that phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate are required to activate HOPS for SNARE complex assembly. These lipids plus ergosterol also allow full trans-SNARE complex assembly, yet do not support fusion, which is reliant on either phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or on phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylserine (PS), and diacylglycerol (DAG). Fusion with a synthetic tether and without HOPS, or even without SNAREs, still relies on either PE or on PS, PA, and DAG. These lipids are thus required for the terminal bilayer rearrangement step of fusion, distinct from the lipid requirements for the earlier step of activating HOPS for trans-SNARE assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Torng
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Song H, Wickner WT. Fusion of tethered membranes can be driven by Sec18/NSF and Sec17/αSNAP without HOPS. eLife 2021; 10:73240. [PMID: 34698639 PMCID: PMC8560088 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Yeast vacuolar membrane fusion has been reconstituted with R, Qa, Qb, and Qc-family SNAREs, Sec17/αSNAP, Sec18/NSF, and the hexameric HOPS complex. HOPS tethers membranes and catalyzes SNARE assembly into RQaQbQc trans-complexes which zipper through their SNARE domains to promote fusion. Previously, we demonstrated that Sec17 and Sec18 can bypass the requirement of complete zippering for fusion (Song et al., 2021), but it has been unclear whether this activity of Sec17 and Sec18 is directly coupled to HOPS. HOPS can be replaced for fusion by a synthetic tether when the three Q-SNAREs are pre-assembled. We now report that fusion intermediates with arrested SNARE zippering, formed with a synthetic tether but without HOPS, support Sec17/Sec18-triggered fusion. This zippering-bypass fusion is thus a direct result of Sec17 and Sec18 interactions: with each other, with the platform of partially zippered SNAREs, and with the apposed tethered membranes. As these fusion elements are shared among all exocytic and endocytic traffic, Sec17 and Sec18 may have a general role in directly promoting fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - William T Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Schoppe J, Schubert E, Apelbaum A, Yavavli E, Birkholz O, Stephanowitz H, Han Y, Perz A, Hofnagel O, Liu F, Piehler J, Raunser S, Ungermann C. Flexible open conformation of the AP-3 complex explains its role in cargo recruitment at the Golgi. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101334. [PMID: 34688652 PMCID: PMC8591511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicle formation at endomembranes requires the selective concentration of cargo by coat proteins. Conserved adapter protein complexes at the Golgi (AP-3), the endosome (AP-1), or the plasma membrane (AP-2) with their conserved core domain and flexible ear domains mediate this function. These complexes also rely on the small GTPase Arf1 and/or specific phosphoinositides for membrane binding. The structural details that influence these processes, however, are still poorly understood. Here we present cryo-EM structures of the full-length stable 300 kDa yeast AP-3 complex. The structures reveal that AP-3 adopts an open conformation in solution, comparable to the membrane-bound conformations of AP-1 or AP-2. This open conformation appears to be far more flexible than AP-1 or AP-2, resulting in compact, intermediate, and stretched subconformations. Mass spectrometrical analysis of the cross-linked AP-3 complex further indicates that the ear domains are flexibly attached to the surface of the complex. Using biochemical reconstitution assays, we also show that efficient AP-3 recruitment to the membrane depends primarily on cargo binding. Once bound to cargo, AP-3 clustered and immobilized cargo molecules, as revealed by single-molecule imaging on polymer-supported membranes. We conclude that its flexible open state may enable AP-3 to bind and collect cargo at the Golgi and could thus allow coordinated vesicle formation at the trans-Golgi upon Arf1 activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jannis Schoppe
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Evelyn Schubert
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Amir Apelbaum
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Erdal Yavavli
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Oliver Birkholz
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biophysics Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Heike Stephanowitz
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Campus Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yaping Han
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Angela Perz
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Oliver Hofnagel
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Fan Liu
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Campus Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Piehler
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biophysics Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany; Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrück (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Christian Ungermann
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany; Center of Cellular Nanoanalytics Osnabrück (CellNanOs), Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Li L, Tong M, Fu Y, Chen F, Zhang S, Chen H, Ma X, Li D, Liu X, Zhong Q. Lipids and membrane-associated proteins in autophagy. Protein Cell 2021; 12:520-544. [PMID: 33151516 PMCID: PMC8225772 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00793-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and its dysfunction has been linked to various diseases. Autophagy is a membrane driven process and tightly regulated by membrane-associated proteins. Here, we summarized membrane lipid composition, and membrane-associated proteins relevant to autophagy from a spatiotemporal perspective. In particular, we focused on three important membrane remodeling processes in autophagy, lipid transfer for phagophore elongation, membrane scission for phagophore closure, and autophagosome-lysosome membrane fusion. We discussed the significance of the discoveries in this field and possible avenues to follow for future studies. Finally, we summarized the membrane-associated biochemical techniques and assays used to study membrane properties, with a discussion of their applications in autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mindan Tong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yuhui Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hanmo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Defa Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Qing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Synaptotagmin-1-, Munc18-1-, and Munc13-1-dependent liposome fusion with a few neuronal SNAREs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2019314118. [PMID: 33468652 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019314118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitter release is governed by eight central proteins among other factors: the neuronal SNAREs syntaxin-1, synaptobrevin, and SNAP-25, which form a tight SNARE complex that brings the synaptic vesicle and plasma membranes together; NSF and SNAPs, which disassemble SNARE complexes; Munc18-1 and Munc13-1, which organize SNARE complex assembly; and the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin-1. Reconstitution experiments revealed that Munc18-1, Munc13-1, NSF, and α-SNAP can mediate Ca2+-dependent liposome fusion between synaptobrevin liposomes and syntaxin-1-SNAP-25 liposomes, but high fusion efficiency due to uncontrolled SNARE complex assembly did not allow investigation of the role of synaptotagmin-1 on fusion. Here, we show that decreasing the synaptobrevin-to-lipid ratio in the corresponding liposomes to very low levels leads to inefficient fusion and that synaptotagmin-1 strongly stimulates fusion under these conditions. Such stimulation depends on Ca2+ binding to the two C2 domains of synaptotagmin-1. We also show that anchoring SNAP-25 on the syntaxin-1 liposomes dramatically enhances fusion. Moreover, we uncover a synergy between synaptotagmin-1 and membrane anchoring of SNAP-25, which allows efficient Ca2+-dependent fusion between liposomes bearing very low synaptobrevin densities and liposomes containing very low syntaxin-1 densities. Thus, liposome fusion in our assays is achieved with a few SNARE complexes in a manner that requires Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 and that depends on Ca2+ binding to synaptotagmin-1, all of which are fundamental features of neurotransmitter release in neurons.
Collapse
|
14
|
Song H, Torng TL, Orr AS, Brunger AT, Wickner WT. Sec17/Sec18 can support membrane fusion without help from completion of SNARE zippering. eLife 2021; 10:67578. [PMID: 33944780 PMCID: PMC8143792 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion requires R-, Qa-, Qb-, and Qc-family SNAREs that zipper into RQaQbQc coiled coils, driven by the sequestration of apolar amino acids. Zippering has been thought to provide all the force driving fusion. Sec17/αSNAP can form an oligomeric assembly with SNAREs with the Sec17 C-terminus bound to Sec18/NSF, the central region bound to SNAREs, and a crucial apolar loop near the N-terminus poised to insert into membranes. We now report that Sec17 and Sec18 can drive robust fusion without requiring zippering completion. Zippering-driven fusion is blocked by deleting the C-terminal quarter of any Q-SNARE domain or by replacing the apolar amino acids of the Qa-SNARE that face the center of the 4-SNARE coiled coils with polar residues. These blocks, singly or combined, are bypassed by Sec17 and Sec18, and SNARE-dependent fusion is restored without help from completing zippering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Thomas L Torng
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Amy S Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Axel T Brunger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - William T Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
A Rab prenyl membrane-anchor allows effector recognition to be regulated by guanine nucleotide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:7739-7744. [PMID: 32213587 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000923117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is catalyzed by conserved proteins R, Qa, Qb, and Qc SNAREs, which form tetrameric RQaQbQc complexes between membranes; SNARE chaperones of the SM, Sec17/αSNAP, and Sec18/NSF families; Rab-GTPases (Rabs); and Rab effectors. Rabs are anchored to membranes by C-terminal prenyl groups, but can also function when anchored by an apolar polypeptide. Rabs are regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), activating the hydrolysis of bound GTP. We have reconstituted fusion with pure components from yeast vacuoles including SNAREs, the HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting) tethering and SNARE-assembly complex, and the Rab Ypt7, bound to membranes by either C-terminal prenyl groups (Ypt7-pr) or a recombinant transmembrane anchor (Ypt7-tm). We now report that HOPS-dependent fusion occurs with Ypt7 anchored by either means, but only Ypt7-pr requires GTP for activation and is inactive either with bound GDP or without bound guanine nucleotide. In contrast, Ypt7-tm is constitutively active for HOPS-dependent fusion, independent of bound guanine nucleotide. Fusion inhibition by the GAP Gyp1-46 is not limited to Ypt7-tm with bound GTP, indicating that this GAP has an additional mode of regulating fusion. Phosphorylation of HOPS by the vacuolar kinase Yck3 renders fusion strictly dependent on GTP-activated Ypt7, whether bound to membranes by prenyl or transmembrane anchor. The binding of GTP or GDP constitutes a selective switch for Ypt7, but with Ypt7-tm, this switch is only read by HOPS after phosphorylation to P-HOPS by its physiological kinase Yck3. The prenyl anchor of Ypt7 allows both HOPS and P-HOPS to be regulated by Ypt7-bound guanine nucleotide.
Collapse
|
16
|
Torng T, Song H, Wickner W. Asymmetric Rab activation of vacuolar HOPS to catalyze SNARE complex assembly. Mol Biol Cell 2020; 31:1060-1068. [PMID: 32160129 PMCID: PMC7346727 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-01-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular membrane fusion requires Rab-family GTPases, their effector tethers, soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, and SNARE chaperones of the Sec1/Munc18 (SM), Sec17/α-SNAP, and Sec18/NSF families. We have developed an assay using fluorescence resonance energy transfer to measure SNARE complex formation in real time. We now show that yeast vacuolar SNAREs assemble spontaneously into RQaQbQc complexes when the R- and Qa-SNAREs are concentrated in the same micelles or in cis on the same membrane. When SNAREs are free in solution or are tethered to distinct membranes, assembly requires catalysis by HOPS, the vacuolar SM and tethering complex. The Rab Ypt7 and vacuole lipids together allosterically activate the bound HOPS for catalyzing SNARE assembly, even if none of the SNAREs are membrane bound. HOPS-dependent fusion between proteoliposomes bearing R- or Qa-SNAREs shows a strict requirement for Ypt7 on the R-SNARE proteoliposomes but not on the Qa-SNARE proteoliposomes. This asymmetry is reflected in the strikingly different capacity of Ypt7 in cis to either the R- or Qa-SNARE to stimulate SNARE complex assembly. Membrane-bound Ypt7 activates HOPS to catalyze 4-SNARE complex assembly when it is on the same membrane as the R-SNARE but not the Qa-SNARE, thus explaining the asymmetric need for Ypt7 for fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Torng
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Magdziarek M, Bolembach AA, Stepien KP, Quade B, Liu X, Rizo J. Re-examining how Munc13-1 facilitates opening of syntaxin-1. Protein Sci 2020; 29:1440-1458. [PMID: 32086964 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Munc13-1 is crucial for neurotransmitter release and, together with Munc18-1, orchestrates assembly of the neuronal SNARE complex formed by syntaxin-1, SNAP-25, and synaptobrevin. Assembly starts with syntaxin-1 folded into a self-inhibited closed conformation that binds to Munc18-1. Munc13-1 is believed to catalyze the opening of syntaxin-1 to facilitate SNARE complex formation. However, different types of Munc13-1-syntaxin-1 interactions have been reported to underlie this activity, and the critical nature of Munc13-1 for release may arise because of its key role in bridging the vesicle and plasma membranes. To shed light into the mechanism of action of Munc13-1, we have used NMR spectroscopy, SNARE complex assembly experiments, and liposome fusion assays. We show that point mutations in a linker region of syntaxin-1 that forms intrinsic part of the closed conformation strongly impair stimulation of SNARE complex assembly and liposome fusion mediated by Munc13-1 fragments, even though binding of this linker region to Munc13-1 is barely detectable. Conversely, the syntaxin-1 SNARE motif clearly binds to Munc13-1, but a mutation that disrupts this interaction does not affect SNARE complex assembly or liposome fusion. We also show that Munc13-1 cannot be replaced by an artificial tethering factor to mediate liposome fusion. Overall, these results emphasize how very weak interactions can play fundamental roles in promoting conformational transitions and strongly support a model whereby the critical nature of Munc13-1 for neurotransmitter release arises not only from its ability to bridge two membranes but also from an active role in opening syntaxin-1 via interactions with the linker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Magdziarek
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Agnieszka A Bolembach
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Karolina P Stepien
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bradley Quade
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pan YZ, Liu X, Rizo J. Analysis of asymmetry in lipid and content mixing assays with reconstituted proteoliposomes containing the neuronal SNAREs. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2907. [PMID: 32076023 PMCID: PMC7031292 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59740-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reconstitution assays with proteoliposomes provide a powerful tool to elucidate the mechanism of neurotransmitter release, but it is important to understand how these assays report on membrane fusion, and recent studies with yeast vacuolar SNAREs uncovered asymmetry in the results of lipid mixing assays. We have investigated whether such asymmetry also occurs in reconstitution assays with the neuronal SNAREs, using syntaxin-1-SNAP-25-containing liposomes and liposomes containing synaptobrevin (T and V liposomes, respectively), and fluorescent probes to monitor lipid and content mixing simultaneously. Switching the fluorescent probes placed on the T and V liposomes, we observed a striking asymmetry in both lipid and content mixing stimulated by a fragment spanning the two C2 domains of synaptotagmin-1, or by a peptide that spans the C-terminal half of the synaptobrevin SNARE motif. However, no such asymmetry was observed in assays performed in the presence of Munc18-1, Munc13-1, NSF and αSNAP, which coordinate the assembly-disassembly cycle of neuronal SNARE complexes. Our results show that switching fluorescent probes between the two types of liposomes provides a useful approach to better understand the reactions that occur between liposomes and detect heterogenous behavior in these reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Zu Pan
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Song H, Orr AS, Lee M, Harner ME, Wickner WT. HOPS recognizes each SNARE, assembling ternary trans-complexes for rapid fusion upon engagement with the 4th SNARE. eLife 2020; 9:53559. [PMID: 31961324 PMCID: PMC6994237 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Yeast vacuole fusion requires R-SNARE, Q-SNAREs, and HOPS. A HOPS SM-family subunit binds the R- and Qa-SNAREs. We now report that HOPS binds each of the four SNAREs. HOPS catalyzes fusion when the Q-SNAREs are not pre-assembled, ushering them into a functional complex. Co-incubation of HOPS, proteoliposomes bearing R-SNARE, and proteoliposomes with any two Q-SNAREs yields a rapid-fusion complex with 3 SNAREs in a trans-assembly. The missing Q-SNARE then induces sudden fusion. HOPS can 'template' SNARE complex assembly through SM recognition of R- and Qa-SNAREs. Though the Qa-SNARE is essential for spontaneous SNARE assembly, HOPS also assembles a rapid-fusion complex between R- and QbQc-SNARE proteoliposomes in the absence of Qa-SNARE, awaiting Qa for fusion. HOPS-dependent fusion is saturable at low concentrations of each Q-SNARE, showing binding site functionality. HOPS thus tethers membranes and recognizes each SNARE, assembling R+Qa or R+QbQc rapid fusion intermediates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Amy S Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Miriam Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Max E Harner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - William T Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cairó M, Villarroya J. The role of autophagy in brown and beige adipose tissue plasticity. J Physiol Biochem 2019; 76:213-226. [PMID: 31811543 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-019-00708-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the rediscovery of active brown and beige adipose tissues in humans a decade ago, great efforts have been made to identify the mechanisms underlying the activation and inactivation of these tissues, with the hope of designing potential strategies to fight against obesity and associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Active brown/beige fat increases the energy expenditure and is associated with reduced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, whereas its atrophy and inactivation have been associated with obesity and aging. Autophagy, which is the process by which intracellular components are degraded within the lysosomes, has recently emerged as an important regulatory mechanism of brown/beige fat plasticity. Studies have shown that autophagy participates in the intracellular remodeling events that occur during brown/beige adipogenesis, thermogenic activation, and inactivation. The autophagic degradation of mitochondria appears to be important for the inactivation of brown fat and the transition from beige-to-white adipose tissue. Moreover, autophagic dysregulation in adipose tissues has been associated with obesity. Thus, understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control autophagy in the physiology and pathophysiology of adipose tissues might suggest novel treatments against obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Cairó
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Avda Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Villarroya
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Avda Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sec17 (α-SNAP) and Sec18 (NSF) restrict membrane fusion to R-SNAREs, Q-SNAREs, and SM proteins from identical compartments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:23573-23581. [PMID: 31685636 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913985116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion at each organelle requires conserved proteins: Rab-GTPases, effector tethering complexes, Sec1/Munc18 (SM)-family SNARE chaperones, SNAREs of the R, Qa, Qb, and Qc families, and the Sec17/α-SNAP and ATP-dependent Sec18/NSF SNARE chaperone system. The basis of organelle-specific fusion, which is essential for accurate protein compartmentation, has been elusive. Rab family GTPases, SM proteins, and R- and Q-SNAREs may contribute to this specificity. We now report that the fusion supported by SNAREs alone is both inefficient and promiscuous with respect to organelle identity and to stimulation by SM family proteins or complexes. SNARE-only fusion is abolished by the disassembly chaperones Sec17 and Sec18. Efficient fusion in the presence of Sec17 and Sec18 requires a tripartite match between the organellar identities of the R-SNARE, the Q-SNAREs, and the SM protein or complex. The functions of Sec17 and Sec18 are not simply negative regulation; they stimulate fusion with either vacuolar SNAREs and their SM protein complex HOPS or endoplasmic reticulum/cis-Golgi SNAREs and their SM protein Sly1. The fusion complex of each organelle is assembled from its own functionally matching pieces to engage Sec17/Sec18 for fusion stimulation rather than inhibition.
Collapse
|
22
|
Munc18-1 is crucial to overcome the inhibition of synaptic vesicle fusion by αSNAP. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4326. [PMID: 31548544 PMCID: PMC6757032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate assembly of the SNARE complex formed by syntaxin-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin, allowing exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Non-regulated neurotransmitter release might be prevented by αSNAP, which inhibits exocytosis and SNARE-dependent liposome fusion. However, distinct mechanisms of inhibition by αSNAP were suggested, and it is unknown how such inhibition is overcome. Using liposome fusion assays, FRET and NMR spectroscopy, here we provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory functions of αSNAP, showing that αSNAP potently inhibits liposome fusion by: binding to syntaxin-1, hindering Munc18-1 binding; binding to syntaxin-1-SNAP-25 heterodimers, precluding SNARE complex formation; and binding to trans-SNARE complexes, preventing fusion. Importantly, inhibition by αSNAP is avoided only when Munc18-1 binds first to syntaxin-1, leading to Munc18-1-Munc13-1-dependent liposome fusion. We propose that at least some of the inhibitory activities of αSNAP ensure that neurotransmitter release occurs through the highly-regulated Munc18-1-Munc13-1 pathway at the active zone. Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 are key for the exquisite regulation of neurotransmitter release. Here biophysical experiments show how αSNAP inhibits liposome fusion mediated by the neuronal SNAREs and how Munc18-1 overcomes this inhibition, ensuring that release depends on Munc18-1 and Munc13-1.
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Many bacterial species contain dynamin-like proteins (DLPs). However, so far the functional mechanisms of bacterial DLPs are poorly understood. DynA in Bacillus subtilis is a 2-headed DLP, mediating nucleotide-independent membrane tethering in vitro and contributing to the innate immunity of bacteria against membrane stress and phage infection. Here, we employed content mixing and lipid mixing assays in reconstituted systems to study if DynA induces membrane full fusion, characterize its subunits in membrane fusion, and further test the possibility that GTP hydrolysis of DynA may act on the fusion-through-hemifusion pathway. Our results based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer indicated that DynA could induce aqueous content mixing even in the absence of GTP. Moreover, DynA-induced membrane fusion in vitro is a thermo-promoted slow process, and it has phospholipid and membrane curvature preferences. The D1 part of DynA is crucial for membrane binding and fusion, whereas D2 subunit plays a role in facilitating membrane fusion. Surprisingly, digestion of DynA mediated an instant rise of content exchange, supporting the assumption that disassembly of DynA is a driving force for fusion-through-hemifusion. DynA is a rare example of a membrane fusion catalyst that lacks a transmembrane domain and hence sets this system apart from well-characterized fusion systems such as the soluble N-ethyl maleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complexes.-Guo, L., Bramkamp, M. Bacterial dynamin-like protein DynA mediates lipid and content mixing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Guo
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät Biologie, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Marc Bramkamp
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät Biologie, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
R-SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor receptor), Q-SNAREs, and Sec1/Munc18 (SM)-family proteins are essential for membrane fusion in exocytic and endocytic trafficking. The yeast vacuolar tethering/SM complex HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting) increases the fusion of membranes bearing R-SNARE to those with 3Q-SNAREs far more than it enhances their trans-SNARE pairings. We now report that the fusion of these proteoliposomes is also supported by GST-PX or GST-FYVE, recombinant dimeric proteins which tether by binding the phosphoinositides in both membranes. GST-PX is purely a tether, as it supports fusion without SNARE recognition. GST-PX tethering supports the assembly of new, active SNARE complexes rather than enhancing the function of the fusion-inactive SNARE complexes which had spontaneously formed in the absence of a tether. When SNAREs are more disassembled, as by Sec17, Sec18, and ATP (adenosine triphosphate), HOPS is required, and GST-PX does not suffice. We propose a working model where tethering orients SNARE domains for parallel, active assembly.
Collapse
|
25
|
Harner M, Wickner W. Assembly of intermediates for rapid membrane fusion. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1346-1352. [PMID: 29208657 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion is essential for intracellular protein sorting, cell growth, hormone secretion, and neurotransmission. Rapid membrane fusion requires tethering and Sec1-Munc18 (SM) function to catalyze R-, Qa-, Qb-, and Qc-SNARE complex assembly in trans, as well as SNARE engagement by the SNARE-binding chaperone Sec17/αSNAP. The hexameric vacuolar HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting) complex in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae tethers membranes through its affinities for the membrane Rab GTPase Ypt7. HOPS also has specific affinities for the vacuolar SNAREs and catalyzes SNARE complex assembly, but the order of their assembly into a 4-SNARE complex is unclear. We now report defined assembly intermediates on the path to membrane fusion. We found that a prefusion intermediate will assemble with HOPS and the R, Qa, and Qc SNAREs, and that this assembly undergoes rapid fusion upon addition of Qb and Sec17. HOPS-tethered membranes and all four vacuolar SNAREs formed a complex that underwent an even more dramatic burst of fusion upon Sec17p addition. These findings provide initial insights into an ordered fusion pathway consisting of the following intermediates and events: 1) Rab- and HOPS-tethered membranes, 2) a HOPS:R:Qa:Qc trans-complex, 3) a HOPS:4-SNARE trans-complex, 4) an engagement with Sec17, and 5) the rapid lipid rearrangements during fusion. In conclusion, our results indicate that the R:Qa:Qc complex forms in the context of membrane, Ypt7, HOPS, and trans-SNARE assembly and serves as a functional intermediate for rapid fusion after addition of the Qb-SNARE and Sec17 proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Harner
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Langemeyer L, Perz A, Kümmel D, Ungermann C. A guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) limits Rab GTPase-driven membrane fusion. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:731-739. [PMID: 29184002 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.812941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The identity of organelles in the endomembrane system of any eukaryotic cell critically depends on the correctly localized Rab GTPase, which binds effectors and thus promotes membrane remodeling or fusion. However, it is still unresolved which factors are required and therefore define the localization of the correct fusion machinery. Using SNARE-decorated proteoliposomes that cannot fuse on their own, we now demonstrate that full fusion activity can be achieved by just four soluble factors: a soluble SNARE (Vam7), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF, Mon1-Ccz1), a Rab-GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) complex (prenylated Ypt7-GDI), and a Rab effector complex (HOPS). Our findings reveal that the GEF Mon1-Ccz1 is necessary and sufficient for stabilizing prenylated Ypt7 on membranes. HOPS binding to Ypt7-GTP then drives SNARE-mediated fusion, which is fully GTP-dependent. We conclude that an entire fusion cascade can be controlled by a GEF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Kümmel
- Structural Biochemistry, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 13, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wickner W, Rizo J. A cascade of multiple proteins and lipids catalyzes membrane fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:707-711. [PMID: 28292915 PMCID: PMC5349777 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-07-0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest revisions to the SNARE paradigm of membrane fusion. Membrane tethers and/or SNAREs recruit proteins of the Sec 1/Munc18 family to catalyze SNARE assembly into trans-complexes. SNARE-domain zippering draws the bilayers into immediate apposition and provides a platform to position fusion triggers such as Sec 17/α-SNAP and/or synaptotagmin, which insert their apolar "wedge" domains into the bilayers, initiating the lipid rearrangements of fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 )
| | - Josep Rizo
- Departments of Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 )
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Schwartz ML, Nickerson DP, Lobingier BT, Plemel RL, Duan M, Angers CG, Zick M, Merz AJ. Sec17 (α-SNAP) and an SM-tethering complex regulate the outcome of SNARE zippering in vitro and in vivo. eLife 2017; 6:27396. [PMID: 28925353 PMCID: PMC5643095 DOI: 10.7554/elife.27396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Zippering of SNARE complexes spanning docked membranes is essential for most intracellular fusion events. Here, we explore how SNARE regulators operate on discrete zippering states. The formation of a metastable trans-complex, catalyzed by HOPS and its SM subunit Vps33, is followed by subsequent zippering transitions that increase the probability of fusion. Operating independently of Sec18 (NSF) catalysis, Sec17 (α-SNAP) either inhibits or stimulates SNARE-mediated fusion. If HOPS or Vps33 are absent, Sec17 inhibits fusion at an early stage. Thus, Vps33/HOPS promotes productive SNARE assembly in the presence of otherwise inhibitory Sec17. Once SNAREs are partially zipped, Sec17 promotes fusion in either the presence or absence of HOPS, but with faster kinetics when HOPS is absent, suggesting that ejection of the SM is a rate-limiting step.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Schwartz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| | - Daniel P Nickerson
- Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino, United States
| | - Braden T Lobingier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| | - Rachael L Plemel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| | - Mengtong Duan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| | - Cortney G Angers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| | - Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - Alexey J Merz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu X, Seven AB, Xu J, Esser V, Su L, Ma C, Rizo J. Simultaneous lipid and content mixing assays for in vitro reconstitution studies of synaptic vesicle fusion. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:2014-2028. [PMID: 28858288 PMCID: PMC6163043 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This protocol describes reconstitution assays to study how the neurotransmitter release machinery triggers Ca2+-dependent synaptic vesicle fusion. The assays monitor fusion between proteoliposomes containing the synaptic vesicle SNARE synaptobrevin (with or without the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin-1) and proteoliposomes initially containing the plasma membrane SNAREs syntaxin-1 and soluble NSF attachment protein (SNAP)-25. Lipid mixing (from fluorescence de-quenching of Marina-Blue-labeled lipids) and content mixing (from development of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between phycoerythrin-biotin (PhycoE-Biotin) and Cy5-streptavidin trapped in the two proteoliposome populations) are measured simultaneously to ensure that true, nonleaky membrane fusion is monitored. This protocol is based on a method developed to study yeast vacuolar fusion. In contrast to other protocols used to study the release machinery, this assay incorporates N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and α-SNAP, which disassemble syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 heterodimers. As a result, fusion requires Munc18-1, which binds to the released syntaxin-1, and Munc13-1, which, together with Munc18-1, orchestrates SNARE complex assembly. The protocol can be readily adapted to investigation of other types of intracellular membrane fusion by using appropriate alternative proteins. Total time required for one round of the assay is 4 d.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Alpay Burak Seven
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Junjie Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Victoria Esser
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Lijing Su
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Cong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Song H, Orr A, Duan M, Merz AJ, Wickner W. Sec17/Sec18 act twice, enhancing membrane fusion and then disassembling cis-SNARE complexes. eLife 2017; 6:e26646. [PMID: 28718762 PMCID: PMC5540461 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
At physiological protein levels, the slow HOPS- and SNARE-dependent fusion which occurs upon complete SNARE zippering is stimulated by Sec17 and Sec18:ATP without requiring ATP hydrolysis. To stimulate, Sec17 needs its central residues which bind the 0-layer of the SNARE complex and its N-terminal apolar loop. Adding a transmembrane anchor to the N-terminus of Sec17 bypasses this requirement for apolarity of the Sec17 loop, suggesting that the loop functions for membrane binding rather than to trigger bilayer rearrangement. In contrast, when complete C-terminal SNARE zippering is prevented, fusion strictly requires Sec18 and Sec17, and the Sec17 apolar loop has functions beyond membrane anchoring. Thus Sec17 and Sec18 act twice in the fusion cycle, binding to trans-SNARE complexes to accelerate fusion, then hydrolyzing ATP to disassemble cis-SNARE complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, United States
| | - Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, United States
| | - Mengtong Duan
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Alexey J Merz
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Song H, Wickner W. A short region upstream of the yeast vacuolar Qa-SNARE heptad-repeats promotes membrane fusion through enhanced SNARE complex assembly. Mol Biol Cell 2017. [PMID: 28637767 PMCID: PMC5555656 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-04-0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion requires that four SNARE domains form a complex. A short conserved region just upstream of the Qa-SNARE heptad-repeat domain promotes SNARE-complex assembly and hence fusion. Whereas SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) heptad-repeats are well studied, SNAREs also have upstream N-domains of indeterminate function. The assembly of yeast vacuolar SNAREs into complexes for fusion can be studied in chemically defined reactions. Complementary proteoliposomes bearing a Rab:GTP and either the vacuolar R-SNARE or one of the three integrally anchored Q-SNAREs were incubated with the tethering/SM protein complex HOPS and the two other soluble SNAREs (lacking a transmembrane anchor) or their SNARE heptad-repeat domains. Fusion required a transmembrane-anchored R-SNARE on one membrane and an anchored Q-SNARE on the other. The N-domain of the Qb-SNARE was completely dispensable for fusion. Whereas fusion can be promoted by very high concentrations of the Qa-SNARE heptad-repeat domain alone, at physiological concentrations the Qa-SNARE heptad-repeat domain alone has almost no fusion activity. The 181–198 region of Qa, immediately upstream of the SNARE heptad-repeat domain, is required for normal fusion activity with HOPS. This region is needed for normal SNARE complex assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sitarska E, Xu J, Park S, Liu X, Quade B, Stepien K, Sugita K, Brautigam CA, Sugita S, Rizo J. Autoinhibition of Munc18-1 modulates synaptobrevin binding and helps to enable Munc13-dependent regulation of membrane fusion. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28477408 PMCID: PMC5464772 DOI: 10.7554/elife.24278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Munc18-1 orchestrates SNARE complex assembly together with Munc13-1 to mediate neurotransmitter release. Munc18-1 binds to synaptobrevin, but the relevance of this interaction and its relation to Munc13 function are unclear. NMR experiments now show that Munc18-1 binds specifically and non-specifically to synaptobrevin. Specific binding is inhibited by a L348R mutation in Munc18-1 and enhanced by a D326K mutation designed to disrupt the ‘furled conformation’ of a Munc18-1 loop. Correspondingly, the activity of Munc18-1 in reconstitution assays that require Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 for membrane fusion is stimulated by the D326K mutation and inhibited by the L348R mutation. Moreover, the D326K mutation allows Munc13-1-independent fusion and leads to a gain-of-function in rescue experiments in Caenorhabditis elegans unc-18 nulls. Together with previous studies, our data support a model whereby Munc18-1 acts as a template for SNARE complex assembly, and autoinhibition of synaptobrevin binding contributes to enabling regulation of neurotransmitter release by Munc13-1. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.24278.001 Nerve cells communicate with other nerve cells by releasing small molecules called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are first packaged inside bubble-like structures called vesicles, which fuse with the membrane of the nerve cell when it is stimulated. Once the vesicle and membrane have fused, the neurotransmitters are released outside the nerve cell and are detected when they bind to proteins on the surface of other nearby nerve cells. A machinery of different proteins controls membrane fusion. Amongst these proteins are five called Munc18-1, Munc13-1, syntaxin-1, synaptobrevin and SNAP-25. The last three form a tight bundle called SNARE complex that brings the vesicle and cell membrane together and is essential for the two to fuse. Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 orchestrate the assembly of the SNARE complex. Previous studies suggested that Munc18-1 binds to synaptobrevin, providing a template to bring syntaxin-1 and synaptobrevin together and thereby helping the SNARE complex to form. However, the importance of the interaction between Munc18-1 and synaptobrevin was not clearly established, and it was not known how Munc13-1 is involved. Sitarska, Xu et al. have now measured how mutated versions of Munc18-1 bind to synaptobrevin and tested how the mutations affect membrane fusion. A mutation in Munc18-1 that increased binding to synaptobrevin increased membrane fusion too, while a mutation that decreased binding had the opposite effect and reduced fusion. The results support the idea that Munc18-1 provides a template for the SNARE complex to form. One mutation stimulated Munc18-1 so that Munc13-1 was no longer needed for fusion when the mutant Munc18-1 was tested in fusion assays with artificial membranes. This mutation was designed to perturb the structure of a region of Munc18-1 protein that normally inhibits the binding of synaptobrevin. These results suggest that by adopting a state where it cannot bind synaptobrevin, Munc18-1 can only be stimulated to form the SNARE complex and trigger release of neurotransmitter when Munc13-1 is present. This provides a way for Munc13-1, which is regulated by many factors, to fine-tune the release of neurotransmitter. Future work will test whether these proteins work in the same way in living animals. This will help us understand how communication between neurons is finely controlled to enable the brain to carry out its many different tasks. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.24278.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Sitarska
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Junjie Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Seungmee Park
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Bradley Quade
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Karolina Stepien
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Kyoko Sugita
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chad A Brautigam
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Shuzo Sugita
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Xu J, Camacho M, Xu Y, Esser V, Liu X, Trimbuch T, Pan YZ, Ma C, Tomchick DR, Rosenmund C, Rizo J. Mechanistic insights into neurotransmitter release and presynaptic plasticity from the crystal structure of Munc13-1 C 1C 2BMUN. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28177287 PMCID: PMC5344669 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Munc13–1 acts as a master regulator of neurotransmitter release, mediating docking-priming of synaptic vesicles and diverse presynaptic plasticity processes. It is unclear how the functions of the multiple domains of Munc13–1 are coordinated. The crystal structure of a Munc13–1 fragment including its C1, C2B and MUN domains (C1C2BMUN) reveals a 19.5 nm-long multi-helical structure with the C1 and C2B domains packed at one end. The similar orientations of the respective diacyglycerol- and Ca2+-binding sites of the C1 and C2B domains suggest that the two domains cooperate in plasma-membrane binding and that activation of Munc13–1 by Ca2+ and diacylglycerol during short-term presynaptic plasticity are closely interrelated. Electrophysiological experiments in mouse neurons support the functional importance of the domain interfaces observed in C1C2BMUN. The structure imposes key constraints for models of neurotransmitter release and suggests that Munc13–1 bridges the vesicle and plasma membranes from the periphery of the membrane-membrane interface. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22567.001 The human brain contains billions of cells called neurons that communicate with each other using molecules called neurotransmitters. An electrical signal in one neuron triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the cell, which then activate or inhibit electrical signals in neighboring neurons. Inside the cell, neurotransmitters are stored in small bubble-like structures called synaptic vesicles. The vesicles fuse with the membrane that surrounds the cell to release the neurotransmitters. This process must be tightly controlled to ensure that neurotransmitters are released rapidly and at the right time. A protein called Munc13 is a key component of the machinery that regulates the fusion of synaptic vesicles. It helps the synaptic vesicle to dock onto the cell membrane and get ready for fusion. Munc13 is a large protein and contains several different regions, including three domains called C1, C2B and MUN. These three domains control the release of neurotransmitters, but how they do so is poorly understood. Xu, Camacho et al. used a technique called X-ray crystallography to analyse the three-dimensional shape of the part of Munc13 that contains the three domains. The experiments reveal that the MUN domain forms a long rod-like shape with the C1 and C2B domains packed at one end. Several mutations that reduce the ability of the domains to interact with each other altered the release of neurotransmitters from mouse neurons to different extents. These findings suggest that the overall architecture of the region containing the C1, C2B and MUN domains is important for the normal activity of Munc13. The structure revealed by Xu, Camacho et al. sets a framework for understanding how Munc13 controls neurotransmitter release, and thus mediates diverse forms of information processing in the brain. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22567.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Marcial Camacho
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yibin Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Victoria Esser
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Thorsten Trimbuch
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yun-Zu Pan
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Cong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Diana R Tomchick
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Orr A, Song H, Rusin SF, Kettenbach AN, Wickner W. HOPS catalyzes the interdependent assembly of each vacuolar SNARE into a SNARE complex. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:975-983. [PMID: 28148647 PMCID: PMC5385945 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-10-0743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sec1/Munc18 proteins are essential for fusion but of unknown function. The yeast vacuole SM protein is a subunit of the HOPS tethering complex. HOPS catalyzes the interdependent association among the vacuole SNAREs at a membrane surface, and the associated SNAREs can be disassembled by the physiological system Sec17/Sec18/ATP. Rab GTPases, their effectors, SNAREs of the R, Qa, Qb, and Qc families, and SM SNARE-binding proteins catalyze intracellular membrane fusion. At the vacuole/lysosome, they are integrated by the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) complex. Two HOPS subunits bind vacuolar Rabs for tethering, another binds the Qc SNARE, and a fourth HOPS subunit, an SM protein, has conserved grooves that bind R- and Qa-SNARE domains. Spontaneous quaternary SNARE complex assembly is very slow. We report an assay of SNARE complex assembly that does not rely on fusion and for which tethering does not coenrich the four SNAREs. HOPS is required in this assay for rapid SNARE complex assembly. Optimal assembly needs HOPS, lipid membranes to which the R- or Qa-SNARE and Ypt7:GTP are integrally bound, and each of the other three SNAREs. Each SNARE assembles into this complex relying on the others, suggesting four-SNARE complex assembly rather than direct binding of each to HOPS. SNAREs can be disassociated by Sec 17/Sec 18/ATP, completing a catalyzed cycle of SNARE assembly and disassembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Hongki Song
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Scott F Rusin
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Arminja N Kettenbach
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755.,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03766
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
|
36
|
Bu B, Tian Z, Li D, Ji B. High Transmembrane Voltage Raised by Close Contact Initiates Fusion Pore. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:136. [PMID: 28018169 PMCID: PMC5145871 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion lies at the heart of neuronal communication but the detailed mechanism of a critical step, fusion pore initiation, remains poorly understood. Here, through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, a transient pore formation induced by a close contact of two apposed bilayers is firstly reported. Such a close contact gives rise to a high local transmembrane voltage that induces the transient pore formation. Through simulations on two apposed bilayers fixed at a series of given distances, the process in which two bilayers approaching to each other under the pulling force from fusion proteins for membrane fusion was mimicked. Of note, this close contact induced fusion pore formation is contrasted with previous reported electroporation under ad hoc applied external electric field or ionic charge in-balance. We show that the transmembrane voltage increases with the decrease of the distance between the bilayers. Below a critical distance, depending on the lipid composition, the local transmembrane voltage can be sufficiently high to induce the transient pores. The size of these pores is approximately 1~2 nm in diameter, which is large enough to allow passing of neurotransmitters. A resealing of the membrane pores resulting from the neutralization of the transmembrane voltage by ions through the pores was then observed. We also found that the membrane tension can either prolong the lifetime of transient pores or cause them to dilate for full collapse. This result provides a possible mechanism for fusion pore formation and regulation of pathway of fusion process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Bu
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqi Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an, China
| | - Dechang Li
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing, China
| | - Baohua Ji
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zick M, Wickner W. Improved reconstitution of yeast vacuole fusion with physiological SNARE concentrations reveals an asymmetric Rab(GTP) requirement. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:2590-7. [PMID: 27385334 PMCID: PMC4985260 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-04-0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro reconstitution is a powerful approach to deciphering membrane fusion. However, current reconstitutions do not adequately mimic the physiological process. This study takes a big step toward overcoming those shortcomings, achieving fusion with SNARE densities comparable to the native membrane. In vitro reconstitution of homotypic yeast vacuole fusion from purified components enables detailed study of membrane fusion mechanisms. Current reconstitutions have yet to faithfully replicate the fusion process in at least three respects: 1) The density of SNARE proteins required for fusion in vitro is substantially higher than on the organelle. 2) Substantial lysis accompanies reconstituted fusion. 3) The Rab GTPase Ypt7 is essential in vivo but often dispensable in vitro. Here we report that changes in fatty acyl chain composition dramatically lower the density of SNAREs that are required for fusion. By providing more physiological lipids with a lower phase transition temperature, we achieved efficient fusion with SNARE concentrations as low as on the native organelle. Although fused proteoliposomes became unstable at elevated SNARE concentrations, releasing their content after fusion had occurred, reconstituted proteoliposomes with substantially reduced SNARE concentrations fused without concomitant lysis. The Rab GTPase Ypt7 is essential on both membranes for proteoliposome fusion to occur at these SNARE concentrations. Strikingly, it was only critical for Ypt7 to be GTP loaded on membranes bearing the R-SNARE Nyv1, whereas the bound nucleotide of Ypt7 was irrelevant on membranes bearing the Q-SNAREs Vam3 and Vti1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755-3844
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Organelle acidification negatively regulates vacuole membrane fusion in vivo. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29045. [PMID: 27363625 PMCID: PMC4929563 DOI: 10.1038/srep29045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The V-ATPase is a proton pump consisting of a membrane-integral V0 sector and a peripheral V1 sector, which carries the ATPase activity. In vitro studies of yeast vacuole fusion and evidence from worms, flies, zebrafish and mice suggested that V0 interacts with the SNARE machinery for membrane fusion, that it promotes the induction of hemifusion and that this activity requires physical presence of V0 rather than its proton pump activity. A recent in vivo study in yeast has challenged these interpretations, concluding that fusion required solely lumenal acidification but not the V0 sector itself. Here, we identify the reasons for this discrepancy and reconcile it. We find that acute pharmacological or physiological inhibition of V-ATPase pump activity de-acidifies the vacuole lumen in living yeast cells within minutes. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that de-acidification induces vacuole fusion rather than inhibiting it. Cells expressing mutated V0 subunits that maintain vacuolar acidity were blocked in this fusion. Thus, proton pump activity of the V-ATPase negatively regulates vacuole fusion in vivo. Vacuole fusion in vivo does, however, require physical presence of a fusion-competent V0 sector.
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu X, Seven AB, Camacho M, Esser V, Xu J, Trimbuch T, Quade B, Su L, Ma C, Rosenmund C, Rizo J. Functional synergy between the Munc13 C-terminal C1 and C2 domains. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27213521 PMCID: PMC4927299 DOI: 10.7554/elife.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitter release requires SNARE complexes to bring membranes together, NSF-SNAPs to recycle the SNAREs, Munc18-1 and Munc13s to orchestrate SNARE complex assembly, and Synaptotagmin-1 to trigger fast Ca2+-dependent membrane fusion. However, it is unclear whether Munc13s function upstream and/or downstream of SNARE complex assembly, and how the actions of their multiple domains are integrated. Reconstitution, liposome-clustering and electrophysiological experiments now reveal a functional synergy between the C1, C2B and C2C domains of Munc13-1, indicating that these domains help bridging the vesicle and plasma membranes to facilitate stimulation of SNARE complex assembly by the Munc13-1 MUN domain. Our reconstitution data also suggest that Munc18-1, Munc13-1, NSF, αSNAP and the SNAREs are critical to form a ‘primed’ state that does not fuse but is ready for fast fusion upon Ca2+ influx. Overall, our results support a model whereby the multiple domains of Munc13s cooperate to coordinate synaptic vesicle docking, priming and fusion. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.13696.001 In the brain, neurons communicate with each other using small molecules called neurotransmitters. Electrical signals in one neuron trigger the release of the neurotransmitters, which then bind to receptor proteins on another neuron nearby. Neurotransmitters are packaged into small compartments called synaptic vesicles and are released from the neuron when these vesicles fuse with the membrane that surrounds the cell. Many proteins are involved in regulating this process to ensure that neurotransmitters are released at the right place and time. A large protein called Munc13 plays an important role in the release of neurotransmitters. It contains many different regions, including a long domain called MUN and three additional domains called C1, C2B and C2C among others. However, it is not clear how all these domains work together to control neurotransmitter release. Here Liu, Seven et al. address this question using purified proteins inserted into membranes as well as experiments in neurons from mice. The experiments show that the C1, C2B and C2C domains all play key roles in neurotransmitter release. Together with the MUN domain, these three domains help to form bridges between synaptic vesicles and the membrane surrounding the neuron. These bridges could help other proteins involved in neurotransmitter release to form a group that induces vesicle fusion. Liu, Seven et al.’s findings also suggest that Munc13 proteins cooperate with other proteins to form a 'primed' state in which a synaptic vesicle is ready to rapidly fuse with a neuron’s membrane when triggered to do so by an electrical signal. A future challenge is to find out how the proteins that form this primed state promote vesicle fusion. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.13696.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Alpay Burak Seven
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Marcial Camacho
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victoria Esser
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Junjie Xu
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Thorsten Trimbuch
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bradley Quade
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Lijing Su
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Cong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Department of Neurophysiology, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josep Rizo
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Baker RW, Jeffrey PD, Zick M, Phillips BP, Wickner WT, Hughson FM. A direct role for the Sec1/Munc18-family protein Vps33 as a template for SNARE assembly. Science 2015; 349:1111-4. [PMID: 26339030 DOI: 10.1126/science.aac7906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Fusion of intracellular transport vesicles requires soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and Sec1/Munc18-family (SM) proteins. Membrane-bridging SNARE complexes are critical for fusion, but their spontaneous assembly is inefficient and may require SM proteins in vivo. We report x-ray structures of Vps33, the SM subunit of the yeast homotypic fusion and vacuole protein-sorting (HOPS) complex, bound to two individual SNAREs. The two SNAREs, one from each membrane, are held in the correct orientation and register for subsequent complex assembly. Vps33 and potentially other SM proteins could thus act as templates for generating partially zipped SNARE assembly intermediates. HOPS was essential to mediate SNARE complex assembly at physiological SNARE concentrations. Thus, Vps33 appears to catalyze SNARE complex assembly through specific SNARE motif recognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Baker
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Philip D Jeffrey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Ben P Phillips
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - William T Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Frederick M Hughson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Sec17 [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein; α-SNAP] and Sec18 (NSF) perform ATP-dependent disassembly of cis-SNARE complexes, liberating SNAREs for subsequent assembly of trans-complexes for fusion. A mutant of Sec17, with limited ability to stimulate Sec18, still strongly enhanced fusion when ample Sec18 was supplied, suggesting that Sec17 has additional functions. We used fusion reactions where the four SNAREs were initially separate, thus requiring no disassembly by Sec18. With proteoliposomes bearing asymmetrically disposed SNAREs, tethering and trans-SNARE pairing allowed slow fusion. Addition of Sec17 did not affect the levels of trans-SNARE complex but triggered sudden fusion of trans-SNARE paired proteoliposomes. Sec18 did not substitute for Sec17 in triggering fusion, but ADP- or ATPγS-bound Sec18 enhanced this Sec17 function. The extent of the Sec17 effect varied with the lipid headgroup and fatty acyl composition of the proteoliposomes. Two mutants further distinguished the two Sec17 functions: Sec17(L291A,L292A) did not stimulate Sec18 to disassemble cis-SNARE complex but triggered the fusion of trans-SNARE paired membranes. Sec17(F21S,M22S), with diminished apolar character to its hydrophobic loop, fully supported Sec18-mediated SNARE complex disassembly but had lost the capacity to stimulate the fusion of trans-SNARE paired membranes. To model the interactions of SNARE-bound Sec17 with membranes, we show that Sec17, but not Sec17(F21S,M22S), interacted synergistically with the soluble SNARE domains to enable their stable association with liposomes. We propose a model in which Sec17 binds to trans-SNARE complexes, oligomerizes, and inserts apolar loops into the apposed membranes, locally disturbing the lipid bilayer and thereby lowering the energy barrier for fusion.
Collapse
|
42
|
Brunger AT, Cipriano DJ, Diao J. Towards reconstitution of membrane fusion mediated by SNAREs and other synaptic proteins. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 50:231-41. [PMID: 25788028 PMCID: PMC4673598 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2015.1023252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Proteoliposomes have been widely used for in vitro studies of membrane fusion mediated by synaptic proteins. Initially, such studies were made with large unsynchronized ensembles of vesicles. Such ensemble assays limited the insights into the SNARE-mediated fusion mechanism that could be obtained from them. Single particle microscopy experiments can alleviate many of these limitations but they pose significant technical challenges. Here we summarize various approaches that have enabled studies of fusion mediated by SNAREs and other synaptic proteins at a single-particle level. Currently available methods are described and their advantages and limitations are discussed.
Collapse
|
43
|
Identification and characterization of LFD-2, a predicted fringe protein required for membrane integrity during cell fusion in neurospora crassa. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:265-77. [PMID: 25595444 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00233-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of membrane merger during somatic cell fusion in eukaryotic species are poorly understood. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, somatic cell fusion occurs between genetically identical germinated asexual spores (germlings) and between hyphae to form the interconnected network characteristic of a filamentous fungal colony. In N. crassa, two proteins have been identified to function at the step of membrane fusion during somatic cell fusion: PRM1 and LFD-1. The absence of either one of these two proteins results in an increase of germling pairs arrested during cell fusion with tightly appressed plasma membranes and an increase in the frequency of cell lysis of adhered germlings. The level of cell lysis in ΔPrm1 or Δlfd-1 germlings is dependent on the extracellular calcium concentration. An available transcriptional profile data set was used to identify genes encoding predicted transmembrane proteins that showed reduced expression levels in germlings cultured in the absence of extracellular calcium. From these analyses, we identified a mutant (lfd-2, for late fusion defect-2) that showed a calcium-dependent cell lysis phenotype. lfd-2 encodes a protein with a Fringe domain and showed endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membrane localization. The deletion of an additional gene predicted to encode a low-affinity calcium transporter, fig1, also resulted in a strain that showed a calcium-dependent cell lysis phenotype. Genetic analyses showed that LFD-2 and FIG1 likely function in separate pathways to regulate aspects of membrane merger and repair during cell fusion.
Collapse
|
44
|
Vibrio effector protein VopQ inhibits fusion of V-ATPase-containing membranes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 112:100-5. [PMID: 25453092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1413764111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicle fusion governs many important biological processes, and imbalances in the regulation of membrane fusion can lead to a variety of diseases such as diabetes and neurological disorders. Here we show that the Vibrio parahaemolyticus effector protein VopQ is a potent inhibitor of membrane fusion based on an in vitro yeast vacuole fusion model. Previously, we demonstrated that VopQ binds to the V(o) domain of the conserved V-type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) found on acidic compartments such as the yeast vacuole. VopQ forms a nonspecific, voltage-gated membrane channel of 18 Å resulting in neutralization of these compartments. We now present data showing that VopQ inhibits yeast vacuole fusion. Furthermore, we identified a unique mutation in VopQ that delineates its two functions, deacidification and inhibition of membrane fusion. The use of VopQ as a membrane fusion inhibitor in this manner now provides convincing evidence that vacuole fusion occurs independently of luminal acidification in vitro.
Collapse
|
45
|
Orr A, Wickner W, Rusin SF, Kettenbach AN, Zick M. Yeast vacuolar HOPS, regulated by its kinase, exploits affinities for acidic lipids and Rab:GTP for membrane binding and to catalyze tethering and fusion. Mol Biol Cell 2014; 26:305-15. [PMID: 25411340 PMCID: PMC4294677 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-08-1298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidic lipids act as coreceptors with Ypt7p to bind the HOPS complex to support membrane tethering and fusion. After phosphorylation by the vacuolar kinase Yck3p, phospho-HOPS needs both Ypt7p:GTP and acidic lipids to support fusion. Fusion of yeast vacuoles requires the Rab GTPase Ypt7p, four SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptors), the SNARE disassembly chaperones Sec17p/Sec18p, vacuolar lipids, and the Rab-effector complex HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting). Two HOPS subunits have direct affinity for Ypt7p. Although vacuolar fusion has been reconstituted with purified components, the functional relationships between individual lipids and Ypt7p:GTP have remained unclear. We now report that acidic lipids function with Ypt7p as coreceptors for HOPS, supporting membrane tethering and fusion. After phosphorylation by the vacuolar kinase Yck3p, phospho-HOPS needs both Ypt7p:GTP and acidic lipids to support fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Orr
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - William Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Scott F Rusin
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Arminja N Kettenbach
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755 Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hyttinen JM, Amadio M, Viiri J, Pascale A, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. Clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins by aggrephagy and implications for aggregation diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2014; 18:16-28. [PMID: 25062811 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Processing of misfolded proteins is important in order for the cell to maintain its normal functioning and homeostasis. Three systems control the quality of proteins: chaperone-mediated refolding, proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated proteins, and finally, when the two others fail, aggrephagy, as selective form of autophagy, degrades ubiquitin-labelled aggregated cargos. In this route misfolded proteins gradually form larger aggregates, aggresomes and they eventually become double membrane-wrapped organelles called autophagosomes, which become degraded when they fuse to lysosomes, for reuse by the cell. The stages, the main molecules participating in the process, and the regulation of aggrephagy are discussed here, as is the role of protein aggregation in protein accumulation diseases. In particular, we emphasize that both Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration, two of the most common pathologies in the aged, are characterized by altered protein clearance and deposits. Based on the hypothesis that manipulations of autophagy may be potentially useful in these and other aggregation-related diseases, we will discuss some promising therapeutic strategies to counteract protein aggregates-induced cellular toxicity.
Collapse
|
47
|
Zick M, Wickner WT. A distinct tethering step is vital for vacuole membrane fusion. eLife 2014; 3:e03251. [PMID: 25255215 PMCID: PMC4200421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.03251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Past experiments with reconstituted proteoliposomes, employing assays that infer membrane fusion from fluorescent lipid dequenching, have suggested that vacuolar SNAREs alone suffice to catalyze membrane fusion in vitro. While we could replicate these results, we detected very little fusion with the more rigorous assay of lumenal compartment mixing. Exploring the discrepancies between lipid-dequenching and content-mixing assays, we surprisingly found that the disposition of the fluorescent lipids with respect to SNAREs had a striking effect. Without other proteins, the association of SNAREs in trans causes lipid dequenching that cannot be ascribed to fusion or hemifusion. Tethering of the SNARE-bearing proteoliposomes was required for efficient lumenal compartment mixing. While the physiological HOPS tethering complex caused a few-fold increase of trans-SNARE association, the rate of content mixing increased more than 100-fold. Thus tethering has a role in promoting membrane fusion that extends beyond simply increasing the amount of total trans-SNARE complex. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03251.001 Cells of higher organisms contain compartments called organelles and structures called vesicles that transfer molecules and proteins between these organelles. Each organelle and each vesicle is enclosed within a membrane, and these membranes must fuse together to allow these transfers to take place. A certain group of proteins, called SNAREs, have a central role in these fusion events. Since membrane fusion is difficult to observe directly, many researchers have used a method called ‘fluorescent lipid dequenching’ to study it indirectly. In this approach, one fraction of vesicles is labeled with two fluorescent molecules, with one of these molecules quenching the fluorescence of the other. However, when a labeled vesicle fuses with an unlabeled vesicle, the surface concentrations of the fluorescent molecules are diluted. This reduces the amount of quenching and the resulting increase in fluorescence can be measured. Experiments utilizing this technique had suggested that SNARE proteins are sufficient for fusion to take place, and that no other protein complexes need to be present. However, when a different assay method called ‘lumenal compartment mixing’ was used, little fusion was seen when the only proteins present were the SNAREs. The lumenal compartment mixing approach relies on measuring the degree of mixing between the contents of two vesicles. To address these conflicting results, Zick and Wickner used both methods to study fusion in a yeast-based system. The lumenal compartment mixing approach, which is the more reliable method, revealed that rapid and efficient membrane fusion in fact requires another protein complex, called HOPS, to hold the two membrane vesicles together. Zick and Wickner found that the HOPS complex does not enable fusion by just increasing the amount of interactions between the SNARE proteins. Rather, it seems to facilitate the formation of a particular quality of SNARE interactions. Future work is needed to work out how the SNARE complexes become ‘fusion-competent’, and to explore the mechanism that allows the HOPS complex to assist in the formation of fusion-competent SNARE complexes. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03251.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | - William T Wickner
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Oxidative stress, hypoxia, and autophagy in the neovascular processes of age-related macular degeneration. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:768026. [PMID: 24707498 PMCID: PMC3950832 DOI: 10.1155/2014/768026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 10/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe and irreversible loss of vision in the elderly in developed countries. AMD is a complex chronic neurodegenerative disease associated with many environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to play a pivotal role in AMD pathogenesis. It is known that the macula receives the highest blood flow of any tissue in the body when related to size, and anything that can reduce the rich blood supply can cause hypoxia, malfunction, or disease. Oxidative stress can affect both the lipid rich retinal outer segment structure and the light processing in the macula. The response to oxidative stress involves several cellular defense reactions, for example, increases in antioxidant production and proteolysis of damaged proteins. The imbalance between production of damaged cellular components and degradation leads to the accumulation of detrimental products, for example, intracellular lipofuscin and extracellular drusen. Autophagy is a central lysosomal clearance system that may play an important role in AMD development. There are many anatomical changes in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris in response to chronic oxidative stress, hypoxia, and disturbed autophagy and these are estimated to be crucial components in the pathology of neovascular processes in AMD.
Collapse
|
49
|
Zick M, Stroupe C, Orr A, Douville D, Wickner WT. Membranes linked by trans-SNARE complexes require lipids prone to non-bilayer structure for progression to fusion. eLife 2014; 3:e01879. [PMID: 24596153 PMCID: PMC3937803 DOI: 10.7554/elife.01879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other intracellular fusion events, the homotypic fusion of yeast vacuoles requires a Rab GTPase, a large Rab effector complex, SNARE proteins which can form a 4-helical bundle, and the SNARE disassembly chaperones Sec17p and Sec18p. In addition to these proteins, specific vacuole lipids are required for efficient fusion in vivo and with the purified organelle. Reconstitution of vacuole fusion with all purified components reveals that high SNARE levels can mask the requirement for a complex mixture of vacuole lipids. At lower, more physiological SNARE levels, neutral lipids with small headgroups that tend to form non-bilayer structures (phosphatidylethanolamine, diacylglycerol, and ergosterol) are essential. Membranes without these three lipids can dock and complete trans-SNARE pairing but cannot rearrange their lipids for fusion. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01879.001 All cells are enclosed with a membrane that is made of phospholipid molecules, and many of the structures found inside cells—such as the vacuoles in plant and fungal cells—are also enclosed with a phospholipid membrane. To form a membrane, the phospholipid molecules—which have a phosphate head and two fatty acid tails—arrange themselves in two layers, with the fatty acid tails pointing into the membrane, and the phosphate heads pointing outwards. This structure is known as a phospholipid bilayer. Vacuoles are filled with water that contains various proteins and molecules in solution, and adjust their volume to keep the concentrations of substances in the cell in balance. To do this, the vacuoles fuse with each other. This fusion process requires dramatic spatial rearrangements of the phospholipid molecules. The SNARE family of proteins plays a key role in membrane fusion. As the two membranes come together, SNARE proteins located on each membrane form a complex known as a trans-SNARE complex. This docks the vacuole in place beside another vacuole while the phospholipid molecules in the two membranes rearrange. However, much less is known about the phospholipid molecules that are involved in the fusion process. Now, Zick et al. have shown that three types of phospholipid molecules must be present for membrane fusion to be completed. These have in common that their phosphate ‘headgroups’ are small and they do not tend to form bilayers. The vacuoles can dock beside each other if these small headgroup phospholipid molecules are not present, but the bilayer lipids in the vacuole membranes cannot rearrange themselves in the absence of these particular lipids. The importance of these nonbilayer lipid molecules had not previously been established, as the majority of experiments investigating membrane fusion used concentrations of SNARE proteins that were much higher than those found physiologically. At such high concentrations, fusion can go ahead without the nonbilayer lipid molecules being present. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01879.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zick
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, United States
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zhang M, Hu J. Homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum membranes in plant cells. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 4:514. [PMID: 24385977 PMCID: PMC3866526 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membrane-bounded organelle whose membrane comprises a network of tubules and sheets. The formation of these characteristic shapes and maintenance of their continuity through homotypic membrane fusion appears to be critical for the proper functioning of the ER. The atlastins (ATLs), a family of ER-localized dynamin-like GTPases, have been identified as fusogens of the ER membranes in metazoans. Mutations of the ATL proteins in mammalian cells cause morphological defects in the ER, and purified Drosophila ATL mediates membrane fusion in vitro. Plant cells do not possess ATL, but a family of similar GTPases, named root hair defective 3 (RHD3), are likely the functional orthologs of ATLs. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how RHD3 proteins play a role in homotypic ER fusion. We also discuss the possible physiological significance of forming a tubular ER network in plant cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science and Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Protein Science and Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junjie Hu, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, New Life Science Building A408, Tianjin 300071, China e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|