Exiting the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Vasodilators mobilize SK3 channels in endothelial cells to produce arterial relaxation

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the lumen of all blood vessels and regulate functions, including contractility. Physiological stimuli, such as acetylcholine (ACh) and intravascular flow, activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels, which stimulate small (SK3)- and intermediate (IK)-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels in ECs to produce vasodilation. Whether physiological vasodilators also modulate the surface abundance of these ion channels in ECs to elicit functional responses is unclear. Here, we show that ACh and intravascular flow stimulate rapid anterograde trafficking of an intracellular pool of SK3 channels in ECs of resistance-size arteries, which increases surface SK3 protein more than two-fold. In contrast, ACh and flow do not alter the surface abundance of IK or TRPV4 channels. ACh triggers SK3 channel trafficking by activating TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ influx, which stimulates Rab11A, a Rab GTPase associated with recycling endosomes. Superresolution microscopy data demonstrate that SK3 trafficking specifically increases the size of surface SK3 clusters which overlap with TRPV4 clusters. We also show that Rab11A-dependent trafficking of SK3 channels is an essential contributor to vasodilator-induced SK current activation in ECs and vasorelaxation. In summary, our data demonstrate that vasodilators activate Rab11A, which rapidly delivers an intracellular pool of SK3 channels to the vicinity of surface TRPV4 channels in ECs. This trafficking mechanism increases surface SK3 cluster size, elevates SK3 current density, and produces vasodilation. These data also demonstrate that SK3 and IK channels are differentially regulated by trafficking-dependent and -independent signaling mechanisms in endothelial cells.

Glycans function as a Golgi export signal to promote the constitutive exocytic trafficking

Most proteins in the secretory pathway are glycosylated. However, the role of glycans in membrane trafficking is still unclear. Here, we discovered that transmembrane secretory cargos, such as interleukin 2 receptor α subunit or Tac, transferrin receptor, and cluster of differentiation 8a, unexpectedly displayed substantial Golgi localization when their O-glycosylation was compromised. By quantitatively measuring their Golgi residence times, we found that the observed Golgi localization of O-glycan–deficient cargos is due to their slow Golgi export. Using a superresolution microscopy method that we previously developed, we revealed that O-glycan–deficient Tac chimeras localize at the interior of the trans-Golgi cisternae. O-Glycans were observed to be both necessary and sufficient for the efficient Golgi export of Tac chimeras. By sequentially introducing O-glycosylation sites to ST6GAL1, we demonstrated that O-glycan's effect on Golgi export is probably additive. Finally, the finding that N-glycosylated GFP substantially reduces the Golgi residence time of a Tac chimera suggests that N-glycans might have a similar effect. Therefore, both O- and N-glycans might function as a generic Golgi export signal at the trans-Golgi to promote the constitutive exocytic trafficking.

Construction of functional chimeras of syntaxin-1A and its yeast orthologue, and their application to the yeast cell-based assay for botulinum neurotoxin serotype C

BACKGROUND

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) prevent synaptic transmission because they hydrolyze synaptic N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). BoNT serotype C (BoNT/C) targets syntaxin-1A and SNAP-25, and is expected to be applied to cosmetic and therapeutic uses. SNAREs are evolutionally conserved proteins and in yeast a syntaxin-1A orthologue Sso1 is involved in exocytosis. The substrate specificity of BoNT/C is strict and it cannot cleave Sso1.

METHODS

Domain swapping and mutational screenings were performed to generate functional chimeras SNAREs of syntaxin-1A and Sso1. Such chimeras are expressed in yeast cells and assessed whether they are susceptible to BoNT/C digestion.

RESULTS

The Sso1 and syntaxin-1A chimera (Sso1/STX1A), in which the SNARE domain in Sso1 was replaced with that of syntaxin-1A, was not functional in yeast. The functional incompatibility of Sso1/STX1A was attributable to its accumulation in the ER. We found several mutations that could release Sso1/STX1A from the ER to make the chimera functional in yeast. Yeast cells harboring the mutant chimeras grew similarly to wild-type cells. However, unlike wild-type, yeast harboring the mutant chimeras exhibited a severe growth defect upon expression of BoNT/C. Results of further domain swapping analyses suggest that Sso1 is not digested by BoNT/C because it lacks a binding region to BoNT/C (α-exosite-binding region).

CONCLUSIONS

We obtained functional Sso1/STX1A chimeras, which can be applied to a yeast cell-based BoNT/C assay. BoNT/C can recognize these chimeras in a similar manner to syntaxin-1A.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The yeast cell-based BoNT/C assay would be useful to characterize and engineer BoNT/C.

A unique signal sequence of the chemokine receptor CCR7 promotes package into COPII vesicles for efficient receptor trafficking

Chemokine receptors are considered to belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors that use the first transmembrane domain as signal anchor sequence for membrane insertion instead of a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence. Chemokine recognition is determined by the N-termini of chemokine receptors. Here, we show that the chemokine receptor CCR7, which is essential for directed migration of adaptive immune cells, possesses a 24 amino acids long N-terminal signal sequence that is unique among chemokine receptors. This sequence is cleaved off the mature human and mouse protein. Introducing single point mutations in the hydrophobic core h-region or in the polar C-terminal segment (c-region) of the signal sequence to interfere with its cleavage retained CCR7 in the ER and prevented its surface expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correct topology of the 35 amino acids short extracellular N-tail of CCR7 in a deletion mutant lacking the natural signal sequence. This signal sequence deletion mutant of CCR7 is fully functional as it efficiently binds its ligand, elicits chemokine-induced calcium mobilization, and directs cell migration. However, we show that the signal sequence promotes efficient recruitment of the GPCR to ER exit sites, thereby controlling efficient ER to Golgi trafficking of CCR7 on its way to reach the plasma membrane.

Signal dependent ER export of lemur tyrosine kinase 2

BACKGROUND

The membrane anchored kinase, LMTK2, is a serine/threonine kinase predominantly localized to endosomal compartments. LMTK2 has been shown to be involved in the trafficking of the CFTR ion channel, the androgen receptor, as well as modulating neurodegeneration. As a membrane anchored protein, LMTK2 must be exported from the ER, yet the mechanisms whereby LMTK2 is sequestered within the ER for efficient export are unknown.

METHODS

Sequence analysis of the carboxyl tail of LMTK2 revealed a putative di-acidic ER export motif. Site-directed mutagenesis was utilized to ablate this potential motif. Subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescence microscopy, and transferrin recycling assays were used to determine the consequence of mutating LMTK2's export motif.

RESULTS

Mutation of the di-acidic export motif led to ER retention of LMTK2, and an increase in protein half-life and a concomitant loss of LMTK2 from its appropriate terminal destination. Loss of LMTK2 from endosomal compartments by preventing its release from the ER is linked to a reduction in transferrin recycling.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a di-acidic ER export motif within the carboxyl tail of the membrane anchored kinase LMTK2. This sequence is used by LMTK2 for its efficient export from the ER.

Kv1.3 contains an alternative C-terminal ER exit motif and is recruited into COPII vesicles by Sec24a

Background

Potassium channels play a fundamental role in resetting the resting membrane potential of excitable cells. Determining the intracellular trafficking and localization mechanisms of potassium channels provides a platform to fully characterize their maturation and functionality. Previous investigations have discovered residues or motifs that exist in their primary structure, which directly promote anterograde trafficking of nascent potassium channels. Recently, a non-conical di-acidic motif (E483/484) has been discovered in the C-terminus of the mammalian homologue of the Shaker voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily member 3 (Kv1.3), and was shown to disrupt the anterograde trafficking of Kv1.3.

Results

We have further investigated the intracellular trafficking requirements of Kv1.3 both in vivo and in vitro. First, three alternative C-terminal acidic residues, E443, E445, E447 were probed for their involvement within the early secretory pathway of Kv1.3. Single point (E443A, E445A, and E447A) and double point (E443A-E445A, E445A-E447A) mutations exhibited no significant changes in their endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention. The triple point mutant E443A-E445A-E447A displayed a modest ER retention while deletion of the C-terminus showed dramatic ER retention. Second, we demonstrate in vivo the requirement for the Sec24a isoform to confer anterograde trafficking using a siRNA knockdown assay. Third, we show in vitro the association of recombinantly expressed Kv1.3 and Sec24a proteins.

Conclusion

These results expand upon previous studies aimed at deciphering the Kv1.3 secretory trafficking mechanisms and further show in vitro evidence of the association between Kv1.3 and the COPII cargo adaptor subunit isoform Sec24a.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12858-015-0045-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

G protein-coupled receptors: what a difference a 'partner' makes

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important cell signaling mediators, involved in essential physiological processes. GPCRs respond to a wide variety of ligands from light to large macromolecules, including hormones and small peptides. Unfortunately, mutations and dysregulation of GPCRs that induce a loss of function or alter expression can lead to disorders that are sometimes lethal. Therefore, the expression, trafficking, signaling and desensitization of GPCRs must be tightly regulated by different cellular systems to prevent disease. Although there is substantial knowledge regarding the mechanisms that regulate the desensitization and down-regulation of GPCRs, less is known about the mechanisms that regulate the trafficking and cell-surface expression of newly synthesized GPCRs. More recently, there is accumulating evidence that suggests certain GPCRs are able to interact with specific proteins that can completely change their fate and function. These interactions add on another level of regulation and flexibility between different tissue/cell-types. Here, we review some of the main interacting proteins of GPCRs. A greater understanding of the mechanisms regulating their interactions may lead to the discovery of new drug targets for therapy.

A new class of endoplasmic reticulum export signal PhiXPhiXPhi for transmembrane proteins and its selective interaction with Sec24C

Protein export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depends on the interaction between a signal motif on the cargo and a cargo recognition site on the coatomer protein complex II. A hydrophobic sequence in the N terminus of the bovine anion exchanger 1 (AE1) anion exchanger facilitated the ER export of human AE1Δ11, an ER-retained AE1 mutant, through interaction with a specific Sec24 isoform. The cell surface expression and N-glycan processing of various substitution mutants or chimeras of human and bovine AE1 proteins and their Δ11 mutants in HEK293 cells were examined. The N-terminal sequence (V/L/F)X(I/L)X(M/L), (26)VSIPM(30) in bovine AE1, which is comparable with ΦXΦXΦ, acted as the ER export signal for AE1 and AE1Δ11 (Φ is a hydrophobic amino acid, and X is any amino acid). The AE1-Ly49E chimeric protein possessing the ΦXΦXΦ motif exhibited effective cell surface expression and N-glycan maturation via the coatomer protein complex II pathway, whereas a chimera lacking this motif was retained in the ER. A synthetic polypeptide containing the N terminus of bovine AE1 bound the Sec23A-Sec24C complex through a selective interaction with Sec24C. Co-transfection of Sec24C-AAA, in which the residues (895)LIL(897) (the binding site for another ER export signal motif IXM on Sec24C and Sec24D) were mutated to (895)AAA(897), specifically increased ER retention of the AE1-Ly49E chimera. These findings demonstrate that the ΦXΦXΦ sequence functions as a novel signal motif for the ER export of cargo proteins through an exclusive interaction with Sec24C.

A Brucella abortus cstA mutant is defective for association with endoplasmic reticulum exit sites and displays altered trafficking in HeLa cells

Members of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular pathogenic bacteria able to control maturation of their vacuoles. In several cell types, Brucella is able to reach a proliferation compartment derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Since ER exit site (ERES) functions are required for Brucella proliferation, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen between human ERES-associated proteins and the predicted brucella proteome. This screening led to the identification of CstA, a conserved protein that specifically interacts with Sec24A, a component of the ERES. We found that a tagged CstA is secreted in Brucella abortus culture medium. This secretion is independent of the type IV secretion system VirB and the flagellum, suggesting that CstA is secreted through another system. We also discovered that a B. abortus cstA mutant is impaired for its association with the Sec23 ERES marker. The B. abortus cstA mutant displayed peculiar trafficking, with reduced association with LAMP1 and Calnexin 12 h post-infection in HeLa cells. However, its intracellular proliferation kinetics was not affected. The data reported here suggest that CstA could be directly or indirectly involved in the control of B. abortus intracellular trafficking in HeLa cells.

Protein sorting and membrane-mediated interactions

Sorting of membrane proteins is of vital importance for living cells. Indeed, roughly one-third of a eukaryotic cell's proteome consists of peripheral and transmembrane proteins. These need to be properly distributed and dynamically maintained at distinct locations in the compartmentalized cell, and one may wonder how proteins determine where, when, and how to travel to reach a specific organelle. While specific binary interactions between proteins have been invoked in explaining the trafficking and sorting processes, a more active role of lipids in this context has become visible in recent years. In particular, membrane-mediated interactions have been suggested to serve as a robust physicochemical mechanism to facilitate protein sorting. Here, we will review some recent insights into these aspects.

Cell-free reconstitution of vacuole membrane fragmentation reveals regulation of vacuole size and number by TORC1

The size and copy number of an organelle depend on an equilibrium of membrane fusion and fission. In vitro reconstitution of yeast vacuole fission and fusion shows that TORC1 selectively stimulates fission but does not change fusion activity. This explains the morphological transitions of yeast vacuoles in response to nutrient availability.

Size and copy number of organelles are influenced by an equilibrium of membrane fusion and fission. We studied this equilibrium on vacuoles—the lysosomes of yeast. Vacuole fusion can readily be reconstituted and quantified in vitro, but it had not been possible to study fission of the organelle in a similar way. Here we present a cell-free system that reconstitutes fragmentation of purified yeast vacuoles (lysosomes) into smaller vesicles. Fragmentation in vitro reproduces physiological aspects. It requires the dynamin-like GTPase Vps1p, V-ATPase pump activity, cytosolic proteins, and ATP and GTP hydrolysis. We used the in vitro system to show that the vacuole-associated TOR complex 1 (TORC1) stimulates vacuole fragmentation but not the opposing reaction of vacuole fusion. Under nutrient restriction, TORC1 is inactivated, and the continuing fusion activity then dominates the fusion/fission equilibrium, decreasing the copy number and increasing the volume of the vacuolar compartment. This result can explain why nutrient restriction not only induces autophagy and a massive buildup of vacuolar/lysosomal hydrolases, but also leads to a concomitant increase in volume of the vacuolar compartment by coalescence of the organelles into a single large compartment.

GPCR oligomerization: contribution to receptor biogenesis

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) export to the plasma membrane is considered to follow the default secretory pathway. Several observations indicate that trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane is strictly regulated and involves interactions with specific proteins, such as resident ER chaperones. These interactions help with GPCR folding, but more importantly, they ensure that only properly folded proteins proceed from the ER to the trans-golgi network. The assembly of several GPCRs into a quaternary structure is started in the ER, before cell surface delivery, and helps in the correct expression of the GPCRs. This review will mainly focus on the role of GPCR oligomerization in receptor biogenesis.

Urban planning of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER): how diverse mechanisms segregate the many functions of the ER

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the biggest organelle in most cell types, but its characterization as an organelle with a continuous membrane belies the fact that the ER is actually an assembly of several, distinct membrane domains that execute diverse functions. Almost 20 years ago, an essay by Sitia and Meldolesi first listed what was known at the time about domain formation within the ER. In the time that has passed since, additional ER domains have been discovered and characterized. These include the mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM), the ER quality control compartment (ERQC), where ER-associated degradation (ERAD) occurs, and the plasma membrane-associated membrane (PAM). Insight has been gained into the separation of nuclear envelope proteins from the remainder of the ER. Research has also shown that the biogenesis of peroxisomes and lipid droplets occurs on specialized membranes of the ER. Several studies have shown the existence of specific marker proteins found on all these domains and how they are targeted there. Moreover, a first set of cytosolic ER-associated sorting proteins, including phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 2 (PACS-2) and Rab32 have been identified. Intra-ER targeting mechanisms appear to be superimposed onto ER retention mechanisms and rely on transmembrane and cytosolic sequences. The crucial roles of ER domain formation for cell physiology are highlighted with the specific targeting of the tumor metastasis regulator gp78 to ERAD-mediating membranes or of the promyelocytic leukemia protein to the MAM.

Formation of protein complexes containing plant virus movement protein TGBp3 is necessary for its intracellular trafficking

Cell-to-cell movement of Poa semilatent virus (genus Hordeivirus) in infected plants is mediated by three viral 'triple gene block' (TGB) proteins. One of those termed TGBp3 is an integral membrane protein essential for intracellular transport of other TGB proteins and viral genomic RNA to plasmodesmata. TGBp3 targeting to plasmodesmata-associated sites is believed to involve an unconventional mechanism which does not employ endoplasmic reticulum-derived transport vesicles. Previously TGBp3 has been shown to contain a composite transport signal consisting of the central hydrophilic protein region which includes a conserved pentapeptide YQDLN and the C-terminal transmembrane segment. This study demonstrates that these TGBp3 structural elements have distinct functions in protein transport. The YQDLN-containing region is essential for TGBp3 incorporation into high-molecular-mass protein complexes. In transient expression assay formation of such complexes is necessary for entering the TGBp3-specific pathway of intracellular transport and protein delivery to plasmodesmata-associated sites. In virus-infected plants TGBp3 is also found predominantly in the form of high-molecular-mass complexes. When the complex-formation function of YQDLN-containing region is disabled by a mutation, targeting to plasmodesmata-associated sites can be complemented by a heterologous peptide capable of formation multimeric complexes. The C-terminal transmembrane segment is found to be an essential signal of TGBp3 intracellular transport to peripheral sites.

Multiple cytosolic and transmembrane determinants are required for the trafficking of SCAMP1 via an ER-Golgi-TGN-PM pathway

How polytopic plasma membrane (PM) proteins reach their destination in plant cells remains elusive. Using transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells, we previously showed that the rice secretory carrier membrane protein 1 (SCAMP1), an integral membrane protein with four transmembrane domains (TMDs), is localized to the PM and trans-Golgi network (TGN). Here, we study the transport pathway and sorting signals of SCAMP1 by following its transient expression in tobacco BY-2 protoplasts and show that SCAMP1 reaches the PM via an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi-TGN-PM pathway. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function analysis of various green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions with SCAMP1 mutations further demonstrates that: (i) the cytosolic N-terminus of SCAMP1 contains an ER export signal; (ii) the transmembrane domain 2 (TMD2) and TMD3 of SCAMP1 are essential for Golgi export; (iii) SCAMP1 TMD1 is essential for TGN-to-PM targeting; (iv) the predicted topology of SCAMP1 and its various mutants remain identical as demonstrated by protease protection assay. Therefore, both the cytosolic N-terminus and TMD sequences of SCAMP1 play integral roles in mediating its transport to the PM via an ER-Golgi-TGN pathway.

Structure of the Sec13-Sec16 edge element, a template for assembly of the COPII vesicle coat

Ancestral coatomer element 1 (ACE1) proteins assemble latticework coats for COPII vesicles and the nuclear pore complex. The ACE1 protein Sec31 and Sec13 make a 2:2 tetramer that forms the edge element of the COPII outer coat. In this study, we report that the COPII accessory protein Sec16 also contains an ACE1. The 165-kD crystal structure of the central domain of Sec16 in complex with Sec13 was solved at 2.7-A resolution. Sec16 and Sec13 also make a 2:2 tetramer, another edge element for the COPII system. Domain swapping at the ACE1-ACE1 interface is observed both in the prior structure of Sec13-Sec31 and in Sec13-Sec16. A Sec31 mutant in which domain swapping is prevented adopts an unprecedented laminated structure, solved at 2.8-A resolution. Our in vivo data suggest that the ACE1 element of Sec31 can functionally replace the ACE1 element of Sec16. Our data support Sec16 as a scaffold for the COPII system and a template for the Sec13-Sec31 coat.

p125A exists as part of the mammalian Sec13/Sec31 COPII subcomplex to facilitate ER-Golgi transport

p125A is an accessory protein for COPII-mediated vesicle budding that links the Sec13/Sec31 and Sec23/24 subcomplexes.

Coat protein II (COPII)–mediated export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) involves sequential recruitment of COPII complex components, including the Sar1 GTPase, the Sec23/Sec24 subcomplex, and the Sec13/Sec31 subcomplex. p125A was originally identified as a Sec23A-interacting protein. Here we demonstrate that p125A also interacts with the C-terminal region of Sec31A. The Sec31A-interacting domain of p125A is between residues 260–600, and is therefore a distinct domain from that required for interaction with Sec23A. Gel filtration and immunodepletion studies suggest that the majority of cytosolic p125A exists as a ternary complex with the Sec13/Sec31A subcomplex, suggesting that Sec 13, Sec31A, and p125A exist in the cytosol primarily as preassembled Sec13/Sec31A/p125A heterohexamers. Golgi morphology and protein export from the ER were affected in p125A-silenced cells. Our results suggest that p125A is part of the Sec13/Sec31A subcomplex and facilitates ER export in mammalian cells.

Selective export of human GPI-anchored proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum

Selective export of transmembrane proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) relies on recognition of cytosolic-domain-localized transport signals by the Sec24 subunit of the COPII vesicle coat. Human cells express four Sec24 isoforms, termed Sec24A, Sec24B, Sec24C and Sec24D that are differentially required for selective, signal-mediated ER export of transmembrane proteins. By contrast, luminally exposed glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane proteins cannot bind directly to Sec24 and must either use membrane-spanning cargo receptors or alternative mechanisms for ER export. Little is known about the mechanism underlying export of GPI-anchored proteins from the ER in higher eukaryotes. Using siRNA-based silencing, we identified that ER-to-Golgi transport of the human GPI-anchored protein CD59 requires Sec24, with preference for the Sec24C and Sec24D isoforms, and the recycling transmembrane protein complex p24-p23 that exhibited the same Sec24C-Sec24D isoform preference for ER export. Co-immunoprecipitation indicated unprecedented physical interaction of CD59 as well as a GFP-folate-receptor-GPI-anchor hybrid with a p24-p23 complex. Density gradient centrifugation revealed co-partitioning of CD59 and p24-p23 into biosynthetically early lipid raft fractions, and CD59 transport to the Golgi was cholesterol dependent. The results suggest that the 24p-23p complex acts as a cargo receptor for GPI-anchored proteins by facilitating their export from the ER in a Sec24-isoform-selective manner involving lipid rafts as early sorting platforms.

Sec24-dependent secretion drives cell-autonomous expansion of tracheal tubes in Drosophila

Epithelial tubes in developing organs, such as mammalian lungs and insect tracheae, need to expand their initially narrow lumina to attain their final, functional dimensions. Despite its critical role for organ function, the cellular mechanism of tube expansion remains unclear. Tracheal tube expansion in Drosophila involves apical secretion and deposition of a luminal matrix, but the mechanistic role of secretion and the nature of forces involved in the process were not previously clear. Here we address the roles of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic processes in tracheal tube expansion. We identify mutations in the sec24 gene stenosis, encoding a cargo-binding subunit of the COPII complex. Via genetic-mosaic analyses, we show that stenosis-dependent secretion drives tube expansion in a cell-autonomous fashion. Strikingly, single cells autonomously adjust both tube diameter and length by implementing a sequence of events including apical membrane growth, cell flattening, and taenidial cuticle formation. Known luminal components are not required for this process. Thus, a cell-intrinsic program, rather than nonautonomous extrinsic cues, controls the dimensions of tracheal tubes. These results indicate a critical role of membrane-associated proteins in the process and imply a mechanism that coordinates autonomous behaviors of individual cells within epithelial structures.

Membrane recruitment of the cargo-selective retromer subcomplex is catalysed by the small GTPase Rab7 and inhibited by the Rab-GAP TBC1D5

Retromer is a membrane-associated heteropentameric coat complex that functions in the endosome-to-Golgi retrieval of the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor, the Wntless protein and other membrane proteins of physiological significance. Retromer comprises two functional subcomplexes: the cargo-selective subcomplex is a trimer of the VPS35, VPS29, VPS26 proteins, whereas the sorting nexin proteins, Snx1 and Snx2 function to tubulate the endosomal membrane. Unlike the sorting nexins, which contain PtdIns3P-binding PX domains, the cargo-selective VPS35/29/26 complex has no lipid-binding domains and its recruitment to the endosomal membrane remains mechanistically uncharacterised. In this study we show that the VPS35/29/26 complex interacts with the small GTPase Rab7 and requires Rab7 for its recruitment to the endosome. We show that the Rab7K157N mutant that causes the peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, does not interact with the VPS35/29/26 complex, resulting in a weakened association with the membrane. We have also identified a novel retromer-interacting protein, TBC1D5, which is a member of the Rab GAP family of proteins that negatively regulates VPS35/29/26 recruitment and causes Rab7 to dissociate from the membrane. We therefore propose that recruitment of the cargo-selective VPS35/29/26 complex is catalysed by Rab7 and inhibited by the Rab-GAP protein, TBC1D5.

Structural basis for leucine-rich nuclear export signal recognition by CRM1

CRM1 (also known as XPO1 and exportin 1) mediates nuclear export of hundreds of proteins through the recognition of the leucine-rich nuclear export signal (LR-NES). Here we present the 2.9 A structure of CRM1 bound to snurportin 1 (SNUPN). Snurportin 1 binds CRM1 in a bipartite manner by means of an amino-terminal LR-NES and its nucleotide-binding domain. The LR-NES is a combined alpha-helical-extended structure that occupies a hydrophobic groove between two CRM1 outer helices. The LR-NES interface explains the consensus hydrophobic pattern, preference for intervening electronegative residues and inhibition by leptomycin B. The second nuclear export signal epitope is a basic surface on the snurportin 1 nucleotide-binding domain, which binds an acidic patch on CRM1 adjacent to the LR-NES site. Multipartite recognition of individually weak nuclear export signal epitopes may be common to CRM1 substrates, enhancing CRM1 binding beyond the generally low affinity LR-NES. Similar energetic construction is also used in multipartite nuclear localization signals to provide broad substrate specificity and rapid evolution in nuclear transport.

CDC2/SPDY transiently associates with endoplasmic reticulum exit sites during oocyte maturation

BACKGROUND

Mammalian oocytes acquire competence to be fertilized during meiotic maturation. The protein kinase CDC2 plays a pivotal role in several key maturation events, in part through controlled changes in CDC2 localization. Although CDC2 is involved in initiation of maturation, a detailed analysis of CDC2 localization at the onset of maturation is lacking. In this study, the subcellular distribution of CDC2 and its regulatory proteins cyclin B and SPDY in combination with several organelle markers at the onset of pig oocyte maturation has been investigated.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that CDC2 transiently associates with a single domain, identified as a cluster of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites (ERES) by the presence of SEC23, in the cortex of maturing porcine oocytes prior to germinal vesicle break down. Inhibition of meiosis resumption by forskolin treatment prevented translocation of CDC2 to this ERES cluster. Phosphorylated GM130 (P-GM130), which is a marker for fragmented Golgi, localized to ERES in almost all immature oocytes and was not affected by forskolin treatment. After removal of forskolin from the culture media, the transient translocation of CDC2 to ERES was accompanied by a transient dispersion of P-GM130 into the ER suggesting a role for CDC2 in redistributing Golgi components that have collapsed into ERES further into the ER during meiosis. Finally, we show that SPDY, rather than cyclin B, colocalizes with CDC2 at ERES, suggesting a role for the CDC2/SPDY complex in regulating the secretory pathway during oocyte maturation.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate the presence of a novel structure in the cortex of porcine oocytes that comprises ERES and transiently accumulates CDC2 prior to germinal vesicle breakdown. In addition, we show that SPDY, but not cyclin B, localizes to this ERES cluster together with CDC2.

Efficient coupling of Sec23-Sec24 to Sec13-Sec31 drives COPII-dependent collagen secretion and is essential for normal craniofacial development

The COPII coat assembles on endoplasmic reticulum membranes to coordinate the collection of secretory cargo with the formation of transport vesicles. During COPII assembly, Sar1 deforms the membrane and recruits the Sec23-Sec24 complex (Sec23/24), which is the primary cargo-binding adaptor for the system, and Sec13-Sec31 (Sec13/31), which provides a structural outer layer for vesicle formation. Here we show that Sec13 depletion results in concomitant loss of Sec31 and juxtanuclear clustering of pre-budding complexes containing Sec23/24 and cargo. Electron microscopy reveals the presence of curved coated profiles on distended endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that Sec13/31 is not required for the generation or maintenance of the curvature. Surprisingly, export of tsO45-G-YFP, a marker of secretory cargo, is unaffected by Sec13/31 depletion; by contrast, secretion of collagen from primary fibroblasts is strongly inhibited. Suppression of Sec13 expression in zebrafish causes defects in proteoglycan deposition and skeletal abnormalities that are grossly similar to the craniofacial abnormalities of crusher mutant zebrafish and patients with cranio-lenticulo-sutural dysplasia. We conclude that efficient coupling of the inner (Sec23/24) and outer (Sec13/31) layers of the COPII coat is required to drive the export of collagen from the endoplasmic reticulum, and that highly efficient COPII assembly is essential for normal craniofacial development during embryogenesis.

Proteasome inhibition compromises direct retention of cytochrome P450 2C2 in the endoplasmic reticulum

To determine whether protein degradation plays a role in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention of cytochromes P450, the effects of proteasomal inhibitors on the expression and distribution of green fluorescent protein chimeras of CYP2C2 and related proteins was examined. In transfected cells, expression levels of chimeras of full-length CYP2C2 and its cytosolic domain, but not its N-terminal transmembrane sequence, were increased by proteasomal inhibition. Redistribution of all three chimeras from the reticular ER into a perinuclear compartment and, in a subset of cells, also to the cell surface was observed after proteasomal inhibition. Redistribution was blocked by the microtubular inhibitor, nocodazole, suggesting that redistribution to the cell surface followed the conventional vesicular transport pathway. Similar redistributions were detected for BAP31, a CYP2C2 binding chaperone; CYP2E1 and CYP3A4, which are also degraded by the proteasomal pathway; and for cytochrome P450 reductase, which does not undergo proteasomal degradation; but not for the ER membrane proteins, sec61 and calnexin. Redistribution does not result from saturation of an ER retention "receptor" since in some cases protein levels were unaffected. Proteasomal inhibition may, therefore, alter ER retention by affecting a protein critical for ER retention, either directly, or indirectly by affecting the composition of the ER membranes.

Modular organization and combinatorial energetics of proline-tyrosine nuclear localization signals

Proline–tyrosine nuclear localization signals (PY-NLSs) are recognized and transported into the nucleus by human Karyopherin (Kap) β2/Transportin and yeast Kap104p. Multipartite PY-NLSs are highly diverse in sequence and structure, share a common C-terminal R/H/KX_2–5PY motif, and can be subdivided into hydrophobic and basic subclasses based on loose N-terminal sequence motifs. PY-NLS variability is consistent with weak consensus motifs, but such diversity potentially renders comprehensive genome-scale searches intractable. Here, we use yeast Kap104p as a model system to understand the energetic organization of this NLS. First, we show that Kap104p substrates contain PY-NLSs, demonstrating their generality across eukaryotes. Previously reported Kapβ2–NLS structures explain Kap104p specificity for the basic PY-NLS. More importantly, thermodynamic analyses revealed physical properties that govern PY-NLS binding affinity: (1) PY-NLSs contain three energetically significant linear epitopes, (2) each epitope accommodates substantial sequence diversity, within defined limits, (3) the epitopes are energetically quasi-independent, and (4) a given linear epitope can contribute differently to total binding energy in different PY-NLSs, amplifying signal diversity through combinatorial mixing of energetically weak and strong motifs. The modular organization of the PY-NLS coupled with its combinatorial energetics lays a path to decode this diverse and evolvable signal for future comprehensive genome-scale identification of nuclear import substrates.

To travel between the cytoplasm and nucleus, proteins rely on a family of transport proteins known as the karyopherinβ family. Karyopherinβ2, the human version of a family member, recognizes cargo proteins containing a class of nuclear localization signal known as the PY-NLS. The yeast homolog of Karyopherinβ2, Kap104p, also recognizes PY-NLSs, indicating that this pathway has been conserved between evolutionarily distant species. We mutated residues in the PY-NLSs of two Kap104p cargo proteins and analyzed how tightly these mutants bound Kap104p. These experiments revealed three PY-NLS regions, or epitopes, that are important for binding Kap104p. Each epitope is composed of amino acids that vary between cargoes. The epitopes are energetically independent and bind Kap104p with varying strengths in different PY-NLSs, such that mutating the epitope of one PY-NLS may mistakenly direct cargo to the cytoplasm, while a similar mutation in a different PY-NLS has little effect on cargo localization. This flexible, energetically modular, and combinatorial architecture of PY-NLSs may confer higher tolerance to mutations, but it also allows greater sequence diversity, making prediction of new PY-NLSs difficult. The characteristics of PY-NLSs reported here will assist in the identification of new Kap104p cargoes. And the approach used may be applicable to other biological recognition pathways.

PY-nuclear localization signals contain three binding regions that are not closely related in sequence and are energetically quasi-independent. These modular epitopes can contribute differently to the total binding energy in different signals, to tune their affinity for binding to the carrier protein Karyopherinβ2/Kap104p, and also to amplify signal diversity.

Cells that produce deleterious autoreactive antibodies are vulnerable to suicide

It is puzzling how autoreactive B cells that escape self-tolerance mechanisms manage to produce Abs that target vital cellular processes without succumbing themselves to the potentially deleterious effects of these proteins. We report that censorship indeed exists at this level: when the Ab synthesis in the cell is up-regulated in IL-6-enriched environments (e.g., adjuvant-primed mouse peritoneum), the cell dies of the increased intracellular binding between the Ab and the cellular autoantigen. In the case in which telomerase is the autoantigen, mouse hybridoma cells synthesizing such an autoantibody, which appeared to grow well in culture, could not grow in syngeneic BALB/c mice to form ascites, but grew nevertheless in athymic siblings. Culture experiments demonstrated that peritoneal cell-derived IL-6 (and accessory factors) affected the growth and functions of the hybridoma cells, including the induction of mitochondria-based apoptosis. Electron microscopy revealed an abundance of Abs in the nuclear chromatin of IL-6-stimulated cells, presumably piggy-backed there by telomerase from the cytosol. This nuclear presence was confirmed by light microscopy analysis of isolated nuclei. In two other cases, hybridoma cells synthesizing an autoantibody to GTP or osteopontin also showed similar growth inhibition in vivo. In all cases, Ab function was crucial to the demise of the cells. Thus, autoreactive cells, which synthesize autoantibodies to certain intracellular Ags, live delicately between life and death depending on the cytokine microenvironment. Paradoxically, IL-6, which is normally growth-potentiating for B cells, is proapoptotic for these cells. The findings reveal potential strategies and targets for immunotherapy.

Influence of protein-protein interactions on the cellular localization of cytochrome P450

BACKGROUND

Microsomal CYPs are integral membrane proteins that are localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is critical for their function. CYPs are co-translationally inserted into the rough ER membrane and are then either directly retained in the smooth ER or retained by a retrieval mechanism or targeted for ER-associated degradation. Protein-protein interactions are likely to be important for proper cellular targeting of CYPs.

OBJECTIVE

Progress in understanding the mechanisms of cellular targeting and ER retention of CYPs is reviewed with emphasis on the role of protein-protein interactions. Possible mechanisms of direct retention are the incorporation of CYPs into an immobile complex in the ER membrane, homooligomerization that prevents inclusion in transport vesicles, exclusion of CYP monomers from transport vesicles or targeting of CYPs to an ER subdomain away from sites of transport vesicle formation. Degradation of CYPs occurs either by lysosomal mechanisms or by the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway.

METHODS

The scope of this review includes studies published in the research literature that have defined the targeting of CYPs to the ER, the retention of CYPs in the ER and the degradation of CYPs.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Targeting of CYPs to the ER is well understood and involves signal recognition particle-mediated delivery to the sec61 complex. The mechanism of ER retention of CYPs remains unclear, but self-oligomerization or binding to large immobile networks do not underlie ER retention of CYPs. An ER retention 'receptor' remains elusive, but BAP31 is important for the proper cellular localization of CYPs and Dap1p is a CYP-binding protein that is a candidate for such a receptor. Identification of protein binding partners of CYPs will be critical to understanding the mechanism of ER retention.

The actomyosin ring recruits early secretory compartments to the division site in fission yeast

The ultimate goal of cytokinesis is to establish a membrane barrier between daughter cells. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe utilizes an actomyosin-based division ring that is thought to provide physical force for the plasma membrane invagination. Ring constriction occurs concomitantly with the assembly of a division septum that is eventually cleaved. Membrane trafficking events such as targeting of secretory vesicles to the division site require a functional actomyosin ring suggesting that it serves as a spatial landmark. However, the extent of polarization of the secretion apparatus to the division site is presently unknown. We performed a survey of dynamics of several fluorophore-tagged proteins that served as markers for various compartments of the secretory pathway. These included markers for the endoplasmic reticulum, the COPII sites, and the early and late Golgi. The secretion machinery exhibited a marked polarization to the division site. Specifically, we observed an enrichment of the transitional endoplasmic reticulum (tER) accompanied by Golgi cisternae biogenesis. These processes required actomyosin ring assembly and the function of the EFC-domain protein Cdc15p. Cdc15p overexpression was sufficient to induce tER polarization in interphase. Thus, fission yeast polarizes its entire secretory machinery to the cell division site by utilizing molecular cues provided by the actomyosin ring.

Glycosylation of glycolipids in the Golgi complex

Gangliosides are a family of glycolipids characterized by containing a variable number of sialic acid residues. Nearly, all animal cells contain at least some class of ganglioside in their membranes, but membranes from the CNS are characterized by their high content of these lipids. The synthesis of the oligosaccharide moiety of glycolipids is carried out in the Golgi complex. In this study, I will discuss the cellular and molecular basis of the organization of the glycosylating machinery in the Golgi complex, with particular attention to the mutual relationships, sub-Golgi localization, and intracellular trafficking of glycolipid glycosyltransferases, and to their relationships with the corresponding glycolipid acceptors and sugar nucleotide donors. I will also discuss how the organization of the glycosylating machinery in the Golgi may adapt to events controlling glycolipid expression.

Assembly, organization, and function of the COPII coat

A full mechanistic understanding of how secretory cargo proteins are exported from the endoplasmic reticulum for passage through the early secretory pathway is essential for us to comprehend how cells are organized, maintain compartment identity, as well as how they selectively secrete proteins and other macromolecules to the extracellular space. This process depends on the function of a multi-subunit complex, the COPII coat. Here we describe progress towards a full mechanistic understanding of COPII coat function, including the latest findings in this area. Much of our understanding of how COPII functions and is regulated comes from studies of yeast genetics, biochemical reconstitution and single cell microscopy. New developments arising from clinical cases and model organism biology and genetics enable us to gain far greater insight in to the role of membrane traffic in the context of a whole organism as well as during embryogenesis and development. A significant outcome of such a full understanding is to reveal how the machinery and processes of membrane trafficking through the early secretory pathway fail in disease states.

Yarrowia lipolytica vesicle-mediated protein transport pathways

BACKGROUND

Protein secretion is a universal cellular process involving vesicles which bud and fuse between organelles to bring proteins to their final destination. Vesicle budding is mediated by protein coats; vesicle targeting and fusion depend on Rab GTPase, tethering factors and SNARE complexes. The Génolevures II sequencing project made available entire genome sequences of four hemiascomycetous yeasts, Yarrowia lipolytica, Debaryomyces hansenii, Kluyveromyces lactis and Candida glabrata. Y. lipolytica is a dimorphic yeast and has good capacities to secrete proteins. The translocation of nascent protein through the endoplasmic reticulum membrane was well studied in Y. lipolytica and is largely co-translational as in the mammalian protein secretion pathway.

RESULTS

We identified S. cerevisiae proteins involved in vesicular secretion and these protein sequences were used for the BLAST searches against Génolevures protein database (Y. lipolytica, C. glabrata, K. lactis and D. hansenii). These proteins are well conserved between these yeasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We note several specificities of Y. lipolytica which may be related to its good protein secretion capacities and to its dimorphic aspect. An expansion of the Y. lipolytica Rab protein family was observed with autoBLAST and the Rab2- and Rab4-related members were identified with BLAST against NCBI protein database. An expansion of this family is also found in filamentous fungi and may reflect the greater complexity of the Y. lipolytica secretion pathway. The Rab4p-related protein may play a role in membrane recycling as rab4 deleted strain shows a modification of colony morphology, dimorphic transition and permeability. Similarly, we find three copies of the gene (SSO) encoding the plasma membrane SNARE protein. Quantification of the percentages of proteins with the greatest homology between S. cerevisiae, Y. lipolytica and animal homologues involved in vesicular transport shows that 40% of Y. lipolytica proteins are closer to animal ones, whereas they are only 13% in the case of S. cerevisiae.

CONCLUSION

These results provide further support for the idea, previously noted about the endoplasmic reticulum translocation pathway, that Y. lipolytica is more representative of vesicular secretion of animals and other fungi than is S. cerevisiae.

Pharmacological chaperones in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: possibilities for clinical application

The antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin regulates water homeostasis in the human body by binding to its vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R). Mutations in AVPR2, the gene encoding V2R, lead to the X-linked congenital form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), a disease characterized by the inability to concentrate urine in response to vasopressin; often this involves missense mutations or deletion of one or a few amino acids. In vitro V2R expression studies revealed that the function of most of these receptors is not disturbed, but due to their misfolding, the quality control mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retains these receptors inside the cell, thereby preventing their functioning at the plasma membrane. This review summarizes our current knowledge on ER retention of V2R mutants, and describes the different approaches that have been undertaken to restore the plasma membrane expression and function of V2R mutants in NDI in vitro and in vivo. The use of cell permeable receptor ligands (called 'pharmacological chaperones') appears promising for the treatment of NDI in a subset of patients.

The protective and destructive roles played by molecular chaperones during ERAD (endoplasmic-reticulum-associated degradation)

Over one-third of all newly synthesized polypeptides in eukaryotes interact with or insert into the membrane or the lumenal space of the ER (endoplasmic reticulum), an event that is essential for the subsequent folding, post-translational modification, assembly and targeting of these proteins. Consequently, the ER houses a large number of factors that catalyse protein maturation, but, in the event that maturation is aborted or inefficient, the resulting aberrant proteins may be selected for ERAD (ER-associated degradation). Many of the factors that augment protein biogenesis in the ER and that mediate ERAD substrate selection are molecular chaperones, some of which are heat- and/or stress-inducible and are thus known as Hsps (heat-shock proteins). But, regardless of whether they are constitutively expressed or are inducible, it has been assumed that all molecular chaperones function identically. As presented in this review, this assumption may be false. Instead, a growing body of evidence suggests that a chaperone might be involved in either folding or degrading a given substrate that transits through the ER. A deeper appreciation of this fact is critical because (i) the destruction of some ERAD substrates results in specific diseases, and (ii) altered ERAD efficiency might predispose individuals to metabolic disorders. Moreover, a growing number of chaperone-modulating drugs are being developed to treat maladies that arise from the synthesis of a unique mutant protein; therefore it is critical to understand how altering the activity of a single chaperone will affect the quality control of other nascent proteins that enter the ER.

A di-acidic sequence motif enhances the surface expression of the potassium channel TASK-3

We have characterized a sequence motif, EDE, in the proximal C-terminus of the acid-sensitive potassium channel TASK-3. Human TASK-3 channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and the density of the channels at the surface membrane was studied with two complementary techniques: a luminometric surface expression assay of hemagglutinin epitope-tagged TASK-3 channels and voltage-clamp measurements of the acid-sensitive potassium current. Both approaches showed that mutation of the two glutamate residues of the EDE motif to alanine (ADA mutant) markedly reduced the transport of TASK-3 channels to the cell surface. Mutation of the central aspartate of the EDE motif had no effect on surface expression. The functional role of the EDE motif was further characterized in chimaeric constructs consisting of truncated Kir2.1 channels to which the C-terminus of TASK-3 was attached. In these constructs, too, replacement of the EDE motif by ADA strongly reduced surface expression. Live-cell imaging of enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged channels expressed in COS-7 cells showed that 24 h after transfection wild-type TASK-3 was mainly localized to the cell surface whereas the ADA mutant was largely retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mutation of a second di-acidic motif in the C-terminus of TASK-3 (DAE) had no effect on surface expression. Coexpression of TASK-3 with a GTP-restricted mutant of the coat recruitment GTPase Sar1 (Sar1H79G) resulted in ER retention of the channel. Our data suggest that the di-acidic motif, EDE, in human TASK-3 is a major determinant of the rate of ER export and is required for efficient surface expression of the channel.

Golgi-associated maturation of very low density lipoproteins involves conformational changes in apolipoprotein B, but is not dependent on apolipoprotein E

The major protein component in secreted very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) is apoB, and it is established that these particles can reach sizes approaching 100 nm. We previously employed a cell-free system to investigate the nature of the vesicles in which this large cargo exits the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (Gusarova, V., Brodsky, J. L., and Fisher, E. A. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 48051-48058). We found that apoB-containing lipoproteins exit the ER as dense lipid-protein complexes regardless of the final sizes of the particles and that further expansion occurs via post-ER lipidation. Here, we focused on maturation in the Golgi apparatus. In three separate approaches, we found that VLDL maturation (as assessed by changes in buoyant density) was associated with conformational changes in apoB. In addition, as the size of VLDL expanded, apoE concentrated in a subclass of Golgi microsomes or Golgi-derived vesicles that co-migrated with apoB-containing microsomes or vesicles, respectively. A relationship between apoB and apoE was further confirmed in co-localization studies by immunoelectron microscopy. These combined results are consistent with previous suggestions that apoE is required for VLDL maturation. To our surprise, however, we observed robust secretion of mature VLDL when apoE synthesis was inhibited in either rat hepatoma cells or apoE(-/-) mouse primary hepatocytes. We conclude that VLDL maturation in the Golgi involves apoB conformational changes and that the expansion of the lipoprotein does not require apoE; rather, the increase in VLDL surface area favors apoE binding.

Structural design of cage and coat scaffolds that direct membrane traffic

Trafficking within the exocytic and endocytic pathways of eukaryotic cells involves the generation of caged transport carriers that mediate communication between compartments through vesicle budding and fusion. Structural studies of vesicle cage structures using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy approaches reveal new insight into cargo-dependent coat assembly mechanisms. Clathrin and coat protein complex II (COPII) use conserved primary element alpha-solenoid and WD40 structural motifs found in self-assembling cage scaffolds to generate unique geometries that sort cargo and produce vesicles. These studies emphasize molecular and structural principles that reflect the properties of self-assembling nanomachines to regulate cargo capacity in trafficking pathways.

The COPII cage: unifying principles of vesicle coat assembly

Communication between compartments of the exocytic and endocytic pathways in eukaryotic cells involves transport carriers - vesicles and tubules - that mediate the vectorial movement of cargo. Recent studies of transport-carrier formation in the early secretory pathway have provided new insights into the mechanisms of cargo selection by coat protein complex-II (COPII) adaptor proteins, the construction of cage-protein scaffolds and fission. These studies are beginning to produce a unifying molecular and structural model of coat function in the formation and fission of vesicles and tubules in endomembrane traffic.

Cargo Selectivity of the ERGIC-53/MCFD2 Transport Receptor Complex

Exit of soluble secretory proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can occur by receptor-mediated export as exemplified by blood coagulation factors V and VIII. Their efficient secretion requires the membrane lectin ER Golgi intermediate compartment protein-53 (ERGIC-53) and its soluble luminal interaction partner multiple coagulation factor deficiency protein 2 (MCFD2), which form a cargo receptor complex in the early secretory pathway. ERGIC-53 also interacts with the two lysosomal glycoproteins cathepsin Z and cathepsin C. Here, we tested the subunit interdependence and cargo selectivity of ERGIC-53 and MCFD2 by short interference RNA-based knockdown. In the absence of ERGIC-53, MCFD2 was secreted, whereas knocking down MCFD2 had no effect on the localization of ERGIC-53. Cargo binding properties of the ERGIC-53/MCFD2 complex were analyzed in vivo using yellow fluorescent protein fragment complementation. We found that MCFD2 is dispensable for the binding of cathepsin Z and cathepsin C to ERGIC-53. The results indicate that ERGIC-53 can bind cargo glycoproteins in an MCFD2-independent fashion and suggest that MCFD2 is a recruitment factor for blood coagulation factors V and VIII.

CAR-1 and trailer hitch: driving mRNP granule function at the ER?

The targeting of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to specific subcellular sites for local translation plays an important role in diverse cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes, including axis formation, cell fate determination, spindle pole regulation, cell motility, and neuronal synaptic plasticity. Recently, a new conserved class of Lsm proteins, the Scd6 family, has been implicated in controlling mRNA function. Depletion or mutation of members of the Scd6 family, Caenorhabditis elegans CAR-1 and Drosophila melanogaster trailer hitch, lead to a variety of developmental phenotypes, which in some cases can be linked to alterations in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Scd6/Lsm proteins are RNA binding proteins and are found in RNP complexes associated with translational control of mRNAs, and these complexes can colocalize with the ER. These findings raise the possibility that localization and translational regulation of mRNAs at the ER plays a role in controlling the organization of this organelle.

Sterol and lipid trafficking in mammalian cells

The pathways involved in the intracellular transport and distribution of lipids in general, and sterols in particular, are poorly understood. Cholesterol plays a major role in modulating membrane bilayer structure and important cellular functions, including signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Both the overall cholesterol content of a cell, as well as its distribution in specific organellar membranes are stringently regulated. Several diseases, many of which are incurable at present, have been characterized as results of impaired cholesterol transport and/or storage in the cells. Despite their importance, many fundamental aspects of intracellular sterol transport and distribution are not well understood. For instance, the relative roles of vesicular and non-vesicular transport of cholesterol have not yet been fully determined, nor are the non-vesicular transport mechanisms well characterized. Similarly, whether cholesterol is asymmetrically distributed between the two leaflets of biological membranes, and if so, how this asymmetry is maintained, is poorly understood. In this review, we present a summary of the current understanding of these aspects of intracellular trafficking and distribution of lipids, and more specifically, of sterols.

Genomic organization, promoter activity, and expression of the human choline transporter-like protein 1

Choline transporter-like (CTL) proteins of the CTL1 family are novel transmembrane proteins implicated in choline transport for phospholipid synthesis. In this study, we characterized the 5'-flanking region of the human (h)CTL1 gene and examined some of the possible mechanisms of its regulation, including promoter activity, splicing, and expression. The transcription start site of the hCTL1 gene was mapped by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and the presence of two splice variants, hCTL1a and hCTL1b, was investigated using isoform-specific PCR and 3'-RACE. The hCTL1 promoter region of approximately 900 bp was isolated from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The promoter was TATA-less and driven by a long stretch of GC-rich sequence in accordance with widespread expression of hCTL1 at both mRNA and protein levels. Deletion analyses demonstrated that a very strong promoter is contained within 500 bp of the transcription start site, and more upstream regions did not increase its activity. The core promoter that conferred the minimal transcription is within the -188/+27-bp region, and its activity varied in human breast cancer and mouse skeletal muscle cells. Multiple motifs within the promoter regulatory region bound nuclear factors from both cultured cells and normal human skeletal muscle. The motifs within the three regions [S1 (-92/-61 bp), S2 (-174/-145 bp), and S3 (-289/-260 bp)] contained overlapping binding sites for hematopoietic transcription factors and ubiquitous transcription factors, in line with the expected gene function. Genomic analyses demonstrated a high conservation of hCTL1 and mouse CTL1 proximal promoters. Accordingly, mRNA profiles demonstrated that human splice variants were expressed ubiquitously, as demonstrated for the mouse transcripts; however, they differed from the profiles of rat CTL1 transcripts, which were more restricted to neurons and intestinal tissues. The shorter hCTL1b variant contained the cytosolic COOH-terminal motif L651KKR654 for endoplasmic reticulum retrieval/retention. This retention signal was conserved in hCTL1b and rat and mouse CTL1b and is typical for transmembrane proteins of type 1 topology.

Sec16 is a determinant of transitional ER organization

BACKGROUND

Proteins are exported from the ER at transitional ER (tER) sites, which produce COPII vesicles. However, little is known about how COPII components are concentrated at tER sites. The budding yeast Pichia pastoris contains discrete tER sites and is, therefore, an ideal system for studying tER organization.

RESULTS

We show that the integrity of tER sites in P. pastoris requires the peripheral membrane protein Sec16. P. pastoris Sec16 is an order of magnitude less abundant than a COPII-coat protein at tER sites and seems to show a saturable association with these sites. A temperature-sensitive mutation in Sec16 causes tER fragmentation at elevated temperature. This effect is specific because when COPII assembly is inhibited with a dominant-negative form of the Sar1 GTPase, tER sites remain intact. The tER fragmentation in the sec16 mutant is accompanied by disruption of Golgi stacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that Sec16 helps to organize patches of COPII-coat proteins into clusters that represent tER sites. The Golgi disruption that occurs in the sec16 mutant provides evidence that Golgi structure in budding yeasts depends on tER organization.

Cysteine string protein monitors late steps in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator biogenesis

We examined the role of the cysteine string protein (Csp) in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biogenesis in relation to another J-domain protein, Hdj-2, a recognized CFTR cochaperone. Increased expression of Csp produced a dose-dependent reduction in mature (band C) CFTR and an increase in immature (band B) CFTR. Exogenous expression of Hdj-2 also increased CFTR band B, but unlike Csp, Hdj-2 increased band C as well. The Csp-induced block of CFTR maturation required Hsp70, because a J-domain mutant (H43Q) that interferes with the ability of Csp to stimulate Hsp70 ATPase activity relieved the Csp-induced block of CFTR maturation. Nevertheless, Csp H43Q still increased immature CFTR. Csp-induced band B CFTR was found adjacent to the nucleus, co-localizing with calnexin, and it remained detergent-soluble. These data indicate that Csp did not block CFTR maturation by promoting the aggregation or degradation of immature CFTR. Csp knockdown by RNA interference produced a 5-fold increase in mature CFTR and augmented cAMP-stimulated CFTR currents. Thus, the production of mature CFTR is inversely related to the expression level of Csp. Both Csp and Hdj-2 associated with the CFTR R-domain in vitro, and Hdj-2 binding was displaced by Csp, suggesting common interaction sites. Combined expression of Csp and Hdj-2 mimicked the effect of Csp alone, a block of CFTR maturation. But together, Csp and Hdj-2 produced additive increases in CFTR band B, and this did not depend on their interactions with Hsp70, consistent with direct chaperone actions of these proteins. Like Hdj-2, Csp reduced the aggregation of NBD1 in vitro in the absence of Hsp70. Our data suggest that both Csp and Hdj-2 facilitate the biosynthesis of immature CFTR, acting as direct CFTR chaperones, but in addition, Csp is positioned later in the CFTR biogenesis cascade where it regulates the production of mature CFTR by limiting its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum.

BAP31 Is Involved in the Retention of Cytochrome P450 2C2 in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Microsomal cytochrome P450 2C2 is an integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein that is directly retained in the ER and excluded from transport vesicles. We have used bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation to show that a ubiquitous ER membrane protein (BAP31) interacts with P450 2C2 in transfected COS-1 cells. A chimera containing only the N-terminal signal anchor of P450 2C1 (P450 2C1-(1-29)) also interacted with BAP31, which is consistent with interaction of the two proteins via their transmembrane domains. Down-regulation of BAP31 expression with small interfering RNA resulted in redistribution of green fluorescent protein-tagged P450 2C2 or P450 2C1-(1-29) from the ER into the nuclear membrane and compact perinuclear compartment structures as well as the cell surface in a small fraction of the cells. In Bap31-null embryonic stem cells, a significant fraction of P450 2C2 or P450 2C1-(1-29) was detected at the cell surface and nuclear envelope, but was redistributed to the ER by expression of BAP31. The expression level of P450 2C2 was significantly increased in COS-1 cells with repressed levels of BAP31. Formation of the pro-apoptotic p20 fragment of BAP31 was detected in transfected COS-1 cells expressing P450 2C2, and annexin V staining was consistent with the activation of an apoptotic pathway in these cells. Down-regulation of BAP31 with small interfering RNA partially reversed the apoptosis. These results suggest that interaction of P450 2C2 with BAP31 is important for its ER retention and expression level and that BAP31 may be involved in the regulation of apoptosis induced by the ER overload response to increased expression of P450.