Transport of Ricin from Endosomes to the Golgi Apparatus is Regulated by Rab6A and Rab6A′

MR1 antigen presentation to MAIT cells and other MR1-restricted T cells

MHC antigen presentation plays a fundamental role in adaptive and semi-invariant T cell immunity. Distinct MHC molecules bind antigens that differ in chemical structure, origin and location and present them to specialized T cells. MHC class I-related protein 1 (MR1) presents a range of small molecule antigens to MR1-restricted T (MR1T) lymphocytes. The best studied MR1 ligands are derived from microbial metabolism and are recognized by a major class of MR1T cells known as mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. Here, we describe the MR1 antigen presentation pathway: the known types of antigens presented by MR1, the location where MR1-antigen complexes form, the route followed by the complexes to the cell surface, the mechanisms involved in termination of MR1 antigen presentation and the accessory cellular proteins that comprise the MR1 antigen presentation machinery. The current road map of the MR1 antigen presentation pathway reveals potential strategies for therapeutic manipulation of MR1T cell function and provides a foundation for further studies that will lead to a deeper understanding of MR1-mediated immunity.

Protein sorting from endosomes to the TGN

Retrograde transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network is essential for recycling of protein and lipid cargoes to counterbalance anterograde membrane traffic. Protein cargo subjected to retrograde traffic include lysosomal acid-hydrolase receptors, SNARE proteins, processing enzymes, nutrient transporters, a variety of other transmembrane proteins, and some extracellular non-host proteins such as viral, plant, and bacterial toxins. Efficient delivery of these protein cargo molecules depends on sorting machineries selectively recognizing and concentrating them for their directed retrograde transport from endosomal compartments. In this review, we outline the different retrograde transport pathways governed by various sorting machineries involved in endosome-to-TGN transport. In addition, we discuss how this transport route can be analyzed experimentally.

A Brucella effector modulates the Arf6-Rab8a GTPase cascade to promote intravacuolar replication

Remodeling of host cellular membrane transport pathways is a common pathogenic trait of many intracellular microbes that is essential to their intravacuolar life cycle and proliferation. The bacterium Brucella abortus generates a host endoplasmic reticulum‐derived vacuole (rBCV) that supports its intracellular growth, via VirB Type IV secretion system‐mediated delivery of effector proteins, whose functions and mode of action are mostly unknown. Here, we show that the effector BspF specifically promotes Brucella replication within rBCVs by interfering with vesicular transport between the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) and recycling endocytic compartment. BspF targeted the recycling endosome, inhibited retrograde traffic to the TGN, and interacted with the Arf6 GTPase‐activating Protein (GAP) ACAP1 to dysregulate Arf6‐/Rab8a‐dependent transport within the recycling endosome, which resulted in accretion of TGN‐associated vesicles by rBCVs and enhanced bacterial growth. Altogether, these findings provide mechanistic insight into bacterial modulation of membrane transport used to promote their own proliferation within intracellular vacuoles.

Structural Analysis of Toxin-Neutralizing, Single-Domain Antibodies that Bridge Ricin's A-B Subunit Interface

Ricin toxin kills mammalian cells with notorious efficiency. The toxin's B subunit (RTB) is a Gal/GalNAc-specific lectin that attaches to cell surfaces and promotes retrograde transport of ricin's A subunit (RTA) to the trans Golgi network (TGN) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). RTA is liberated from RTB in the ER and translocated into the cell cytoplasm, where it functions as a ribosome-inactivating protein. While antibodies against ricin's individual subunits have been reported, we now describe seven alpaca-derived, single-domain antibodies (V_HHs) that span the RTA-RTB interface, including four Tier 1 V_HHs with IC₅₀ values <1 nM. Crystal structures of each V_HH bound to native ricin holotoxin revealed three different binding modes, based on contact with RTA's F-G loop (mode 1), RTB's subdomain 2γ (mode 2) or both (mode 3). V_HHs in modes 2 and 3 were highly effective at blocking ricin attachment to HeLa cells and immobilized asialofetuin, due to framework residues (FR3) that occupied the 2γ Gal/GalNAc-binding pocket and mimic ligand. The four Tier 1 V_HHs also interfered with intracellular functions of RTB, as they neutralized ricin in a post-attachment cytotoxicity assay (e.g., the toxin was bound to cell surfaces before antibody addition) and reduced the efficiency of toxin transport to the TGN. We conclude that the RTA-RTB interface is a target of potent toxin-neutralizing antibodies that interfere with both extracellular and intracellular events in ricin's cytotoxic pathway.

The Protein Toxins Ricin and Shiga Toxin as Tools to Explore Cellular Mechanisms of Internalization and Intracellular Transport

Protein toxins secreted by bacteria and found in plants can be threats to human health. However, their extreme toxicity can also be exploited in different ways, e.g., to produce hybrid toxins directed against cancer cells and to study transport mechanisms in cells. Investigations during the last decades have shown how powerful these molecules are as tools in cell biological research. Here, we first present a partly historical overview, with emphasis on Shiga toxin and ricin, of how such toxins have been used to characterize processes and proteins of importance for their trafficking. In the second half of the article, we describe how one can now use toxins to investigate the role of lipid classes for intracellular transport. In recent years, it has become possible to quantify hundreds of lipid species using mass spectrometry analysis. Thus, it is also now possible to explore the importance of lipid species in intracellular transport. The detailed analyses of changes in lipids seen under conditions of inhibited toxin transport reveal previously unknown connections between syntheses of lipid classes and demonstrate the ability of cells to compensate under given conditions.

Knockout analysis of Rab6 effector proteins revealed the role of VPS52 in the secretory pathway

Rab small GTPases regulate intracellular membrane trafficking by interacting with specific binding proteins called Rab effectors. Although Rab6 is implicated in basement membrane formation and secretory cargo trafficking, its precise regulatory mechanisms have remained largely unknown. In the present study we established five knockout cell lines for candidate Rab6 effectors and discovered that knockout of VPS52, a subunit of the GARP complex, resulted in attenuated secretion and lysosomal accumulation of secretory cargos, the same as Rab6-knockout does. We also evaluated the functional importance of the previously uncharacterized C-terminal region of VPS52 for restoring these phenotypes, as well as for the sorting of lysosomal proteins. Our findings suggest that VPS52 is an effector protein that is responsible for the Rab6-dependent secretory cargo trafficking.

Rab6 is required for rapid, cisternal-specific, intra-Golgi cargo transport

Rab6, the most abundant Golgi associated small GTPase, consists of 2 equally common isoforms, Rab6A and Rab6A′, that differ in 3 amino acids and localize to trans Golgi cisternae. The two isoforms are largely redundant in function and hence are often referred to generically as Rab6. Rab6 loss-of-function inhibits retrograde Golgi trafficking, induces an increase in Golgi cisternal number in HeLa cells and delays the cell surface appearance of the anterograde cargo protein, VSVG. We hypothesized that these effects are linked and might be explained by a cisternal-specific delay in cargo transport. In pulse chase experiments using a deconvolved, confocal line scanning approach to score the distribution of the tsO45 mutant of VSVG protein in Rab6 depleted cells, we found that anterograde transport at 32 °C, permissive conditions, through the Golgi apparatus was locally delayed, almost tenfold, between medial and trans Golgi cisterna. Cis to medial transport was nearly normal as was trans Golgi to TGN transport. TGN exit was unaffected by Rab6 depletion. These effects were the same with either of two siRNAs. Similar intra-Golgi transport delays were seen at 37 °C with RUSH VSVG or a RUSH GPI-anchored construct using a biotin pulse to release the marker proteins from the ER. Using 3D-SIM, a super resolution approach, we found that RUSH VSVG transport was delayed pre-trans Golgi. These visual approaches suggest a selective slowing of anterograde transport relative to 3 different marker proteins downstream of the trans Golgi. Using a biochemical approach, we found that the onset of VSVG endoglycosidase H resistance in Rab6 depleted cells was delayed. Depletion of neither Rab6A or Rab6A′ isoforms alone had any effect on anterograde transport through the Golgi suggesting that Rab6A and Rab6A′ act coordinately. Delayed cargo transport conditions correlate strongly with a proliferation of Golgi cisternae observed in earlier electron microscopy. Our results strongly indicate that Rab6 is selectively required for rapid anterograde transport from the medial to trans Golgi. We suggest that the observed correlation with localized cisternal proliferation fits best with a cisternal progression model of Golgi function.

The Small GTPase Superfamily in Plants: A Conserved Regulatory Module with Novel Functions

Small GTP-binding proteins represent a highly conserved signaling module in eukaryotes that regulates diverse cellular processes such as signal transduction, cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity, cell proliferation and differentiation, intracellular membrane trafficking and transport vesicle formation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. These proteins function as molecular switches that cycle between active and inactive states, and this cycle is linked to GTP binding and hydrolysis. In this review, the roles of the plant complement of small GTP-binding proteins in these cellular processes are described, as well as accessory proteins that control their activity, and current understanding of the functions of individual members of these families in plants-with a focus on the model organism Arabidopsis-is presented. Some potential novel roles of these GTPases in plants, relative to their established roles in yeast and/or animal systems, are also discussed.

BioID Performed on Golgi Enriched Fractions Identify C10orf76 as a GBF1 Binding Protein Essential for Golgi Maintenance and Secretion

The Golgi-specific Brefeldin-A resistance factor 1 (GBF1) is the only large GEF that regulates Arf activation at the cis-Golgi and is actively recruited to membranes on an increase in Arf-GDP. Recent studies have revealed that GBF1 recruitment requires one or more heat-labile and protease-sensitive protein factor(s) (Quilty et al., 2018, J. Cell Science, 132). Proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) and mass spectrometry from enriched Golgi fractions identified GBF1 proximal proteins that may regulate its recruitment. Knockdown studies revealed C10orf76 to be involved in Golgi maintenance. We find that C10orf76 interacts with GBF1 and rapidly cycles on and off GBF1-positive Golgi structures. More importantly, its depletion causes Golgi fragmentation, alters GBF1 recruitment, and impairs secretion. Homologs were identified in most species, suggesting its presence in the last eukaryotic common ancestor.

Intracellular Transport and Cytotoxicity of the Protein Toxin Ricin

Ricin can be isolated from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). It belongs to the ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) family of toxins classified as a bio-threat agent due to its high toxicity, stability and availability. Ricin is a typical A-B toxin consisting of a single enzymatic A subunit (RTA) and a binding B subunit (RTB) joined by a single disulfide bond. RTA possesses an RNA N-glycosidase activity; it cleaves ribosomal RNA leading to the inhibition of protein synthesis. However, the mechanism of ricin-mediated cell death is quite complex, as a growing number of studies demonstrate that the inhibition of protein synthesis is not always correlated with long term ricin toxicity. To exert its cytotoxic effect, ricin A-chain has to be transported to the cytosol of the host cell. This translocation is preceded by endocytic uptake of the toxin and retrograde traffic through the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this article, we describe intracellular trafficking of ricin with particular emphasis on host cell factors that facilitate this transport and contribute to ricin cytotoxicity in mammalian and yeast cells. The current understanding of the mechanisms of ricin-mediated cell death is discussed as well. We also comment on recent reports presenting medical applications for ricin and progress associated with the development of vaccines against this toxin.

Disrupted neuronal trafficking in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, adult-onset neurodegenerative disease caused by degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord leading to muscle weakness. Median survival after symptom onset in patients is 3-5 years and no effective therapies are available to treat or cure ALS. Therefore, further insight is needed into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause motor neuron degeneration and ALS. Different ALS disease mechanisms have been identified and recent evidence supports a prominent role for defects in intracellular transport. Several different ALS-causing gene mutations (e.g., in FUS, TDP-43, or C9ORF72) have been linked to defects in neuronal trafficking and a picture is emerging on how these defects may trigger disease. This review summarizes and discusses these recent findings. An overview of how endosomal and receptor trafficking are affected in ALS is followed by a description on dysregulated autophagy and ER/Golgi trafficking. Finally, changes in axonal transport and nucleocytoplasmic transport are discussed. Further insight into intracellular trafficking defects in ALS will deepen our understanding of ALS pathogenesis and will provide novel avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Multiple Roles of Rab GTPases at the Golgi

The Golgi apparatus is a central sorting station in the cell. It receives newly synthesized molecules from the endoplasmic reticulum and directs them to different subcellular destinations, such as the plasma membrane or the endocytic pathway. Importantly, in the last few years, it has emerged that the maintenance of Golgi structure is connected to the proper regulation of membrane trafficking. Rab proteins are small GTPases that are considered to be the master regulators of the intracellular membrane trafficking. Several of the over 60 human Rabs are involved in the regulation of transport pathways at the Golgi as well as in the maintenance of its architecture. This chapter will summarize the different roles of Rab GTPases at the Golgi, both as regulators of membrane transport, scaffold, and tethering proteins and in preserving the structure and function of this organelle.

Clathrin-independent endocytosis: an increasing degree of complexity

This article aims at providing an update on the complexity of clathrin-independent endocytosis. It is now almost 30 years since we first wrote a review about its existence; at that time many people believed that with the exception of macropinocytosis, which will only be briefly mentioned in this review, all uptake could be accounted for by clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Now it is generally accepted that there are different clathrin-independent mechanisms, some of them regulated by ligands and membrane lipid composition. They can be both dynamin-dependent and -independent, meaning that the uptake cannot be accounted for by caveolae and other dynamin-dependent processes such as tubular structures that can be induced by toxins, e.g. Shiga toxin, or the fast endophilin mediated endocytosis recently described. Caveolae seem to be mostly quite stable structures with other functions than endocytosis, but evidence suggests that they may have cell-type dependent functions. Although several groups have been working on endocytic mechanisms for years, and new advanced methods have improved our ability to study mechanistic details, there are still a number of important questions we need to address, such as: How many endocytic mechanisms does a cell have? How quantitatively important are they? What about the complexity in polarized cells where clathrin-independent endocytosis is differentially regulated on the apical and basolateral poles? These questions are not easy to answer since one and the same molecule may contribute to more than one process, and manipulating one mechanism can affect another. Also, several inhibitors of endocytic processes commonly used turn out to be less specific than originally thought. We will here describe the current view of clathrin-independent endocytic processes and the challenges in studying them.

A versatile nanobody-based toolkit to analyze retrograde transport from the cell surface

Retrograde transport of membranes and proteins from the cell surface to the Golgi and beyond is essential to maintain homeostasis, compartment identity, and physiological functions. To study retrograde traffic biochemically, by live-cell imaging or by electron microscopy, we engineered functionalized anti-GFP nanobodies (camelid VHH antibody domains) to be bacterially expressed and purified. Tyrosine sulfation consensus sequences were fused to the nanobody for biochemical detection of trans-Golgi arrival, fluorophores for fluorescence microscopy and live imaging, and APEX2 (ascorbate peroxidase 2) for electron microscopy and compartment ablation. These functionalized nanobodies are specifically captured by GFP-modified reporter proteins at the cell surface and transported piggyback to the reporters' homing compartments. As an application of this tool, we have used it to determine the contribution of adaptor protein-1/clathrin in retrograde transport kinetics of the mannose-6-phosphate receptors from endosomes back to the trans-Golgi network. Our experiments establish functionalized nanobodies as a powerful tool to demonstrate and quantify retrograde transport pathways.

Role of Rab GTPases in HSV-1 infection: Molecular understanding of viral maturation and egress

Most enveloped viruses exploit complex cellular pathways for assembly and egress from the host cell, and the large DNA virus Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) makes no exception, hijacking several cellular transport pathways for its glycoprotein trafficking and maturation, as well as for viral morphogenesis and egress according to the envelopment, de-envelopment and re-envelopment model. Importantly Rab GTPases, widely distributed master regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking pathways, have recently being tightly implicated in such process. Indeed, siRNA-mediated genetic ablation of specific Rab proteins differently affected HSV-1 production, suggesting a complex role of different Rab proteins in HSV-1 life cycle. In this review, we discuss how different Rabs can regulate HSV-1 assembly/egress and the potential therapeutic applications of such findings for the management of HSV-1 infections.

A harpin elicitor induces the expression of a coiled-coil nucleotide binding leucine rich repeat (CC-NB-LRR) defense signaling gene and others functioning during defense to parasitic nematodes

The bacterial effector harpin induces the transcription of the Arabidopsis thaliana NON-RACE SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE 1/HARPIN INDUCED1 (NDR1/HIN1) coiled-coil nucleotide binding leucine rich repeat (CC-NB-LRR) defense signaling gene. In Glycine max, Gm-NDR1-1 transcripts have been detected within root cells undergoing a natural resistant reaction to parasitism by the syncytium-forming nematode Heterodera glycines, functioning in the defense response. Expressing Gm-NDR1-1 in Gossypium hirsutum leads to resistance to Meloidogyne incognita parasitism. In experiments presented here, the heterologous expression of Gm-NDR1-1 in G. hirsutum impairs Rotylenchulus reniformis parasitism. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Gm-NDR1-1 expression functions broadly in generating a defense response. To examine a possible relationship with harpin, G. max plants topically treated with harpin result in induction of the transcription of Gm-NDR1-1. The result indicates the topical treatment of plants with harpin, itself, may lead to impaired nematode parasitism. Topical harpin treatments are shown to impair G. max parasitism by H. glycines, M. incognita and R. reniformis and G. hirsutum parasitism by M. incognita and R. reniformis. How harpin could function in defense has been examined in experiments showing it also induces transcription of G. max homologs of the proven defense genes ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1), TGA2, galactinol synthase, reticuline oxidase, xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase, alpha soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (α-SNAP) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). In contrast, other defense genes are not directly transcriptionally activated by harpin. The results indicate harpin induces pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) defense processes in the root, activating defense to parasitic nematodes.

Disease-associated mutations in human BICD2 hyperactivate motility of dynein-dynactin

Bicaudal D2 (BICD2) is an adaptor protein that recruits and activates dynein–dynactin onto Rab6 membrane vesicles. Huynh and Vale reconstitute Rab6 regulation of BICD2-mediated dynein transport in vitro and show that disease-associated mutations in BICD2 cause an increase in retrograde transport.

Bicaudal D2 (BICD2) joins dynein with dynactin into a ternary complex (termed DDB) capable of processive movement. Point mutations in the BICD2 gene have been identified in patients with a dominant form of spinal muscular atrophy, but how these mutations cause disease is unknown. To investigate this question, we have developed in vitro motility assays with purified DDB and BICD2’s membrane vesicle partner, the GTPase Rab6a. Rab6a–GTP, either in solution or bound to artificial liposomes, released BICD2 from an autoinhibited state and promoted robust dynein–dynactin transport. In these assays, BICD2 mutants showed an enhanced ability to form motile DDB complexes. Increased retrograde transport by BICD2 mutants also was observed in cells using an inducible organelle transport assay. When overexpressed in rat hippocampal neurons, the hyperactive BICD2 mutants decreased neurite growth. Our results reveal that dominant mutations in BICD2 hyperactivate DDB motility and suggest that an imbalance of minus versus plus end–directed microtubule motility in neurons may underlie spinal muscular atrophy.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP): is seeing believing and is that enough?

Intracellular compartmentalisation is a significant barrier to the successful nucleocytosolic delivery of biologics. The endocytic system has been shown to be responsible for compartmentalisation, providing an entry point, and trigger(s) for the activation of drug delivery systems. Consequently, many of the technologies used to understand endocytosis have found utility within the field of drug delivery. The use of fluorescent proteins as markers denoting compartmentalisation within the endocytic system has become commonplace. Several of the limitations associated with the use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) within the context of drug delivery have been explored here by asking a series of related questions: (1) Are molecules that regulate fusion to a specific compartment (i.e. Rab- or SNARE-GFP fusions) a good choice of marker for that compartment? (2) How reliable was GFP-marker overexpression when used to define a given endocytic compartment? (3) Can glutathione-s-transferase (GST) fused in frame with GFP (GST-GFP) act as a fluid phase endocytic probe? (4) Was GFP fluorescence a robust indicator of (GFP) protein integrity? This study concluded that there are many appropriate and useful applications for GFP; however, thought and an understanding of the biological and physicochemical character of these markers are required for the generation of meaningful data.

Routing of the RAB6 secretory pathway towards the lysosome related organelle of melanocytes

Exocytic carriers convey neo-synthesized components from the Golgi apparatus to the cell surface. While the release and anterograde movement of Golgi-derived vesicles require the small GTPase RAB6, its effector ELKS promotes the targeting and docking of secretory vesicles to particular areas of the plasma membrane. Here, we show that specialized cell types exploit and divert the secretory pathway towards lysosome related organelles. In cultured melanocytes, the secretory route relies on RAB6 and ELKS to directly transport and dock Golgi-derived carriers to melanosomes. By delivering specific cargos, such as MART-1 and TYRP2/ DCT, the RAB6/ELKS-dependent secretory pathway controls the formation and maturation of melanosomes but also pigment synthesis. In addition, pigmentation defects are observed in RAB6 KO mice. Our data together reveal for the first time that the secretory pathway can be directed towards intracellular organelles of endosomal origin to ensure their biogenesis and function.

The anterograde movement of Golgi-derived vesicles requires the small GTPase RAB6, while its effector ELKS targets these vesicles to particular areas of the plasma membrane. Here the authors show that RAB6 and ELKS function in the biogenesis of melanosome, demonstrating that the secretory pathway can be directed towards intracellular organelles of endosomal origin.

Yeast Reporter Assay to Identify Cellular Components of Ricin Toxin A Chain Trafficking

RTA, the catalytic A-subunit of the ribosome inactivating A/B toxin ricin, inhibits eukaryotic protein biosynthesis by depurination of 28S rRNA. Although cell surface binding of ricin holotoxin is mainly mediated through its B-subunit (RTB), sole application of RTA is also toxic, albeit to a significantly lower extent, suggesting alternative pathways for toxin uptake and transport. Since ricin toxin trafficking in mammalian cells is still not fully understood, we developed a GFP-based reporter assay in yeast that allows rapid identification of cellular components required for RTA uptake and subsequent transport through a target cell. We hereby show that Ypt6p, Sft2p and GARP-complex components play an important role in RTA transport, while neither the retromer complex nor COPIB vesicles are part of the transport machinery. Analyses of yeast knock-out mutants with chromosomal deletion in genes whose products regulate ADP-ribosylation factor GTPases (Arf-GTPases) and/or retrograde Golgi-to-ER (endoplasmic reticulum) transport identified Sso1p, Snc1p, Rer1p, Sec22p, Erv46p, Gea1p and Glo3p as novel components in RTA transport, suggesting the developed reporter assay as a powerful tool to dissect the multistep processes of host cell intoxication in yeast.

Bidirectional traffic between the Golgi and the endosomes - machineries and regulation

The bidirectional transport between the Golgi complex and the endocytic pathway has to be finely regulated in order to ensure the proper delivery of newly synthetized lysosomal enzymes and the return of sorting receptors from degradative compartments. The high complexity of these routes has led to experimental difficulties in properly dissecting and separating the different pathways. As a consequence, several models have been proposed during the past decades. However, recent advances in our understanding of endosomal dynamics have helped to unify these different views. We provide here an overview of the current insights into the transport routes between Golgi and endosomes in mammalian cells. The focus of the Commentary is on the key molecules involved in the trafficking pathways between these intracellular compartments, such as Rab proteins and sorting receptors, and their regulation. A proper understanding of the bidirectional traffic between the Golgi complex and the endolysosomal system is of uttermost importance, as several studies have demonstrated that mutations in the factors involved in these transport pathways result in various pathologies, in particular lysosome-associated diseases and diverse neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Rab6 functions in polarized transport in Drosophila photoreceptors

Selective membrane transport pathways are essential for cells in situ to construct and maintain a polarized structure comprising multiple plasma membrane domains, which is essential for their specific cellular functions. Genetic screening in Drosophila photoreceptors harboring multiple plasma membrane domains enables the identification of genes involved in polarized transport pathways. Our genome-wide high-throughput screening identified a Rab6-null mutant with a rare phenotype characterized by a loss of 2 apical transport pathways with an intact basolateral transport. Although the functions of Rab6 in the Golgi apparatus are well known, its function in polarized transport is unexpected.

The mutant phenotype and localization of Rab6 strongly indicate that Rab6 regulates transport between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling endosomes (REs): basolateral cargos are segregated at the TGN before Rab6 functions, but cargos going to multiple apical domains are sorted at REs. Both the medial-Golgi resident protein Metallophosphoesterase (MPPE) and the TGN marker GalT::CFP exhibit diffused co-localized distributions in Rab6-deficient cells, suggesting they are trapped in the retrograde transport vesicles returning to trans-Golgi cisternae. Hence, we propose that Rab6 regulates the fusion of retrograde transport vesicles containing medial, trans-Golgi resident proteins to the Golgi cisternae, which causes Golgi maturation to REs.

Rab6 Is Required for Multiple Apical Transport Pathways but Not the Basolateral Transport Pathway in Drosophila Photoreceptors

Polarized membrane trafficking is essential for the construction and maintenance of multiple plasma membrane domains of cells. Highly polarized Drosophila photoreceptors are an excellent model for studying polarized transport. A single cross-section of Drosophila retina contains many photoreceptors with 3 clearly differentiated plasma membrane domains: a rhabdomere, stalk, and basolateral membrane. Genome-wide high-throughput ethyl methanesulfonate screening followed by precise immunohistochemical analysis identified a mutant with a rare phenotype characterized by a loss of 2 apical transport pathways with normal basolateral transport. Rapid gene identification using whole-genome resequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism mapping identified a nonsense mutation of Rab6 responsible for the apical-specific transport deficiency. Detailed analysis of the trafficking of a major rhabdomere protein Rh1 using blue light-induced chromophore supply identified Rab6 as essential for Rh1 to exit the Golgi units. Rab6 is mostly distributed from the trans-Golgi network to a Golgi-associated Rab11-positive compartment that likely recycles endosomes or transport vesicles going to recycling endosomes. Furthermore, the Rab6 effector, Rich, is required for Rab6 recruitment in the trans-Golgi network. Moreover, a Rich null mutation phenocopies the Rab6 null mutant, indicating that Rich functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rab6. The results collectively indicate that Rab6 and Rich are essential for the trans-Golgi network–recycling endosome transport of cargoes destined for 2 apical domains. However, basolateral cargos are sorted and exported from the trans-Golgi network in a Rab6-independent manner.

Cells in animal bodies have multiple plasma membrane domains; this polarized characteristic of cells is essential for their specific functions. Selective membrane transport pathways play key roles in the construction and maintenance of polarized structures. Drosophila photoreceptors with multiple plasma membrane domains are an excellent model of polarized transport. We performed genetic screening and identified a Rab6 null mutant with a rare phenotype characterized by a loss of 2 apical transport pathways with normal basolateral transport. Although Rab6 functions in the Golgi are well known, its function in polarized transport was unexpected. Here, we found that Rab6 and its effector, Rich, are required for multiple apical transport pathways but not the basolateral transport pathway. Our findings strongly indicate that the membrane proteins delivered to multiple polarized domains are not sorted simultaneously: basolateral cargos are segregated before the Rab6-dependent process, and cargos going to multiple apical domains are sorted after Rab6-dependent transport from the trans-Golgi network to the Golgi-associated Rab11-positive compartment, which presumably recycles endosomes. Our finding of the function of Rab6 in polarized transport will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of polarized transport.

High-content analysis of Rab protein function at the ER-Golgi interface

The Rab family of small GTPases play fundamental roles in the regulation of trafficking pathways between intracellular membranes in eukaryotic cells. In this short commentary we highlight a recent high-content screening study that investigates the roles of Rab proteins in retrograde trafficking from the Golgi complex to the endoplasmic reticulum, and we discuss how the findings of this work and other literature might influence our thoughts on how the architecture of the Golgi complex is regulated.

Phenotypic characterisation of RAB6A knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rab6 is one of the most conserved Rab GTPaes throughout evolution and the most abundant Rab protein associated with the Golgi complex. The two ubiquitous Rab isoforms, Rab6A and Rab6A', that are generated by alternative splicing of the RAB6A gene, regulate several transport steps at the Golgi level, including retrograde transport between endosomes and Golgi, anterograde transport between Golgi and the plasma membrane, and intra-Golgi and Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum transport.

RESULTS

We have generated mice with a conditional null allele of RAB6A. Mice homozygous for the RAB6A null allele died at an early stage of embryonic development. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were isolated from RAB6A(loxP/loxP) Rosa26-CreERT2 and incubated with 4-hydroxy tamoxifen, resulting in the efficient depletion of Rab6A and Rab6A'. We show that Rab6 depletion affects cell growth, alters Golgi morphology and decreases the Golgi-associated levels of some known Rab6 effectors such as Bicaudal-D and myosin II. We also show that Rab6 depletion protects MEFs against ricin toxin and delays VSV-G secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that RAB6 is an essential gene required for normal embryonic development. We confirm in MEF cells most of the functions previously attributed to the two ubiquitous Rab6 isoforms.

Geldanamycin Enhances Retrograde Transport of Shiga Toxin in HEp-2 Cells

The heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) has been shown to alter endosomal sorting, diverting cargo destined for the recycling pathway into the lysosomal pathway. Here we investigated whether GA also affects the sorting of cargo into the retrograde pathway from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus. As a model cargo we used the bacterial toxin Shiga toxin, which exploits the retrograde pathway as an entry route to the cytosol. Indeed, GA treatment of HEp-2 cells strongly increased the Shiga toxin transport to the Golgi apparatus. The enhanced Golgi transport was not due to increased endocytic uptake of the toxin or perturbed recycling, suggesting that GA selectively enhances endosomal sorting into the retrograde pathway. Moreover, GA activated p38 and both inhibitors of p38 or its substrate MK2 partially counteracted the GA-induced increase in Shiga toxin transport. Thus, our data suggest that GA-induced p38 and MK2 activation participate in the increased Shiga toxin transport to the Golgi apparatus.

How Rab proteins determine Golgi structure

Rab proteins, small GTPases, are key regulators of mammalian Golgi apparatus organization. Based on the effect of Rab activation state, Rab proteins fall into two functional classes. In Class1, inactivation induces Golgi ribbon fragmentation and/or redistribution of Golgi enzymes to the Endoplasmic Reticulum, while overexpression of wild type or activation has little, if any, effect on Golgi ribbon organization. In Class 2, the reverse is true. We give emphasis to Rab6, the most abundant Golgi-associated Rab protein. Rab6 depletion in HeLa cells causes an increase in Golgi cisternal number, longer, more continuous cisternae, and a pronounced accumulation of vesicles; the effect of Rab6 on Golgi ribbon organization is probably through regulation of vesicle transport. In effector studies, motor proteins and their regulators are found to be key Rab6 effectors. A related Rab, Rab41, affects Golgi ribbon organization in a contrasting manner. The balance between minus- and plus-end directed motor recruitment may well be the major Rab-dependent factor in Golgi ribbon organization.

Toxin effect on protein biosynthesis in eukaryotic cells: a simple kinetic model

A model for toxin inhibition of protein synthesis inside eukaryotic cells is presented. Mitigation of this effect by introduction of an antibody is also studied. Antibody and toxin (ricin) initially are delivered outside the cell. The model describes toxin internalization from the extracellular into the intracellular domain, its transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the cleavage inside the ER into the RTA and RTB chains, the release of RTA into the cytosol, inactivation (depurination) of ribosomes, and the effect on translation. The model consists of a set of ODEs which are solved numerically. Numerical results are illustrated by figures and discussed.

Ricin trafficking in cells

The heterodimeric plant toxin ricin binds exposed galactosyls at the cell surface of target mammalian cells, and, following endocytosis, is transported in vesicular carriers to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Subsequently, the cell-binding B chain (RTB) and the catalytic A chain (RTA) are separated reductively, RTA embeds in the ER membrane and then retrotranslocates (or dislocates) across this membrane. The protein conducting channels used by RTA are usually regarded as part of the ER-associated protein degradation system (ERAD) that removes misfolded proteins from the ER for destruction by the cytosolic proteasomes. However, unlike ERAD substrates, cytosolic RTA avoids destruction and folds into a catalytic conformation that inactivates its target ribosomes. Protein synthesis ceases, and subsequently the cells die apoptotically. This raises questions about how this protein avoids the pathways that are normally sanctioned for ER-dislocating substrates. In this review we focus on the molecular events that occur with non-tagged ricin and its isolated subunits at the ER–cytosol interface. This focus reveals that intra-membrane interactions of RTA may control its fate, an area that warrants further investigation.

Cargo trafficking between endosomes and the trans-Golgi network

The retrograde membrane transport pathways from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) are now recognized as critical intracellular pathways to recycle and shuttle a selective subgroup of membrane proteins, including sorting receptors, membrane-bound enzymes, transporters, as well as providing an avenue for the intracellular transport of various bacterial toxins. Multiple pathways from endosomes to the TGN have now been defined which differ between the cargo transported and the machinery used. Here, we review advances in these pathways and the requirement for TGN organization, and also discuss the development of unbiased analytical approaches to quantitatively track cargo that use these endosome-to-TGN pathways.

Alpha-synuclein and intracellular trafficking: impact on the spreading of Parkinson's disease pathology

Parkinson's disease is characterized by intracellular proteinaceous depositions known as Lewy bodies. These largely consist of the protein α-synuclein, whose physiological function remains unclear, but mutations and overexpression of the protein have been shown to cause early onset cases of Parkinson's disease. Deregulation of α-synuclein biology causes neurodegeneration and impaired neuronal trafficking, hinting at a possible contribution to the pathological mechanism. Recent studies produced some evidence hinting at the involvement of several regulators of the transport machinery such as Rab GTPases and SNARE proteins, but also shown that α-synuclein can be propagated between cells. Here, we discuss the molecular interplay of α-synuclein with the intracellular transport machinery, its consequences, and the implications for disease mechanisms.

Imaging and Quantitation Techniques for Tracking Cargo along Endosome-to-Golgi Transport Pathways

Recent improvements in the resolution of light microscopy, coupled with the development of a range of fluorescent-based probes, have provided new approaches to dissecting membrane domains and the regulation of membrane trafficking. Here, we review these advances, as well as highlight developments in quantitative image analysis and novel unbiased analytical approaches to quantitate protein localization. The application of these approaches to endosomal sorting and endosome-to-Golgi transport is discussed.

Annexin A1 and A2: roles in retrograde trafficking of Shiga toxin

Annexins constitute a family of calcium and membrane binding proteins. As annexin A1 and A2 have previously been linked to various membrane trafficking events, we initiated this study to investigate the role of these annexins in the uptake and intracellular transport of the bacterial Shiga toxin (Stx) and the plant toxin ricin. Once endocytosed, both toxins are retrogradely transported from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum before being targeted to the cytosol where they inhibit protein synthesis. This study was performed to obtain new information both about toxin transport and the function of annexin A1 and annexin A2. Our data show that depletion of annexin A1 or A2 alters the retrograde transport of Stx but not ricin, without affecting toxin binding or internalization. Knockdown of annexin A1 increases Golgi transport of Stx, whereas knockdown of annexin A2 slightly decreases the same transport step. Interestingly, annexin A1 was found in proximity to cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA₂), and the basal as well as the increased Golgi transport of Stx upon annexin A1 knockdown is dependent on cPLA₂ activity. In conclusion, annexin A1 and A2 have different roles in Stx transport to the trans-Golgi network. The most prominent role is played by annexin A1 which normally works as a negative regulator of retrograde transport from the endosomes to the Golgi network, most likely by complex formation and inhibition of cPLA₂.

Are Rab proteins the link between Golgi organization and membrane trafficking?

The fundamental separation of Golgi function between subcompartments termed cisternae is conserved across all eukaryotes. Likewise, Rab proteins, small GTPases of the Ras superfamily, are putative common coordinators of Golgi organization and protein transport. However, despite sequence conservation, e.g., Rab6 and Ypt6 are conserved proteins between humans and yeast, the fundamental organization of the organelle can vary profoundly. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Golgi cisternae are physically separated from one another, while in mammalian cells, the cisternae are stacked one upon the other. Moreover, in mammalian cells, many Golgi stacks are typically linked together to generate a ribbon structure. Do evolutionarily conserved Rab proteins regulate secretory membrane trafficking and diverse Golgi organization in a common manner? In mammalian cells, some Golgi-associated Rab proteins function in coordination of protein transport and maintenance of Golgi organization. These include Rab6, Rab33B, Rab1, Rab2, Rab18, and Rab43. In yeast, these include Ypt1, Ypt32, and Ypt6. Here, based on evidence from both yeast and mammalian cells, we speculate on the essential role of Rab proteins in Golgi organization and protein transport.

Immunity to ricin: fundamental insights into toxin-antibody interactions

Ricin toxin is an extraordinarily potent inducer of cell death and inflammation. Ricin is also a potent provocateur of the humoral immune system, eliciting a mixture of neutralizing, non-neutralizing and even toxin-enhancing antibodies. The characterization of dozens of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the toxin's enzymatic (RTA) and binding (RTB) subunits has begun to reveal fundamental insights into the underlying mechanisms by which antibodies neutralize (or fail to neutralize) ricin in systemic and mucosal compartments. This information has had immediate applications in the design, development and evaluation of ricin subunit vaccines and immunotherapeutics.

Inhibitors of intravesicular acidification protect against Shiga toxin in a pH-independent manner

Shiga toxin inhibits protein synthesis after being transported from the cell surface to endosomes and retrogradely through the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and into the cytosol. In this study, we have abolished proton gradients across internal membranes in different ways and investigated the effect on the various transport steps of Shiga toxin. Although inhibitors of the proton pump such as bafilomycin A1 and concanamycin A as well as some ionophores and chloroquine all protect against Shiga toxin, they mediate protection by inhibiting different transport steps. For instance, chloroquine protects the cells, although the toxin is transported to the ER. Importantly, our data indicate that proton pump activity is required for efficient endosome-to-Golgi transport of Shiga toxin, although acidification as such does not seem to be required.

Rich regulates target specificity of photoreceptor cells and N-cadherin trafficking in the Drosophila visual system via Rab6

Neurons establish specific synaptic connections with their targets, a process that is highly regulated. Numerous cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in target recognition, but how these proteins are precisely trafficked and targeted is poorly understood. To identify components that affect synaptic specificity, we carried out a forward genetic screen in the Drosophila eye. We identified a gene, named ric1 homologue (rich), whose loss leads to synaptic specificity defects. Loss of rich leads to reduction of N-Cadherin in the photoreceptor cell synapses but not of other proteins implicated in target recognition, including Sec15, DLAR, Jelly belly, and PTP69D. The Rich protein binds to Rab6, and Rab6 mutants display very similar phenotypes as the rich mutants. The active form of Rab6 strongly suppresses the rich synaptic specificity defect, indicating that Rab6 is regulated by Rich. We propose that Rich activates Rab6 to regulate N-Cadherin trafficking and affects synaptic specificity.

Rab9-dependent retrograde transport and endosomal sorting of the endopeptidase furin

The endopeptidase furin and the trans-Golgi network protein TGN38 are membrane proteins that recycle between the TGN and plasma membrane. TGN38 is transported by a retromer-dependent pathway from early endosomes to the TGN, whereas the intracellular transport of furin is poorly defined. Here we have identified the itinerary and transport requirements of furin. Using internalisation assays, we show that furin transits the early and late endosomes en route to the TGN. The GTPase Rab9 and the TGN golgin GCC185, components of the late endosome-to-TGN pathway, were required for efficient TGN retrieval of furin. By contrast, TGN38 trafficking was independent of Rab9 and GCC185. To identify the sorting signals for the early endosome-to-TGN pathway, the trafficking of furin-TGN38 chimeras was investigated. The diversion of furin from the Rab9-dependent late-endosome-to-TGN pathway to the retromer-dependent early-endosome-to-TGN pathway required both the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of TGN38. We present evidence to suggest that the length of the transmembrane domain is a contributing factor in endosomal sorting. Overall, these data show that furin uses the Rab9-dependent pathway from late endosomes and that retrograde transport directly from early endosomes is dependent on both the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic tail.

SNX27 mediates retromer tubule entry and endosome-to-plasma membrane trafficking of signalling receptors

Endocytic sorting of signalling receptors between recycling and degradative pathways is a key cellular process controlling the surface complement of receptors and, accordingly, the cell's ability to respond to specific extracellular stimuli. The β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is a prototypical seven-transmembrane signalling receptor that recycles rapidly and efficiently to the plasma membrane after ligand-induced endocytosis. β2AR recycling is dependent on the receptor's carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand and Rab4. This active sorting process is required for functional resensitization of β2AR-mediated signalling. Here we show that sequence-directed sorting occurs at the level of entry into retromer tubules and that retromer tubules are associated with Rab4. Furthermore, we show that sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) serves as an essential adaptor protein linking β2ARs to the retromer tubule. SNX27 does not seem to directly interact with the retromer core complex, but does interact with the retromer-associated Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR homologue (WASH) complex. The present results identify a role for retromer in endocytic trafficking of signalling receptors, in regulating a receptor-linked signalling pathway, and in mediating direct endosome-to-plasma membrane traffic.

Role of Rab GTPases in membrane traffic and cell physiology

Intracellular membrane traffic defines a complex network of pathways that connects many of the membrane-bound organelles of eukaryotic cells. Although each pathway is governed by its own set of factors, they all contain Rab GTPases that serve as master regulators. In this review, we discuss how Rabs can regulate virtually all steps of membrane traffic from the formation of the transport vesicle at the donor membrane to its fusion at the target membrane. Some of the many regulatory functions performed by Rabs include interacting with diverse effector proteins that select cargo, promoting vesicle movement, and verifying the correct site of fusion. We describe cascade mechanisms that may define directionality in traffic and ensure that different Rabs do not overlap in the pathways that they regulate. Throughout this review we highlight how Rab dysfunction leads to a variety of disease states ranging from infectious diseases to cancer.

Hijacking the endocytic machinery by microbial pathogens

Understanding the mechanisms that microbes exploit to invade host cells and cause disease is crucial if we are to eliminate their threat. Although pathogens use a variety of microbial factors to trigger entry into non-phagocytic cells, their targeting of the host cell process of endocytosis has emerged as a common theme. To accomplish this, microbes often rewire the normal course of particle internalization, frequently usurping theoretical maximal sizes to permit entry and reconfiguring molecular components that were once thought to be required for vesicle formation. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of how toxins, viruses, bacteria, and fungi manipulate the host cell endocytic machinery to generate diseases. Additionally, we will reveal the advantages of using these organisms to expand our general knowledge of endocytic mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.

Rab and actomyosin-dependent fission of transport vesicles at the Golgi complex

Trafficking between membrane compartments is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells and relies on transport carriers that bud and fission from a donor membrane, before being transported and fusing with the correct acceptor compartment. Rab GTPases ensure specificity and directionality of trafficking steps by regulating the movement of transport carriers along cytoskeletal tracks, and the recruitment of tethering factors required for the docking and fusion processes. Here we show that Rab6, a Golgi-associated Rab, forms a complex with myosin II, contributes to its localization at the Golgi complex and, unexpectedly, controls the fission of Rab6 vesicles. Inhibition of either Rab6 or myosin II function impairs both the fission of Rab6 transport carriers from Golgi membranes and the trafficking of anterograde and retrograde cargo from the Golgi. These effects are consistent with myosin II being an effector of Rab6 in these processes. Our results provide evidence that the actomyosin system is required in vesicle biogenesis at the Golgi, and uncover a function for Rab GTPases in vesicle fission.

Identification of different itineraries and retromer components for endosome-to-Golgi transport of TGN38 and Shiga toxin

The retrograde transport pathways from early/recycling endosomes are critical for recycling a range of endogenous cargo, as well as internalisation of bacterial and plant toxins. We have previously shown that the retrograde transport of the two model cargos, TGN38 and Shiga toxin, differs in the requirement for TGN golgins; transport of TGN38 requires the TGN golgin GCC88 whereas that of Shiga toxin requires GCC185. Here we have further defined the retrograde transport requirements of these two cargos. Tracking the transport of these cargos demonstrated that the bulk of Shiga toxin is transported from early endosomes to recycling endosomes en route to the TGN whereas the bulk of TGN38 is transported from early endosomes to the TGN with only low levels detected in recycling endosomes. In cells depleted of the TGN t-SNARE syntaxin 16, TGN38 accumulated predominantly in early endosomes whereas Shiga toxin accumulated in Rab11-positive recycling endosomes, suggesting distinct routes for each cargo. Retrograde transport of Shiga toxin and TGN38 requires retromer, however, whereas sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) is specifically required for transport of Shiga toxin, sorting nexin 2 (SNX2) is required for the transport of TGN38. Overall, our data have identified different itineraries for the retrograde transport of Shiga toxin and TGN38 and distinct retromer components that regulate the transport of these cargos.

RAB6C is a retrogene that encodes a centrosomal protein involved in cell cycle progression

Rab-GTPases are key regulators of membrane transport, and growing evidence indicates that their expression levels are altered in certain human malignancies, including cancer. Rab6C, a newly identified Rab6 subfamily member, has attracted recent attention because its reduced expression might confer a selective advantage to drug-resistant breast cancer cells. Here, we report that RAB6C is a primate-specific retrogene derived from a RAB6A' transcript. RAB6C is transcribed in a limited number of human tissues including brain, testis, prostate, and breast. Endogenous Rab6C is considerably less abundant and has a much shorter half-life than Rab6A'. Comparison of the GTP-binding motifs of Rab6C and Rab6A', homology modeling, and GTP-blot overlay assays indicate that amino acid changes in Rab6C have greatly reduced its GTP-binding affinity. Instead, the noncanonical GTP-binding domain of Rab6C mediates localization of the protein to the centrosome. Overexpression of Rab6C results in G1 arrest, and its specific depletion generates tetraploid cells with supernumerary centrosomes, revealing a role of Rab6C in events related to the centrosome and cell cycle progression. Thus, RAB6C is a rare example of a recently emerged retrogene that has acquired the status of a new gene, encoding a functional protein with altered characteristics compared to Rab6A'.

Sorting nexin 8 regulates endosome-to-Golgi transport

Sorting nexin 8 (SNX8) belongs to the sorting nexin protein family, whose members are involved in endocytosis and endosomal sorting and signaling. The function of SNX8 has so far been unknown. Here, we have investigated the role of SNX8 in intracellular transport of the bacterial toxin Shiga toxin (Stx) and the plant toxin ricin. After being endocytosed, these toxins are transported retrogradely from endosomes, via the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), into the cytosol, where they exert their toxic effect. Interestingly, our experiments show that SNX8 regulates the transport of Stx and ricin differently; siRNA-mediated knockdown of SNX8 significantly increased the Stx transport to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), whereas ricin transport was slightly inhibited. We also found that SNX8 colocalizes with early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1) and with retromer components, suggesting an endosomal localization of SNX8 and supporting our finding that SNX8 is involved in endosomal sorting.

Oomycete RXLR effectors: delivery, functional redundancy and durable disease resistance

To manipulate host defences, plant pathogenic oomycetes secrete and translocate RXLR effectors into plant cells. Recent reports have indicated that RXLR effectors are translocated from the extrahaustorial matrix during the biotrophic phase of infection and that they are able to suppress PAMP-triggered immunity. Oomycete genomes contain potentially hundreds of highly diverse RXLR effector genes, providing the potential for considerable functional redundancy and the consequent ability to readily shed effectors that are recognised by plant surveillance systems without compromising pathogenic fitness. Understanding how these effectors are translocated, their precise roles in virulence, and the extent to which functional redundancy exists in oomycete RXLR effector complements, are major challenges for the coming years.

Cellular trafficking of quantum dot-ligand bioconjugates and their induction of changes in normal routing of unconjugated ligands

Can quantum dots (Qdots) act as relevant intracellular probes to investigate routing of ligands in live cells? The intracellular trafficking of Qdots that were coupled to the plant toxin ricin, Shiga toxin, or the ligand transferrin (Tf) was studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The Tf:Qdots were internalized by clathrin-dependent endocytosis as fast as Tf, but their recycling was blocked. Unlike Shiga toxin, the Shiga:Qdot bioconjugate was not routed to the Golgi apparatus. The internalized ricin:Qdot bioconjugates localized to the same endosomes as ricin itself but could not be visualized in the Golgi apparatus. Importantly, we find that the endosomal accumulation of ricin:Qdots affects endosome-to-Golgi transport of both ricin and Shiga toxin: Transport of ricin was reduced whereas transport of Shiga toxin was increased. In conclusion, the data reveal that, although coupling of Qdots to a ligand does not necessarily change the endocytic pathway normally used by the ligands studied, it appears that the ligand-coupled Qdot nanoparticles can be arrested within endosomes and somehow perturb the normal endosomal sorting in cells. Thus, the results demonstrate that Qdots may have severe consequences on cell physiology.