p31 deficiency influences endoplasmic reticulum tubular morphology and cell survival

The Labyrinthine Landscape of APP Processing: State of the Art and Possible Novel Soluble APP-Related Molecular Players in Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration

Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and its cleavage processes have been widely investigated in the past, in particular in the context of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Evidence of an increased expression of APP and its amyloidogenic-related cleavage enzymes, β-secretase 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase, at the hit axon terminals following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), firstly suggested a correlation between TBI and AD. Indeed, mild and severe TBI have been recognised as influential risk factors for different neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. In the present work, we describe the state of the art of APP proteolytic processing, underlining the different roles of its cleavage fragments in both physiological and pathological contexts. Considering the neuroprotective role of the soluble APP alpha (sAPPα) fragment, we hypothesised that sAPPα could modulate the expression of genes of interest for AD and TBI. Hence, we present preliminary experiments addressing sAPPα-mediated regulation of BACE1, Isthmin 2 (ISM2), Tetraspanin-3 (TSPAN3) and the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGFA), each discussed from a biological and pharmacological point of view in AD and TBI. We finally propose a neuroprotective interaction network, in which the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1) and the signalling cascade of PKCβII/nELAV/VEGF play hub roles, suggesting that vasculogenic-targeting therapies could be a feasible approach for vascular-related brain injuries typical of AD and TBI.

Vesicle trafficking and vesicle fusion: mechanisms, biological functions, and their implications for potential disease therapy

Intracellular vesicle trafficking is the fundamental process to maintain the homeostasis of membrane-enclosed organelles in eukaryotic cells. These organelles transport cargo from the donor membrane to the target membrane through the cargo containing vesicles. Vesicle trafficking pathway includes vesicle formation from the donor membrane, vesicle transport, and vesicle fusion with the target membrane. Coat protein mediated vesicle formation is a delicate membrane budding process for cargo molecules selection and package into vesicle carriers. Vesicle transport is a dynamic and specific process for the cargo containing vesicles translocation from the donor membrane to the target membrane. This process requires a group of conserved proteins such as Rab GTPases, motor adaptors, and motor proteins to ensure vesicle transport along cytoskeletal track. Soluble N-ethyl-maleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptors (SNARE)-mediated vesicle fusion is the final process for vesicle unloading the cargo molecules at the target membrane. To ensure vesicle fusion occurring at a defined position and time pattern in eukaryotic cell, multiple fusogenic proteins, such as synaptotagmin (Syt), complexin (Cpx), Munc13, Munc18 and other tethering factors, cooperate together to precisely regulate the process of vesicle fusion. Dysfunctions of the fusogenic proteins in SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion are closely related to many diseases. Recent studies have suggested that stimulated membrane fusion can be manipulated pharmacologically via disruption the interface between the SNARE complex and Ca²⁺ sensor protein. Here, we summarize recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of vesicle trafficking, and implications for the development of new therapeutics based on the manipulation of vesicle fusion.

ER arrival sites associate with ER exit sites to create bidirectional transport portals

COPI vesicles mediate Golgi-to-ER recycling, but COPI vesicle arrival sites at the ER have been poorly defined. We explored this issue using the yeast Pichia pastoris. ER arrival sites (ERAS) can be visualized by labeling COPI vesicle tethers such as Tip20. Our results place ERAS at the periphery of COPII-labeled ER export sites (ERES). The dynamics of ERES and ERAS are indistinguishable, indicating that these structures are tightly coupled. Displacement or degradation of Tip20 does not alter ERES organization, whereas displacement or degradation of either COPII or COPI components disrupts ERAS organization. We infer that Golgi compartments form at ERES and then produce COPI vesicles to generate ERAS. As a result, ERES and ERAS are functionally linked to create bidirectional transport portals at the ER-Golgi interface. COPI vesicles likely become tethered while they bud, thereby promoting efficient retrograde transport. In mammalian cells, the Tip20 homologue RINT1 associates with ERES, indicating possible conservation of the link between ERES and ERAS.

Case Report: Pediatric Recurrent Acute Liver Failure Caused by Neuroblastoma Amplified Sequence (NBAS) Gene Mutations

Acute liver failure (ALF) in childhood is a rapidly progressive, potentially life-threatening condition that occurs in previously healthy children of all ages. However, the etiology of ~50% of cases with pediatric ALF remains unknown. We herein report a 4-year-old Chinese girl with recurrent ALF (RALF) due to a mutation in the neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS) gene. The patient had suffered from multiple episodes of fever-related ALF since early childhood. She had also suffered from acute kidney injury, hypertension, mild pulmonary hypertension, pleural effusion, and hypothyroidism. A novel compound heterozygote mutation, c.3596G> A (p.C1199Y)/ex.9del (p.216-248del), in the NBAS gene was identified by whole-exome sequencing (WES). The missense mutation c.3596G> A (p. C1199Y) was inherited from her father, and ex.9del (p.216-248del) was inherited from her mother. The patient was managed with intensive treatments, such as renal replacement therapy (CRRT), intravenous antibiotics, and glucose infusion, and was discharged after full recovery. We identified a novel compound heterozygote mutation in the NBAS gene that caused fever-related RALF in a Chinese child, which further expands the mutational spectrum of NBAS.

Misregulation of ER-Golgi Vesicle Transport Induces ER Stress and Affects Seed Vigor and Stress Response

Seeds of higher plants accumulate numerous storage proteins to use as nitrogen resources for early plant development. Seed storage proteins (SSPs) are synthesized as large precursors on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and are delivered to protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) via vesicle transport, where they are processed to mature forms. We previously identified an Arabidopsis ER-localized tethering complex, MAG2 complex, which might be involved in Golgi to ER retrograde transport. The MAG2 complex is composed of 4 subunits, MAG2, MIP1, MIP2, and MIP3. Mutants with defective alleles for these subunits accumulated SSP precursors inside the ER lumen. Here, we report that the mag2-1 mip3-1 and mip2-1 mip3-1 double mutant have more serious vesicle transport defects than the mag2-1, mip2-1, and mip3-1 single mutants, since they accumulate more SSP precursors than the corresponding single mutants, and ER stress is more severe than the single mutants. The mag2-1 mip3-1 and mip2-1 mip3-1 double mutants show growth and developmental defects rather than the single mutants. Both single and double mutant seeds are found to have lower protein content and decreased germinating vigor than wild type seeds. All the mutants are sensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) and salt stress, and exhibit alteration in ABA signaling pathway. Our study clarified that ER-Golgi vesicle transport affects seed vigor through controlling seed protein quality and content, as well as plant response to environmental stress via influencing ABA signaling pathway.

Recurrent acute liver failure due to NBAS deficiency: phenotypic spectrum, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic concepts

BACKGROUND

Acute liver failure (ALF) in infancy and childhood is a life-threatening emergency and in about 50% the etiology remains unknown. Recently biallelic mutations in NBAS were identified as a new molecular cause of ALF with onset in infancy, leading to recurrent acute liver failure (RALF).

METHODS

The phenotype and medical history of 14 individuals with NBAS deficiency was studied in detail and functional studies were performed on patients' fibroblasts.

RESULTS

The phenotypic spectrum of NBAS deficiency ranges from isolated RALF to a multisystemic disease with short stature, skeletal dysplasia, immunological abnormalities, optic atrophy, and normal motor and cognitive development resembling SOPH syndrome. Liver crises are triggered by febrile infections; they become less frequent with age but are not restricted to childhood. Complete recovery is typical, but ALF crises can be fatal. Antipyretic therapy and induction of anabolism including glucose and parenteral lipids effectively ameliorates the course of liver crises. Patients' fibroblasts showed an increased sensitivity to high temperature at protein and functional level and a disturbed tethering of vesicles, pointing at a defect of intracellular transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in NBAS cause a complex disease with a wide clinical spectrum ranging from isolated RALF to a multisystemic phenotype. Thermal susceptibility of the syntaxin 18 complex is the basis of fever dependency of ALF episodes. NBAS deficiency is the first disease related to a primary defect of retrograde transport. Identification of NBAS deficiency allows optimized therapy of liver crises and even prevention of further episodes.

Rint1 inactivation triggers genomic instability, ER stress and autophagy inhibition in the brain

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, defective autophagy and genomic instability in the central nervous system are often associated with severe developmental defects and neurodegeneration. Here, we reveal the role played by Rint1 in these different biological pathways to ensure normal development of the central nervous system and to prevent neurodegeneration. We found that inactivation of Rint1 in neuroprogenitors led to death at birth. Depletion of Rint1 caused genomic instability due to chromosome fusion in dividing cells. Furthermore, Rint1 deletion in developing brain promotes the disruption of ER and Cis/Trans Golgi homeostasis in neurons, followed by ER-stress increase. Interestingly, Rint1 deficiency was also associated with the inhibition of the autophagosome clearance. Altogether, our findings highlight the crucial roles of Rint1 in vivo in genomic stability maintenance, as well as in prevention of ER stress and autophagy.

Biallelic Mutations in NBAS Cause Recurrent Acute Liver Failure with Onset in Infancy

Acute liver failure (ALF) in infancy and childhood is a life-threatening emergency. Few conditions are known to cause recurrent acute liver failure (RALF), and in about 50% of cases, the underlying molecular cause remains unresolved. Exome sequencing in five unrelated individuals with fever-dependent RALF revealed biallelic mutations in NBAS. Subsequent Sanger sequencing of NBAS in 15 additional unrelated individuals with RALF or ALF identified compound heterozygous mutations in an additional six individuals from five families. Immunoblot analysis of mutant fibroblasts showed reduced protein levels of NBAS and its proposed interaction partner p31, both involved in retrograde transport between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. We recommend NBAS analysis in individuals with acute infantile liver failure, especially if triggered by fever.

Grsf1-induced translation of the SNARE protein Use1 is required for expansion of the erythroid compartment

Induction of cell proliferation requires a concomitant increase in the synthesis of glycosylated lipids and membrane proteins, which is dependent on ER-Golgi protein transport by CopII-coated vesicles. In this process, retrograde transport of ER resident proteins from the Golgi is crucial to maintain ER integrity, and allows for anterograde transport to continue. We previously showed that expression of the CopI specific SNARE protein Use1 (Unusual SNARE in the ER 1) is tightly regulated by eIF4E-dependent translation initiation of Use1 mRNA. Here we investigate the mechanism that controls Use1 mRNA translation. The 5'UTR of mouse Use1 contains a 156 nt alternatively spliced intron. The non-spliced form is the predominantly translated mRNA. The alternatively spliced sequence contains G-repeats that bind the RNA-binding protein G-rich sequence binding factor 1 (Grsf1) in RNA band shift assays. The presence of these G-repeats rendered translation of reporter constructs dependent on the Grsf1 concentration. Down regulation of either Grsf1 or Use1 abrogated expansion of erythroblasts. The 5'UTR of human Use1 lacks the splice donor site, but contains an additional upstream open reading frame in close proximity of the translation start site. Similar to mouse Use1, also the human 5'UTR contains G-repeats in front of the start codon. In conclusion, Grsf1 controls translation of the SNARE protein Use1, possibly by positioning the 40S ribosomal subunit and associated translation factors in front of the translation start site.

Moonlighting functions of the NRZ (mammalian Dsl1) complex

The yeast Dsl1 complex, which comprises Dsl1, Tip20, and Sec39/Dsl3, has been shown to participate, as a vesicle-tethering complex, in retrograde trafficking from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum. Its metazoan counterpart NRZ complex, which comprises NAG, RINT1, and ZW10, is also involved in Golgi-to-ER retrograde transport, but each component of the complex has diverse cellular functions including endosome-to-Golgi transport, cytokinesis, cell cycle checkpoint, autophagy, and mRNA decay. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the metazoan NRZ complex and discuss the "moonlighting" functions and intercorrelation of their subunits.

SLY1 and Syntaxin 18 specify a distinct pathway for procollagen VII export from the endoplasmic reticulum

TANGO1 binds and exports Procollagen VII from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this study, we report a connection between the cytoplasmic domain of TANGO1 and SLY1, a protein that is required for membrane fusion. Knockdown of SLY1 by siRNA arrested Procollagen VII in the ER without affecting the recruitment of COPII components, general protein secretion, and retrograde transport of the KDEL-containing protein BIP, and ERGIC53. SLY1 is known to interact with the ER-specific SNARE proteins Syntaxin 17 and 18, however only Syntaxin 18 was required for Procollagen VII export. Neither SLY1 nor Syntaxin 18 was required for the export of the equally bulky Procollagen I from the ER. Altogether, these findings reveal the sorting of bulky collagen family members by TANGO1 at the ER and highlight the existence of different export pathways for secretory cargoes one of which is mediated by the specific SNARE complex containing SLY1 and Syntaxin 18.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02784.001.

SLY1 and Syntaxin 18 specify a distinct pathway for procollagen VII export from the endoplasmic reticulum

TANGO1 binds and exports Procollagen VII from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this study, we report a connection between the cytoplasmic domain of TANGO1 and SLY1, a protein that is required for membrane fusion. Knockdown of SLY1 by siRNA arrested Procollagen VII in the ER without affecting the recruitment of COPII components, general protein secretion, and retrograde transport of the KDEL-containing protein BIP, and ERGIC53. SLY1 is known to interact with the ER-specific SNARE proteins Syntaxin 17 and 18, however only Syntaxin 18 was required for Procollagen VII export. Neither SLY1 nor Syntaxin 18 was required for the export of the equally bulky Procollagen I from the ER. Altogether, these findings reveal the sorting of bulky collagen family members by TANGO1 at the ER and highlight the existence of different export pathways for secretory cargoes one of which is mediated by the specific SNARE complex containing SLY1 and Syntaxin 18.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02784.001.

Rab8a and Rab8b are essential for several apical transport pathways but insufficient for ciliogenesis

The small GTP-binding protein Rab8 is known to play an essential role in intracellular transport and cilia formation. We have previously demonstrated that Rab8a is required for localising apical markers in various organisms. Rab8a has a closely related isoform, Rab8b. To determine whether Rab8b can compensate for Rab8a, we generated Rab8b-knockout mice. Although the Rab8b-knockout mice did not display an overt phenotype, Rab8a and Rab8b double-knockout mice exhibited mislocalisation of apical markers and died earlier than Rab8a-knockout mice. The apical markers accumulated in three intracellular patterns in the double-knockout mice. However, the localisation of basolateral and/or dendritic markers of the double-knockout mice seemed normal. The morphology and the length of various primary and/or motile cilia, and the frequency of ciliated cells appeared to be identical in control and double-knockout mice. However, an additional knockdown of Rab10 in double-knockout cells greatly reduced the percentage of ciliated cells. Our results highlight the compensatory effect of Rab8a and Rab8b in apical transport, and the complexity of the apical transport process. In addition, neither Rab8a nor Rab8b are required for basolateral and/or dendritic transport. However, simultaneous loss of Rab8a and Rab8b has little effect on ciliogenesis, whereas additional loss of Rab10 greatly affects ciliogenesis.

ELK1 transcription factor linked to dysregulated striatal mu opioid receptor signaling network and OPRM1 polymorphism in human heroin abusers

BACKGROUND

Abuse of heroin and prescription opiate medications has grown to disturbing levels. Opioids mediate their effects through mu opioid receptors (MOR), but minimal information exists regarding MOR-related striatal signaling relevant to the human condition. The striatum is a structure central to reward and habitual behavior and neurobiological changes in this region are thought to underlie the pathophysiology of addiction disorders.

METHODS

We examined molecular mechanisms related to MOR in postmortem human brain striatal specimens from a homogenous European Caucasian population of heroin abusers and control subjects and in an animal model of heroin self-administration. Expression of ets-like kinase 1 (ELK1) was examined in relation to polymorphism of the MOR gene OPRM1 and drug history.

RESULTS

A characteristic feature of heroin abusers was decreased expression of MOR and extracellular regulated kinase signaling networks, concomitant with dysregulation of the downstream transcription factor ELK1. Striatal ELK1 in heroin abusers associated with the polymorphism rs2075572 in OPRM1 in a genotype dose-dependent manner and correlated with documented history of heroin use, an effect reproduced in an animal model that emphasizes a direct relationship between repeated heroin exposure and ELK1 dysregulation. A central role of ELK1 was evidenced by an unbiased whole transcriptome microarray that revealed ~20% of downregulated genes in human heroin abusers are ELK1 targets. Using chromatin immune precipitation, we confirmed decreased ELK1 promoter occupancy of the target gene Use1.

CONCLUSIONS

ELK1 is a potential key transcriptional regulatory factor in striatal disturbances associated with heroin abuse and relevant to genetic mutation of OPRM1.

Translation- and SRP-independent mRNA targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Although mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane proteins are believed to associate with the ER only upon translation, they access the membrane independently of both translational control and the signal recognition particle. Thus, alternate paths exist for RNA delivery to and retention at the ER.

mRNAs encoding secreted/membrane proteins (mSMPs) are believed to reach the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a translation-dependent manner to confer protein translocation. Evidence exists, however, for translation- and signal recognition particle (SRP)–independent mRNA localization to the ER, suggesting that there are alternate paths for RNA delivery. We localized endogenously expressed mSMPs in yeast using an aptamer-based RNA-tagging procedure and fluorescence microscopy. Unlike mRNAs encoding polarity and secretion factors that colocalize with cortical ER at the bud tip, mSMPs and mRNAs encoding soluble, nonsecreted, nonpolarized proteins localized mainly to ER peripheral to the nucleus (nER). Synthetic nontranslatable uracil-rich mRNAs were also demonstrated to colocalize with nER in yeast. This mRNA–ER association was verified by subcellular fractionation and reverse transcription-PCR, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization, and was not inhibited upon SRP inactivation. To better understand mSMP targeting, we examined aptamer-tagged USE1, which encodes a tail-anchored membrane protein, and SUC2, which encodes a soluble secreted enzyme. USE1 and SUC2 mRNA targeting was not abolished by the inhibition of translation or removal of elements involved in translational control. Overall we show that mSMP targeting to the ER is both translation- and SRP-independent, and regulated by cis elements contained within the message and trans-acting RNA-binding proteins (e.g., She2, Puf2).

A new role for RINT-1 in SNARE complex assembly at the trans-Golgi network in coordination with the COG complex

Yeast Tip20, a subunit of the Dsl1 complex, is implicated in Golgi-to–endoplasmic reticulum retrograde transport. Differing from Tip20, its mammalian counterpart, RINT-1, is required for endosome-to–trans-Golgi network transport. RINT-1 in coordination with the COG complex regulates SNARE complex assembly at the trans-Golgi network.

Docking and fusion of transport vesicles/carriers with the target membrane involve a tethering factor–mediated initial contact followed by soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE)–catalyzed membrane fusion. The multisubunit tethering CATCHR family complexes (Dsl1, COG, exocyst, and GARP complexes) share very low sequence homology among subunits despite likely evolving from a common ancestor and participate in fundamentally different membrane trafficking pathways. Yeast Tip20, as a subunit of the Dsl1 complex, has been implicated in retrograde transport from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum. Our previous study showed that RINT-1, the mammalian counterpart of yeast Tip20, mediates the association of ZW10 (mammalian Dsl1) with endoplasmic reticulum–localized SNARE proteins. In the present study, we show that RINT-1 is also required for endosome-to–trans-Golgi network trafficking. RINT-1 uncomplexed with ZW10 interacts with the COG complex, another member of the CATCHR family complex, and regulates SNARE complex assembly at the trans-Golgi network. This additional role for RINT-1 may in part reflect adaptation to the demand for more diverse transport routes from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network in mammals compared with those in a unicellular organism, yeast. The present findings highlight a new role of RINT-1 in coordination with the COG complex.

Loss of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein α (αSNAP) induces epithelial cell apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and disruption of the Golgi

Intracellular trafficking represents a key mechanism that regulates cell fate by participating in either prodeath or prosurvival signaling. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein α (αSNAP) is a well known component of vesicle trafficking machinery that mediates intermembrane fusion. αSNAP increases cell resistance to cytotoxic stimuli, although mechanisms of its prosurvival function are poorly understood. In this study, we found that either siRNA-mediated knockdown of αSNAP or expression of its dominant negative mutant induced epithelial cell apoptosis. Apoptosis was not caused by activation of the major prodeath regulators Bax and p53 and was independent of a key αSNAP binding partner, NSF. Instead, death of αSNAP-depleted cells was accompanied by down-regulation of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein; it was mimicked by inhibition and attenuated by overexpression of Bcl-2. Knockdown of αSNAP resulted in impairment of Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) trafficking and fragmentation of the Golgi. Moreover, pharmacological disruption of ER-Golgi transport by brefeldin A and eeyarestatin 1 or siRNA-mediated depletion of an ER/Golgi-associated p97 ATPase recapitulated the effects of αSNAP inhibition by decreasing Bcl-2 level and triggering apoptosis. These results reveal a novel role for αSNAP in promoting epithelial cell survival by unique mechanisms involving regulation of Bcl-2 expression and Golgi biogenesis.

Oral colonization by Streptococcus mutans and caries development is reduced upon deletion of carbonic anhydrase VI expression in saliva

Carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI), encoded by type A transcripts of the gene Car6, is a secretory product of salivary glands and is found in the enamel pellicle. Because higher caries prevalence is associated with lower salivary concentrations of CA VI in humans, we tested whether CA VI protects enamel surfaces from caries induced by Streptococcus mutans, using Car6(-/-) mice, in which salivary CA VI expression is absent. We detected aberrant Car6 type A transcripts in Car6(-/-) mice, likely targets for nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Expression of the intracellular stress-induced isoform of CA VI encoded by type B transcripts was restricted to parotid and submandibular glands of wild type mice. The salivary function of Car6(-/-) mice was normal as assessed by the histology and protein/glycoprotein profiles of glands, salivary flow rates and protein/glycoprotein compositions of saliva. Surprisingly, total smooth surface caries and sulcal caries in Car6(-/-) mice were more than 6-fold and 2-fold lower than in wild type mice after infection with S. mutans strain UA159. Recoveries of S. mutans and total microbiota from molars were also lower in Car6(-/-) mice. To explore possible mechanisms for increased caries susceptibility, we found no differences in S. mutans adherence to salivary pellicles, in vitro. Interestingly, higher levels of Lactobacillus murinus and an unidentified Streptococcus species were cultivated from the oral microbiota of Car6(-/-) mice. Collective results suggest salivary CA VI may promote caries by modulating the oral microbiota to favor S. mutans colonization and/or by the enzymatic production of acid within plaque.

Arabidopsis RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 Reticulon-like proteins regulate intracellular trafficking and activity of the FLS2 immune receptor

Receptors localized at the plasma membrane are critical for the recognition of pathogens. The molecular determinants that regulate receptor transport to the plasma membrane are poorly understood. In a screen for proteins that interact with the FLAGELIN-SENSITIVE2 (FLS2) receptor using Arabidopsis thaliana protein microarrays, we identified the reticulon-like protein RTNLB1. We showed that FLS2 interacts in vivo with both RTNLB1 and its homolog RTNLB2 and that a Ser-rich region in the N-terminal tail of RTNLB1 is critical for the interaction with FLS2. Transgenic plants that lack RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 (rtnlb1 rtnlb2) or overexpress RTNLB1 (RTNLB1ox) exhibit reduced activation of FLS2-dependent signaling and increased susceptibility to pathogens. In both rtnlb1 rtnlb2 and RTNLB1ox, FLS2 accumulation at the plasma membrane was significantly affected compared with the wild type. Transient overexpression of RTNLB1 led to FLS2 retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and affected FLS2 glycosylation but not FLS2 stability. Removal of the critical N-terminal Ser-rich region or either of the two Tyr-dependent sorting motifs from RTNLB1 causes partial reversion of the negative effects of excess RTNLB1 on FLS2 transport out of the ER and accumulation at the membrane. The results are consistent with a model whereby RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 regulate the transport of newly synthesized FLS2 to the plasma membrane.

Cardiomyocyte-specific disruption of Serca2 in adult mice causes sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis

Reduced sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2) contributes to the impaired cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) homeostasis observed in heart failure. We hypothesized that a reduction in SERCA2 also elicits myocardial ER/SR stress responses, including unfolded protein responses (UPR) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which may additionally contribute to the pathophysiology of this condition. Left ventricular myocardium from mice with cardiomyocyte-specific tamoxifen-inducible disruption of Serca2 (SERCA2 KO) was compared with aged-matched controls. In SERCA2 KO hearts, SERCA2 protein levels were markedly reduced to 2% of control values at 7 weeks following tamoxifen treatment. Serca2 disruption caused increased abundance of the ER stress-associated proteins CRT, GRP78, PERK, and eIF2α and increased phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α, indicating UPR induction. Pro-apoptotic signaling was also activated in SERCA2 KO, as the abundance of CHOP, caspase 12, and Bax was increased. Indeed, TUNEL staining revealed an increased fraction of cardiomyocytes undergoing apoptosis in SERCA2 KO. ER-Tracker staining additionally revealed altered ER structure. These findings indicate that reduction in SERCA2 protein abundance is associated with marked ER/SR stress in cardiomyocytes, which induces UPR, apoptosis, and ER/SR structural alterations. This suggests that reduced SERCA2 abundance or function may contribute to the phenotype of heart failure also through induction of ER/SR stress responses.

Dsl1p/Zw10: common mechanisms behind tethering vesicles and microtubules

Fusion of Golgi-derived COP (coat protein)-I vesicles with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is initiated by specific tethering complexes: the Dsl1 (depends on SLY1-20) complex in yeast and the syntaxin 18 complex in mammalian cells. Both tethering complexes are firmly associated with soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) at the ER. The structure of the Dsl1 tethering complex has been determined recently. The complex seems to be designed to expose an unstructured domain of Dsl1p at its top, which is required to capture vesicles. The subunit composition and the interactions within the equivalent mammalian complex are similar. Interestingly, some of the mammalian counterparts have additional functions during mitosis in animal cells. Zw10, the metazoan homolog of Dsl1p, is an important component of a complex that monitors the correct tethering of microtubules to kinetochores during cell division. This review brings together evidence to suggest that there could be common mechanisms behind these different activities, giving clues as to how they might have evolved.

A missense mutation in the Arabidopsis COPII coat protein Sec24A induces the formation of clusters of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus

How the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus maintain their morphological and functional identity while working in concert to ensure the production of biomolecules necessary for the cell's survival is a fundamental question in plant biology. Here, we isolated and characterized an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that partially accumulates Golgi membrane markers and a soluble secretory marker in globular structures composed of a mass of convoluted ER tubules that maintain a connection with the bulk ER. We established that the aberrant phenotype was due to a missense recessive mutation in sec24A, one of the three Arabidopsis isoforms encoding the coat protomer complex II (COPII) protein Sec24, and that the mutation affects the distribution of this critical component at ER export sites. By contrast, total loss of sec24A function was lethal, suggesting that Arabidopsis sec24A is an essential gene. These results produce important insights into the functional diversification of plant COPII coat components and the role of these proteins in maintaining the dynamic identity of organelles of the early plant secretory pathway.

Role of syntaxin 18 in the organization of endoplasmic reticulum subdomains

The presence of subdomains in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enables this organelle to perform a variety of functions, yet the mechanisms underlying their organization are poorly understood. In the present study, we show that syntaxin 18, a SNAP (soluble NSF attachment protein) receptor localized in the ER, is important for the organization of two ER subdomains, smooth/rough ER membranes and ER exit sites. Knockdown of syntaxin 18 caused a global change in ER membrane architecture, leading to the segregation of the smooth and rough ER. Furthermore, the organization of ER exit sites was markedly changed concomitantly with dispersion of the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment and the Golgi complex. These morphological changes in the ER were substantially recovered by treatment of syntaxin-18-depleted cells with brefeldin A, a reagent that stimulates retrograde membrane flow to the ER. These results suggest that syntaxin 18 has an important role in ER subdomain organization by mediating the fusion of retrograde membrane carriers with the ER membrane.

Identification of the neuroblastoma-amplified gene product as a component of the syntaxin 18 complex implicated in Golgi-to-endoplasmic reticulum retrograde transport

Syntaxin 18, a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein implicated in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane fusion, forms a complex with other SNAREs (BNIP1, p31, and Sec22b) and several peripheral membrane components (Sly1, ZW10, and RINT-1). In the present study, we showed that a peripheral membrane protein encoded by the neuroblastoma-amplified gene (NAG) is a subunit of the syntaxin 18 complex. NAG encodes a protein of 2371 amino acids, which exhibits weak similarity to yeast Dsl3p/Sec39p, an 82-kDa component of the complex containing the yeast syntaxin 18 orthologue Ufe1p. Under conditions favoring SNARE complex disassembly, NAG was released from syntaxin 18 but remained in a p31-ZW10-RINT-1 subcomplex. Binding studies showed that the extreme N-terminal region of p31 is responsible for the interaction with NAG and that the N- and the C-terminal regions of NAG interact with p31 and ZW10-RINT-1, respectively. Knockdown of NAG resulted in a reduction in the expression of p31, confirming their intimate relationship. NAG depletion did not substantially affect Golgi morphology and protein export from the ER, but it caused redistribution of Golgi recycling proteins accompanied by a defect in protein glycosylation. These results together suggest that NAG links between p31 and ZW10-RINT-1 and is involved in Golgi-to-ER transport.