scholarly journals An ambiguous N-terminus drives the dual targeting of an antioxidant protein Thioredoxin peroxidase (TgTPx1/2) to endosymbiotic organelles in Toxoplasma gondii

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragati Mastud ◽  
Swati Patankar

AbstractToxoplasma gondii harbors two endosymbiotic organelles: a relict plastid, the apicoplast and a mitochondrion. The parasite expresses an antioxidant protein, thioredoxin peroxidase 1/2 (TgTPx1/2), that is dually targeted to these organelles. Nuclear-encoded proteins such as TgTPx1/2 are trafficked to the apicoplast via a secretory route through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and to the mitochondrion via a non-secretory pathway comprising of translocon uptake. Given the two distinct trafficking pathways for localization to the two organelles, the signals in TgTPx1/2 for this dual targeting are open areas of investigation. Here we show that the signals for apicoplast and mitochondrial trafficking lie in the N-terminal 50 amino acids of the protein and are overlapping. Interestingly, mutational analysis of the overlapping stretch shows that despite this overlap, the signals for individual organellar uptake can be easily separated. Further, deletions in the N-terminus also reveal a 10 amino acid stretch that is responsible for targeting the protein from punctate structures surrounding the apicoplast into the organelle itself. Collectively, results presented in this report suggest that an ambiguous signal sequence for organellar uptake combined with a hierarchy of recognition by the protein trafficking machinery drives the dual targeting of TgTPx1/2.

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragati Mastud ◽  
Swati Patankar

Toxoplasma gondii harbors two endosymbiotic organelles: a relict plastid, the apicoplast, and a mitochondrion. The parasite expresses an antioxidant protein, thioredoxin peroxidase 1/2 (TgTPx1/2), that is dually targeted to these organelles. Nuclear-encoded proteins such as TgTPx1/2 are trafficked to the apicoplast via a secretory route through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and to the mitochondrion via a non-secretory pathway comprising of translocon uptake. Given the two distinct trafficking pathways for localization to the two organelles, the signals in TgTPx1/2 for this dual targeting are open areas of investigation. Here we show that the signals for apicoplast and mitochondrial trafficking lie in the N-terminal 50 amino acids of the protein and are overlapping. Interestingly, mutational analysis of the overlapping stretch shows that despite this overlap, the signals for individual organellar uptake can be easily separated. Further, deletions in the N-terminus also reveal a 10 amino acid stretch that is responsible for targeting the protein from punctate structures surrounding the apicoplast into the organelle itself. Collectively, results presented in this report suggest that an ambiguous signal sequence for organellar uptake combined with a hierarchy of recognition by the protein trafficking machinery drives the dual targeting of TgTPx1/2.


2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar S. Harb ◽  
Bithi Chatterjee ◽  
Martin J. Fraunholz ◽  
Michael J. Crawford ◽  
Manami Nishi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Most species of the protozoan phylum Apicomplexa harbor an endosymbiotic organelle—the apicoplast—acquired when an ancestral parasite engulfed a eukaryotic plastid-containing alga. Several hundred proteins are encoded in the parasite nucleus and are posttranslationally targeted to the apicoplast by a distinctive bipartite signal. The N-terminal 20 to 30 amino acids of nucleus-encoded apicoplast targeted proteins function as a classical signal sequence, mediating entry into the secretory pathway. Cleavage of the signal sequence exposes a transit peptide of variable length (50 to 200 amino acids) that is required for directing proteins to the apicoplast. Although these peptides are enriched in basic amino acids, their structural and functional characteristics are not well understood, which hampers the identification of apicoplast proteins that may constitute novel chemotherapeutic targets. To identify functional domains for a model apicoplast transit peptide, we generated more than 80 deletions and mutations throughout the transit peptide of Toxoplasma gondii ferredoxin NADP+ reductase (TgFNR) and examined the ability of these altered transit peptides to mediate proper targeting and processing of a fluorescent protein reporter. These studies revealed the presence of numerous functional domains. Processing can take place at multiple sites in the protein sequence and may occur outside of the apicoplast lumen. The TgFNR transit peptide contains at least two independent and functionally redundant targeting signals, each of which contains a subdomain that is required for release from or proper sorting within the endoplasmic reticulum. Certain deletion constructs traffic to multiple locations, including the apicoplast periphery, the rhoptries, and the parasitophorous vacuole, suggesting a common thread for targeting to these specialized compartments.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Prasad ◽  
Pragati Mastud ◽  
Swati Patankar

ABSTRACTLike other apicomplexan parasites, Toxoplasma gondii harbours a four-membraned endosymbiotic organelle - the apicoplast. Apicoplast proteins are nuclear-encoded and trafficked to the organelle through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). From the ER to the apicoplast, two distinct protein trafficking pathways can be used. One such pathway is the cell’s secretory pathway involving the Golgi, while the other is a unique Golgi-independent pathway. Using different experimental approaches, many apicoplast proteins have been shown to utilize the Golgi-independent pathway, while a handful of reports show that a few proteins use the Golgi-dependent pathway. This has led to an emphasis towards the unique Golgi-independent pathway when apicoplast protein trafficking is discussed in the literature. Additionally, the molecular features that drive proteins to each pathway are not known. In this report, we systematically test eight apicoplast proteins, using a C-terminal HDEL sequence to assess the role of the Golgi in their transport. We demonstrate that dually localised proteins of the apicoplast and mitochondrion (TgSOD2, TgTPx1/2 and TgACN) are trafficked through the Golgi while proteins localised exclusively to the apicoplast are trafficked independent of the Golgi. Mutants of the dually localised proteins that localised exclusively to the apicoplast also showed trafficking through the Golgi. Phylogenetic analysis of TgSOD2, TgTPx1/2 and TgACN suggested that the evolutionary origins of TgSOD2, TgTPx1/2 lie in the mitochondrion while TgACN appears to have originated from the apicoplast. Collectively, with these results, for the first time, we establish that the driver of the Golgi-dependent trafficking route to the apicoplast is the dual localisation of the protein to the apicoplast and the mitochondrion.


1996 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
M N Oda ◽  
S V Scott ◽  
A Hefner-Gravink ◽  
A D Caffarelli ◽  
D J Klionsky

Aminopeptidase I (API) is a soluble leucine aminopeptidase resident in the yeast vacuole (Frey, J., and K.H. Rohm. 1978. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 527:31-41). The precursor form of API contains an amino-terminal 45-amino acid propeptide, which is removed by proteinase B (PrB) upon entry into the vacuole. The propeptide of API lacks a consensus signal sequence and it has been demonstrated that vacuolar localization of API is independent of the secretory pathway (Klionsky, D.J., R. Cueva, and D.S. Yaver. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 119:287-299). The predicted secondary structure for the API propeptide is composed of an amphipathic alpha-helix followed by a beta-turn and another alpha-helix, forming a helix-turn-helix structure. With the use of mutational analysis, we determined that the API propeptide is essential for proper transport into the vacuole. Deletion of the entire propeptide from the API molecule resulted in accumulation of a mature-sized protein in the cytosol. A more detailed examination using random mutagenesis and a series of smaller deletions throughout the propeptide revealed that API localization is severely affected by alterations within the predicted first alpha-helix. In vitro studies indicate that mutations in this predicted helix prevent productive binding interactions from taking place. In contrast, vacuolar import is relatively insensitive to alterations in the second predicted helix of the propeptide. Examination of API folding revealed that mutations that affect entry into the vacuole did not affect the structure of API. These data indicate that the API propeptide serves as a vacuolar targeting determinant at a critical step along the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting pathway.


Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 1277-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh R Naik ◽  
Elizabeth W Jones

Abstract The vacuolar hydrolase protease B in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is synthesized as an inactive precursor (Prb1p). The precursor undergoes post-translational modifications while transiting the secretory pathway. In addition to N- and O -linked glycosylations, four proteolytic cleavages occur during the maturation of Prb1p. Removal of the signal peptide by signal peptidase and the autocatalytic cleavage of the large aminoterminal propeptide occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Two carboxy-terminal cleavages of the post regions occur in the vacuole: the first cleavage is catalyzed by protease A and the second results from autocatalysis. We have isolated a mutant, pbn1-1, that exhibits a defect in the ER processing of Prb1p. The autocatalytic cleavage of the propeptide from Prb1p does not occur and Prb1p is rapidly degraded in the cytosol. PBN1 was cloned and is identical to YCL052c on chromosome III. PBN1 is an essential gene that encodes a novel protein. Pbn1p is predicted to contain a sub-C-terminal transmembrane domain but no signal sequence. A functional HA epitope-tagged Pbn1p fusion localizes to the ER. Pbn1p is N-glycosylated in its amino-terminal domain, indicating a lumenal orientation despite the lack of a signal sequence. Based on these results, we propose that one of the functions of Pbn1p is to aid in the autocatalytic processing of Prb1p.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2382-2391
Author(s):  
C A Kaiser ◽  
D Botstein

Nine mutations in the signal sequence region of the gene specifying the secreted Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme invertase were constructed in vitro. The consequences of these mutations were studied after returning the mutated genes to yeast cells. Short deletions and two extensive substitution mutations allowed normal expression and secretion of invertase. Other substitution mutations and longer deletions blocked the formation of extracellular invertase. Yeast cells carrying this second class of mutant gene expressed novel active internal forms of invertase that exhibited the following properties. The new internal proteins had the mobilities in denaturing gels expected of invertase polypeptides that had retained a defective signal sequence and were otherwise unmodified. The large increase in molecular weight characteristic of glycosylation was not seen. On nondenaturing gels the mutant enzymes were found as heterodimers with a normal form of invertase that is known to be cytoplasmic, showing that the mutant forms of the enzyme are assembled in the same compartment as the cytoplasmic enzyme. All of the mutant enzymes were soluble and not associated with the membrane components after fractionation of crude cell extracts on sucrose gradients. Therefore, these signal sequence mutations result in the production of active internal invertase that has lost the ability to enter the secretory pathway. This demonstrates that the signal sequence is required for the earliest steps in membrane translocation.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Linnemannstöns ◽  
Pradhipa Karuna M ◽  
Leonie Witte ◽  
Jeanette Clarissa Kittel ◽  
Adi Danieli ◽  
...  

Protein trafficking in the secretory pathway, for example the secretion of Wnt proteins, requires tight regulation. These ligands activate Wnt signaling pathways and are crucially involved in development and disease. Wnt is transported to the plasma membrane by its cargo receptor Evi, where Wnt/Evi complexes are endocytosed and sorted onto exosomes for long-range secretion. However, the trafficking steps within the endosomal compartment are not fully understood. The promiscuous SNARE Ykt6 folds into an auto-inhibiting conformation in the cytosol, but a portion associates with membranes by its farnesylated and palmitoylated C-terminus. Here, we demonstrate that membrane detachment of Ykt6 is essential for exosomal Wnt secretion. We identified conserved phosphorylation sites within the SNARE domain of Ykt6, which block Ykt6 cycling from the membrane to the cytosol. In Drosophila, Ykt6-RNAi mediated block of Wg secretion is rescued by wildtype but not phosphomimicking Ykt6. The latter accumulates at membranes, while wildtype Ykt6 regulates Wnt trafficking between the plasma membrane and multivesicular bodies. Taken together, we show that a regulatory switch in Ykt6 fine-tunes sorting of Wnts in endosomes.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 2369-2376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmistha Ghosh ◽  
Sarah Hevi ◽  
Steven L. Chuck

Abstract Serum ferritin has been used widely in clinical medicine chiefly as an indicator of iron stores and inflammation. Circulating ferritin also can have paracrine effects. Despite the clinical significance of serum ferritin, its secretion remains an enigma. The consensus view is that serum ferritin arises from tissue ferritins— principally ferritin light—which can be glycosylated. Ferritin heavy and light chains are cytosolic proteins that form cages of 24 subunits to store intracellular iron. We show that ferritin light is secreted when its expression is increased in stable, transfected HepG2 cells or adenovirus-infected HepG2 cells. Export occurs through the classical secretory pathway and some chains are N-glycosylated. Ferritins do not need to form cages prior to secretion. Secretion is blocked specifically, effectively, and rapidly by a factor in serum. The timing of this inhibition of ferritin secretion suggests that normally cytosolic ferritin L is targeted to the secretory pathway during translation despite the absence of a conventional signal sequence. Thus, secretion of glycosylated and unglycosylated ferritin is a regulated and not a stochastic process.


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