scholarly journals Endoplasmic Reticulum–Mitochondria Contact Sites—Emerging Intracellular Signaling Hubs

Author(s):  
Saeko Aoyama-Ishiwatari ◽  
Yusuke Hirabayashi

It has become apparent that our textbook illustration of singular isolated organelles is obsolete. In reality, organelles form complex cooperative networks involving various types of organelles. Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies have revealed that mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCSs) are abundant in various tissues and cell types. Indeed, MERCSs have been proposed to play critical roles in various biochemical and signaling functions such as Ca2+ homeostasis, lipid transfer, and regulation of organelle dynamics. While numerous proteins involved in these MERCS-dependent functions have been reported, how they coordinate and cooperate with each other has not yet been elucidated. In this review, we summarize the functions of mammalian proteins that localize at MERCSs and regulate their formation. We also discuss potential roles of the MERCS proteins in regulating multiple organelle contacts.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishal Basak ◽  
Harini Krishnan ◽  
Padinjat Raghu

Abstract During phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) signalling in Drosophila photoreceptors, the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) RDGB, is required for lipid transfer at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) contact sites (MCS). Depletion of RDGB or its mis-localization away from the ER-PM MCS results in multiple defects in photoreceptor function. Previously, the interaction between the FFAT motif of RDGB and the integral ER protein dVAP-A was shown to be essential for accurate localization to ER-PM MCS. Here, we report that the FFAT/dVAP-A interaction alone is insufficient to localize RDGB accurately; this also requires the function of the C-terminal domains, DDHD and LNS2. Mutations in each of these domains results in mis-localization of RDGB leading to loss of function. While the LNS2 domain is necessary, it is not sufficient for the correct localization of RDGB, which also requires the C-terminal DDHD domain. The function of the DDHD domain is mediated through an intramolecular interaction with the LNS2 domain. Thus, interactions between the additional domains in a multi-domain PITP together lead to accurate localization at the MCS and signalling function.


Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 369 (6508) ◽  
pp. eaaz7714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Sawa-Makarska ◽  
Verena Baumann ◽  
Nicolas Coudevylle ◽  
Sören von Bülow ◽  
Veronika Nogellova ◽  
...  

Autophagosomes form de novo in a manner that is incompletely understood. Particularly enigmatic are autophagy-related protein 9 (Atg9)–containing vesicles that are required for autophagy machinery assembly but do not supply the bulk of the autophagosomal membrane. In this study, we reconstituted autophagosome nucleation using recombinant components from yeast. We found that Atg9 proteoliposomes first recruited the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase complex, followed by Atg21, the Atg2-Atg18 lipid transfer complex, and the E3-like Atg12–Atg5-Atg16 complex, which promoted Atg8 lipidation. Furthermore, we found that Atg2 could transfer lipids for Atg8 lipidation. In selective autophagy, these reactions could potentially be coupled to the cargo via the Atg19-Atg11-Atg9 interactions. We thus propose that Atg9 vesicles form seeds that establish membrane contact sites to initiate lipid transfer from compartments such as the endoplasmic reticulum.


Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishal Basak ◽  
Harini Krishnan ◽  
Padinjat Raghu

ABSTRACT During phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) signalling in Drosophila photoreceptors, the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) RDGB, is required for lipid transfer at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–plasma membrane (PM) contact sites (MCS). Depletion of RDGB or its mis-localization away from the ER–PM MCS results in multiple defects in photoreceptor function. Previously, the interaction between the FFAT motif of RDGB and the integral ER protein dVAP-A was shown to be essential for accurate localization to ER–PM MCS. Here, we report that the FFAT/dVAP-A interaction alone is insufficient to localize RDGB accurately; this also requires the function of the C-terminal domains, DDHD and LNS2. Mutations in each of these domains results in mis-localization of RDGB leading to loss of function. While the LNS2 domain is necessary, it is not sufficient for the correct localization of RDGB, which also requires the C-terminal DDHD domain. The function of the DDHD domain is mediated through an intramolecular interaction with the LNS2 domain. Thus, interactions between the additional domains in a multi-domain PITP together lead to accurate localization at the MCS and signalling function. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Gallo ◽  
Lydia Danglot ◽  
Francesca Giordano ◽  
Thomas Binz ◽  
Christian Vannier ◽  
...  

SummaryAxons and dendrites are long and often ramified neurites that need particularly intense plasma membrane (PM) expansion during the development of the nervous system. Neurite growth depends on non-fusogenic Sec22b–Stx1 SNARE complexes at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-PM contacts. Here we show that Sec22b interacts with the endoplasmic reticulum lipid transfer proteins Extended-Synaptotagmins (E-Syts) and this interaction depends on the Longin domain of Sec22b. Overexpression of E-Syts stabilizes Sec22b-Stx1 association, whereas silencing of E-Syts has the opposite effect. Overexpression of wild-type E-Syt2, but not mutants unable to transfer lipids or attach to the ER, increase the formation of axonal filopodia and ramification of neurites in developing neurons. This effect is inhibited by a clostridial neurotoxin cleaving Stx1, expression of Sec22b Longin domain and a Sec22b mutant with extended linker between SNARE and transmembrane domains. We conclude that Sec22b-Stx1 ER-PM contact sites contribute to PM expansion by interacting with lipid transfer proteins such as E-Syts.


Author(s):  
Bailey Hewlett ◽  
Neha Pratap Singh ◽  
Christian Vannier ◽  
Thierry Galli

The compartmentalisation achieved by confining cytoplasm into membrane-enclosed organelles in eukaryotic cells is essential for maintaining vital functions including ATP production, synthetic and degradative pathways. While intracellular organelles are highly specialised in these functions, the restricting membranes also impede exchange of molecules responsible for the synchronised and responsive cellular activities. The initial identification of contact sites between the ER and plasma membrane (PM) provided a potential candidate structure for communication between organelles without mixing by fusion. Over the past decades, research has revealed a far broader picture of the events. Membrane contact sites (MCSs) have been recognized as increasingly important actors in cell differentiation, plasticity and maintenance, and, upon dysfunction, responsible for pathological conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Present in multiple organelles and cell types, MCSs promote transport of lipids and Ca2+ homoeostasis, with a range of associated protein families. Interestingly, each MCS displays a unique molecular signature, adapted to organelle functions. This review will explore the literature describing the molecular components and interactions taking place at ER-PM contact sites, their functions, and implications in eukaryotic cells, particularly neurons, with emphasis on lipid transfer proteins and emerging function of SNAREs.


Author(s):  
Juan Martín D’Ambrosio ◽  
Véronique Albanèse ◽  
Nicolas-Frédéric Lipp ◽  
Lucile Fleuriot ◽  
Delphine Debayle ◽  
...  

AbstractOsh6 and Osh7 are lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) that move phosphatidylserine (PS) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane (PM). High PS level at the PM is key for many cellular functions. Intriguingly, Osh6/7 localize to ER-PM contact sites, although they lack membrane-targeting motifs, in contrast to multidomain LTPs that both bridge membranes and convey lipids. We show that Osh6 localization to contact sites depends on its interaction with the cytosolic tail of the ER-PM tether Ist2, a homologue of TMEM16 proteins. We identify a motif in the Ist2 tail, conserved in yeasts, as the Osh6-binding region, and we map an Ist2-binding surface on Osh6. Mutations in the Ist2 tail phenocopy osh6Δ osh7Δ deletion: they decrease cellular PS levels, and block PS transport to the PM. Our study unveils an unexpected partnership between a TMEM16-like protein and a soluble LTP, which together mediate lipid transport at contact sites.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishal Basak ◽  
Harini Krishnan ◽  
Padinjat Raghu

SummaryIn Drosophila photoreceptors, following Phospholipase C-β activation, the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) RDGB, is required to maintain lipid homeostasis at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plasma membrane (PM) membrane contact sites (MCS). Depletion or mis-localization of RDGB results in multiple defects in photoreceptors. Previously, interaction between the FFAT motif of RDGB with the integral ER protein dVAP-A was shown to be important for its localization at ER-PM MCS. Here, we report that in addition to FFAT motif, a large unstructured region (USR1) of RDGB is required to support the RDGB/dVAP-A interaction. However, interaction with dVAP-A alone is insufficient for accurate localization of RDGB: this also requires association of RDGB with apical PM, through its C-terminal LNS2 domain. Deletion of LNS2 domain results in complete mis-localisation of RDGB and also induces large mis-regulated interdomain movements abrogating RDGB function. Thus, multiple independent interactions between individual domains of RDGB supports its function at ER-PM MCS.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Guyard ◽  
Vera F Monteiro-Cardoso ◽  
Mohyeddine Omrane ◽  
Cecile Sauvanet ◽  
Audrey Houcine ◽  
...  

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the primary organelles of lipid storage, buffering energy fluctuations of the cell. They store neutral lipids in their core that is surrounded by a protein-decorated phospholipid monolayer. LDs arise from the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). The ER-protein seipin, localizing at ER-LD junctions, controls LD nucleation and growth. However, how LD biogenesis is spatially and temporally coordinated remains elusive. Here, we show that the lipid transfer proteins ORP5 and ORP8 control LD biogenesis at Mitochondria-Associated ER Membrane (MAM) subdomains, enriched in phosphatidic acid. We found that ORP5/8 regulate seipin recruitment to these MAM-LD contacts, and their loss impairs LD biogenesis. Importantly, the integrity of ER-mitochondria contact sites is crucial for the ORP5/8 function in regulating seipin-mediated LD biogenesis. Our study uncovers an unprecedented ORP5/8 role in orchestrating LD biogenesis at MAMs and brings novel insights into the metabolic crosstalk between mitochondria, ER, and LDs at membrane contact sites.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (2) ◽  
pp. C93-C102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Oakes

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an intracellular signaling network largely controlled by three endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane proteins, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α, PRK-like ER kinase, and activating transcription factor 6, that monitor the protein-folding status of the ER and initiate corrective measures to maintain ER homeostasis. Hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, proteasome dysfunction, sustained demands on the secretory pathway or somatic mutations in its client proteins, conditions often encountered by cancer cells, can lead to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER and cause “ER stress.” Under remediable levels of ER stress, the homeostatic UPR outputs activate transcriptional and translational changes that promote cellular adaptation. However, if the ER stress is irreversible despite these measures, a terminal UPR program supersedes that actively signals cell destruction. In addition to its prosurvival and prodeath outputs, the UPR is now recognized to play a major role in the differentiation and activation of specific immune cells, as well as proinflammatory cytokine production in many cell types. Given the numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors that threaten the fidelity of the secretory pathway in cancer cells, it is not surprising that ER stress is documented in many solid and hematopoietic malignancies, but whether ongoing UPR signaling is beneficial or detrimental to tumor growth remains hotly debated. Here I review recent evidence that cancer cells are prone to loss of proteostasis within the ER, and hence may be susceptible to targeted interventions that either reduce homeostatic UPR outputs or alternatively trigger the terminal UPR.


eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto T Gatta ◽  
Louise H Wong ◽  
Yves Y Sere ◽  
Diana M Calderón-Noreña ◽  
Shamshad Cockcroft ◽  
...  

Sterol traffic between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plasma membrane (PM) is a fundamental cellular process that occurs by a poorly understood non-vesicular mechanism. We identified a novel, evolutionarily diverse family of ER membrane proteins with StART-like lipid transfer domains and studied them in yeast. StART-like domains from Ysp2p and its paralog Lam4p specifically bind sterols, and Ysp2p, Lam4p and their homologs Ysp1p and Sip3p target punctate ER-PM contact sites distinct from those occupied by known ER-PM tethers. The activity of Ysp2p, reflected in amphotericin-sensitivity assays, requires its second StART-like domain to be positioned so that it can reach across ER-PM contacts. Absence of Ysp2p, Ysp1p or Sip3p reduces the rate at which exogenously supplied sterols traffic from the PM to the ER. Our data suggest that these StART-like proteins act in trans to mediate a step in sterol exchange between the PM and ER.


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