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S D Emr

Publications and source records attributed to S D Emr.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

VPS21 encodes a rab5-like GTP binding protein that is required for the sorting of yeast vacuolar proteins.

Many of the vacuolar protein sorting (vps) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit severe defects in the sorting of vacuolar proteins but still retain near-normal vacuole morphology. The gene affected in one such mutant, vps21, has been cloned and found to encode a member of the ras-like GTP binding protein family. Sequence comparisons with other known GTP binding proteins indicate that Vps21p is unique but shares striking similarity with mammalian rab5 proteins (> 50% identity and > 70% similarity). Regions with highest similarity are clustered within the putative GTP binding motifs and the proposed effector domains of the Vps21/rab5 proteins. Point mutations constructed within these conserved regions inactivate Vps21p function; the mutant cells missort and secrete the soluble vacuolar hydrolase carboxypeptidase Y (CPY). Cells carrying a complete deletion of the VPS21 coding sequence (i) are viable but exhibit a growth defect at 38 degrees C, (ii) missort multiple vacuolar proteins, (iii) accumulate 40-50 nm vesicles and (iv) contain a large vacuole. VPS21 encodes a 22 kDa protein that binds GTP and fractionates with subcellular membranes. Mutant analysis indicates that the association with a membrane(s) is dependent on geranylgeranylation of the C-terminal cysteine residue(s) of Vps21p. We propose that Vps21p functions in the targeting and/or fusion of transport vesicles that mediate the delivery of proteins to the vacuole.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Signal-mediated retrieval of a membrane protein from the Golgi to the ER in yeast.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Wbp1 protein is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER), type I transmembrane protein which contains a cytoplasmic dilysine (KKXX) motif. This motif has previously been shown to direct Golgi-to-ER retrieval of type I membrane proteins in mammalian cells (Jackson, M. R., T. Nilsson, and P. A. Peterson. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 121: 317-333). To analyze the role of this motif in yeast, we constructed a SUC2-WBP1 chimera consisting of the coding sequence for the normally secreted glycoprotein invertase fused to the coding sequence of the COOH terminus (including the transmembrane domain and 16-amino acid cytoplasmic tail) of Wbplp. Carbohydrate analysis of the invertase-Wbp1 fusion protein using mannose linkage-specific antiserum demonstrated that the fusion protein was efficiently modified by the early Golgi initial alpha 1,6 mannosyltransferase (Och1p). Subcellular fractionation revealed that > 90% of the alpha 1,6 mannose-modified fusion protein colocalized with the ER (Wbp1p) and not with the Golgi Och1p-containing compartment or other membrane fractions. Amino acid changes within the dily sine motif (KK-->QK, KQ, or QQ) did not change the kinetics of initial alpha 1,6 mannose modification of the fusion protein but did dramatically increase the rate of modification by more distal Golgi (elongating alpha 1,6 and alpha 1,3) mannosyltransferases. These mutant fusion proteins were then delivered directly from a late Golgi compartment to the vacuole, where they were proteolytically cleaved in a PEP4-dependent manner. While amino acids surrounding the dilysine motif played only a minor role in retention ability, mutations that altered the position of the lysines relative to the COOH terminus of the fusion protein also yielded a dramatic defect in ER retention. Collectively, our results indicate that the KKXX motif does not simply retain proteins in the ER but rather directs their rapid retrieval from a novel, Och1p-containing early Golgi compartment. Similar to observations in mammalian cells, it is the presence of two lysine residues at the appropriate COOH-terminal position which represents the most important features of this sorting determinant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clathrin-dependent localization of alpha 1,3 mannosyltransferase to the Golgi complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Posttranslational modification of yeast glycoproteins with alpha 1,3-linked mannose is initiated within a Golgi compartment analogous to the medial Golgi cisternae of higher eukaryotes. We have characterized the synthesis, posttranslational modification, and localization of the yeast alpha 1,3 mannosyltransferase (Mnn1p) using antibodies prepared against a segment of this protein expressed in bacteria. Mnn1p is initially synthesized as a 98.5-kD, type II integral membrane glycoprotein that is modified with both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. It is subject to a slow, incremental increase in molecular mass that is dependent upon protein transport to the Golgi complex. Self-modification of Mnn1p with alpha 1,3 mannose epitopes, primarily on O-linked oligosaccharides, is at least partly responsible for the incremental increase in molecular mass. Mnn1p is a resident protein of the Golgi complex and colocalizes with guanosine diphosphatase to at least two physically distinct Golgi compartments by sucrose gradient fractionation, one of which may be a late Golgi compartment that also contains the Kex2 endopeptidase. Surprisingly, we found that a significant fraction of Mnn1p is mislocalized to the plasma membrane in a clathrin heavy chain temperature sensitive mutant while guanosine diphosphatase remains intracellular. A mutant Mnn1p that lacks the NH2-terminal cytoplasmic tail is properly localized to the Golgi complex, indicating that clathrin does not mediate Mnnlp Golgi retention by a direct interaction with the Mnn1p cytoplasmic tail. These results indicate that clathrin plays a broader role in the localization of Golgi proteins than anticipated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutations in the VPS45 gene, a SEC1 homologue, result in vacuolar protein sorting defects and accumulation of membrane vesicles.

Genetic analyses of vacuolar protein sorting in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have uncovered a large number of mutants (vps) that missort and secrete vacuolar hydrolases. A small subset of vps mutants exhibit a temperature-conditional growth phenotype and show a severe defect in the localization of soluble vacuolar proteins, yet maintain a near-normal vacuole structure. Here, we report on the cloning and characterization of the gene affected in one of these mutants, VPS45, which has been found to encode a member of a protein family that includes the yeast proteins Sec1p, Sly1p and Vps33p, as well as n-Sec1, UNC18 and Rop from other eukaryotic organisms. These proteins are thought to participate in vesicle-mediated protein transport events. Polyclonal antiserum raised against a TrpE-Vps45 fusion protein specifically detects a stable 67 kDa protein in labeled yeast cell extracts. Subcellular fractionation studies demonstrate that the majority of Vps45p is associated with a high-speed membrane pellet fraction that includes Golgi, transport vesicles and, potentially, endosomal membranes. Significantly, this fraction lacks ER, vacuole and plasma membranes. Overexpression of Vps45p saturates the sites with which Vps45p associates. A vps45 null mutant accumulates vesicles, many of which were found to be present in large clusters. This accumulation of potential transport vesicles indicates that Vps45p may facilitate the targeting and/or fusion of these vesicles in the vacuolar protein sorting pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase encoded by yeast VPS34 gene essential for protein sorting.

The VPS34 gene product (Vps34p) is required for protein sorting to the lysosome-like vacuole of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Vps34p shares significant sequence similarity with the catalytic subunit of bovine phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase [the 110-kilodalton (p110) subunit of PI 3-kinase], which is known to interact with activated cell surface receptor tyrosine kinases. Yeast strains deleted for the VPS34 gene or carrying vps34 point mutations lacked detectable PI 3-kinase activity and exhibited severe defects in vacuolar protein sorting. Overexpression of Vps34p resulted in an increase in PI 3-kinase activity, and this activity was specifically precipitated with antisera to Vps34p. VPS34 encodes a yeast PI 3-kinase, and this enzyme appears to regulate intracellular protein trafficking decisions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The VPS16 gene product associates with a sedimentable protein complex and is essential for vacuolar protein sorting in yeast.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar protein sorting mutant, vps16, exhibits pleiotropic defects in vacuolar protein targeting and vacuole morphology. To understand the role of the VPS16 gene in vacuolar protein sorting and organelle assembly, a vps16 ts mutant was used to clone the wild-type gene. DNA sequence analysis identified a single open reading frame within a vps16 complementing DNA fragment, capable of encoding a protein of 92,000 Da. Hydrophobicity analysis indicates that the Vps16 protein (Vps16p) is hydrophilic and contains no obvious signal sequence or membrane spanning domains. Gene disruption experiments have shown that VPS16 is not essential. delta vps16 cells exhibit, 1) a severe defect in vacuolar protein sorting; 2) a ts growth defect; 3) a grossly abnormal vacuole morphology, no normal vacuole compartment(s) is present; and 4) a defect in alpha-factor processing. A trpE-Vps16 fusion protein has been used to generate polyclonal antiserum. This antiserum detects an unglycosylated protein of 90,000 Da. Subcellular fractionation studies indicate that the vast majority of the VPS16 gene product is associated with a particulate cell fraction. This association is resistant to detergent and salt extractions, but Vps16p can be extracted with 6 M urea and alkali buffer. In addition, overexpression of Vps16p appears to saturate the association sites available in this sedimentable structure. These data indicate that Vps16p may be specifically associated with a large protein complex, or with a limited number of sites on cytoskeletal elements of the cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The yeast VPS17 gene encodes a membrane-associated protein required for the sorting of soluble vacuolar hydrolases.

vps17 mutants missort and secrete several vacuolar hydrolases. To analyze the role of the VPS17 gene in vacuolar protein delivery, we have cloned this gene by complementation of the vacuolar protein sorting defects of a vps17-5 mutant. Disruption of the VPS17 gene had no effect on the viability of haploid yeast cells, although they show an obvious defect in vacuolar morphology. vps17-disrupted cells contain numerous small vacuole-like compartments and also exhibit a severe defect in the sorting of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY), a soluble vacuolar hydrolase. 95% of CPY is missorted and secreted from the mutant cells. Vacuolar sorting of two other soluble hydrolases, proteinase A and proteinase B, is also affected, but to a lesser extent. Delivery and maturation of the vacuolar membrane protein alkaline phosphatase does not appear to be affected in a delta vps17 strain. The DNA sequence of the VPS17 clone indicates that the gene encodes a 551-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 63.1 kDa. The protein sequence is hydrophilic and contains no obvious N-terminal signal sequence or hydrophobic membrane-spanning domains, indicating that the Vps17p does not enter the secretory pathway. Using a Vps17p-specific polyclonal antiserum, we have demonstrated that the Vps17 protein is not modified with N-linked carbohydrates at any of its four potential N-linked glycosylation sites. The Vps17 protein, however, fractionates to a particulate fraction after centrifugation at 100,000 x g. Vps17p can be released from this particulate fraction by treatment with either Triton X-100 or urea, indicating that the Vps17p is peripherally associated with a crude membrane fraction. Based on these results, we propose that the Vps17p functions on the cytoplasmic surface of some intracellular organelle, possibly the Golgi complex or an intermediate in Golgi to vacuole transport, to facilitate the sorting and delivery of soluble vacuolar hydrolases. Vacuolar membrane protein traffic, however, appears to occur by a mechanism that is independent of Vps17p function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Brefeldin A reversibly blocks early but not late protein transport steps in the yeast secretory pathway.

We have found that brefeldin A (BFA) inhibited the growth of an ise1 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic complementation and mapping studies demonstrated that ise1 was allelic to erg6, a gene required for the biosynthesis of the principal membrane sterol of yeast, ergosterol. Treatment of ise1 cells with BFA resulted in an immediate block in protein transport through the secretory pathway. Vacuolar carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) and the secreted pheromone alpha-factor accumulated as both the core glycosylated (ER) and alpha 1,6 mannosylated (early Golgi) forms in drug-treated cells. The modification of alpha-factor with alpha 1,6 mannose in BFA-treated cells did not appear to result from retrograde transport of the alpha 1,6 mannosyl-transferase into the ER. We found that transport of CPY from medial and late Golgi compartments to the vacuole was unaffected by BFA, nor was secretion of alpha 1,3 mannosylated alpha-factor or invertase blocked by BFA. The effects of BFA on the secretory pathway were also reversible after brief exposure (< 40 min) to the drug. We suggest that the primary effect of BFA in S. cerevisiae is restricted to the ER and the alpha 1,6 mannosyltransferase compartment of the Golgi complex.

Biological Transport↗

A membrane-associated complex containing the Vps15 protein kinase and the Vps34 PI 3-kinase is essential for protein sorting to the yeast lysosome-like vacuole.

The Vps15 protein kinase and the Vps34 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) are required for the sorting of soluble hydrolases to the yeast vacuole. Over-production of Vps34p suppresses the growth and vacuolar protein sorting defects associated with vps15 kinase domain mutants, suggesting that Vps15p and Vps34p functionally interact. Subcellular fractionation and sucrose density gradients indicate that Vps15p is responsible for the association of Vps34p with an intracellular membrane fraction. Chemical cross-linking and native immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that Vps15p and Vps34p interact as components of a hetero-oligomeric protein complex. In addition, we show that an intact Vps15 protein kinase domain is required for activation of the Vps34 PI 3-kinase, suggesting that the Vps34 lipid kinase is regulated by a Vps15p-mediated protein phosphorylation event. We propose that Vps15p and Vps34p function together as components of a membrane-associated signal transduction complex that regulates intracellular protein trafficking decisions through protein and lipid phosphorylation events.

Biological Transport↗

Genetic and biochemical studies of protein sorting to the yeast vacuole.

Studies of vacuolar protein sorting in yeast are revealing important new insights into the mechanisms of intracellular membrane trafficking. Recent work has raised questions about the prevailing view concerning membrane protein transport to the vacuole, and has indicated roles in vacuolar protein sorting for GTP-binding proteins, clathrin, a serine/threonine protein kinase and a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Clathrin↗

Yeast vacuolar proenzymes are sorted in the late Golgi complex and transported to the vacuole via a prevacuolar endosome-like compartment.

We are studying intercompartmental protein transport to the yeast lysosome-like vacuole with a reconstitution assay using permeabilized spheroplasts that measures, in an ATP and cytosol dependent reaction, vacuolar delivery and proteolytic maturation of the Golgi-modified precursor forms of vacuolar hydrolases like carboxypeptidase Y (CPY). To identify the potential donor compartment in this assay, we used subcellular fractionation procedures that have uncovered a novel membrane-enclosed prevacuolar transport intermediate. Differential centrifugation was used to separate permeabilized spheroplasts into 15K and 150K g membrane pellets. Centrifugation of these pellets to equilibrium on sucrose density gradients separated vacuolar and Golgi complex marker enzymes into light and dense fractions, respectively. When the Golgi-modified precursor form of CPY (p2CPY) was examined (after a 5-min pulse, 30-s chase), as much as 30-40% fractionated with an intermediate density between both the vacuole and the Golgi complex. Pulse-chase labeling and fractionation of membranes indicated that p2CPY in this gradient region had already passed through the Golgi complex, which kinetically ordered it between the Golgi and the vacuole. A mutant CPY protein that lacks a functional vacuolar sorting signal was detected in Golgi fractions but not in the intermediate compartment indicating that this corresponds to a post-sorting compartment. Based on the low transport efficiency of the mutant CPY protein in vitro (decreased by sevenfold), this intermediate organelle most likely represents the donor compartment in our reconstitution assay. This organelle is not likely to be a transport vesicle intermediate because EM analysis indicates enrichment of 250-400 nm compartments and internalization of surface-bound 35S-alpha-factor at 15 degrees C resulted in its apparent cofractionation with wild-type p2CPY, indicating an endosome-like compartment (Singer, B., and H. Reizman. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 110:1911-1922). Fractionation of p2CPY accumulated in the temperature sensitive vps15 mutant revealed that the vps15 transport block did not occur in the endosome-like compartment but rather in the late Golgi complex, presumably the site of CPY sorting. Therefore, as seen in mammalian cells, yeast CPY is sorted away from secretory proteins in the late Golgi and transits to the vacuole via a distinct endosome-like intermediate.

Biological Transport↗

An essential role for a protein and lipid kinase complex in secretory protein sorting.

Yeast genetics has identified more than 40 genes involved in the biogenesis and maintenance of the yeast lysosome-like vacuole. Recent data on two of these genes, VPS15 and VPS34, are beginning to provide some fundamental insights into the mechanisms governing protein sorting within the eukaryotic secretory pathway. VPS15 and VPS34 encode a novel protein kinase and a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, respectively, that function together as components of a membrane-associated signal transduction complex. These studies of the VPS15-VPS34 complex indicate that intracellular protein trafficking decisions may be regulated by protein phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol signalling events.

Journal Article↗

Alternative pathways for the sorting of soluble vacuolar proteins in yeast: a vps35 null mutant missorts and secretes only a subset of vacuolar hydrolases.

vps35 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit severe defects in the localization of carboxypeptidase Y, a soluble vacuolar hydrolase. We have cloned the wild-type VPS35 gene by complementation of the vacuolar protein sorting defect exhibited by the vps35-17 mutant. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame predicted to encode a protein of 937 amino acids that lacks any obvious hydrophobic domains. Subcellular fractionation studies indicated that 80% of Vps35p peripherally associates with a membranous particulate cell fraction. The association of Vps35p with this fraction appears to be saturable; when overproduced, the vast majority of Vps35p remains in a soluble fraction. Disruption of the VPS35 gene demonstrated that it is not essential for yeast cell growth. However, the null allele of VPS35 results in a differential defect in the sorting of vacuolar carboxypeptidase Y (CPY), proteinase A (PrA), proteinase B (PrB), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). proCPY was quantitatively missorted and secreted by delta vps35 cells, whereas almost all of proPrA, proPrB, and proALP were retained within the cell and converted to their mature forms, indicating delivery to the vacuole. Based on these observations, we propose that alternative pathways exist for the sorting and/or delivery of proteins to the vacuole.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

A novel protein kinase homolog essential for protein sorting to the yeast lysosome-like vacuole.

The VPS15 gene encodes a novel protein kinase homolog that is essential for the efficient delivery of soluble hydrolases to the yeast vacuole. Point mutations altering highly conserved residues within the Vps15p kinase domain result in the secretion of multiple vacuolar proteases. In addition, the in vivo phosphorylation of Vps15p is defective in these kinase domain mutants, suggesting that Vps15p may regulate specific protein phosphorylation reactions required for protein sorting to the yeast vacuole. Subcellular fractionation studies further demonstrate that the 1455 amino acid Vps15p is peripherally associated with the cytoplasmic face of a late Golgi or vesicle compartment. This association may be mediated by myristate as Vps15p contains a consensus signal for N-terminal myristoylation. We propose that protein phosphorylation may act as a molecular "switch" within intracellular protein sorting pathways by actively diverting proteins from a default transit pathway (e.g., secretion) to an alternative pathway (e.g., to the vacuole).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A genetic and structural analysis of the yeast Vps15 protein kinase: evidence for a direct role of Vps15p in vacuolar protein delivery.

The yeast VPS15 gene encodes a novel protein kinase homolog that is required for the sorting of soluble hydrolases to the yeast vacuole. In this study, we extend our previous mutational analysis of the VPS15 gene and show that alterations of specific Gps15p residues, that are highly conserved among all protein kinase molecules, result in the biological inactivation of Vps15p. Furthermore, we demonstrate here that short C-terminal deletions of Vps15p result in a temperature-conditional defect in vacuolar protein sorting. Immediately following the temperature shift, soluble vacuolar hydrolases, such as carboxypeptidase Y and proteinase A, accumulate as Golgi-modified precursors within a saturable intracellular compartment distinct from the vacuole. This vacuolar protein sorting block is efficiently reversed when mutant cells are shifted back to the permissive temperature; the accumulated precursors are rapidly processed to their mature forms indicating that they have been delivered to the vacuole. This rapid and efficient reversal suggests that the accumulated vacuolar protein precursors were present within a normal transport intermediate in the vacuolar protein sorting pathway. In addition, this protein delivery block shows specificity for soluble vacuolar enzymes as the membrane protein, alkaline phosphatase, is efficiently delivered to the vacuole at the non-permissive temperature. Interestingly, the C-terminal Vps15p truncations are not phosphorylated in vivo suggesting that the phosphorylation of Vps15p may be critical for its biological activity at elevated temperatures. The rapid onset and high degree of specificity of the vacuolar protein delivery block in these mutants suggests that the primary role of Vps15p is to regulate the sorting of soluble hydrolases to the yeast vacuolar compartment.

Fungal Proteins↗

Heat-shock proteins can substitute for SecB function during protein export in Escherichia coli.

In this study we have shown that (i) induction of the heat-shock response can substitute for SecB function in Escherichia coli, (ii) SecB itself is not a heat-shock protein and (iii) a basal level of heat-shock proteins is required for cells to grow in the absence of a functional SecB protein. Overproduction of DnaK, or GroEL/ES, which were candidates for the heat-shock proteins that could substitute for SecB function, did not rescue the export defect caused when SecB was limiting or absent. In an attempt to identify the heat-shock protein(s) which could substitute for SecB function, unlinked suppressors of secB were isolated and characterized. Interestingly, most of the suppressors mapped to the rpoH locus. Since rpoH encodes sigma 32, the heat-shock transcription factor, it is likely that these suppressors affect the synthesis levels of heat-shock proteins that can substitute for SecB function. The remaining suppressors did not map to any known heat-shock or export genes. Collectively, our data suggest that these suppressors may represent unidentified heat-shock proteins or export factors that act in a manner similar to SecB in facilitating the export process in E. coli.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Mitochondrial protein import: isolation and characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MFT1 gene.

Mitochondrial targeting of an Atp2-LacZ fusion protein confers a respiration-defective phenotype on yeast cells. This effect has been utilized to select strains that grow on nonfermentable carbon sources, some of which have decreased levels of hybrid protein localized to the organelle. Many of the mutants obtained were also temperature-sensitive for growth on all media. The recessive mft (mitochondrial fusion targeting) mutants have been assigned to three complementation groups. MFT1 was cloned and sequenced: it encodes a 255 amino acid protein that is highly basic and has no predicted membrane-spanning domains or organelle-targeting sequences. The MFT1 gene is 91% identical to an open reading frame 3' of the SIR3 gene. Evidence is presented that these two closely related genes could represent a recent gene duplication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Compartmental organization of Golgi-specific protein modification and vacuolar protein sorting events defined in a yeast sec18 (NSF) mutant.

The sec18 and sec23 secretory mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have previously been shown to exhibit temperature-conditional defects in protein transport from the ER to the Golgi complex (Novick, P., S. Ferro, and R. Schekman, 1981. Cell. 25:461-469). We have found that the Sec18 and Sec23 protein functions are rapidly inactivated upon shifting mutant cells to the nonpermissive temperature (less than 1 min). This has permitted an analysis of the potential role these SEC gene products play in transport events distal to the ER. The sec-dependent transport of alpha-factor (alpha f) and carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) biosynthetic intermediates present throughout the secretory pathway was monitored in temperature shift experiments. We found that Sec18p/NSF function was required sequentially for protein transport from the ER to the Golgi complex, through multiple Golgi compartments and from the Golgi complex to the cell surface. In contrast, Sec23p function was required in the Golgi complex, but only for transport of alpha f out of an early compartment. Together, these studies define at least three functionally distinct Golgi compartments in yeast. From cis to trans these compartments contain: (a) An alpha 1----6 mannosyltransferase; (b) an alpha 1----3 mannosyltransferase; and (c) the Kex2 endopeptidase. Surprisingly, we also found that a pool of Golgi-modified CPY (p2 CPY) located in a compartment distal to the alpha 1----3 mannosyltransferase does not require Sec18p function for final delivery to the vacuole. This compartment appears to be equivalent to the Kex2 compartment as we show that a novel vacuolar CPY-alpha f-invertase fusion protein undergoes efficient Kex2-dependent cleavage resulting in the secretion of invertase. We propose that this Kex2 compartment is the site in which vacuolar proteins are sorted from proteins destined to be secreted.

Animals↗