Association genetic studies and genome-scale CRISPR screens have recently identified ARF3 and TMEM251/LYSET/GCAF as Golgi-resident factors essential to brain and skeletal development. Here we discuss ...how even though the consequences of mutations in these genes affect endosomal and lysosomal compartments, the problem originates in the Golgi complex and may involve either the identity of the carrier vesicles or that of cargo molecules.
Microtubules are part of the dynamic cytoskeleton network and composed of tubulin dimers. They are the main tracks used in cells to organize organelle positioning and trafficking of cargos. In this ...Review, we compile recent findings on the involvement of microtubules in anterograde protein transport. First, we highlight the importance of microtubules in organelle positioning. Second, we discuss the involvement of microtubules within different trafficking steps, in particular between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, traffic through the Golgi complex itself and in post-Golgi processes. A large number of studies have assessed the involvement of microtubules in transport of cargo from the Golgi complex to the cell surface. We focus here on the role of kinesin motor proteins and protein interactions in post-Golgi transport, as well as the impact of tubulin post-translational modifications. Last, in light of recent findings, we highlight the role microtubules have in exocytosis, the final step of secretory protein transport, occurring close to focal adhesions.
Distinct PSD-95 clusters are primary landmarks of postsynaptic densities (PSDs), which are specialized membrane regions for synapses. However, the mechanism that defines the locations of PSD-95 ...clusters and whether or how they are reorganized inside individual dendritic spines remains controversial. Because palmitoylation regulates PSD-95 membrane targeting, we combined a conformation-specific recombinant antibody against palmitoylated PSD-95 with live-cell super-resolution imaging and discovered subsynaptic nanodomains composed of palmitoylated PSD-95 that serve as elementary units of the PSD. PSD-95 in nanodomains underwent continuous de/repalmitoylation cycles driven by local palmitoylating activity, ensuring the maintenance of compartmentalized PSD-95 clusters within individual spines. Plasma membrane targeting of DHHC2 palmitoyltransferase rapidly recruited PSD-95 to the plasma membrane and proved essential for postsynaptic nanodomain formation. Furthermore, changes in synaptic activity rapidly reorganized PSD-95 nano-architecture through plasma membrane-inserted DHHC2. Thus, the first genetically encoded antibody sensitive to palmitoylation reveals an instructive role of local palmitoylation machinery in creating activity-responsive PSD-95 nanodomains, contributing to the PSD (re)organization.
At the center of the secretory pathway, the Golgi complex ensures correct processing and sorting of cargos toward their final destination. Cargos are diverse in topology, function and destination. A ...remarkable feature of the Golgi complex is its ability to sort and process these diverse cargos destined for secretion, the cell surface, the lysosome, or retained within the secretory pathway. Just as these cargos are diverse so also are their sorting requirements and thus, their trafficking route. There is no one-size-fits-all sorting scheme in the Golgi. We propose a coexistence of models to reconcile these diverse needs. We review examples of differential sorting mediated by proteins and lipids. Additionally, we highlight recent technological developments that have potential to uncover new modes of transport.
To dissect secretory traffic, we developed the retention using selective hooks (RUSH) system. RUSH is a two-state assay based on the reversible interaction of a hook protein fused to core ...streptavidin and stably anchored in the donor compartment with a reporter protein of interest fused to streptavidin-binding peptide (SBP). Biotin addition causes a synchronous release of the reporter from the hook. Using the RUSH system, we analyzed different transport characteristics of various Golgi and plasma membrane reporters at physiological temperature in living cells. Using dual-color simultaneous live-cell imaging of two cargos, we observed intra- and post-Golgi segregation of cargo traffic, consistent with observation in other systems. We show preliminarily that the RUSH system is usable for automated screening. The system should help increase the understanding of the mechanisms of trafficking and enable screens for molecules that perturb pathological protein transport.
To ensure their homeostasis and sustain differentiated functions, cells continuously transport diverse cargos to various cell compartments and in particular to the cell surface. Secreted proteins are ...transported along intracellular routes from the endoplasmic reticulum through the Golgi complex before reaching the plasma membrane along microtubule tracks. Using a synchronized secretion assay, we report here that exocytosis does not occur randomly at the cell surface but on localized hotspots juxtaposed to focal adhesions. Although microtubules are involved, the RAB6-dependent machinery plays an essential role. We observed that, irrespective of the transported cargos, most post-Golgi carriers are positive for RAB6 and that its inactivation leads to a broad reduction of protein secretion. RAB6 may thus be a general regulator of post-Golgi secretion.
Wnts are a family of secreted palmitoleated glycoproteins that play key roles in cell to cell communication during development and regulate stem cell compartments in adults. Wnt receptors, downstream ...signaling cascades and target pathways have been extensively studied while less is known about how Wnts are secreted and move from producing cells to receiving cells. We used the synchronization system called Retention Using Selective Hook (RUSH) to study Wnt trafficking from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi and then to plasma membrane and filopodia in real time. Inhibition of porcupine (PORCN) or knockout of Wntless (WLS) blocked Wnt exit from the ER. Wnt-containing vesicles paused at sub-cortical regions of the plasma membrane before exiting the cell. Wnt-containing vesicles were associated with filopodia extending to adjacent cells. These data visualize and confirm the role of WLS and PORCN in ER exit of Wnts and support the role of filopodia in Wnt signaling.
Abstract
Despite their roles in intercellular communications, the different populations of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their secretion mechanisms are not fully characterized: how and to what ...extent EVs form as intraluminal vesicles of endocytic compartments (exosomes), or at the plasma membrane (PM) (ectosomes) remains unclear. Here we follow intracellular trafficking of the EV markers CD9 and CD63 from the endoplasmic reticulum to their residency compartment, respectively PM and late endosomes. We observe transient co-localization at both places, before they finally segregate. CD9 and a mutant CD63 stabilized at the PM are more abundantly released in EVs than CD63. Thus, in HeLa cells, ectosomes are more prominent than exosomes. By comparative proteomic analysis and differential response to neutralization of endosomal pH, we identify a few surface proteins likely specific of either exosomes (LAMP1) or ectosomes (BSG, SLC3A2). Our work sets the path for molecular and functional discrimination of exosomes and small ectosomes in any cell type.