Mitochondria remodeling during endometrial stromal cell decidualization.

Upon hormonal stimulation, uterine endometrial stromal cells undergo a dramatic morpho-functional metamorphosis that allows them to secrete large amounts of matrix proteins, cytokines, and growth factors. This step, known as decidualization, is crucial for embryo implantation. We previously demonstrated how the secretory pathway is remodelled during this process. Here we show that hormonal stimulation rapidly induces the expression of many mitochondrial genes, encoded in both the mitochondrial and the nuclear genomes. Altogether, the mitochondrial network quadruples its size and establishes more contacts with the ER. This new organization results in the increased respiratory capacity of decidualized cells. These findings reveal how achieving an efficient secretory phenotype requires a radical metabolic rewiring.

Transport of protein disulfide isomerase from the endoplasmic reticulum to the extracellular space without passage through the Golgi complex.

Protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (PDIA1) is a master regulator of oxidative protein folding and proteostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, PDIA1 can reach the extracellular space, impacting thrombosis and other pathophysiological phenomena. Whether PDIA1 is externalized via passive release or active secretion is not known. To investigate how PDIA1 negotiates its export, we generated a tagged variant that undergoes N-glycosylation in the ER (Glyco-PDIA1). Addition of N-glycans does not alter its enzymatic functions. Upon either deletion of its KDEL ER-localization motif or silencing of KDEL receptors, Glyco-PDIA1 acquires complex glycans in the Golgi and is secreted. In control cells, however, Glyco-PDIA1 is released with endoglycosidase-H sensitive glycans, implying that it does not follow the classical ER-Golgi route nor does it encounter glycanases in the cytosol. Extracellular Glyco-PDIA1 is more abundant than actin, lactate dehydrogenase, or other proteins released by damaged or dead cells, suggesting active transport through a Golgi-independent route. The strategy we describe herein can be extended to dissect how select ER-residents reach the extracellular space.

Congress of multiple dimers is needed for cross-phosphorylation of IRE1α and its RNase activity.

The unfolded protein response can switch from a pro-survival to a maladaptive, pro-apoptotic mode. During ER stress, IRE1α sensors dimerize, become phosphorylated, and activate XBP1 splicing, increasing folding capacity in the ER protein factory. The steps that turn on the IRE1α endonuclease activity against endogenous mRNAs during maladaptive ER stress are still unknown. Here, we show that although necessary, IRE1α dimerization is not sufficient to trigger phosphorylation. Random and/or guided collisions among IRE1α dimers are needed to elicit cross-phosphorylation and endonuclease activities. Thus, reaching a critical concentration of IRE1α dimers in the ER membrane is a key event. Formation of stable IRE1α clusters is not necessary for RNase activity. However, clustering could modulate the potency of the response, promoting interactions between dimers and decreasing the accessibility of phosphorylated IRE1α to phosphatases. The stepwise activation of IRE1α molecules and their low concentration at the steady state prevent excessive responses, unleashing full-blown IRE1 activity only upon intense stress conditions.

Preferential Secretion of Oxidation-Sensitive Proteins by Unconventional Pathways: Why is This Important for Inflammation?

Significance: Fidelity of intercellular communication depends on unambiguous interactions between protein ligands and membrane receptors. Most proteins destined to the extracellular space adopt the required three-dimensional shape as they travel through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi complex, and other organelles of the exocytic pathway. However, some proteins, many of which are involved in inflammation, avoid this classical secretory route and follow unconventional pathways to leave the cell. Recent Advances: Stringent quality control systems operate in the ER and cis-Golgi, restricting transport to native conformers, devoid of non-native disulfides and/or reactive thiols. However, some proteins released by living cells require reduced cysteines to exert their extracellular function(s). Remarkably, these proteins lack the secretory signal sequence normally required by secretory proteins for translocation into the ER lumen. Critical Issues: Why do interleukin-1ß, high mobility group box 1, and other proinflammatory proteins avoid the ER-Golgi route to reach the intercellular space? These proteins require reactive cysteines for exerting their function. Therefore, eluding thiol-mediated quality control along the exocytic pathway is likely one of the main reasons why extracellular proteins that need to be reduced utilize unconventional pathways of secretion, where a quality control aimed at oxidating native cysteines is not present. Future Directions: Particularly under stress conditions, cells release redox-active enzymes and nonprotein thiol compounds that exert an extracellular control of redox-sensitive protein activity, shaping inflammatory responses. This post-secretion, redox-dependent editing of protein messages is still largely undefined. Understanding the underlying mechanistic events will hopefully provide new tools to control inflammation. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 41, 693-705.

Zinc homeostasis governed by Golgi-resident ZnT family members regulates ERp44-mediated proteostasis at the ER-Golgi interface.

Many secretory enzymes acquire essential zinc ions (Zn2+) in the Golgi complex. ERp44, a chaperone operating in the early secretory pathway, also binds Zn2+ to regulate its client binding and release for the control of protein traffic and homeostasis. Notably, three membrane transporter complexes, ZnT4, ZnT5/ZnT6 and ZnT7, import Zn2+ into the Golgi lumen in exchange with protons. To identify their specific roles, we here perform quantitative Zn2+ imaging using super-resolution microscopy and Zn2+-probes targeted in specific Golgi subregions. Systematic ZnT-knockdowns reveal that ZnT4, ZnT5/ZnT6 and ZnT7 regulate labile Zn2+ concentration at the distal, medial, and proximal Golgi, respectively, consistent with their localization. Time-course imaging of cells undergoing synchronized secretory protein traffic and functional assays demonstrates that ZnT-mediated Zn2+ fluxes tune the localization, trafficking, and client-retrieval activity of ERp44. Altogether, this study provides deep mechanistic insights into how ZnTs control Zn2+ homeostasis and ERp44-mediated proteostasis along the early secretory pathway.

The endoplasmic reticulum kinase PERK interacts with the oxidoreductase ERO1 to metabolically adapt mitochondria.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis requires molecular regulators that tailor mitochondrial bioenergetics to the needs of protein folding. For instance, calnexin maintains mitochondria metabolism and mitochondria-ER contacts (MERCs) through reactive oxygen species (ROS) from NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). However, induction of ER stress requires a quick molecular rewiring of mitochondria to adapt to new energy needs. This machinery is not characterized. We now show that the oxidoreductase ERO1⍺ covalently interacts with protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) upon treatment with tunicamycin. The PERK-ERO1⍺ interaction requires the C-terminal active site of ERO1⍺ and cysteine 216 of PERK. Moreover, we show that the PERK-ERO1⍺ complex promotes oxidization of MERC proteins and controls mitochondrial dynamics. Using proteinaceous probes, we determined that these functions improve ER-mitochondria Ca2+ flux to maintain bioenergetics in both organelles, while limiting oxidative stress. Therefore, the PERK-ERO1⍺ complex is a key molecular machinery that allows quick metabolic adaptation to ER stress.

CREB3L1 and CREB3L2 control Golgi remodelling during decidualization of endometrial stromal cells.

Upon progesterone stimulation, Endometrial Stromal Cells (EnSCs) undergo a differentiation program into secretory cells (decidualization) to release in abundance factors crucial for embryo implantation. We previously demonstrated that decidualization requires massive reshaping of the secretory pathway and, in particular, of the Golgi complex. To decipher the underlying mechanisms, we performed a time-course transcriptomic analysis of in vitro decidualizing EnSC. Pathway analysis shows that Gene Ontology terms associated with vesicular trafficking and early secretory pathway compartments are the most represented among those enriched for upregulated genes. Among these, we identified a cluster of co-regulated genes that share CREB3L1 and CREB3L2 binding elements in their promoter regions. Indeed, both CREB3L1 and CREB3L2 transcription factors are up-regulated during decidualization. Simultaneous downregulation of CREB3L1 and CREB3L2 impairs Golgi enlargement, and causes dramatic changes in decidualizing EnSC, including Golgi fragmentation, collagen accumulation in dilated Endoplasmic Reticulum cisternae, and overall decreased protein secretion. Thus, both CREB3L1 and CREB3L2 are required for Golgi reshaping and efficient protein secretion, and, as such, for successful decidualization.

Transfer of H2O2 from Mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum via Aquaporin-11.

Some aquaporins (AQPs) can transport H2O2 across membranes, allowing redox signals to proceed in and between cells. Unlike other peroxiporins, human AQP11 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident that can conduit H2O2 to the cytosol. Here, we show that silencing Ero1α, an ER flavoenzyme that generates abundant H2O2 during oxidative folding, causes a paradoxical increase in luminal H2O2 levels. The simultaneous AQP11 downregulation prevents this increase, implying that H2O2 reaches the ER from an external source(s). Pharmacological inhibition of the electron transport chain reveals that Ero1α downregulation activates superoxide production by complex III. In the intermembrane space, superoxide dismutase 1 generates H2O2 that enters the ER channeled by AQP11. Meanwhile, the number of ER-mitochondria contact sites increases as well, irrespective of AQP11 expression. Taken together, our findings identify a novel interorganellar redox response that is activated upon Ero1α downregulation and transfers H2O2 from mitochondria to the ER via AQP11.

Biogenesis of secretory immunoglobulin M requires intermediate non-native disulfide bonds and engagement of the protein disulfide isomerase ERp44.

Antibodies of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class represent the frontline of humoral immune responses. They are secreted as planar polymers in which flanking µ2 L2 "monomeric" subunits are linked by two disulfide bonds, one formed by the penultimate cysteine (C575) in the tailpiece of secretory µ chains (µs tp) and the second by C414 in the Cµ3. The latter bond is not present in membrane IgM. Here, we show that C575 forms a non-native, intra-subunit disulfide bond as a key step in the biogenesis of secretory IgM. The abundance of this unexpected intermediate correlates with the onset and extent of polymerization. The rearrangement of the C-terminal tails into a native quaternary structure is guaranteed by the engagement of protein disulfide isomerase ERp44, which attacks the non-native C575 bonds. The resulting conformational changes promote polymerization and formation of C414 disulfide linkages. This unusual assembly pathway allows secretory polymers to form without the risk of disturbing the role of membrane IgM as part of the B cell antigen receptor.

Profound architectural and functional readjustments of the secretory pathway in decidualization of endometrial stromal cells.

Certain cell types must expand their exocytic pathway to guarantee efficiency and fidelity of protein secretion. A spectacular case is offered by decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs). In the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle, progesterone stimulation induces proliferating EnSCs to differentiate into professional secretors releasing proteins essential for efficient blastocyst implantation. Here, we describe the architectural rearrangements of the secretory pathway of a human EnSC line (TERT-immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (T-HESC)). As in primary cells, decidualization entails proliferation arrest and the coordinated expansion of the entire secretory pathway without detectable activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways. Decidualization proceeds also in the absence of ascorbic acid, an essential cofactor for collagen biogenesis, despite also the secretion of some proteins whose folding does not depend on vitamin C is impaired. However, even in these conditions, no overt UPR induction can be detected. Morphometric analyses reveal that the exocytic pathway does not increase relatively to the volume of the cell. Thus, differently from other cell types, abundant production is guaranteed by a coordinated increase of the cell size following arrest of proliferation.

Endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1 alpha modulates prostate cancer hallmarks.

BACKGROUND: Therapies available for late stage prostate cancer (PCa) patients are limited and mostly palliative. The necessary development of unexplored therapeutic options relies on a deeper knowledge of molecular mechanisms leading to cancer progression. Redox signals are known to modulate the intensity and duration of oncogenic circuits; cues originating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and downstream exocytic organelles are relevant in secretory tumors, including PCa. Ero 1α is a master regulator of redox homeostasis and oxidative folding. METHODS: We assessed Ero 1α mRNA expression by bioinformatic analysis of three public datasets and protein expression levels in PCa cell lines representing different degrees of tumor progression and different human prostate specimens. Transient Ero 1α knockdown was achieved by RNA interference (siRNA). Consequences of Ero 1α downregulation were monitored by PCa proliferation, migration and invasion properties. RESULTS: Ero 1α mRNA and protein levels are upregulated in PCa cell lines compared to non-tumorigenic cells (P=0.0273). Ero 1α expression increases with the grade of malignancy, reaching the highest level in the androgen resistant PC3. In patients' samples from 3 datasets, Ero 1α mRNA expression correlates with pathological Gleason scores. Ero 1α knockdown inhibits proliferation (P=0.0081), migration (P=0.0085) and invasion (P=0.0007) of PC3 cells and alters the levels of integrin ß1 (P=0.0024). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that Ero 1α levels correlate with PCa aggressiveness; Ero 1α silencing inhibits key steps over the PCa metastatic process. Therefore, Ero 1α has the potential to be exploited as a novel biomarker and a therapeutic target in PCa.

A virtuous cycle operated by ERp44 and ERGIC-53 guarantees proteostasis in the early secretory compartment.

The composition of the secretome depends on the combined action of cargo receptors that facilitate protein transport and sequential checkpoints that restrict it to native conformers. Acting after endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperones, ERp44 retrieves its clients from downstream compartments. To guarantee efficient quality control, ERp44 should exit the ER as rapidly as its clients, or more. Here, we show that appending ERp44 to different cargo proteins increases their secretion rates. ERp44 binds the cargo receptor ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC)-53 in the ER to negotiate preferential loading into COPII vesicles. Silencing ERGIC-53, or competing for its COPII binding with 4-phenylbutyrate, causes secretion of Prdx4, an enzyme that relies on ERp44 for intracellular localization. In more acidic, zinc-rich downstream compartments, ERGIC-53 releases its clients and ERp44, which can bind and retrieve non-native conformers via KDEL receptors. By coupling the transport of cargoes and inspector proteins, cells ensure efficiency and fidelity of secretion.

Molecular Evaluation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis Meets Humoral Immunity.

The biosynthesis of about one third of the human proteome, including membrane receptors and secreted proteins, occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Conditions that perturb ER homeostasis activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). An 'optimistic' UPR output aims at restoring homeostasis by reinforcement of machineries that guarantee efficiency and fidelity of protein biogenesis in the ER. Yet, once the UPR 'deems' that ER homeostatic readjustment fails, it transitions to a 'pessimistic' output, which, depending on the cell type, will result in apoptosis. In this article, we discuss emerging concepts on how the UPR 'evaluates' ER stress, how the UPR is repurposed, in particular in B cells, and how UPR-driven counter-selection of cells undergoing homeostatic failure serves organismal homeostasis and humoral immunity.

Role of the early secretory pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Similar to other RNA viruses, SARS-CoV-2 must (1) enter a target/host cell, (2) reprogram it to ensure its replication, (3) exit the host cell, and (4) repeat this cycle for exponential growth. During the exit step, the virus hijacks the sophisticated machineries that host cells employ to correctly fold, assemble, and transport proteins along the exocytic pathway. Therefore, secretory pathway-mediated assemblage and excretion of infective particles represent appealing targets to reduce the efficacy of virus biogenesis, if not to block it completely. Here, we analyze and discuss the contribution of the molecular machines operating in the early secretory pathway in the biogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and their relevance for potential antiviral targeting. The fact that these molecular machines are conserved throughout evolution, together with the redundancy and tissue specificity of their components, provides opportunities in the search for unique proteins essential for SARS-CoV-2 biology that could also be targeted with therapeutic objectives. Finally, we provide an overview of recent evidence implicating proteins of the early secretory pathway as potential antiviral targets with effective therapeutic applications.

Evolution, role in inflammation, and redox control of leaderless secretory proteins.

Members of the interleukin (IL)-1 family are key determinants of inflammation. Despite their role as intercellular mediators, most lack the leader peptide typically required for protein secretion. This lack is a characteristic of dozens of other proteins that are actively and selectively secreted from living cells independently of the classical endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi exocytic route. These proteins, termed leaderless secretory proteins (LLSPs), comprise proteins directly or indirectly involved in inflammation, including cytokines such as IL-1ß and IL-18, growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), redox enzymes such as thioredoxin, and proteins most expressed in the brain, some of which participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Despite much effort, motifs that promote LLSP secretion remain to be identified. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms and pathophysiological significance of the unconventional secretory pathways that cells use to release LLSPs. We place special emphasis on redox regulation and inflammation, with a focus on IL-1ß, which is secreted after processing of its biologically inactive precursor pro-IL-1ß in the cytosol. Although LLSP externalization remains poorly understood, some possible mechanisms have emerged. For example, a common feature of LLSP pathways is that they become more active in response to stress and that they involve several distinct excretion mechanisms, including direct plasma membrane translocation, lysosome exocytosis, exosome formation, membrane vesiculation, autophagy, and pyroptosis. Further investigations of unconventional secretory pathways for LLSP secretion may shed light on their evolution and could help advance therapeutic avenues for managing pathological conditions, such as diseases arising from inflammation.

The importance of naturally attenuated SARS-CoV-2in the fight against COVID-19.

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is wreaking havoc throughout the world and has rapidly become a global health emergency. A central question concerning COVID-19 is why some individuals become sick and others not. Many have pointed already at variation in risk factors between individuals. However, the variable outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infections may, at least in part, be due also to differences between the viral subspecies with which individuals are infected. A more pertinent question is how we are to overcome the current pandemic. A vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 would offer significant relief, although vaccine developers have warned that design, testing and production of vaccines may take a year if not longer. Vaccines are based on a handful of different designs (i), but the earliest vaccines were based on the live, attenuated virus. As has been the case for other viruses during earlier pandemics, SARS-CoV-2 will mutate and may naturally attenuate over time (ii). What makes the current pandemic unique is that, thanks to state-of-the-art nucleic acid sequencing technologies, we can follow in detail how SARS-CoV-2 evolves while it spreads. We argue that knowledge of naturally emerging attenuated SARS-CoV-2 variants across the globe should be of key interest in our fight against the pandemic.

Human aquaporin-11 guarantees efficient transport of H2O2 across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an essential second intracellular messenger. To reach its targets in the cytosol, H2O2 must cross a membrane, a feat that requires aquaporins (AQP) endowed with 'peroxiporin' activity (AQP3, AQP8, AQP9). Here, we exploit different organelle-targeted H2O2-sensitive probes to show that also AQP11 efficiently conduits H2O2. Unlike other peroxiporins, AQP11 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), accumulating partly in mitochondrial-associated ER membranes (MAM). Its downregulation severely perturbs the flux of H2O2 through the ER, but not through the mitochondrial or plasma membranes. These properties make AQP11 a potential regulator of ER redox homeostasis and signaling.