Mobile late endosomes modulate peripheral endoplasmic reticulum network architecture.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest organelle contacting virtually every other organelle for information exchange and control of processes such as transport, fusion, and fission. Here, we studied the role of the other organelles on ER network architecture in the cell periphery. We show that the co-migration of the ER with other organelles, called ER hitchhiking facilitated by late endosomes and lysosomes is a major mechanism controlling ER network architecture. When hitchhiking occurs, emerging ER structures may fuse with the existing ER tubules to alter the local ER architecture. This couples late endosomal/lysosomal positioning and mobility to ER network architecture. Conditions restricting late endosomal movement-including cell starvation-or the depletion of tether proteins that link the ER to late endosomes reduce ER dynamics and limit the complexity of the peripheral ER network architecture. This indicates that among many factors, the ER is controlled by late endosomal movement resulting in an alteration of the ER network architecture.

Human VAPome Analysis Reveals MOSPD1 and MOSPD3 as Membrane Contact Site Proteins Interacting with FFAT-Related FFNT Motifs.

Membrane contact sites (MCS) are intracellular regions where two organelles come closer to exchange information and material. The majority of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) MCS are attributed to the ER-localized tether proteins VAPA, VAPB, and MOSPD2. These recruit other proteins to the ER by interacting with their FFAT motifs. Here, we describe MOSPD1 and MOSPD3 as ER-localized tethers interacting with FFAT motif-containing proteins. Using BioID, we identify proteins interacting with VAP and MOSPD proteins and find that MOSPD1 and MOSPD3 prefer unconventional FFAT-related FFNT (two phenylalanines [FF] in a neutral tract) motifs. Moreover, VAPA/VAPB/MOSPD2 and MOSPD1/MOSPD3 assemble into two separate ER-resident complexes to interact with FFAT and FFNT motifs, respectively. Because of their ability to interact with FFNT motifs, MOSPD1 and MOSPD3 could form MCS between the ER and other organelles. Collectively, these findings expand the VAP family of proteins and highlight two separate complexes in control of interactions between intracellular compartments.

Homeostasis of soluble proteins and the proteasome post nuclear envelope reformation in mitosis.

Upon nuclear envelope (NE) fragmentation in the prometaphase, the nuclear and cytosolic proteomes mix and must be redefined to reinstate homeostasis. Here, by using a molecular GFP ladder, we show that in early mitosis, condensed chromatin excludes cytosolic proteins. When the NE reforms tightly around condensed chromatin in late mitosis, large GFP multimers are automatically excluded from the nucleus. This can be circumvented by limiting DNA condensation with Q15, a condensin II inhibitor. Soluble small and other nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-targeted proteins then swiftly enter the expanding nuclear space. We then examined proteasomes, which are located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. A significant fraction of 20S proteasomes is imported by the importin IPO5 within 20 min of reformation of the nucleus, after which import comes to an abrupt halt. This suggests that maintaining the nuclear-cytosol distribution after mitosis requires chromatin condensation to exclude cytosolic material from the nuclear space, and specialized machineries for nuclear import of large protein complexes, such as the proteasome.

The EGFR odyssey - from activation to destruction in space and time.

When cell surface receptors engage their cognate ligands in the extracellular space, they become competent to transmit potent signals to the inside of the cell, thereby instigating growth, differentiation, motility and many other processes. In order to control these signals, activated receptors are endocytosed and thoroughly curated by the endosomal network of intracellular vesicles and proteolytic organelles. In this Review, we follow the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) from ligand engagement, through its voyage on endosomes and, ultimately, to its destruction in the lysosome. We focus on the spatial and temporal considerations underlying the molecular decisions that govern this complex journey and discuss how additional cellular organelles - particularly the ER - play active roles in the regulation of receptor lifespan. In summarizing the functions of relevant molecules on the endosomes and the ER, we cover the order of molecular events in receptor activation, trafficking and downregulation, and provide an overview of how signaling is controlled at the interface between these organelles.

Immunoproteasomes and immunotherapy-a smoking gun for lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in both women and men with some 221,200 new cases and 158,040 deaths reported in 2015. Almost 90% of these are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and these patients have a very poor prognosis. Recently a new treatment option for NSCLC appeared that strongly improved treatment responses-immunotherapy. Here we review the various forms of immunotherapy and how immune modification of proteasomes in lung cancer may support the immune system in controlling NSCLC. These immunoproteasomes then support recognition of NSCLC and may act as a biomarker for selecting responding patients to immunotherapy.