The GTPase activating protein Gyp7 regulates Rab7/Ypt7 activity on late endosomes.

Organelles of the endomembrane system contain Rab GTPases as identity markers. Their localization is determined by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). It remains largely unclear how these regulators are specifically targeted to organelles and how their activity is regulated. Here, we focus on the GAP Gyp7, which acts on the Rab7-like Ypt7 protein in yeast, and surprisingly observe the protein exclusively in puncta proximal to the vacuole. Mistargeting of Gyp7 to the vacuole strongly affects vacuole morphology, suggesting that endosomal localization is needed for function. In agreement, efficient endolysosomal transport requires Gyp7. In vitro assays reveal that Gyp7 requires a distinct lipid environment for membrane binding and activity. Overexpression of Gyp7 concentrates Ypt7 in late endosomes and results in resistance to rapamycin, an inhibitor of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1), suggesting that these late endosomes are signaling endosomes. We postulate that Gyp7 is part of regulatory machinery involved in late endosome function.

Targeting of the Mon1-Ccz1 Rab guanine nucleotide exchange factor to distinct organelles by a synergistic protein and lipid code.

Activation of the small GTPase Rab7 by its cognate guanine nucleotide exchange factor Mon1-Ccz1 (MC1) is a key step in the maturation of endosomes and autophagosomes. This process is tightly regulated and subject to precise spatiotemporal control of MC1 localization, but the mechanisms that underly MC1 localization have not been fully elucidated. We here identify and characterize an amphipathic helix in Ccz1, which is required for the function of Mon-Ccz1 in autophagy, but not endosomal maturation. Furthermore, our data show that the interaction of the Ccz1 amphipathic helix with lipid packing defects, binding of Mon1 basic patches to positively charged lipids, and association of MC1 with recruiter proteins collectively govern membrane recruitment of the complex in a synergistic and redundant manner. Membrane binding enhances MC1 activity predominantly by increasing enzyme and substrate concentration on the membrane, but interaction with recruiter proteins can further stimulate the guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Our data demonstrate that specific protein and lipid cues convey the differential targeting of MC1 to endosomes and autophagosomes. In conclusion, we reveal the molecular basis for how MC1 is adapted to recognize distinct target compartments by exploiting the unique biophysical properties of organelle membranes and thus provide a model for how the complex is regulated and activated independently in different functional contexts.

Subunit exchange among endolysosomal tethering complexes is linked to contact site formation at the vacuole.

The hexameric HOPS (homotypic fusion and protein sorting) complex is a conserved tethering complex at the lysosome-like vacuole, where it mediates tethering and promotes all fusion events involving this organelle. The Vps39 subunit of this complex also engages in a membrane contact site between the vacuole and the mitochondria, called vCLAMP. Additionally, four subunits of HOPS are also part of the endosomal CORVET tethering complex. Here, we analyzed the partition of HOPS and CORVET subunits between the different complexes by tracing their localization and function. We find that Vps39 has a specific role in vCLAMP formation beyond tethering, and that vCLAMPs and HOPS compete for the same pool of Vps39. In agreement, we find that the CORVET subunit Vps3 can take the position of Vps39 in HOPS. This endogenous pool of a Vps3-hybrid complex is affected by Vps3 or Vps39 levels, suggesting that HOPS and CORVET assembly is dynamic. Our data shed light on how individual subunits of tethering complexes such as Vps39 can participate in other functions, while maintaining the remaining subcomplex available for its function in tethering and fusion.

AP-3 vesicle uncoating occurs after HOPS-dependent vacuole tethering.

Heterotetrameric adapter (AP) complexes cooperate with the small GTPase Arf1 or lipids in cargo selection, vesicle formation, and budding at endomembranes in eukaryotic cells. While most AP complexes also require clathrin as the outer vesicle shell, formation of AP-3-coated vesicles involved in Golgi-to-vacuole transport in yeast has been postulated to depend on Vps41, a subunit of the vacuolar HOPS tethering complex. HOPS has also been identified as the tether of AP-3 vesicles on vacuoles. To unravel this conundrum of a dual Vps41 function, we anchored Vps41 stably to the mitochondrial outer membrane. By monitoring AP-3 recruitment, we now show that Vps41 can tether AP-3 vesicles to mitochondria, yet AP-3 vesicles can form in the absence of Vps41 or clathrin. By proximity labeling and mass spectrometry, we identify the Arf1 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Age2 at the AP-3 coat and show that tethering, but not fusion at the vacuole can occur without complete uncoating. We conclude that AP-3 vesicles retain their coat after budding and that their complete uncoating occurs only after tethering at the vacuole.

A conserved and regulated mechanism drives endosomal Rab transition.

Endosomes and lysosomes harbor Rab5 and Rab7 on their surface as key proteins involved in their identity, biogenesis, and fusion. Rab activation requires a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), which is Mon1-Ccz1 for Rab7. During endosome maturation, Rab5 is replaced by Rab7, though the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we identify the molecular determinants for Rab conversion in vivo and in vitro, and reconstitute Rab7 activation with yeast and metazoan proteins. We show (i) that Mon1-Ccz1 is an effector of Rab5, (ii) that membrane-bound Rab5 is the key factor to directly promote Mon1-Ccz1 dependent Rab7 activation and Rab7-dependent membrane fusion, and (iii) that this process is regulated in yeast by the casein kinase Yck3, which phosphorylates Mon1 and blocks Rab5 binding. Our study thus uncovers the minimal feed-forward machinery of the endosomal Rab cascade and a novel regulatory mechanism controlling this pathway.

Vps39 Interacts with Tom40 to Establish One of Two Functionally Distinct Vacuole-Mitochondria Contact Sites.

The extensive subcellular network of membrane contact sites plays central roles in organelle biogenesis and communication, yet the precise contributions of the involved machineries remain largely enigmatic. The yeast vacuole forms a membrane contact site with mitochondria, called vacuolar and mitochondrial patch (vCLAMP). Formation of vCLAMPs involves the vacuolar Rab GTPase Ypt7 and the Ypt7-interacting Vps39 subunit of the HOPS tethering complex. Here, we uncover the general preprotein translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) subunit Tom40 as the direct binding partner of Vps39 on mitochondria. We identify Vps39 mutants defective in TOM binding, but functional for HOPS. Cells that cannot form vCLAMPs show reduced growth under stress conditions and impaired survival upon starvation. Unexpectedly, our mutant analysis revealed the existence of two functionally independent vacuole-mitochondria MCSs: one formed by the Ypt7-Vps39-Tom40 tether and a second one by Vps13-Mcp1, which is redundant with ER-mitochondrial contacts formed by ERMES.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane remodeling and fusion proteins during endocytic transport.

Organelles of the endolysosomal system undergo multiple fission and fusion events to combine sorting of selected proteins to the vacuole with endosomal recycling. This sorting requires a consecutive remodeling of the organelle surface in the course of endosomal maturation. Here we dissect the remodeling and fusion machinery on endosomes during the process of endocytosis. We traced selected GFP-tagged endosomal proteins relative to exogenously added fluorescently labeled α-factor on its way from the plasma membrane to the vacuole. Our data reveal that the machinery of endosomal fusion and ESCRT proteins has similar temporal localization on endosomes, whereas they precede the retromer cargo recognition complex. Neither deletion of retromer nor the fusion machinery with the vacuole affects this maturation process, although the kinetics seems to be delayed due to ESCRT deletion. Of importance, in strains lacking the active Rab7-like Ypt7 or the vacuolar SNARE fusion machinery, α-factor still proceeds to late endosomes with the same kinetics. This indicates that endosomal maturation is mainly controlled by the early endosomal fusion and remodeling machinery but not the downstream Rab Ypt7 or the SNARE machinery. Our data thus provide important further understanding of endosomal biogenesis in the context of cargo sorting.

Tracking of the dynamic localization of the Rab-specific HOPS subunits reveal their distinct interaction with Ypt7 and vacuoles.

Endosomal and vacuole fusion depends on the two homologous tethering complexes CORVET and HOPS. HOPS binds the activated Rab GTPase Ypt7 via two distinct subunits, Vps39 and Vps41. To understand the participation and possible polarity of Vps41 and Vps39 during tethering, we used an in vivo approach. For this, we established the ligand-induced relocalization to the plasma membrane, using the Mon1-Ccz1 GEF complex that activates Ypt7 on endosomes. We then employed slight overexpression to compare the mobility of the HOPS-specific Vps41 and Vps39 subunits during this process. Our data indicate an asymmetry in the Rab-specific interaction of the two HOPS subunits: Vps39 is more tightly bound to the vacuole, and relocalizes the entire vacuole to the plasma membrane, whereas Vps41 behaved like the more mobile subunit. This is due to their specific Rab binding, as the mobility of both subunits was similar in ypt7∆ cells. In contrast, both HOPS subunits were far less mobile if tagged endogenously, suggesting that the entire HOPS complex is tightly bound to the vacuole in vivo. Similar results were obtained for the endosomal association of CORVET, when we followed its Rab-specific subunit Vps8. Our data provide in vivo evidence for distinct Rab specificity within HOPS, which may explain its function during tethering, and indicate that these tethering complexes are less mobile within the cell than previously anticipated.

Cellular metabolism regulates contact sites between vacuoles and mitochondria.

Emerging evidence suggests that contact sites between different organelles form central hubs in the coordination of cellular physiology. Although recent work has emphasized the crucial role of the endoplasmic reticulum in interorganellar crosstalk, the cooperative behavior of other organelles is largely unexplored. Here, we identify a contact site named vCLAMP (vacuole and mitochondria patch) that integrates mitochondria with the lysosome-like vacuole and thus the endocytic pathway. vCLAMPs depend on the vacuolar HOPS tethering complex subunit Vps39/Vam6 and the Rab GTPase Ypt7, which also participate in membrane fusion at the vacuole. Intriguingly, vCLAMPs are located proximal to the ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) complexes, and an increase in vCLAMPs can rescue the growth defect of ERMES mutants. Importantly, the persistence of vCLAMPs is regulated by phosphorylation of Vps39 and is strongly reduced during respiratory growth. The identification of this organelle contact site reveals a physical and metabolic interconnection between the endocytic pathway and mitochondria.

The Dsl1 protein tethering complex is a resident endoplasmic reticulum complex, which interacts with five soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein receptors (SNAREs): implications for fusion and fusion regulation.

Retrograde vesicular transport from the Golgi to the ER requires the Dsl1 tethering complex, which consists of the three subunits Dsl1, Dsl3, and Tip20. It forms a stable complex with the SNAREs Ufe1, Use1, and Sec20 to mediate fusion of COPI vesicles with the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we analyze molecular interactions between five SNAREs of the ER (Ufe1, Use1, Sec20, Sec22, and Ykt6) and the Dsl1 complex in vitro and in vivo. Of the two R-SNAREs, Sec22 is preferred over Ykt6 in the Dsl-SNARE complex. The NSF homolog Sec18 can displace Ykt6 but not Sec22, suggesting a regulatory function for Ykt6. In addition, our data also reveal that subunits of the Dsl1 complex (Dsl1, Dsl3, and Tip20), as well as the SNAREs Ufe1 and Sec20, are ER-resident proteins that do not seem to move into COPII vesicles. Our data support a model, in which a tethering complex is stabilized at the organelle membrane by binding to SNAREs, recognizes the incoming vesicle via its coat and then promotes its SNARE-mediated fusion.

Defined subunit arrangement and rab interactions are required for functionality of the HOPS tethering complex.

Within the endomembrane system of eukaryotic cells, multisubunit tethering complexes together with their corresponding Rab-GTPases coordinate vesicle tethering and fusion. Here, we present evidence that two homologous hexameric tethering complexes, the endosomal CORVET (Class C core vacuole/endosome transport) and the vacuolar HOPS (homotypic vacuole fusion and protein sorting) complex, have similar subunit topologies. Both complexes contain two Rab-binding proteins at one end, and the Sec1/Munc18-like Vps33 at the opposite side, suggesting a model on membrane bridging via Rab-GTP and SNARE binding. In agreement, HOPS activity can be reconstituted using purified subcomplexes containing the Rab and Vps33 module, but requires all six subunits for activity. At the center of HOPS and CORVET, the class C proteins Vps11 and Vps18 connect the two parts, and Vps11 binds both HOPS Vps39 and CORVET Vps3 via the same binding site. As HOPS Vps39 is also found at endosomes, our data thus suggest that these tethering complexes follow defined but distinct assembly pathways, and may undergo transition by simple subunit interchange.

Depalmitoylation of Ykt6 prevents its entry into the multivesicular body pathway.

The dually lipidated SNARE Ykt6 is found on intracellular membranes and in the cytosol. In this study, we show that Ykt6 localizes to the Golgi as well as endosomal and vacuolar membranes in vivo. The ability of Ykt6 to cycle between the cytosol and the membranes depends on the intramolecular interaction of the N-terminal longin and C-terminal SNARE domains and not on either domain alone. A mutant deficient in this interaction accumulates on membranes and--in contrast to the wild-type protein--does not get released from vacuoles. Our data also indicate that Ykt6 is a substrate of the DHHC (Asp-His-His-Cys) acyltransferase network. Overexpression of the vacuolar acyltransferase Pfa3 drives the F42S mutant not only to the vacuole but also into the vacuolar lumen. Thus, depalmitoylation and release of Ykt6 are needed for its recycling and to circumvent its entry into the endosomal multivesicular body pathway.

The Ustilago maydis Cys2His2-type zinc finger transcription factor Mzr1 regulates fungal gene expression during the biotrophic growth stage.

The smut fungus Ustilago maydis establishes a biotrophic relationship with its host plant maize to progress through sexual development. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the Cys(2)His(2)-type zinc finger protein Mzr1 that functions as a transcriptional activator during host colonization. Expression of the U. maydis mig2 cluster genes is tightly linked to this phase. Upon conditional overexpression, Mzr1 confers induction of a subset of mig2 genes during vegetative growth and this requires the same promoter elements that confer inducible expression in planta. Furthermore, expression of the mig2-4 and mig2-5 genes during biotrophic growth is strongly reduced in cells deleted in mzr1. DNA-array analysis led to the identification of additional Mzr1-induced genes. Some of these genes show a mig2-like plant-specific expression pattern and Mzr1 is responsible for their high-level expression during pathogenesis. Mzr1 function requires the b-dependently regulated Cys(2)His(2)-type cell cycle regulator Biz1, indicating that two stage-specific regulators mediate gene expression during host colonization. In spite of a role as transcriptional activator during biotrophic growth, mzr1 is not essential for pathogenesis; however, conditional overexpression interfered with proliferation during vegetative growth and mating ability, caused a cell separation defect, and triggered filamentous growth. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Identification of cis-active elements in Ustilago maydis mig2 promoters conferring high-level activity during pathogenic growth in maize.

The Ustilago maydis mig2 cluster comprises five highly homologous genes that display a pronounced plant-specific expression profile. A 350-bp mig2-5 promoter fragment contained all elements sufficient to confer differential promoter activity. Mutational analysis of this region, fused to the green fluorescent protein reporter gene, allowed dissecting core promoter elements required for high-level promoter activity from elements conferring inducible expression in planta. In particular, the presence of several 5'-CCA-3' motifs within a short stretch of the mig2-5 promoter was decisive for inducible promoter activity. On this basis, we reconstituted an artificial promoter whose inducible activity specifically relied on multiple CCA motifs. In addition, we identified a novel mig2 homologous gene, mig2-6, that is not part of the mig2 cluster, but displayed the strongest differential expression profile among mig2 genes. The deletion of all six mig2 genes did not compromise the ability to induce tumor formation in infected maize plants. Comparative sequence analysis including the mig2-6 promoter revealed an over-representation of the consensus motif 5'-MNMNWNCCAMM-3'. We discuss putative transcriptional activators involved in mig2 regulation.

The Ustilago maydis a2 mating-type locus genes lga2 and rga2 compromise pathogenicity in the absence of the mitochondrial p32 family protein Mrb1.

The Ustilago maydis mrb1 gene specifies a mitochondrial matrix protein with significant similarity to mitochondrial p32 family proteins known from human and many other eukaryotic species. Compatible mrb1 mutant strains were able to mate and form dikaryotic hyphae; however, proliferation within infected tissue and the ability to induce tumor development of infected maize (Zea mays) plants were drastically impaired. Surprisingly, manifestation of the mrb1 mutant phenotype selectively depended on the a2 mating type locus. The a2 locus contains, in addition to pheromone signaling components, the genes lga2 and rga2 of unknown function. Deletion of lga2 in an a2Deltamrb1 strain fully restored pathogenicity, whereas pathogenicity was partially regained in an a2Deltamrb1Deltarga2 strain, implicating a concerted action between Lga2 and Rga2 in compromising pathogenicity in Deltamrb1 strains. Lga2 and Rga2 localized to mitochondria and Mrb1 interacted with Rga2 in the yeast two-hybrid system. Conditional expression of lga2 in haploid cells reduced vegetative growth, conferred mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial DNA degradation, and interfered with respiratory activity. The consequences of lga2 overexpression depended on the expression strength and were greatly exacerbated in Deltamrb1 mutants. We propose that Lga2 interferes with mitochondrial fusion and that Mrb1 controls this activity, emphasizing a critical link between mitochondrial morphology and pathogenicity.