Project description:In eukaryotes, up to one-third of cellular proteins are targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum, where they undergo folding, processing, sorting and trafficking to subsequent endomembrane compartments. Targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum has been shown to occur co-translationally by the signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway or post-translationally by the mammalian transmembrane recognition complex of 40 kDa (TRC40) and homologous yeast guided entry of tail-anchored proteins (GET) pathways. Despite the range of proteins that can be catered for by these two pathways, many proteins are still known to be independent of both SRP and GET, so there seems to be a critical need for an additional dedicated pathway for endoplasmic reticulum relay. We set out to uncover additional targeting proteins using unbiased high-content screening approaches. To this end, we performed a systematic visual screen using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and uncovered three uncharacterized proteins whose loss affected targeting. We suggest that these proteins work together and demonstrate that they function in parallel with SRP and GET to target a broad range of substrates to the endoplasmic reticulum. The three proteins, which we name Snd1, Snd2 and Snd3 (for SRP-independent targeting), can synthetically compensate for the loss of both the SRP and GET pathways, and act as a backup targeting system. This explains why it has previously been difficult to demonstrate complete loss of targeting for some substrates. Our discovery thus puts in place an essential piece of the endoplasmic reticulum targeting puzzle, highlighting how the targeting apparatus of the eukaryotic cell is robust, interlinked and flexible.
Project description:In this study we focus on two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with varying production of heterologous α-amylase and we compare the metabolic fluxes and transcriptional regulation at aerobic and anaerobic conditions, in particular with the objective to identify the final electron acceptor for protein folding. We found that anaerobic conditions showed high amount of amylase productions when comparing to aerobic conditions and the genome-scale transcriptional analysis suggested that genes related to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lipid synthesis and stress responses were generally up-regulated at anaerobic conditions. Moreover, we proposed a model for the electron transfer from ER to the final electron acceptor, fumarate under anaerobic conditions.
Project description:Ire1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located transmembrane protein that triggers the unfolded protein response. I recently noticed that Ire1 is activated not only in response to ER accumulation of unfolded proteins but also alongside diauxic shift in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. I thus asked how different the Ire1-target genes upon two distinct scenes, a canonical ER -stressing stimuli and diauxic shift. Thus NGS transcriptome analysis was performed by using IRE1+ and ire1-delta mutant yeast cells under these conditions.
Project description:Cotranslational targeting into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) is a key event determining polypeptide fate in eukaryotic cells. Here, we globally define the principles and mechanisms of SRP binding and ER targeting in vivo. Cotranslational targeting through SRP is the dominant route into the ER for all secretory proteins, regardless of targeting signal characteristics. Cytosolic SRP functions in a pioneer translation round that builds a membrane-resident mRNAs pool, explaining how low SRP levels suffice for the secretory load. SRP does not induce an elongation arrest; consequently, kinetic competition between targeting and translation elongation dictates which substrates are translocated post-translationally. Unexpectedly, SRP binds most secretory ribosomal complexes before targeting signals are synthesized. We show non-coding mRNA elements can promote signal-independent SRP pre-recruitment. Our study defines the complex kinetic interplay between elongation and determinants in the polypeptide and mRNA modulating SRP-substrate selection and membrane targeting in vivo. Ribosome profiling (RiboSeq) and RNA-seq of subcellular fractions of ribosomes. Soluble and membrane bound ribosomes are separated by centrifugation, and SRP-bound ribosomes are immunoprecipitated from the soluble fraction. Polysomes and monosomes are separated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation.
Project description:In this study we focus on two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with varying production of heterologous M-NM-1-amylase and we compare the metabolic fluxes and transcriptional regulation at aerobic and anaerobic conditions, in particular with the objective to identify the final electron acceptor for protein folding. We found that anaerobic conditions showed high amount of amylase productions when comparing to aerobic conditions and the genome-scale transcriptional analysis suggested that genes related to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lipid synthesis and stress responses were generally up-regulated at anaerobic conditions. Moreover, we proposed a model for the electron transfer from ER to the final electron acceptor, fumarate under anaerobic conditions. Three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with varied amylase productions were selected at early glucose phase in batch fermentations for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Biological triplicates were applied, and strains with empty plasmid (no amylase productions) were used as control strain.
Project description:Various pathways can target nascent or fully synthesized precursor polypeptides to the human endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Typically, they involve cytosolic proteins or complexes and their respective receptors on the ER surface. The signal recognition particle (SRP) and the heterodimeric SRP-receptor (SR) represent one such targeting system, others are TRC40 and its heterodimeric TRC-receptor (WRB/CAML) and the components of the SND pathway. Apparently, they all can target precursor polypeptides to the Sec61-channel in the ER membrane. To characterize the substrate specificities of these targeting pathways, we combined siRNA-mediated depletion of membrane receptor subunits in HeLa cells with label-free quantitative proteomics and differential protein abundance analyis.
Project description:In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) mediated by Hac1p, whereas the heat shock response (HSR) mediated by Hsf1p mainly regulates cytosolic processes and protects the cell from different stresses. In this study, we find that a constitutive activation of the HSR by over-expression of a mutant HSF1 gene could relieve ER stress in both wild type and hac1∆ UPR-deficient cells. We studied the genome-wide transcriptional response in order to identify regulatory mechanisms that govern the interplay between UPR and HSR responses. Interestingly, we find that the regulation of ER stress via HSR is mainly through facilitation of protein folding and secretion and not via the induction of Rpn4-dependent proteasomal activity.
Project description:In this study we focus on two Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CEN. PK series) strains producing either insulin precursor or amylase and we compare the transcriptional regulation at different dilution rates, in particular with the objective to identify the relationship between cell metabolism and recombinant protein production. We found that anaerobic conditions showed high amount of amylase productions when comparing to aerobic conditions and the genome-scale transcriptional analysis suggested that genes related to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lipid synthesis and stress responses were generally up-regulated at anaerobic conditions. Moreover, we proposed a model for the electron transfer from ER to the final electron acceptor, fumarate under anaerobic conditions.
Project description:In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) mediated by Hac1p, whereas the heat shock response (HSR) mediated by Hsf1p mainly regulates cytosolic processes and protects the cell from different stresses. In this study, we find that a constitutive activation of the HSR by over-expression of a mutant HSF1 gene could relieve ER stress in both wild type and hac1delta UPR-deficient cells. We studied the genome-wide transcriptional response in order to identify regulatory mechanisms that govern the interplay between UPR and HSR responses. Interestingly, we find that the regulation of ER stress via HSR is mainly through facilitation of protein folding and secretion and not via the induction of Rpn4-dependent proteasomal activity. Four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, WT, WT(hsf1), hac1delta and hac1delta(hsf1), were grown in SD-URA medium and treated with 2.5 mM DTT. After two hours induction, samples were taken for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Biological triplicates were applied.