Inner-nuclear-membrane–associated degradation employs Dfm1-independent retrotranslocation and alleviates misfolded transmembrane-protein toxicity

Before their delivery to and degradation by the 26S proteasome, misfolded transmembrane proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and inner–nuclear membrane (INM) must be extracted from lipid bilayers. This extraction process, known as retrotranslocation, requires both quality-control E3 ubiquitin ligases and dislocation factors that diminish the energetic cost of dislodging the transmembrane segments of a protein. Recently, we showed that retrotranslocation of all ER transmembrane proteins requires the Dfm1 rhomboid pseudoprotease. However, we did not investigate whether Dfm1 also mediated retrotranslocation of transmembrane substrates in the INM, which is contiguous with the ER but functionally separated from it by nucleoporins. Here, we show that canonical retrotranslocation occurs during INM-associated degradation (INMAD) but proceeds independently of Dfm1. Despite this independence, ER-associated degradation (ERAD)-M and INMAD cooperate to mitigate proteotoxicity. We show a novel misfolded-transmembrane-protein toxicity that elicits genetic suppression, demonstrating the cell’s ability to tolerate a toxic burden of misfolded transmembrane proteins without functional INMAD or ERAD-M. This strikingly contrasted the suppression of the dfm1Δ null, which leads to the resumption of ERAD-M through HRD-complex remodeling. Thus, we conclude that INM retrotranslocation proceeds through a novel, private channel that can be studied by virtue of its role in alleviating membrane-associated proteotoxicity.     

Ectopic RING activity at the ER membrane differentially impacts ERAD protein quality control pathways

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) is a protein quality control pathway that ensures misfolded proteins are removed from the ER and destroyed. In ERAD, membrane and luminal substrates are ubiquitylated by ER-resident RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases, retrotranslocated into the cytosol, and degraded by the proteasome. Overexpression of ERAD factors is frequently used in yeast and mammalian cells to study this process. Here, we analyze the impact of ERAD E3 overexpression on substrate turnover in yeast, where there are three ERAD E3 complexes (Doa10, Hrd1, and Asi1-3). Elevated Doa10 or Hrd1 (but not Asi1) RING activity at the ER membrane resulting from protein overexpression inhibits the degradation of specific Doa10 substrates. The ERAD E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc6 becomes limiting under these conditions, and UBC6 overexpression restores Ubc6-mediated ERAD. Using a subset of the dominant-negative mutants, which contain the Doa10 RING domain but lack the E2-binding region, we show that they induce degradation of membrane tail-anchored Ubc6 independently of endogenous Doa10 and the other ERAD E3 complexes. This remains true even if the cells lack the Dfm1 rhomboid pseudoprotease, which is also a proposed retrotranslocon. Hence, rogue RING activity at the ER membrane elicits a highly specific off-pathway defect in the Doa10 pathway, and the data point to an additional ERAD E3-independent retrotranslocation mechanism.     

Dfm1 Forms Distinct Complexes with Cdc48 and the ER Ubiquitin Ligases and Is Required for ERAD

Proteins imported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are scanned for their folding status. Those that do not reach their native conformation are degraded via the ubiquitin‐proteasome system. This process is called ER‐associated degradation (ERAD). Der1 is known to be one of the components required for efficient degradation of soluble ERAD substrates like CPY^* (mutated carboxypeptidase yscY). A homologue of Der1 exists, named Dfm1. No function of Dfm1 has been discovered, although a C‐terminally hemagglutinin (HA)₃‐tagged Dfm1 protein has been shown to interact with the ERAD machinery. In our studies, we found Dfm1‐HA₃ to be an ERAD substrate and therefore not suitable for functional studies of Dfm1 in ERAD. We found cellular, non‐tagged Dfm1 to be a stable protein. We identified Dfm1 to be part of complexes which contain the ERAD‐L ligase Hrd1/Der3 and Der1 as well as the ERAD‐C ligase Doa10. In addition, ERAD of Ste6^*‐HA₃ was strongly dependent on Dfm1. Interestingly, Dfm1 forms a complex with the AAA‐ATPase Cdc48 in a strain lacking the Cdc48 membrane‐recruiting component Ubx2. This complex does not contain the ubiquitin ligases Hrd1/Der3 and Doa10. The existence of such a complex might point to an additional function of Dfm1 independent from ERAD.     

N‐glycan processing selects ERAD‐resistant misfolded proteins for ER‐to‐lysosome‐associated degradation

Efficient degradation of by‐products of protein biogenesis maintains cellular fitness. Strikingly, the major biosynthetic compartment in eukaryotic cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lacks degradative machineries. Misfolded proteins in the ER are translocated to the cytosol for proteasomal degradation via ER‐associated degradation (ERAD). Alternatively, they are segregated in ER subdomains that are shed from the biosynthetic compartment and are delivered to endolysosomes under control of ER‐phagy receptors for ER‐to‐lysosome‐associated degradation (ERLAD). Demannosylation of N‐linked oligosaccharides targets terminally misfolded proteins for ERAD. How misfolded proteins are eventually marked for ERLAD is not known. Here, we show for ATZ and mutant Pro‐collagen that cycles of de‐/re‐glucosylation of selected N‐glycans and persistent association with Calnexin (CNX) are required and sufficient to mark ERAD‐resistant misfolded proteins for FAM134B‐driven lysosomal delivery. In summary, we show that mannose and glucose processing of N‐glycans are triggering events that target misfolded proteins in the ER to proteasomal (ERAD) and lysosomal (ERLAD) clearance, respectively, regulating protein quality control in eukaryotic cells.     

Order through destruction: how ER‐associated protein degradation contributes to organelle homeostasis

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large, dynamic, and multifunctional organelle. ER protein homeostasis is essential for the coordination of its diverse functions and depends on ER‐associated protein degradation (ERAD). The latter process selects target proteins in the lumen and membrane of the ER, promotes their ubiquitination, and facilitates their delivery into the cytosol for degradation by the proteasome. Originally characterized for a role in the degradation of misfolded proteins and rate‐limiting enzymes of sterol biosynthesis, the many branches of ERAD now appear to control the levels of a wider range of substrates and influence more broadly the organization and functions of the ER, as well as its interactions with adjacent organelles. Here, we discuss recent mechanistic advances in our understanding of ERAD and of its consequences for the regulation of ER functions.     

Ufd1-Npl4 is a negative regulator of cholera toxin retrotranslocation

The A1 chain of the cholera toxin (CT) undergoes retrotranslocation to the cytosol across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane by hijacking ER-associated degradation (ERAD). In the cytosol the CT A1 chain stimulates adenylyl cyclase. The VCP(Ufd1-Npl4) complex mediates retrotranslocation of emerging ER proteins. While one group reported that VCP is required for CT retrotranslocation, another group concluded the opposite. We show that VCP is dispensable for CT retrotranslocation, however RNAi of either Ufd1 or Npl4 induces an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity induced by CT. RNAi of VCP, Ufd1 or Npl4 did not affect adenylyl cyclase activity induced by forskolin. These findings are coherent with our previous report showing that depletion of Ufd1-Npl4 accelerates ERAD of reporter substrates. To integrate contradictory results we propose a new model, where Ufd1-Npl4 is a negative regulator of retrotranslocation, delaying the retrotranslocation of ERAD substrates independently of its association with VCP.     

Role of HERP and a HERP-related Protein in HRD1-dependent Protein Degradation at the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Misfolded proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are retrotranslocated to the cytosol and degraded by the proteasome via a process termed ER-associated degradation (ERAD). The precise mechanism of retrotranslocation is unclear. Here, we use several lumenal ERAD substrates targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin ligase HRD1 including SHH (sonic hedgehog) and NHK (null Hong Kong α1-antitrypsin) to study the geometry, organization, and regulation of the HRD1-containing ERAD machinery. We report a new HRD1-associated membrane protein named HERP2, which is homologous to the previously identified HRD1 partner HERP1. Despite sequence homology, HERP2 is constitutively expressed in cells, whereas HERP1 is highly induced by ER stress. We find that these proteins are required for efficient degradation of both glycosylated and nonglycosylated SHH proteins as well as NHK. In cells depleted of HERPs, SHH proteins are largely trapped inside the ER with a fraction of the stabilized SHH protein bound to the HRD1-SEL1L ligase complex. Ubiquitination of SHH is significantly attenuated in the absence of HERPs, suggesting a defect in retrotranslocation. Both HERP proteins interact with HRD1 through a region located in the cytosol. However, unlike its homolog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, HERPs do not regulate HRD1 stability or oligomerization status. Instead, they help recruit DERL2 to the HRD1-SEL1L complex. Additionally, the UBL domain of HERP1 also seems to have a function independent of DERL2 recruitment in ERAD. Our studies have revealed a critical scaffolding function for mammalian HERP proteins that is required for forming an active retrotranslocation complex containing HRD1, SEL1L, and DERL2.     

Membrane-bound Ubx2 recruits Cdc48 to ubiquitin ligases and their substrates to ensure efficient ER-associated protein degradation

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation (ERAD) is a quality control system that removes misfolded proteins from the ER. ERAD substrates are channelled from the ER via a proteinacious pore to the cytosolic ubiquitin-proteasome system - a process involving dedicated ubiquitin ligases and the chaperone-like AAA ATPase Cdc48 (also known as p97). How the activities of these proteins are coupled remains unclear. Here we show that the UBX domain protein Ubx2 is an integral ER membrane protein that recruits Cdc48 to the ER. Moreover, Ubx2 mediates binding of Cdc48 to the ubiquitin ligases Hrd1 and Doa10, and to ERAD substrates. In addition, Ubx2 and Cdc48 interact with Der1 and Dfm1, yeast homologues of the putative dislocation pore protein Derlin-1 (refs 11-13). Lack of Ubx2 causes defects in ERAD that are exacerbated under stress conditions. These findings are consistent with a model in which Ubx2 coordinates the assembly of a highly efficient ERAD machinery at the ER membrane.     

Role of Sec61p in the ER-associated degradation of short-lived transmembrane proteins

Misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are identified and degraded by the ER-associated degradation pathway (ERAD), a component of ER quality control. In ERAD, misfolded proteins are removed from the ER by retrotranslocation into the cytosol where they are degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The identity of the specific protein components responsible for retrotranslocation remains controversial, with the potential candidates being Sec61p, Der1p, and Doa10. We show that the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain of a short-lived transmembrane ERAD substrate is exposed to the lumen of the ER during the degradation process. The addition of N-linked glycan to the N terminus of the substrate is prevented by mutation of a specific cysteine residue of Sec61p, as well as a specific cysteine residue of the substrate protein. We show that the substrate protein forms a disulfide-linked complex to Sec61p, suggesting that at least part of the retrotranslocation process involves Sec61p.     

A stalled retrotranslocation complex reveals physical linkage between substrate recognition and proteasomal degradation during ER-associated degradation

During endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD), misfolded lumenal and membrane proteins in the ER are recognized by the transmembrane Hrd1 ubiquitin ligase complex and retrotranslocated to the cytosol for ubiquitination and degradation. Although substrates are believed to be delivered to the proteasome only after the ATPase Cdc48p/p97 acts, there is limited knowledge about how the Hrd1 complex coordinates with Cdc48p/p97 and the proteasome to orchestrate substrate recognition and degradation. Here we provide evidence that inactivation of Cdc48p/p97 stalls retrotranslocation and triggers formation of a complex that contains the 26S proteasome, Cdc48p/p97, ubiquitinated substrates, select components of the Hrd1 complex, and the lumenal recognition factor, Yos9p. We propose that the actions of Cdc48p/p97 and the proteasome are tightly coupled during ERAD. Our data also support a model in which the Hrd1 complex links substrate recognition and degradation on opposite sides of the ER membrane.     

Analysis of Npl4 deletion mutants in mammalian cells unravels new Ufd1-interacting motifs and suggests a regulatory role of Npl4 in ERAD

Npl4 is a 67 kDa protein forming a stable heterodimer with Ufd1, which in turn binds the ubiquitous p97/VCP ATPase. According to a widely accepted model, VCP^Ufd1–Npl4 promotes the retrotranslocation of emerging ER proteins, their ubiquitination by associated ligases, and handling to the 26S proteasome for degradation in a process known as ERAD (ER-associated degradation). Using a series of Npl4 deletion mutants we have revealed that the binding of Ufd1 to Npl4 is mediated by two regions: a conserved stretch of amino acids from 113 to 255 within the zf-Npl4 domain and by the Npl4 homology domain between amino acids 263 and 344. Within the first region, we have identified two discrete subdomains: one involved in Ufd1 binding and one regulating VCP binding. Expression of any one of the mutants failed to induce any changes in the morphology of the ER or Golgi compartments. Moreover, we have observed that overexpression of all the analyzed mutants induced mild ER stress, as evidenced by increased Grp74/BiP expression without associated XBP1 splicing or induction of apoptosis. Surprisingly, we have not observed any accumulation of the typical ERAD substrate αTCR. This favors the model where the Ufd1–Npl4 dimer forms a regulatory gate at the exit from the retrotranslocone, rather than actively promoting retrotranslocation like the p97VCP ATPase.     

AAA ATPase p97/valosin-containing protein interacts with gp78, a ubiquitin ligase for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) is a protein quality control mechanism that eliminates unwanted proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through a ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation pathway. gp78 is a previously described ER membrane-anchored ubiquitin ligase (E3) involved in ubiquitination of ER proteins. AAA ATPase (ATPase associated with various cellular activities) p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP) subsequently dislodges the ubiquitinated proteins from the ER and chaperones them to the cytosol, where they undergo proteasomal degradation. We now report that gp78 physically interacts with p97/VCP and enhances p97/VCP-polyubiquitin association. The enhanced association correlates with decreases in ER stress-induced accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins. This effect is abolished when the p97/VCP-interacting domain of gp78 is removed. Further, using ERAD substrate CD3delta, gp78 consistently enhances p97/VCP-CD3delta binding and facilitates CD3delta degradation. Moreover, inhibition of endogenous gp78 expression by RNA interference markedly increases the levels of total polyubiquitinated proteins, including CD3delta, and abrogates VCP-CD3delta interactions. The gp78 mutant with deletion of its p97/VCP-interacting domain fails to increase CD3delta degradation and leads to accumulation of polyubiquitinated CD3delta, suggesting a failure in delivering ubiquitinated CD3delta for degradation. These data suggest that gp78-p97/VCP interaction may represent one way of coupling ubiquitination with retrotranslocation and degradation of ERAD substrates.     

The yeast ERAD-C ubiquitin ligase Doa10 recognizes an intramembrane degron

Aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins are eliminated by ER-associated degradation (ERAD). This process involves protein retrotranslocation into the cytosol, ubiquitylation, and proteasomal degradation. ERAD substrates are classified into three categories based on the location of their degradation signal/degron: ERAD-L (lumen), ERAD-M (membrane), and ERAD-C (cytosol) substrates. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the membrane proteins Hrd1 and Doa10 are the predominant ERAD ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s). The current notion is that ERAD-L and ERAD-M substrates are exclusively handled by Hrd1, whereas ERAD-C substrates are recognized by Doa10. In this paper, we identify the transmembrane (TM) protein Sec61 β-subunit homologue 2 (Sbh2) as a Doa10 substrate. Sbh2 is part of the trimeric Ssh1 complex involved in protein translocation. Unassembled Sbh2 is rapidly degraded in a Doa10-dependent manner. Intriguingly, the degron maps to the Sbh2 TM region. Thus, in contrast to the prevailing view, Doa10 (and presumably its human orthologue) has the capacity for recognizing intramembrane degrons, expanding its spectrum of substrates.     

PDI reductase acts on Akita mutant proinsulin to initiate retrotranslocation along the Hrd1/Sel1L-p97 axis

In mutant INS gene–induced diabetes of youth (MIDY), characterized by insulin deficiency, MIDY proinsulin mutants misfold and fail to exit the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, these mutants bind and block ER exit of wild-type (WT) proinsulin, inhibiting insulin production. The ultimate fate of ER-entrapped MIDY mutants is unclear, but previous studies implicated ER-associated degradation (ERAD), a pathway that retrotranslocates misfolded ER proteins to the cytosol for proteasomal degradation. Here we establish key ERAD machinery components used to triage the Akita proinsulin mutant, including the Hrd1-Sel1L membrane complex, which conducts Akita proinsulin from the ER lumen to the cytosol, and the p97 ATPase, which couples the cytosolic arrival of proinsulin with its proteasomal degradation. Surprisingly, we find that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), the major protein oxidase of the ER lumen, engages Akita proinsulin in a novel way, reducing proinsulin disulfide bonds and priming the Akita protein for ERAD. Efficient PDI engagement of Akita proinsulin appears linked to the availability of Hrd1, suggesting that retrotranslocation is coordinated on the lumenal side of the ER membrane. We believe that, in principle, this form of diabetes could be alleviated by enhancing the targeting of MIDY mutants for ERAD to restore WT insulin production.     

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation: exceptions to the rule

Quality control mechanisms in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ensure that misfolded proteins are recognized and targeted for degradation. According to the current view of ER-associated degradation (ERAD), the degradation does not occur in the ER itself but requires the retrotranslocation of the proteins to the cytosol where they are degraded by proteasomes. Although this model appears to be valid for many different proteins a number of exceptions from this rule suggest that additional proteasome-independent ERAD pathways may exist. In this review, we will summarize what is known about these alternative ERAD pathways.     

Conformational diseases and ER stress-mediated cell death: apoptotic cell death and autophagic cell death

The expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts observed in autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders have the tendency to form intracellular aggregates, thus enhancing apoptotic cell death and the formation of autophagic vesicles. PolyQ accumulation inhibits the ER-associated degradation system (ERAD) resulting in reduced retrotranslocation from the ER and increased accumulation of misfolded proteins in the lumen of ER. Autophagy is an early cellular defense mechanism associated with ER stress, but prolonged ER stress may induce autophagic cell death, with destruction of cellular components and apoptotic cell death. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may be the key signal for both of these events.     

Selective targeting of proteins within secretory pathway for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation

The endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) is a cellular quality control mechanism to dispose of misfolded proteins of the secretory pathway via proteasomal degradation. SEL1L is an ER-resident protein that participates in identification of misfolded molecules as ERAD substrates, therefore inducing their ER-to-cytosol retrotranslocation and degradation. We have developed a novel class of fusion proteins, termed degradins, composed of a fragment of SEL1L fused to a target-specific binding moiety located on the luminal side of the ER. The target-binding moiety can be a ligand of the target or derived from specific mAbs. Here, we describe the ability of degradins with two different recognition moieties to promote degradation of a model target. Degradins recognize the target protein within the ER both in secretory and membrane-bound forms, inducing their degradation following retrotranslocation to the cytosol. Thus, degradins represent an effective technique to knock-out proteins within the secretory pathway with high specificity.     

A plant reovirus hijacks the DNAJB12–Hsc70 chaperone complex to promote viral spread in its planthopper vector

Many viruses usurp the functions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for virus‐encoded membrane proteins proper functional folding or assembly to promote virus spread. Southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), a plant reovirus, exploits virus‐containing tubules composed of nonstructural membrane protein P7‐1 to spread in its planthopper vector Sogatella furcifera. Here, we report that two factors of the ER‐associated degradation (ERAD) machinery, the ER chaperone DNAJB12 and its cytosolic co‐chaperone Hsc70, are activated by SRBSDV to facilitate ER‐to‐cytosol export of P7‐1 tubules in S. furcifera. Both P7‐1 of SRBSDV and Hsc70 directly bind to the J‐domain of DNAJB12. DNAJB12 overexpression induces ER retention of P7‐1, but Hsc70 overexpression promotes the transport of P7‐1 from the ER to the cytosol to initiate tubule assembly. Thus, P7‐1 is initially retained in the ER by interaction with DNAJB12 and then delivered to Hsc70. Furthermore, the inhibitors of the ATPase activity of Hsc70 reduce P7‐1 tubule assembly, suggesting that the proper folding and assembly of P7‐1 tubules is dependent on the ATPase activity of Hsc70. The DNAJB12–Hsc70 chaperone complex is recruited to P7‐1 tubules in virus‐infected midgut epithelial cells in S. furcifera. The knockdown of DNAJB12 or Hsc70 strongly inhibits P7‐1 tubule assembly in vivo, finally suppressing effective viral spread in S. furcifera. Taken together, our results indicate that the DNAJB12–Hsc70 chaperone complex in the ERAD machinery facilitates the ER‐to‐cytosol transport of P7‐1 for proper assembly of tubules, enabling viral spread in insect vectors in a manner dependent on ATPase activity of Hsc70.     

PERK-dependent compartmentalization of ERAD and unfolded protein response machineries during ER stress

Accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activates the ER membrane kinases PERK and IRE1 leading to the unfolded protein response (UPR). We show here that UPR activation triggers PERK and IRE1 segregation from BiP and their sorting with misfolded proteins to the ER-derived quality control compartment (ERQC), a pericentriolar compartment that we had identified previously. PERK phosphorylates translation factor eIF2alpha, which then accumulates on the cytosolic side of the ERQC. Dominant negative PERK or eIF2alpha(S51A) mutants prevent the compartmentalization, whereas eIF2alpha(S51D) mutant, which mimics constitutive phosphorylation, promotes it. This suggests a feedback loop where eIF2alpha phosphorylation causes pericentriolar concentration at the ERQC, which in turn amplifies the UPR. ER-associated degradation (ERAD) is an UPR-dependent process; we also find that ERAD components (Sec61beta, HRD1, p97/VCP, ubiquitin) are recruited to the ERQC, making it a likely site for retrotranslocation. In addition, we show that autophagy, suggested to play a role in elimination of aggregated proteins, is unrelated to protein accumulation in the ERQC.