Subunit architecture of the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex

The conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex is thought to function in intra-Golgi retrograde trafficking mediated by coat protein I vesicles, a pathway essential for the proper structure and function of the Golgi apparatus. Previous work suggested that COG might act as a tethering factor to mediate the initial attachment between coat protein I vesicles and Golgi membranes. Here, we present extensive in vitro co-translation and immunoprecipitation experiments leading to a new model for the overall architecture of the mammalian COG complex. The eight COG subunits (Cog1-8) are found to form two heterotrimeric subassemblies (Cog2/3/4 and Cog5/6/7) linked by a heterodimer composed of the remaining subunits (Cog1/8). This model is in excellent agreement with in vivo data presented in an accompanying paper (Oka, T., Vasile, E., Penman, M., Novina, C. D., Dykxhoorn, D. M., Ungar, D., Hughson, F. M., and Krieger, M. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 32736-32745).     

Structural analysis of conserved oligomeric Golgi complex subunit 2

The conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex is strongly implicated in retrograde vesicular trafficking within the Golgi apparatus. Although its mechanism of action is poorly understood, it has been proposed to function by mediating the initial physical contact between transport vesicles and their membrane targets. An analogous role in tethering vesicles has been suggested for at least six additional large multisubunit complexes, including the exocyst, a complex essential for trafficking to the plasma membrane. Here we report the solution structure of a large portion of yeast Cog2p, one of eight subunits composing the COG complex. The structure reveals a six-helix bundle with few conserved surface features but a general resemblance to recently determined crystal structures of four different exocyst subunits. This finding provides the first structural evidence that COG, like the exocyst and potentially other tethering complexes, is constructed from helical bundles. These structures may represent platforms for interaction with other trafficking proteins including SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide factor attachment protein receptors) and Rabs.     

The binary interacting network of the conserved oligomeric Golgi tethering complex

Several recent studies have revealed the existence of a conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex consisting of several novel proteins as well as known Golgi proteins that were identified by independent approaches. The mammalian COG complex contains eight subunits: COG1/LdlBp, COG2/LdlCp, COG3/Sec34, COG4/Cod1, COG5/GTC-90/Cod4, COG6/Cod2, COG7, and COG8/Dor1. COG1, COG2, and COG7 seem structurally unique to mammalian cells, whereas the other five subunits are structurally conserved in yeast, which also contains three other unique proteins (COG1/Sec36p/Cod3p, COG2/Sec35p, and COG7/Cod5p). We report here the network of intermolecular interactions of the COG complex, revealed by in vitro translation and co-immunoprecipitation approaches. Our results suggest that COG4 serves as a core component of the complex by interacting directly with COG1, COG2, COG5, and COG7. COG3 is incorporated by its direct interaction with COG1 and COG2, whereas COG6 and COG8 do not interact with any individual subunit. Incorporation of COG6 into the complex depends on the concerted interaction of both COG5 and COG7, whereas optimal incorporation of COG8 depends on the concerted interaction of COG5, COG6, and COG7. Because COG4 (together with COG1, COG2, and COG3) is among the four essential genes of the COG complex in yeast, this molecular network highlights the structural basis for a crucial role of COG4 in the assembly/function of the complex. A model for the assembly of the COG complex is presented.     

Role of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex in protein glycosylation

The Golgi apparatus is a central hub for both protein and lipid trafficking/sorting and is also a major site for glycosylation in the cell. This organelle employs a cohort of peripheral membrane proteins and protein complexes to keep its structural and functional organization. The conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex is an evolutionary conserved peripheral membrane protein complex that is proposed to act as a retrograde vesicle tethering factor in intra-Golgi trafficking. The COG protein complex consists of eight subunits, distributed in two lobes, Lobe A (Cog1-4) and Lobe B (Cog5-8). Malfunctions in the COG complex have a significant impact on processes such as protein sorting, glycosylation, and Golgi integrity. A deletion of Lobe A COG subunits in yeasts causes severe growth defects while mutations in COG1, COG7, and COG8 in humans cause novel types of congenital disorders of glycosylation. These pathologies involve a change in structural Golgi phenotype and function. Recent results indicate that down-regulation of COG function results in the resident Golgi glycosyltransferases/glycosidases to be mislocalized or degraded.     

The conserved oligomeric Golgi complex is required for fucosylation of N-glycans in Caenorhabditis elegans

The conserved oligomeric Golgi complex (COG) is a hetero-octomeric peripheral membrane protein required for retrograde vesicular transport and glycoconjugate biosynthesis within the Golgi. Mutations in subunits 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are the basis for a rare inheritable human disease termed congenital disorders of glycosylation type-II. Defects to COG complex function result in aberrant glycosylation, protein trafficking and Golgi structure. The cellular function of the COG complex and its role in protein glycosylation are not completely understood. In this study, we report the first detailed structural analysis of N-glycans from a COG complex-deficient organism. We employed sequential ion trap mass spectrometry of permethylated N-glycans to demonstrate that the COG complex is essential for the formation of fucose-rich N-glycans, specifically antennae fucosylated structures in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results support the supposition that disruption to the COG complex interferes with normal protein glycosylation in the medial and/or trans-Golgi.     

Interaction of the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex with t-SNARE Syntaxin5a/Sed5 enhances intra-Golgi SNARE complex stability

Tethering factors mediate initial interaction of transport vesicles with target membranes. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) enable consequent docking and membrane fusion. We demonstrate that the vesicle tether conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex colocalizes and coimmunoprecipitates with intra-Golgi SNARE molecules. In yeast cells, the COG complex preferentially interacts with the SNARE complexes containing yeast Golgi target (t)-SNARE Sed5p. In mammalian cells, hCog4p and hCog6p interact with Syntaxin5a, the mammalian homologue of Sed5p. Moreover, fluorescence resonance energy transfer reveals an in vivo interaction between Syntaxin5a and the COG complex. Knockdown of the mammalian COG complex decreases Golgi SNARE mobility, produces an accumulation of free Syntaxin5, and decreases the steady-state levels of the intra-Golgi SNARE complex. Finally, overexpression of the hCog4p N-terminal Syntaxin5a-binding domain destabilizes intra-Golgi SNARE complexes, disrupting the Golgi. These data suggest that the COG complex orchestrates vesicular trafficking similarly in yeast and mammalian cells by binding to the t-SNARE Syntaxin5a/Sed5p and enhancing the stability of intra-Golgi SNARE complexes.     

The Golgi protein p115 associates with gamma-tubulin and plays a role in Golgi structure and mitosis progression

The Golgi apparatus is a network of polarized cisternae localized to the perinuclear region in mammalian cells. It undergoes extensive vesiculation at the onset of mitosis and its reassembly requires factors that are in part segregated via the mitotic spindle. Here we show that unlike typical Golgi markers, the Golgi-protein p115 partitioned with the spindle poles throughout mitosis. An armadillo-fold in its N terminus mediated a novel interaction between p115 and γ-tubulin and functioned in its centrosomal targeting. Both the N- and C-terminal regions of p115 were required to maintain Golgi structure. Strikingly, p115 was essential for mitotic spindle function and the resolution of the cytokinetic bridge because its depletion resulted in spindle collapse, chromosome missegregation, and failed cytokinesis. We demonstrate that p115 plays a critical role in mitosis progression, implicating it as the only known golgin to regulate both mitosis and apoptosis.     

Conserved oligomeric Golgi complex specifically regulates the maintenance of Golgi glycosylation machinery

Cell surface lectin staining, examination of Golgi glycosyltransferases stability and localization, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis were employed to investigate conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG)-dependent glycosylation defects in HeLa cells. Both Griffonia simplicifolia lectin-II and Galanthus nivalus lectins were specifically bound to the plasma membrane glycoconjugates of COG-depleted cells, indicating defects in activity of medial- and trans-Golgi-localized enzymes. In response to siRNA-induced depletion of COG complex subunits, several key components of Golgi glycosylation machinery, including MAN2A1, MGAT1, B4GALT1 and ST6GAL1, were severely mislocalized. MALDI-TOF analysis of total N-linked glycoconjugates indicated a decrease in the relative amount of sialylated glycans in both COG3 KD and COG4 KD cells. In agreement to a proposed role of the COG complex in retrograde membrane trafficking, all types of COG-depleted HeLa cells were deficient in the Brefeldin A- and Sar1 DN-induced redistribution of Golgi resident glycosyltransferases to the endoplasmic reticulum. The retrograde trafficking of medial- and trans-Golgi-localized glycosylation enzymes was affected to a larger extent, strongly indicating that the COG complex regulates the intra-Golgi protein movement. COG complex-deficient cells were not defective in Golgi re-assembly after the Brefeldin A washout, confirming specificity in the retrograde trafficking block. The lobe B COG subcomplex subunits COG6 and COG8 were localized on trafficking intermediates that carry Golgi glycosyltransferases, indicating that the COG complex is directly involved in trafficking and maintenance of Golgi glycosylation machinery.     

The conserved oligomeric Golgi complex is involved in penetration resistance of barley to the barley powdery mildew fungus

Membrane trafficking is vital to plant development and adaptation to the environment. It is suggested that post‐Golgi vesicles and multivesicular bodies are essential for plant defence against directly penetrating fungal parasites at the cell wall. However, the actual plant proteins involved in membrane transport for defence are largely unidentified. We applied a candidate gene approach and single cell transient‐induced gene silencing for the identification of membrane trafficking proteins of barley involved in the response to the fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei. This revealed potential components of vesicle tethering complexes [putative exocyst subunit HvEXO70F‐like and subunits of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex] and Golgi membrane trafficking (COPIγ coatomer and HvYPT1‐like RAB GTPase) as essential for resistance to fungal penetration into the host cell.     

Investigating the function of Gdt1p in yeast Golgi glycosylation

The Golgi ion homeostasis is tightly regulated to ensure essential cellular processes such as glycosylation, yet our understanding of this regulation remains incomplete. Gdt1p is a member of the conserved Uncharacterized Protein Family (UPF0016). Our previous work suggested that Gdt1p may function in the Golgi by regulating Golgi Ca^2 +/Mn^2 + homeostasis. NMR structural analysis of the polymannan chains isolated from yeasts showed that the gdt1Δ mutant cultured in presence of high Ca^2 + concentration, as well as the pmr1Δ and gdt1Δ/pmr1Δ strains presented strong late Golgi glycosylation defects with a lack of α-1,2 mannoses substitution and α-1,3 mannoses termination. The addition of Mn^2 + confirmed the rescue of these defects. Interestingly, our structural data confirmed that the glycosylation defect in pmr1Δ could also completely be suppressed by the addition of Ca^2 +. The use of Pmr1p mutants either defective for Ca^2 + or Mn^2 + transport or both revealed that the suppression of the observed glycosylation defect in pmr1Δ strains by the intraluminal Golgi Ca^2 + requires the activity of Gdt1p. These data support the hypothesis that Gdt1p, in order to sustain the Golgi glycosylation process, imports Mn^2 + inside the Golgi lumen when Pmr1p exclusively transports Ca^2 +. Our results also reinforce the functional link between Gdt1p and Pmr1p as we highlighted that Gdt1p was a Mn^2 + sensitive protein whose abundance was directly dependent on the nature of the ion transported by Pmr1p. Finally, this study demonstrated that the aspartic residues of the two conserved motifs E-x-G-D-[KR], likely constituting the cation binding sites of Gdt1p, play a crucial role in Golgi glycosylation and hence in Mn^2 +/Ca^2 + transport.     

Cog3p depletion blocks vesicle-mediated Golgi retrograde trafficking in HeLa cells

The conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex is an evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit protein complex that regulates membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells. In this work we used short interfering RNA strategy to achieve an efficient knockdown (KD) of Cog3p in HeLa cells. For the first time, we have demonstrated that Cog3p depletion is accompanied by reduction in Cog1, 2, and 4 protein levels and by accumulation of COG complex-dependent (CCD) vesicles carrying v-SNAREs GS15 and GS28 and cis-Golgi glycoprotein GPP130. Some of these CCD vesicles appeared to be vesicular coat complex I (COPI) coated. A prolonged block in CCD vesicles tethering is accompanied by extensive fragmentation of the Golgi ribbon. Fragmented Golgi membranes maintained their juxtanuclear localization, cisternal organization and are competent for the anterograde trafficking of vesicular stomatitis virus G protein to the plasma membrane. In a contrast, Cog3p KD resulted in inhibition of retrograde trafficking of the Shiga toxin. Furthermore, the mammalian COG complex physically interacts with GS28 and COPI and specifically binds to isolated CCD vesicles.     

Rab6 regulates both ZW10/RINT-1 and conserved oligomeric Golgi complex-dependent Golgi trafficking and homeostasis

We used multiple approaches to investigate the role of Rab6 relative to Zeste White 10 (ZW10), a mitotic checkpoint protein implicated in Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) trafficking/transport, and conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex, a putative tether in retrograde, intra-Golgi trafficking. ZW10 depletion resulted in a central, disconnected cluster of Golgi elements and inhibition of ERGIC53 and Golgi enzyme recycling to ER. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against RINT-1, a protein linker between ZW10 and the ER soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor, syntaxin 18, produced similar Golgi disruption. COG3 depletion fragmented the Golgi and produced vesicles; vesicle formation was unaffected by codepletion of ZW10 along with COG, suggesting ZW10 and COG act separately. Rab6 depletion did not significantly affect Golgi ribbon organization. Epistatic depletion of Rab6 inhibited the Golgi-disruptive effects of ZW10/RINT-1 siRNA or COG inactivation by siRNA or antibodies. Dominant-negative expression of guanosine diphosphate-Rab6 suppressed ZW10 knockdown induced-Golgi disruption. No cross-talk was observed between Rab6 and endosomal Rab5, and Rab6 depletion failed to suppress p115 (anterograde tether) knockdown-induced Golgi disruption. Dominant-negative expression of a C-terminal fragment of Bicaudal D, a linker between Rab6 and dynactin/dynein, suppressed ZW10, but not COG, knockdown-induced Golgi disruption. We conclude that Rab6 regulates distinct Golgi trafficking pathways involving two separate protein complexes: ZW10/RINT-1 and COG.     

The conserved oligomeric Golgi complex acts in organ morphogenesis via glycosylation of an ADAM protease in C. elegans

In C. elegans, the gonad acquires two U-shaped arms through directed migration of gonadal distal tip cells (DTCs). A member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family, MIG-17, is secreted from muscle cells and localizes to the gonadal basement membrane where it functions in DTC migration. Mutations in cogc-3 and cogc-1 cause misdirected DTC migration similar to that seen in mig-17 mutants. Here, we report that COGC-3 and COGC-1 proteins are homologous to mammalian COG-3/Sec34 and COG-1/ldlBp, respectively, two of the eight components of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex required for Golgi function. Knockdown of any of the other six components by RNA interference also produces DTC migration defects, suggesting that the eight components function in a common pathway. COGC-3 and COGC-1 are required for the glycosylation and gonadal localization of MIG-17, but not for secretion of MIG-17 from muscle cells. Furthermore, COGC-3 requires MIG-17 activity for its action in DTC migration. Our findings demonstrate that COG complex-dependent glycosylation of an ADAM protease plays a crucial role in determining organ shape.     

Transmembrane organization of yeast syntaxin-analogue Sso1p

Membrane fusion in secretory pathways is thought to be mediated by SNAREs. It is proposed that membrane fusion transits through hemifusion, a condition in which the outer leaflets of the bilayers are mixed, but the inner leaflets are not. Hemifusion then proceeds to the fusion pore that connects the two internal contents. It is believed that the transmembrane domains (TMDs) of the fusion proteins play an essential role in the transition from hemifusion to the fusion pore. In this work, the structure, dynamics, and membrane topology of the TMD of Sso1p, a target membrane (t-) SNARE involved in the trafficking from Golgi to plasma membrane in yeast, was investigated using site-directed spin labeling and EPR spectroscopy. The EPR analysis of spin-labeled mutants showed that the TMD of Sso1p is a well-defined membrane spanning alpha-helix. The results also indicate that there is an equilibrium between the monomers and the oligomers. The oligomerization is mainly mediated through the interaction at the N-terminal half of the TMD, whereas the C-terminal half is free of the tertiary interaction. Additionally, the isotropic hyperfine splitting values were examined for nitroxide-scanning mutants, and it was found that the hyperfine splitting values show a V-shaped profile across the bilayer. Thus, hyperfine splitting may be used as an additional parameter to measure bilayer immersion depths of nitroxide.     

Tyr152 plays a central role in the catalysis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase is a key enzyme in the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis in higher plants. To investigate the catalytic significances of two conserved tyrosine residues, Tyr151 and Tyr152, of a tomato ACC synthase isozyme (LeACS2), five ACC synthase mutants (Y151F, Y151G, Y152F, Y152G, and Y151F/Y152F) were constructed and over-expressed in Escherichia coli. Subsequent kinetic analysis indicated that these point mutations in mutants Y152F, Y152G, and Y151F/Y152F, either reduced the catalytic efficiency more than 98% or fully inactivated ACC synthase, while Y151F and Y151G mutants reduced the enzymatic activities by 27% and 83%, respectively. It is therefore concluded that Tyr152, especially its hydroxyl group, plays an essential role in the catalysis of ACC synthase. Thus, a revised catalytic model is hereby proposed for functional ACC synthase.     

Microtubules and the organization of the Golgi complex

Electron microscopic and cytochemical studies indicate that microtubules play an important role in the organization of the Golgi complex in mammalian cells. During interphase microtubules form a radiating pattern in the cytoplasm, originating from the pericentriolar region (microtubule-organizing centre). The stacks of Golgi cisternae and the associated secretory vesicles and lysosomes are arranged in a circumscribed juxtanuclear area, usually centered around the centrioles, and show a defined orientation in relation to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Exposure of cells to drugs such as colchicine, vinblastine and nocodazole leads to disassembly of microtubules and disorganization of the Golgi complex, most typically a dispersion of its stacks of cisternae throughout the cytoplasm. These alterations are accompanied by disturbances in the intracellular transport, processing and release of secretory products as well as inhibition of endocytosis. The observations suggest that microtubules are partly responsible for the maintenance and functioning of the Golgi complex, possibly by arranging its stacks of cisternae three-dimensionally within the cell and in relation to other organelles and ensuring a normal flow of material into and away from them. During mitosis, microtubules disassemble (prophase) and a mitotic spindle is built up (metaphase) to take care of the subsequent separation of the chromosomes (anaphase). The breaking up of the microtubular cytoskeleton is followed by vesiculation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and partial atrophy, as well as dispersion of the stacks of Golgi cisternae. After completion of the nuclear division (telophase), the radiating microtubule pattern is re-established and the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex resume their normal interphase structure. This sequence of events is believed to fulfil the double function to provide tubulin units and space for construction of the mitotic spindle and to guarantee an approximately equal distribution of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex on the two daughter cells.     

EH domain proteins Pan1p and End3p are components of a complex that plays a dual role in organization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton and endocytosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Several proteins from diverse organisms have been shown to share a region of sequence homology with the mammalian epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase substrate Eps15. Included in this new protein family, termed EH domain proteins, are two yeast proteins, Pan1p and End3p. We have shown previously that Pan1p is required for normal organization of the actin cytoskeleton and that it associates with the actin patches on the cell cortex. End3p has been shown by others to be an important factor in the process of endocytosis. End3p is also known to be required for the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Here we report that Pan1p and End3p act as a complex in vivo. Using the pan1-4 mutant which we isolated and characterized previously, the END3 gene was identified as a suppressor of pan1-4 when overexpressed. Suppression of the pan1-4 mutation by multicopy END3 required the presence of the mutant Pan1p protein. Coimmunoprecipitation and two-hybrid protein interaction experiments indicated that Pan1p and End3p associate with each other. The localization of Pan1p to the cortical actin cytoskeleton became weakened in the end3 mutant at the permissive temperature and undetectable at the restrictive temperature, suggesting that End3p may be important for proper localization of Pan1p to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. The finding that the pan1-4 mutant was defective in endocytosis as severely as the end3 mutant under nonpermissive conditions supports the notion that the association between Pan1p and End3p is of physiological relevance. Together with results of earlier reports, these results provide strong evidence suggesting that Pan1p and End3p are the components of a complex that has essential functions in both the organization of cell membrane-associated actin cytoskeleton and the process of endocytosis.