Characterization of the Late Endosomal ESCRT Machinery in Trypanosoma brucei

The multivesicular body (MVB) is a specialized Rab7+ late endosome (LE) containing multiple intralumenal vesicles that function in targeting ubiquitinylated cell surface proteins to the lysosome for degradation. African trypanosomes lack a morphologically well‐defined MVB, but contain orthologs of the ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) machinery that mediates MVB formation. We investigate the role of TbVps23, an early ESCRT component, and TbVps4, the terminal ESCRT ATPase, in lysosomal trafficking in bloodstream form trypanosomes. Both localize to the TbRab7+ LE and RNAi silencing of each rapidly blocks growth. TbVps4 silencing results in approximately threefold accumulation of TbVps23 at the LE, consistent with blocking terminal ESCRT disassembly. Trafficking of endocytic and biosynthetic cargo, but not default lysosomal reporters, is also negatively affected. Others reported that TbVps23 mediates ubiquitin‐dependent lysosomal degradation of invariant surface glycoproteins (ISG65) (Leung et al., Traffic 2008;9:1698–1716). In contrast, we find that TbVps23 ablation does not affect ISG65 turnover, while TbVps4 silencing markedly enhances lysosomal degradation. We propose several models to accommodate these results, including that the ESCRT machinery actually retrieves ISG65 from the LE to earlier endocytic compartments, and in its absence ISG65 traffics more efficiently to the lysosome. Overall, these results confirm that the ESCRT machinery is essential in Trypanosoma brucei and plays important and novel role(s) in LE function in trypanosomes .     

Biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles complex‐1 (BORC) regulates late endosomal/lysosomal size through PIKfyve‐dependent phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate

Mechanisms that control lysosomal function are essential for cellular homeostasis. Lysosomes adapt in size and number to cellular needs but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. We demonstrate that the late endosomal/lysosomal multimeric BLOC‐1‐related complex (BORC) regulates the size of these organelles via PIKfyve‐dependent phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P₂] production. Deletion of the core BORC component Diaskedin led to increased levels of PI(3,5)P₂, suggesting activation of PIKfyve, and resulted in enhanced lysosomal reformation and subsequent reduction in lysosomal size. This process required AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a known PIKfyve activator, and was additionally dependent on the late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor, mitogen‐activated protein kinases and mechanistic target of rapamycin activator (LAMTOR/Ragulator) complex. Consistently, in response to glucose limitation, AMPK activated PIKfyve, which induced lysosomal reformation with increased baseline autophagy and was coupled to a decrease in lysosomal size. These adaptations of the late endosomal/lysosomal system reversed under glucose replete growth conditions. In summary, our results demonstrate that BORC regulates lysosomal reformation and size in response to glucose availability.     

Differential functions of Hrs and ESCRT proteins in endocytic membrane trafficking

A ubiquitin-binding endosomal protein machinery is responsible for sorting endocytosed membrane proteins into intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular endosomes (MVEs) for subsequent degradation in lysosomes. The Hrs-STAM complex and endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-I, -II and -III are central components of this machinery. Here, we have performed a systematic analysis of their importance in four trafficking pathways through endosomes. Neither Hrs, Tsg101 (ESCRT-I), Vps22/EAP30 (ESCRT-II), nor Vps24/CHMP3 (ESCRT-III) was required for ligand-mediated internalization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (EGFRs) or for recycling of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors (CI-M6PRs) from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). In contrast, both Hrs and ESCRT subunits were equally required for degradation of both endocytosed EGF and EGFR. Whereas depletion of Hrs or Tsg101 caused enhanced recycling of endocytosed EGFRs, this was not the case with depletion of Vps22 or Vps24. Depletion of Vps24 instead caused a strong increase in the levels of CI-M6PRs and a dramatic redistribution of the Golgi and the TGN. These results indicate that, although Hrs-STAM and ESCRT-I, -II and -III have a common function in degradative protein sorting, they play differential roles in other trafficking pathways, probably reflecting their functions at distinct stages of the endocytic pathway.     

ESCRT‐II coordinates the assembly of ESCRT‐III filaments for cargo sorting and multivesicular body vesicle formation

The sequential action of five distinct endosomal‐sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) complexes is required for the lysosomal downregulation of cell surface receptors through the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway. On endosomes, the assembly of ESCRT‐III is a highly ordered process. We show that the length of ESCRT‐III (Snf7) oligomers controls the size of MVB vesicles and addresses how ESCRT‐II regulates ESCRT‐III assembly. The first step of ESCRT‐III assembly is mediated by Vps20, which nucleates Snf7/Vps32 oligomerization, and serves as the link to ESCRT‐II. The ESCRT‐II subunit Vps25 induces an essential conformational switch that converts inactive monomeric Vps20 into the active nucleator for Snf7 oligomerization. Each ESCRT‐II complex contains two Vps25 molecules (arms) that generate a characteristic Y‐shaped structure. Mutant ‘one‐armed’ ESCRT‐II complexes with a single Vps25 arm are sufficient to nucleate Snf7 oligomerization. However, these oligomers cannot execute ESCRT‐III function. Both Vps25 arms provide essential geometry for the assembly of a functional ESCRT‐III complex. We propose that ESCRT‐II serves as a scaffold that nucleates the assembly of two Snf7 oligomers, which together are required for cargo sequestration and vesicle formation during MVB sorting.     

Membrane scission driven by the PROPPIN Atg18

Sorting, transport, and autophagic degradation of proteins in endosomes and lysosomes, as well as the division of these organelles, depend on scission of membrane‐bound tubulo‐vesicular carriers. How scission occurs is poorly understood, but family proteins bind these membranes. Here, we show that the yeast PROPPIN Atg18 carries membrane scission activity. Purified Atg18 drives tubulation and scission of giant unilamellar vesicles. Upon membrane contact, Atg18 folds its unstructured CD loop into an amphipathic α‐helix that inserts into the bilayer. This allows the protein to engage its two lipid binding sites for PI3P and PI(3,5)P₂. PI(3,5)P₂ induces Atg18 oligomerization, which should concentrate lipid‐inserted α‐helices in the outer membrane leaflet and drive membrane tubulation and scission. The scission activity of Atg18 is compatible with its known roles in endo‐lysosomal protein trafficking, autophagosome biogenesis, and vacuole fission. Key features required for membrane tubulation and scission by Atg18 are shared by other PROPPINs, suggesting that membrane scission may be a generic function of this protein family.     

Vps1 in the late endosome-to-vacuole traffic

Vacuolar protein sorting 1 (Vps1), the yeast homolog to human dynamin, is a GTP hydrolyzing protein, which plays an important role in protein sorting and targeting between the Golgi and late endosomal compartments. In this study, we assessed the functional significance of Vps1 in the membrane traffic towards the vacuole. We show here that vps1Δ cells accumulated FM4-64 to a greater extent than wild-type (WT) cells, suggesting slower endocytic degradation traffic toward the vacuole. In addition, we observed that two endosome-to-vacuole traffic markers, DsRed-FYVE and Ste2-GFP, were highly accumulated in Vps1-deficient cells, further supporting Vps1’s implication in efficient trafficking of endocytosed materials to the vacuole. Noteworthy, a simultaneous imaging analysis in conjunction with FM4-64 pulse-chase experiment further revealed that Vps1 plays a role in late endosome to the vacuole transport. Consistently, our subcellular localization analysis showed that Vps1 is present at the late endosome. The hyperaccumulation of endosomal intermediates in the vps1 mutant cells appears to be caused by the disruption of integrity of HOPS tethering complexes, manifested by mislocalization of Vps39 to the cytoplasm. Finally, we postulate that Vps1 functions together with the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) complex at the late endosomal compartments, based on the observation that the double mutants, in which VPS1 along with singular ESCRT I, II and III genes have been disrupted, exhibited synthetic lethality. Together, we propose that Vps1 is required for correct and efficient trafficking from the late endosomal compartments to the vacuole.     

PI(3,5)P2 controls endosomal branched actin dynamics by regulating cortactin–actin interactions

Branched actin critically contributes to membrane trafficking by regulating membrane curvature, dynamics, fission, and transport. However, how actin dynamics are controlled at membranes is poorly understood. Here, we identify the branched actin regulator cortactin as a direct binding partner of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P₂) and demonstrate that their interaction promotes turnover of late endosomal actin. In vitro biochemical studies indicated that cortactin binds PI(3,5)P₂ via its actin filament-binding region. Furthermore, PI(3,5)P₂ competed with actin filaments for binding to cortactin, thereby antagonizing cortactin activity. These findings suggest that PI(3,5)P₂ formation on endosomes may remove cortactin from endosome-associated branched actin. Indeed, inhibition of PI(3,5)P₂ production led to cortactin accumulation and actin stabilization on Rab7⁺ endosomes. Conversely, inhibition of Arp2/3 complex activity greatly reduced cortactin localization to late endosomes. Knockdown of cortactin reversed PI(3,5)P₂-inhibitor–induced actin accumulation and stabilization on endosomes. These data suggest a model in which PI(3,5)P₂ binding removes cortactin from late endosomal branched actin networks and thereby promotes net actin turnover.     

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport complex negatively regulates Erg6 degradation under specific glucose restriction conditions

Lipid droplets (LDs) are cytosolic fat storage organelles that play roles in lipid metabolism, trafficking and signaling. Breakdown of LDs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mainly achieved by lipolysis and lipophagy. In this study, we found that the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) in S. cerevisiae negatively regulated the turnover of a LD marker, Erg6, under both simplified glucose restriction (GR) and acute glucose restriction (AGR) conditions by monitoring the localization and degradation of Erg6. Loss of Vps27, Snf7 or Vps4, representative subunits of the ESCRT machinery, facilitated the delivery of Erg6‐GFP to vacuoles and its degradation depending on the lipophagy protein Atg15 under simplified GR. Additionally, the lipolysis proteins Tgl3 and Tgl4 were also involved in the enhanced vacuolar localization and degradation of Erg6‐GFP in vps4Δ cells. Furthermore, we found that Atg14, which is required for the formation of putatively liquid‐ordered (Lo) membrane domains on the vacuole that act as preferential internalization sites for LDs, abundantly localized to vacuolar membranes in ESCRT mutants. Most importantly, the depletion or overexpression of Atg14 correspondingly abolished or promoted the observed Erg6 degradation in ESCRT mutant cells. We propose that Atg14 together with other proteins promotes Erg6 degradation in ESCRT mutant cells under specific glucose restriction conditions. These results shed new light on the regulation of ESCRT on LD turnover.     

Old world arenaviruses enter the host cell via the multivesicular body and depend on the endosomal sorting complex required for transport

The highly pathogenic Old World arenavirus Lassa virus (LASV) and the prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) use α-dystroglycan as a cellular receptor and enter the host cell by an unusual endocytotic pathway independent of clathrin, caveolin, dynamin, and actin. Upon internalization, the viruses are delivered to acidified endosomes in a Rab5-independent manner bypassing classical routes of incoming vesicular trafficking. Here we sought to identify cellular factors involved in the unusual and largely unknown entry pathway of LASV and LCMV. Cell entry of LASV and LCMV required microtubular transport to late endosomes, consistent with the low fusion pH of the viral envelope glycoproteins. Productive infection with recombinant LCMV expressing LASV envelope glycoprotein (rLCMV-LASVGP) and LCMV depended on phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) as well as lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA), an unusual phospholipid that is involved in the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILV) of the multivesicular body (MVB) of the late endosome. We provide evidence for a role of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) in LASV and LCMV cell entry, in particular the ESCRT components Hrs, Tsg101, Vps22, and Vps24, as well as the ESCRT-associated ATPase Vps4 involved in fission of ILV. Productive infection with rLCMV-LASVGP and LCMV also critically depended on the ESCRT-associated protein Alix, which is implicated in membrane dynamics of the MVB/late endosomes. Our study identifies crucial cellular factors implicated in Old World arenavirus cell entry and indicates that LASV and LCMV invade the host cell passing via the MVB/late endosome. Our data further suggest that the virus-receptor complexes undergo sorting into ILV of the MVB mediated by the ESCRT, possibly using a pathway that may be linked to the cellular trafficking and degradation of the cellular receptor.     

Retromer Ensures the Degradation of Autophagic Cargo by Maintaining Lysosome Function in Drosophila

The retromer is an evolutionarily conserved coat complex that consists of Vps26, Vps29, Vps35 and a heterodimer of sorting nexin (Snx) proteins in yeast. Retromer mediates the recycling of transmembrane proteins from endosomes to the trans‐Golgi network, including receptors that are essential for the delivery of hydrolytic enzymes to lysosomes. Besides its function in lysosomal enzyme receptor recycling, involvement of retromer has also been proposed in a variety of vesicular trafficking events, including early steps of autophagy and endocytosis. Here we show that the late stages of autophagy and endocytosis are impaired in Vps26 and Vps35 deficient Drosophila larval fat body cells, but formation of autophagosomes and endosomes is not compromised. Accumulation of aberrant autolysosomes and amphisomes in the absence of retromer function appears to be the consequence of decreased degradative capacity, as they contain undigested cytoplasmic material. Accordingly, we show that retromer is required for proper cathepsin L trafficking mainly independent of LERP, the Drosophila homolog of the cation‐independent mannose 6‐phosphate receptor. Finally, we find that Snx3 and Snx6 are also required for proper autolysosomal degradation in Drosophila larval fat body cells.      

Structural basis for endosomal recruitment of ESCRT-I by ESCRT-0 in yeast

The ESCRT‐0 and ESCRT‐I complexes coordinate the clustering of ubiquitinated cargo with intralumenal budding of the endosomal membrane, two essential steps in vacuolar/lysosomal protein sorting from yeast to humans. The 1.85‐Å crystal structure of interacting regions of the yeast ESCRT‐0 and ESCRT‐I complexes reveals that PSDP motifs of the Vps27 ESCRT‐0 subunit bind to a novel electropositive N‐terminal site on the UEV domain of the ESCRT‐I subunit Vps23 centred on Trp16. This novel site is completely different from the C‐terminal part of the human UEV domain that binds to P(S/T)AP motifs of human ESCRT‐0 and HIV‐1 Gag. Disruption of the novel PSDP‐binding site eliminates the interaction in vitro and blocks enrichment of Vps23 in endosome‐related class E compartments in yeast cells. However, this site is non‐essential for sorting of the ESCRT cargo Cps1. Taken together, these results show how a conserved motif/domain pair can evolve to use strikingly different binding modes in different organisms.     

The signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate targets plant CLC‐a anion/H+ exchange activity

Phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P₂) is a low‐abundance signaling lipid associated with endo‐lysosomal and vacuolar membranes in eukaryotic cells. Recent studies on Arabidopsis indicated a critical role of PI(3,5)P₂ in vacuolar acidification and morphology during ABA‐induced stomatal closure, but the molecular targets in plant cells remained unknown. By using patch‐clamp recordings on Arabidopsis vacuoles, we show here that PI(3,5)P₂ does not affect the activity of vacuolar H⁺‐pyrophosphatase or vacuolar H⁺‐ATPase. Instead, PI(3,5)P₂ at low nanomolar concentrations inhibited an inwardly rectifying conductance, which appeared upon vacuolar acidification elicited by prolonged H⁺ pumping activity. We provide evidence that this novel conductance is mediated by chloride channel a (CLC‐a), a member of the anion/H⁺ exchanger family formerly implicated in stomatal movements in Arabidopsis. H⁺‐dependent currents were absent in clc‐a knock‐out vacuoles, and canonical CLC‐a‐dependent nitrate/H⁺ antiport was inhibited by low concentrations of PI(3,5)P₂. Finally, using the pH indicator probe BCECF, we show that CLC‐a inhibition contributes to vacuolar acidification. These data provide a mechanistic explanation for the essential role of PI(3,5)P₂ and advance our knowledge about the regulation of vacuolar ion transport.     

Ent5p is required with Ent3p and Vps27p for ubiquitin-dependent protein sorting into the multivesicular body

At the late endosomes, cargoes destined for the interior of the vacuole are sorted into invaginating vesicles of the multivesicular body. Both PtdIns(3,5)P₂ and ubiquitin are necessary for proper sorting of some of these cargoes. We show that Ent5p, a yeast protein of the epsin family homologous to Ent3p, localizes to endosomes and specifically binds to PtdIns(3,5)P₂ via its ENTH domain. In cells lacking Ent3p and Ent5p, ubiquitin-dependent sorting of biosynthetic and endocytic cargo into the multivesicular body is disrupted, whereas other trafficking routes to the vacuole are not affected. Ent3p and Ent5p are associated with Vps27p, a FYVE domain containing protein that interacts with ubiquitinated cargoes and is required for protein sorting into the multivesicular body. Therefore, Ent3p and Ent5p are the first proteins shown to be connectors between PtdIns(3,5)P₂- and the Vps27p-ubiquitin-driven sorting machinery at the multivesicular body.     

ORP2 couples LDL‐cholesterol transport to FAK activation by endosomal cholesterol/PI(4,5)P2 exchange

Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol delivery from late endosomes to the plasma membrane regulates focal adhesion dynamics and cell migration, but the mechanisms controlling it are poorly characterized. Here, we employed auxin‐inducible rapid degradation of oxysterol‐binding protein‐related protein 2 (ORP2/OSBPL2) to show that endogenous ORP2 mediates the transfer of LDL‐derived cholesterol from late endosomes to focal adhesion kinase (FAK)‐/integrin‐positive recycling endosomes in human cells. In vitro, cholesterol enhances membrane association of FAK to PI(4,5)P₂‐containing lipid bilayers. In cells, ORP2 stimulates FAK activation and PI(4,5)P₂ generation in endomembranes, enhancing cell adhesion. Moreover, ORP2 increases PI(4,5)P₂ in NPC1‐containing late endosomes in a FAK‐dependent manner, controlling their tubulovesicular trafficking. Together, these results provide evidence that ORP2 controls FAK activation and LDL‐cholesterol plasma membrane delivery by promoting bidirectional cholesterol/PI(4,5)P₂ exchange between late and recycling endosomes.     

A Complex Network of Interactions between Mitotic Kinases,Phosphatases and ESCRT Proteins Regulates Septation and Membrane Trafficking in S. pombe

Cytokinesis and cell separation are critical events in the cell cycle. We show that Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) genes are required for cell separation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We identify genetic interactions between ESCRT proteins and polo and aurora kinases and Cdc14 phosphatase that manifest as impaired growth and exacerbated defects in septation, suggesting that the encoded proteins function together to control these processes. Furthermore, we observed defective endosomal sorting in mutants of plo1, ark1 and clp1, as has been reported for ESCRT mutants, consistent with a role for these kinases in the control of ESCRT function in membrane traffic. Multiple observations indicate functional interplay between polo and ESCRT components: firstly, two-hybrid in vivo interactions are reported between Plo1p and Sst4p, Vps28p, Vps25p, Vps20p and Vps32p; secondly, co-immunoprecipitation of human homologues of Vps20p, Vps32p, Vps24p and Vps2p by human Plk1; and thirdly, in vitro phosphorylation of budding yeast Vps32p and Vps20p by polo kinase. Two-hybrid analyses also identified interactions between Ark1p and Vps20p and Vps32p, and Clp1p and Vps28p. These experiments indicate a network of interactions between ESCRT proteins, plo1, ark1 and clp1 that coordinate membrane trafficking and cell separation in fission yeast.     

The deubiquitinases USP33 and USP20 coordinate β2 adrenergic receptor recycling and resensitization

Agonist‐induced ubiquitination of the β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) functions as an important post‐translational modification to sort internalized receptors to the lysosomes for degradation. We now show that this ubiquitination is reversed by two deubiquitinating enzymes, ubiquitin‐specific proteases (USPs) 20 and 33, thus, inhibiting lysosomal trafficking when concomitantly promoting receptor recycling from the late‐endosomal compartments as well as resensitization of recycled receptors at the cell surface. Dissociation of constitutively bound endogenously expressed USPs 20 and 33 from the β₂AR immediately after agonist stimulation and reassociation on prolonged agonist treatment allows receptors to first become ubiquitinated and then deubiquitinated, thus, providing a ‘trip switch’ between degradative and recycling pathways at the late‐endosomal compartments. Thus, USPs 20 and 33 serve as novel regulators that dictate both post‐endocytic sorting as well as the intensity and extent of β₂AR signalling from the cell surface.     

Convergent regulation of the lysosomal two‐pore channel‐2 by Mg2+, NAADP,PI(3,5)P2 and multiple protein kinases

Lysosomal Ca²⁺ homeostasis is implicated in disease and controls many lysosomal functions. A key in understanding lysosomal Ca²⁺ signaling was the discovery of the two‐pore channels (TPCs) and their potential activation by NAADP. Recent work concluded that the TPCs function as a PI(3,5)P₂ activated channels regulated by mTORC1, but not by NAADP. Here, we identified Mg²⁺ and the MAPKs, JNK and P38 as novel regulators of TPC2. Cytoplasmic Mg²⁺ specifically inhibited TPC2 outward current, whereas lysosomal Mg²⁺ partially inhibited both outward and inward currents in a lysosomal lumen pH‐dependent manner. Under controlled Mg²⁺, TPC2 is readily activated by NAADP with channel properties identical to those in response to PI(3,5)P₂. Moreover, TPC2 is robustly regulated by P38 and JNK. Notably, NAADP‐mediated Ca²⁺ release in intact cells is regulated by Mg²⁺, PI(3,5)P₂, and P38/JNK kinases, thus paralleling regulation of TPC2 currents. Our data affirm a key role for TPC2 in NAADP‐mediated Ca²⁺ signaling and link this pathway to Mg²⁺ homeostasis and MAP kinases, pointing to roles for lysosomal Ca²⁺ in cell growth, inflammation and cancer.     

Overexpression of FAB1A-GFP recruits SNX2b on the endosome membrane in snx1–1 mutant in Arabidopsis

Phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P₂] is one of the phosphoinositides that controls endosomal trafficking events in eukaryotes. PtdIns(3,5)P₂ is produced from PI(3)P by phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase FAB1/PIKfyve. Recently, we reported that FAB1 predominantly localizes on the SNX1-residing late endosomes and a loss-of FAB1 function causes the release of late endosomal effector proteins, ARA7/RABF2b and SORTING NEXIN 1 from the endosome membrane, indicating that FAB1 or its product PtdIns(3,5)P₂ mediates the maturation process of the late endosomes. Intriguingly, the ectopic expression of FAB1A could complement the sucrose-dependent seedling growth phenotype of snx1–1 mutant. Here, we demonstrated that the depletion of SNX1 causes the release of SNX2b-mRFP from the endosomal membrane. However, overexpression of FAB1A-GFP reassembles SNX2b-mRFP on the endosomal membrane despite the absence of SNX1. From these results, we proposed that SNX2b homodimer or SNX2a/SNX2b heterodimer might function as functional Sorting Nexin complex instead of SNX1 to attach the endosomal membrane by binding of overproduced PI(3,5)P₂ in Arabidopsis.     

The Phosphoinositide‐Gated Lysosomal Ca2+ Channel,TRPML1, Is Required for Phagosome Maturation

Macrophages internalize and sequester pathogens into a phagosome. Phagosomes then sequentially fuse with endosomes and lysosomes, converting into degradative phagolysosomes. Phagosome maturation is a complex process that requires regulators of the endosomal pathway including the phosphoinositide lipids. Phosphatidylinositol‐3‐phosphate and phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P₂), which respectively control early endosomes and late endolysosomes, are both required for phagosome maturation. Inhibition of PIKfyve, which synthesizes PtdIns(3,5)P₂, blocked phagosome–lysosome fusion and abated the degradative capacity of phagosomes. However, it is not known how PIKfyve and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ participate in phagosome maturation. TRPML1 is a PtdIns(3,5)P₂‐gated lysosomal Ca²⁺ channel. Because Ca²⁺ triggers membrane fusion, we postulated that TRPML1 helps mediate phagosome–lysosome fusion. Using Fcγ receptor‐mediated phagocytosis as a model, we describe our research showing that silencing of TRPML1 hindered phagosome acquisition of lysosomal markers and reduced the bactericidal properties of phagosomes. Specifically, phagosomes isolated from TRPML1‐silenced cells were decorated with lysosomes that docked but did not fuse. We could rescue phagosome maturation in TRPML1‐silenced and PIKfyve‐inhibited cells by forcible Ca²⁺ release with ionomycin. We also provide evidence that cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration increases upon phagocytosis in a manner dependent on TRPML1 and PIKfyve. Overall, we propose a model where PIKfyve and PtdIns(3,5)P₂ activate TRPML1 to induce phagosome–lysosome fusion.      

Fab1p Is Essential for PtdIns(3)P 5-Kinase Activity and the Maintenance of Vacuolar Size and Membrane Homeostasis

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae FAB1 gene encodes a 257-kD protein that contains a cysteine-rich RING-FYVE domain at its NH₂-terminus and a kinase domain at its COOH terminus. Based on its sequence, Fab1p was initially proposed to function as a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) 5-kinase (Yamamoto et al., 1995). Additional sequence analysis of the Fab1p kinase domain, reveals that Fab1p defines a subfamily of putative PtdInsP kinases that is distinct from the kinases that synthesize PtdIns(4,5)P₂. Consistent with this, we find that unlike wild-type cells, fab1Δ, fab1^tsf, and fab1 kinase domain point mutants lack detectable levels of PtdIns(3,5)P₂, a phosphoinositide recently identified both in yeast and mammalian cells. PtdIns(4,5)P₂ synthesis, on the other hand, is only moderately affected even in fab1Δ mutants. The presence of PtdIns(3)P in fab1 mutants, combined with previous data, indicate that PtdIns(3,5)P₂ synthesis is a two step process, requiring the production of PtdIns(3)P by the Vps34p PtdIns 3-kinase and the subsequent Fab1p- dependent phosphorylation of PtdIns(3)P yielding PtdIns(3,5)P₂. Although Vps34p-mediated synthesis of PtdIns(3)P is required for the proper sorting of hydrolases from the Golgi to the vacuole, the production of PtdIns(3,5)P₂ by Fab1p does not directly affect Golgi to vacuole trafficking, suggesting that PtdIns(3,5)P₂ has a distinct function. The major phenotypes resulting from Fab1p kinase inactivation include temperature-sensitive growth, vacuolar acidification defects, and dramatic increases in vacuolar size. Based on our studies, we hypothesize that whereas Vps34p is essential for anterograde trafficking of membrane and protein cargoes to the vacuole, Fab1p may play an important compensatory role in the recycling/turnover of membranes deposited at the vacuole. Interestingly, deletion of VAC7 also results in an enlarged vacuole morphology and has no detectable PtdIns(3,5)P₂, suggesting that Vac7p functions as an upstream regulator, perhaps in a complex with Fab1p. We propose that Fab1p and Vac7p are components of a signal transduction pathway which functions to regulate the efflux or turnover of vacuolar membranes through the regulated production of PtdIns(3,5)P₂.