Molecular chaperones stimulate the functional expression of the cocaine-sensitive serotonin transporter.

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is an N-glycosylated integral membrane protein that is predicted to contain 12 transmembrane regions. SERT is the major binding site in the brain for antidepressant drugs, and it also binds amphetamines and cocaine. The ability of various molecular chaperones to interact with a tagged version of SERT (Myc-SERT) was investigated using the baculovirus expression system. Overexpression of Myc-SERT using the baculovirus system led to substantial quantities of inactive transporter, together with small amounts of fully active and, therefore, correctly folded molecules. The high levels of inactive Myc-SERT probably arose because folding was rate-limiting due, perhaps, to insufficient molecular chaperones. Therefore, Myc-SERT was co-expressed with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperones calnexin, calreticulin and immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), and the foldase, ERp57. The expression of functional Myc-SERT, as determined by an inhibitor binding assay, was enhanced nearly 3-fold by co-expressing calnexin, and to a lesser degree on co-expression of calreticulin and BiP. Co-expression of ERp57 did not increase the functional expression of Myc-SERT. A physical interaction between Myc-SERT-calnexin and Myc-SERT-calreticulin was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. These associations were inhibited in vivo by deoxynojirimycin, an inhibitor of N-glycan precusor trimming that is known to prevent the calnexin/calreticulin-N-glycan interaction. Functional expression of the unglycosylated SERT mutant, SERT-QQ, was also increased on co-expression of calnexin, suggesting that the interaction between calnexin and SERT is not entirely dictated by the N-glycan. SERT is the first member of the neurotransmitter transporter family whose folding has been shown to be assisted by the molecular chaperones calnexin, calreticulin, and BiP.     

N-linked glycosylation is required for nicotinic receptor assembly but not for subunit associations with calnexin

We investigated how asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation affects assembly of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Block of N-linked glycosylation inhibited AChR assembly whereas block of glucose trimming partially blocked assembly at the late stages. Removal of each of seven glycans had a distinct effect on AChR assembly, ranging from no effect to total loss of assembly. Because the chaperone calnexin (CN) associates with N-linked glycans, we examined CN interactions with AChR subunits. CN rapidly associates with 50% or more of newly synthesized AChR subunits, but not with subunits after maturation. Block of N-linked glycosylation or trimming did not alter CN-AChR subunit associations nor did subunit mutations prevent N-linked glycosylation. Additionally, CN associations with subunits lacking N-linked glycans occurred without subunit aggregation or misfolding. Our data indicate that CN associates with AChR subunits without N-linked glycan interactions. Furthermore, CN-subunit associations only occur early in AChR assembly and have no role in events later that require N-linked glycosylation.     

Identification of ERp29, an endoplasmic reticulum lumenal protein, as a new member of the thyroglobulin folding complex

Folding and post-translational modification of the thyroid hormone precursor, thyroglobulin (Tg), in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the thyroid epithelial cells is facilitated by several molecular chaperones and folding enzymes, such as BiP, GRP94, calnexin, protein disulfide isomerase, ERp72, and others. They have been shown to associate simultaneously and/or sequentially with Tg in the course of its maturation, thus forming large heterocomplexes in the ER of thyrocytes. Here we present evidence that such complexes include a novel member, an ER-resident lumenal protein, ERp29, which is present in all mammalian tissues with exceptionally high levels of expression in the secretory cells. ERp29 was induced upon treatment of FRTL-5 rat thyrocytes with the thyroid-stimulating hormone, which is essential for the maintenance of thyroid cells and Tg biosynthesis. Chemical cross-linking followed by the cell lysis and immunoprecipitation of ERp29 or Tg revealed association of these proteins and additionally, immunocomplexes that also included major ER chaperones, BiP and GRP94. Sucrose density gradient analysis indicated co-localization of ERp29 with Tg and BiP in the fractions containing large macromolecular complexes. This was supported by immunofluorescent microscopy showing co-localization of ERp29 with Tg in the putative transport vesicular structures. Affinity chromatography using Tg as an affinity ligand demonstrated that ERp29 might be selectively isolated from the FRTL-5 cell lysate or purified lumenal fraction of rat liver microsomes along with the other ER chaperones. Preferential association with the urea-denatured Tg-Sepharose was indicative of either direct or circuitous ERp29/Tg interactions in a chaperone-like manner. Despite the presence of the C-terminal ER-retrieval signal, significant amounts of ERp29 were also recovered from the culture medium of stimulated thyrocytes, indicating ERp29 secretion. Based on these data, we suggest that the function of ERp29 in thyroid cells is connected with folding and/or secretion of Tg.     

Influence of the oxidoreductase ER57 on the folding of an antibody fab fragment

Oxidation and folding of secretory proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depends on the presence of chaperones and oxidoreductases. Two of the oxidoreductases present in the ER of mammalian cells are protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERp57. In this study, we investigated the influence of ERp57 on the in vitro reoxidation and refolding of an antibody Fab fragment. Our results show that ERp57 shares functional properties with PDI and that both are clearly different from other oxidoreductases. The reactivation of the denatured and reduced Fab fragment was enhanced significantly in the presence of ERp57 with kinetics and redox dependence of the reactivation reaction comparable to those obtained for PDI. These properties were not influenced by the presence of calnexin. Furthermore, whereas PDI cooperates with the immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), no synergistic effect could be observed for BiP and ERp57. These results indicate that the cooperation of the two oxidoreductases with different partner proteins may explain their different roles in the folding of proteins in the ER.     

Overexpression of human calnexin in yeast improves measles surface glycoprotein solubility

The limitations of high-level expression of virus surface proteins in yeast are not well understood. The inefficiency of yeast to produce active human virus surface glycoproteins, as well as other mammalian glycoproteins, is usually explained by the inefficient folding of the glycoprotein into its characteristic and functional three-dimensional structure from a random coil. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly versatile protein factory that is equipped with chaperones and folding enzymes essential for protein folding. To improve folding and solubility of viral surface glycoprotein, the genes encoding human ER resident chaperones calnexin, calreticulin, immunoglobin binding protein (BiP), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and foldase (ERp57) were coexpressed together with hemagglutinin gene from measles virus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effect of coexpressing chaperones on the total yield of measles virus hemagglutinin (MeH) as well as the intracellular fate of the glycoprotein was determined. Our results demonstrated that coexpression of human calnexin noticeably enhanced the quantity of the soluble glycosylated form of MeH in yeast. The coexpression of human calreticulin-, PDI-, ERp57- and BiP-encoding genes did not improve the quality of recombinant MeH.     

Overexpression of ERp29 in the thyrocytes of FRTL-5 cells

It was previously reported that the up-regulation of ERp29 mRNA depends on the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the thyrocytes of FRTL-5 cells. In order to investigate the putative new function of ERp29 as an endoplasmic molecular (ER) chaperone, an ERp29-overexpressing FRTL-5 cell line was established. This cell line had approximately three times the levels of ERp29 protein and an enhanced level of thyroglobulin (Tg) secretion. The results showed both enhanced ERp29 expression and an interaction with the other ER chaperones such as GRP94, BiP, ERp72 and calnexin. In addition, ERp29 enhanced the expression of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), which is a transmembrane protein located in the ER membrane. These findings suggest that ERp29 assists in protein folding as well as in the secretion of the secretory/plasma membrane proteins under close co-operation with other ER chaperones and the ER stress signaler, PERK.     

Diverse pathways for maturation of the Na,K-ATPase β1 and β2 subunits in the endoplasmic reticulum of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Proper folding of the Na,K-ATPase β subunits followed by assembly with the α subunits is necessary for their export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we examine roles of the ER lectin chaperone, calnexin, and non-lectin chaperone, BiP, in folding and quality control of the β(1) and β(2) subunits in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Short term prevention of glycan-calnexin interactions by castanospermine slightly increases ER retention of β(1), suggesting minor involvement of calnexin in subunit folding. However, both prolonged incubation with castanospermine and removal of N-glycosylation sites do not affect the α(1)-assembly or trafficking of β(1) but increase the amount of the β(1)-bound BiP, showing that BiP can compensate for calnexin in assisting β(1) folding. In contrast to β(1), prevention of either N-glycosylation or glycan-calnexin interactions abolishes the α(1)-assembly and export of β(2) from the ER despite increased β(2)-BiP binding. Mutations in the α(1)-interacting regions of β(1) and β(2) subunits impair α(1) assembly but do not affect folding of the β subunits tested by their sensitivity to trypsin. At the same time, these mutations increase the amount of β-bound BiP but not of β-bound calnexin and increase ER retention of both β-isoforms. BiP, therefore, prevents the ER export of folded but α(1)-unassembled β subunits. These α(1)-unassembled β subunits are degraded faster than α(1)-bound β subunits, preventing ER overload. In conclusion, folding of the β(1) and β(2) subunits is assisted predominantly by BiP and calnexin, respectively. Folded β(1) and β(2) either assemble with α(1) or bind BiP. The α(1)-bound β subunits traffic to the Golgi, whereas BiP-bound β subunits are retained and degraded in the ER.     

ER chaperones in mammalian development and human diseases

The field of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in mammalian cells has expanded rapidly during the past decade, contributing to understanding of the molecular pathways that allow cells to adapt to perturbations in ER homeostasis. One major mechanism is mediated by molecular ER chaperones which are critical not only for quality control of proteins processed in the ER, but also for regulation of ER signaling in response to ER stress. Here, we summarized the properties and functions of GRP78/BiP, GRP94/gp96, GRP170/ORP150, GRP58/ERp57, PDI, ERp72, calnexin, calreticulin, EDEM, Herp and co-chaperones SIL1 and P58(IPK) and their role in development and diseases. Many of the new insights are derived from recently constructed mouse models where the genes encoding the chaperones are genetically altered, providing invaluable tools for examining the physiological involvement of the ER chaperones in vivo.     

Modes of Calreticulin Recruitment to the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Assembly Pathway

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are ligands for T-cell receptors of CD8⁺ T cells and inhibitory receptors of natural killer cells. Assembly of the heavy chain, light chain, and peptide components of MHC class I molecules occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Specific assembly factors and generic ER chaperones, collectively called the MHC class I peptide loading complex (PLC), are required for MHC class I assembly. Calreticulin has an important role within the PLC and induces MHC class I cell surface expression, but the interactions and mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. We show that interactions with the thiol oxidoreductase ERp57 and substrate glycans are important for the recruitment of calreticulin into the PLC and for its functional activities in MHC class I assembly. The glycan and ERp57 binding sites of calreticulin contribute directly or indirectly to complexes between calreticulin and the MHC class I assembly factor tapasin and are important for maintaining steady-state levels of both tapasin and MHC class I heavy chains. A number of destabilizing conditions and mutations induce generic polypeptide binding sites on calreticulin and contribute to calreticulin-mediated suppression of misfolded protein aggregation in vitro. We show that generic polypeptide binding sites per se are insufficient for stable recruitment of calreticulin to PLC substrates in cells. However, such binding sites could contribute to substrate stabilization in a step that follows the glycan and ERp57-dependent recruitment of calreticulin to the PLC.     

Distinct functions for the glycans of tapasin and heavy chains in the assembly of MHC class I molecules

Complexes of specific assembly factors and generic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, collectively called the MHC class I peptide-loading complex (PLC), function in the folding and assembly of MHC class I molecules. The glycan-binding chaperone calreticulin (CRT) and partner oxidoreductase ERp57 are important in MHC class I assembly, but the sequence of assembly events and specific interactions involved remain incompletely understood. We show that the recruitments of CRT and ERp57 to the PLC are codependent and also dependent upon the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of the assembly factor tapasin. Furthermore, the ERp57 binding site and the glycan of tapasin enhance β(2)m and MHC class I heavy (H) chain recruitment to the PLC, with the ERp57 binding site having the dominant effect. In contrast, the conserved MHC class I H chain glycan played a minor role in CRT recruitment into the PLC, but impacted the recruitment of H chains into the PLC, and glycan-deficient H chains were impaired for tapasin-independent and tapasin-assisted assembly. The conserved MHC class I glycan and tapasin facilitated an early step in the assembly of H chain-β(2)m heterodimers, for which tapasin-ERp57 or tapasin-CRT complexes were not required. Together, these studies provide insights into how PLCs are constructed, demonstrate two distinct mechanisms by which PLCs can be stabilized, and suggest the presence of intermediate H chain-deficient PLCs.     

Hepatic lipase maturation: a partial proteome of interacting factors

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) has been used to isolate proteins that interact with human hepatic lipase (HL) during its maturation in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Using mass spectrometry and Western blotting, we identified 28 proteins in HL-TAP isolated complexes, 16 of which localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the site of HL folding and assembly. Of the 12 remaining proteins located outside the ER, five function in protein translation or ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Components of the two major ER chaperone systems were identified, the BiP/Grp94 and the calnexin (CNX)/calreticulin (CRT) systems. All factors involved in CNX/CRT chaperone cycling were identified, including UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (UGGT), glucosidase II, and the 57 kDa oxidoreductase (ERp57). We also show that CNX, and not CRT, is the lectin chaperone of choice during HL maturation. Along with the 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp78; BiP) and the 94 kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp94), an associated peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase and protein disulfide isomerase were also detected. Finally, several factors in ERAD were identified, and we provide evidence that terminally misfolded HL is degraded by the ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal pathway. We propose that newly synthesized HL emerging from the translocon first associates with CNX, ERp57, and glucosidase II, followed by repeated posttranslational cycles of CNX binding that is mediated by UGGT. BiP/Grp94 may stabilize misfolded HL during its transition between cycles of CNX binding and may help direct its eventual degradation.     

Aggregate formation by ERp57-deficient MHC class I peptide-loading complexes

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteins TAP, tapasin and ERp57 are the core components of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I peptide-loading complex and play an important role in peptide loading by MHC class I-beta(2)microglobulin dimers. ERp57 and tapasin form a stable disulfide-linked heterodimer within the peptide-loading complex. We demonstrate that ERp57-deficient loading complexes, obtained by expression in a tapasin-negative cell line of a tapasin mutant (C95A) that is not able to form a disulfide bond with ERp57, are prone to aggregation. We studied the assembly, stability and aggregation of the core loading complex using cell lines stably expressing fluorescently tagged tapasin (wild type or C95A mutant) and TAP1. Part of the loading complexes containing the tagged C95A tapasin and TAP1 were sequestered in the ER, without change of their ER transmembrane topology, and were surrounded by a mesh of filaments at the cytosolic side, resulting in formation of protein aggregates with characteristic morphology. Protein aggregates were associated with changes in ER protein turnover but did not affect the cell viability and did not induce the unfolded protein response. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of the aggregate-free ER fraction revealed that lack of ERp57 did not affect the stoichiometry or stability of tapasin-TAP1 interactions in the assembled 'soluble' core loading complexes. We conclude that the presence of ERp57 is important for the stability of core loading complexes, and that in its absence, the core loading complexes may form stable aggregates within the ER.     

Regulation of mTORC1 complex assembly and signaling by GRp58/ERp57

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates cell growth and survival via two different multiprotein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The assembly of these serine-threonine kinase multiprotein complexes occurs via poorly understood molecular mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that GRp58/ERp57 regulates the existence and activity of mTORC1. Endogenous mTOR interacts with GRp58/ERp57 in different mammalian cells. In vitro, recombinant GRp58/ERp57 preferentially interacts with mTORC1. GRp58/ERp57 knockdown reduces mTORC1 levels and phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and p70(S6K) in response to insulin. In contrast, GRp58/ERp57 overexpression increases mTORC1 levels and activity. A redox-sensitive mechanism that depends on GRp58/ERp57 expression activates mTORC1. Although GRp58/ERp57 is known as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident, we demonstrate its presence at the cytosol, together with mTOR, Raptor, and Rictor as well as a pool of these proteins associated to the ER. In addition, the presence of GRp58/ERp57 at the ER decreases in response to insulin or leucine. Interestingly, a fraction of p70(S6K), but not 4E-BP1, is associated to the ER and phosphorylated in response to serum, insulin, or leucine. Altogether, our results suggest that GRp58/ERp57 is involved in the assembly of mTORC1 and positively regulates mTORC1 signaling at the cytosol and the cytosolic side of the ER.     

Kinetics of interactions of sendai virus envelope glycoproteins, F and HN, with endoplasmic reticulum-resident molecular chaperones, BiP, calnexin, and calreticulin

Sendai virus envelope glycoproteins, F and HN, mature during their transport through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex. To better understand their maturation processes in the ER, we investigated the time course of their interactions with three ER- resident molecular chaperones, BiP, calnexin (CNX), and calreticulin (CRT), in Sendai virus-infected HeLa cells. Pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation analyses using antibodies against each virus glycoprotein or ER chaperone revealed that F precursor interacted with CNX transiently (t(1/2)=8 min), while HN protein displayed longer and sequential interactions with BiP (t(1/2)=8 min), CNX (t(1/2)=15 min), and CRT (t(1/2)=20 min). HN interacted with the three ER chaperones not only as a monomer but also as a tetramer for several hours, suggesting mechanism(s) to undergo chaperone-mediated quality control of an assembled HN oligomer in the ER. The kinetics of dissociation of the HN-chaperone complexes exhibited a marked delay in the presence of proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that a part of HN associated with BiP, CNX, and CRT is destined to be degraded in the proteasome-dependent pathway. Further, the associations between virus glycoproteins and CNX or CRT were impaired by castanospermine, an inhibitor of ER glucosidase I and II, confirming that these interactions require monoglucosylated oligosaccharide on F(0) and HN peptides. These findings together suggest that newly synthesized F protein undergoes rapid maturation in the ER through a transient interaction with CNX, whereas HN protein requires more complex processes involving prolonged association with BiP, CNX, and CRT for its quality control in the ER.     

Calnexin,calreticulin, and ERp57 cooperate in disulfide bond formation in human CD1d heavy chain

Members of the CD1 family of membrane glycoproteins can present antigenic lipids to T lymphocytes. Like major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, they form a heterodimeric complex of a heavy chain and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Binding of lipid antigens, however, takes place in endosomal compartments, similar to class II molecules, and on the plasma membrane. Unlike major histocompatibility complex class I or CD1b molecules, which need beta(2)m to exit the ER, CD1d can be expressed on the cell surface as either a free heavy chain or associated with beta(2)m. These differences led us to investigate early events of CD1d biosynthesis and maturation and the role of ER chaperones in its assembly. Here we show that CD1d associates in the ER with both calnexin and calreticulin and with the thiol oxidoreductase ERp57 in a manner dependent on glucose trimming of its N-linked glycans. Complete disulfide bond formation in the CD1d heavy chain was substantially impaired if the chaperone interactions were blocked by the glucosidase inhibitors castanospermine or N-butyldeoxynojirimycin. The formation of at least one of the disulfide bonds in the CD1d heavy chain is coupled to its glucose trimming-dependent association with ERp57, calnexin, and calreticulin.     

Mixed-disulfide folding intermediates between thyroglobulin and endoplasmic reticulum resident oxidoreductases ERp57 and protein disulfide isomerase

We present the first identification of transient folding intermediates of endogenous thyroglobulin (Tg; a large homodimeric secretory glycoprotein of thyrocytes), which include mixed disulfides with endogenous oxidoreductases servicing Tg folding needs. Formation of disulfide-linked Tg adducts with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidoreductases begins cotranslationally. Inhibition of ER glucosidase activity blocked formation of a subgroup of Tg adducts containing ERp57 while causing increased Tg adduct formation with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), delayed adduct resolution, perturbed oxidative folding of Tg monomers, impaired Tg dimerization, increased Tg association with BiP/GRP78 and GRP94, activation of the unfolded protein response, increased ER-associated degradation of a subpopulation of Tg, partial Tg escape from ER quality control with increased secretion of free monomers, and decreased overall Tg secretion. These data point towards mixed disulfides with the ERp57 oxidoreductase in conjunction with calreticulin/calnexin chaperones acting as normal early Tg folding intermediates that can be "substituted" by PDI adducts only at the expense of lower folding efficiency with resultant ER stress.     

Ca2+ regulation of interactions between endoplasmic reticulum chaperones

Casade Blue (CB), a fluorescent dye, was used to investigate the dynamics of interactions between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumenal chaperones including calreticulin, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and ERp57. PDI and ERp57 were labeled with CB, and subsequently, we show that the fluorescence intensity of the CB-conjugated proteins changes upon exposure to microenvironments of a different polarity. CD analysis of the purified proteins revealed that changes in the fluorescence intensity of CB-ERp57 and CB-PDI correspond to conformational changes in the proteins. Using this technique we demonstrate that PDI interacts with calreticulin at low Ca2+ concentration (below 100 microM), whereas the protein complex dissociates at >400 microM Ca2+. These are the Ca2+ concentrations reminiscent of Ca2+ levels found in empty or full ER Ca2+ stores. The N-domain of calreticulin interacts with PDI, but Ca2+ binding to the C-domain of the protein is responsible for Ca2+ sensitivity of the interaction. ERp57 also interacts with calreticulin through the N-domain of the protein. Initial interaction between these proteins is Ca2+-independent, but it is modulated by Ca2+ binding to the C-domain of calreticulin. We conclude that changes in ER lumenal Ca2+ concentration may be responsible for the regulation of protein-protein interactions. Calreticulin may play a role of Ca2+ "sensor" for ER chaperones via regulation of Ca2+-dependent formation and maintenance of structural and functional complexes between different proteins involved in a variety of steps during protein synthesis, folding, and post-translational modification.     

A subset of chaperones and folding enzymes form multiprotein complexes in endoplasmic reticulum to bind nascent proteins

We demonstrate the existence of a large endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized multiprotein complex that is comprised of the molecular chaperones BiP; GRP94; CaBP1; protein disulfide isomerase (PDI); ERdj3, a recently identified ER Hsp40 cochaperone; cyclophilin B; ERp72; GRP170; UDP-glucosyltransferase; and SDF2-L1. This complex is associated with unassembled, incompletely folded immunoglobulin heavy chains. Except for ERdj3, and to a lesser extent PDI, this complex also forms in the absence of nascent protein synthesis and is found in a variety of cell types. Cross-linking studies reveal that the majority of these chaperones are included in the complex. Our data suggest that this subset of ER chaperones forms an ER network that can bind to unfolded protein substrates instead of existing as free pools that assembled onto substrate proteins. It is noticeable that most of the components of the calnexin/calreticulin system, which include some of the most abundant chaperones inside the ER, are either not detected in this complex or only very poorly represented. This study demonstrates an organization of ER chaperones and folding enzymes that has not been previously appreciated and suggests a spatial separation of the two chaperone systems that may account for the temporal interactions observed in other studies.     

Mechanisms of Function of Tapasin,a Critical Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Assembly Factor

For their efficient assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules require the specific assembly factors transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and tapasin, as well as generic ER folding factors, including the oxidoreductases ERp57 and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and the chaperone calreticulin. TAP transports peptides from the cytosol into the ER. Tapasin promotes the assembly of MHC class I molecules with peptides. The formation of disulfide‐linked conjugates of tapasin with ERp57 is suggested to be crucial for tapasin function. Important functional roles are also suggested for the tapasin transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, sites of tapasin interaction with TAP. We show that interactions of tapasin with both TAP and ERp57 are correlated with strong MHC class I recruitment and assembly enhancement. The presence of the transmembrane/cytosolic regions of tapasin is critical for efficient tapasin–MHC class I binding in interferon‐γ‐treated cells, and contributes to an ERp57‐independent mode of MHC class I assembly enhancement. A second ERp57‐dependent mode of tapasin function correlates with enhanced MHC class I binding to tapasin and calreticulin. We also show that PDI binds to TAP in a tapasin‐independent manner, but forms disulfide‐linked conjugates with soluble tapasin. Thus, full‐length tapasin is important for enhancing recruitment of MHC class I molecules and increasing specificity of tapasin–ERp57 conjugation. Furthermore, tapasin or the TAP/tapasin complex has an intrinsic ability to recruit MHC class I molecules and promote assembly, but also uses generic folding factors to enhance MHC class I recruitment and assembly.     

Regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins in COS cells transfected with immunoglobulin mu heavy chain cDNA

The mechanism by which endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins are induced by the accumulation of incompletely assembled or malfolded proteins in the ER is poorly understood. The 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (BiP), one of the ER stress proteins, has often been detected in stable complexes with these accumulated proteins. We have transfected COS cells with an immunoglobulin (Ig) mu heavy chain expression plasmid. Expressed mu-chain accumulated in the cells and formed stable complexes with BiP. As a result, the synthesis of three ER stress proteins, BiP, the 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP94/ERp99), and ERp72, was increased as were their mRNA levels. In addition, the degradation rate of BiP was increased, possibly because of its interaction with mu-chain. Cotransfection of the mu-chain plasmid with an Ig lambda light chain expression plasmid resulted in the appearance of mu-chain in the media in a covalent complex with lambda-chain. An intracellular consequence of this was a reduction in the levels of BiP.mu-chain complex, and a diminished stimulation in the synthesis of the ER stress proteins. These results suggest that the BiP.mu-chain complex in the ER may be involved in the signaling pathway for the induction of ER stress proteins and may represent one regulatory mechanism operating in differentiating B-lymphocytes.