The exomer cargo adaptor structure reveals a novel GTPase‐binding domain

Cargo adaptors control intracellular trafficking of transmembrane proteins by sorting them into membrane transport carriers. The COPI, COPII, and clathrin cargo adaptors are structurally well characterized, but other cargo adaptors remain poorly understood. Exomer is a specialized cargo adaptor that sorts specific proteins into trans‐Golgi network (TGN)‐derived vesicles in response to cellular signals. Exomer is recruited to the TGN by the Arf1 GTPase, a universally conserved trafficking regulator. Here, we report the crystal structure of a tetrameric exomer complex composed of two copies each of the Chs5 and Chs6 subunits. The structure reveals the FN3 and BRCT domains of Chs5, which together we refer to as the FBE domain (F N3–B RCT of e xomer), project from the exomer core complex. The overall architecture of the FBE domain is reminiscent of the appendage domains of other cargo adaptors, although it exhibits a distinct topology. In contrast to appendage domains, which bind accessory factors, we show that the primary role of the FBE domain is to bind Arf1 for recruitment of exomer to membranes.     

Isolation of a Few Metabolites from p-Menthane and Conditions for cis-p-Menthan-1-ol Production by Pseudomonas mendocina-SF

The p-menthane-utilizing microorganism, strain-SF, was identified to be a strain belonging to Pseudomonas mendocina by the physiological and morphological properties. The productivity of cis-p-menthan-l-oI by this strain was examined under various conditions, and as a result it was found that this strain required both magnesium and ferric ions for the hydroxylation of p-menthane, and that the productivity increased up 20% to 35 or 40% by adding 0.1 % (w/v) of agar or a proper emulsifier (PEG nonylphenylether p: 10) into the medium. On the other hand, some new metabolites which were assumed to be the intermediates were identified to be l-hydroxymethyl-4-isopropyl cyclohexanol, l-carboxy-4-isopropyl cyclohexanol, and 3-isopropyl heptanedioic acid by IR, PMR, MS and elementary analyse. From these results, the methabolic pathway of p-menthane by strain-SF was proposed.     

Differential requirements for ts-O45-G and procollagen biosynthetic transport

Emerging experimental evidence favours the existence of cargo sorting occurring upon the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit. Recent studies revealed that, in contrast to the conventional secretory marker ts-O45-G, procollagen (PC I) exits the ER at sites not coated with coat protein II and is transported to the Golgi complex in carriers devoid of coat protein I. Here, we investigated whether PC I trafficking requires a different molecular machinery in comparison with the ts-O45-G. By combining colocalization of the cargoes with endogenous markers, downregulation of transport machinery by RNA interference and knock-ins by complementary DNA over-expression, we provide strong evidence that PC I and ts-O45-G have common but also different molecular requirements during pre- and post-Golgi trafficking events.     

Golgi inheritance: shaken but not stirred

Our view of what happens to the Golgi and ER during mitosis in mammalian cells has been shaken once more. Rather than the Golgi contents being recycled through, or mixed with the ER, two recent studies taking complementary approaches, find that the contents of these organelles remain separate throughout mitosis.     

Maintenance of membrane sheets by cultured oligodendrocytes requires continuous microtubule turnover and Golgi transport

Oligodendrocytes in murine shakeoff cultures elaborate extensive membrane sheets containing networks of microtubules. Several membrane components, including proteolipid protein (PLP) and sulfatide, are transported through the Golgi en route to the plasma membrane or myelin (1,2). This transport is essential for membrane assembly, but its role in continuing maintenance of the sheets is not known. We examined the stability of the membrane sheets following microtubule stabilization with taxol or block of transport into the Golgi with brefeldin A. Within one to three hours, both agents had marked effects on the membrane sheets. While some oligodendrocytes maintained regions of normal membrane sheets, many showed retraction of the sheets, with the majority now exhibiting multiple processes rather than sheets. The distribution of sulfatide, PLP and tubulin in cell bodies, processes and sheets was altered in treated cells, as analyzed by immunocytochemical staining with antibodies to these components. The Golgi apparatus also showed reorganization in the presence of taxol, as visualized by binding of wheat germ agglutinin, a lectin with high affinity for distal Golgi vesicles. All of these effects were reversible when the agents were removed after 3 hours. Thus, maintenance of membrane sheets by oligodendrocytes in culture is a dynamic process, requiring ongoing microtubule turnover and transport of molecules through the Golgi.Abbreviations PLP proteolipid protein - WGA wheat germ agglutinin Special issue dedicated to Dr. Bernard W. Agranoff.     

ATP-dependent calcium transport by a Golgi-enriched membrane fraction from mouse mammary gland

Summary Crude particulate preparations from the mammary glands of lactating mice were shown to transport calcium against a concentration gradient in the presence of ATP and mitochondrial inhibitors. Density gradient centrifugation with both sucrose and Percoll gradients indicated the presence of ATP-dependent transport in more than one membrane fraction. A Golgi-enriched membrane fraction possessed the highest specific activity of calcium transport. Digitonin, which increases the permeability of plasma membranes to calcium, did not affect this process. The Golgi fraction contained a 100,000 Dalton protein whose phosphorylation by -[³²P]-ATP was enhanced by a micromolar concentrations of free calcium. The phosphorylation was acid-stable and hydroxylamine-sensitive. These properties suggest that Golgi membranes in an actively secreting mammary epithelium possess a calcium transport system which resembles the calcium ATPase present in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle.