A Cycle of Ubiquitination Regulates Adaptor Function of the Nedd4-Family Ubiquitin Ligase Rsp5

Selective clearance of aberrant membrane proteins by TORC1-mediated micro-ER-phagy

Aberrant accumulation and clearance of membrane proteins is associated with disease. Membrane proteins are inserted first to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). During normal growth, two quality control (QC) processes, ER-associated degradation and macro-ER-phagy, deliver misfolded and excess membrane proteins for degradation in the proteasome and lysosome, respectively. We show that in yeast during normal growth, ER-QC is constitutive, since none of the stress-induced signaling pathways-nutritional, proteotoxic, or heat-are involved. In mutant cells defective in ER-QC, misfolded or excess proteins accumulate and nutritional stress, but not proteotoxic or heat stress, can stimulate their clearance. Early during nutritional stress, clearance occurs in the lysosome through a selective micro-ER-phagy pathway dependent on the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5, its Ssh4 adaptor, and ESCRT. In contrast, only a fraction of normal membrane proteins is degraded much later via macro-autophagy. Because the pathways explored here are conserved, nutritional stress emerges as a possible way for clearing disease-associated membrane proteins.

Glucose-induced endocytic degradation of the maltose transporter MalP is mediated through ubiquitination by the HECT-ubiquitin ligase HulA and its adaptor CreD in Aspergillus oryzae

In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae, large amounts of amylolytic enzymes are inducibly produced by isomaltose, which is converted from maltose incorporated via the maltose transporter MalP. In contrast, the preferred sugar glucose strongly represses the expression of both amylolytic and malP genes through carbon catabolite repression. Simultaneously, the addition of glucose triggers the endocytic degradation of MalP on the plasma membrane. In budding yeast, the signal-dependent ubiquitin modification of plasma membrane transporters leads to selective endocytosis into the vacuole for degradation. In addition, during glucose-induced MalP degradation, the homologous of E6AP C-terminus-type E3 ubiquitin ligase (HulA) is responsible for the ubiquitin modification of MalP, and the arrestin-like protein CreD is required for HulA targeting. Although CreD-mediated MalP internalization occurs in response to glucose, the mechanism by which CreD regulates HulA-dependent MalP ubiquitination remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that three (P/L)PxY motifs present in the CreD protein are essential for functioning as HulA adaptors so that HulA can recognize MalP in response to glucose stimulation, enabling MalP internalization. Furthermore, four lysine residues (three highly conserved among Aspergillus species and yeast and one conserved among Aspergillus species) of CreD were found to be necessary for its ubiquitination, resulting in efficient glucose-induced MalP endocytosis. The results of this study pave the way for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of MalP endocytic degradation through ubiquitination by the HulA-CreD complex at the molecular level.

High-resolution live cell imaging to define ultrastructural and dynamic features of the halotolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii

Although some budding yeasts have proved tractable and intensely studied models, others are more recalcitrant. Debaryomyces hansenii, an important yeast species in food and biotechnological industries with curious physiological characteristics, has proved difficult to manipulate genetically and remains poorly defined. To remedy this, we have combined live cell fluorescent dyes with high-resolution imaging techniques to define the sub-cellular features of D. hansenii, such as the mitochondria, nuclei, vacuoles and the cell wall. Using these tools, we define biological processes like the cell cycle, organelle inheritance and various membrane trafficking pathways of D. hansenii for the first time. Beyond this, reagents designed to study Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins were used to access proteomic information about D. hansenii. Finally, we optimised the use of label-free holotomography to image yeast, defining the physical parameters and visualising sub-cellular features like membranes and vacuoles. Not only does this work shed light on D. hansenii but this combinatorial approach serves as a template for how other cell biological systems, which are not amenable to standard genetic procedures, can be studied.

Optimization of the fluorogen-activating protein tag for quantitative protein trafficking and colocalization studies in S. cerevisiae

Spatial and temporal tracking of fluorescent proteins (FPs) in live cells permits visualization of proteome remodeling in response to extracellular cues. Historically, protein dynamics during trafficking have been visualized using constitutively active FPs fused to proteins of interest. While powerful, such FPs label all cellular pools of a protein, potentially masking the dynamics of select subpopulations. To help study protein subpopulations, bioconjugate tags, including the fluorogen activation proteins (FAPs), were developed. FAPs are comprised of two components: a single-chain antibody (SCA) fused to the protein of interest and a malachite-green (MG) derivative, which fluoresces only when bound to the SCA. Importantly, the MG derivatives can be either cell-permeant or -impermeant, thus permitting isolated detection of SCA-tagged proteins at the cell surface and facilitating quantitative endocytic measures. To expand FAP use in yeast, we optimized the SCA for yeast expression, created FAP-tagging plasmids, and generated FAP-tagged organelle markers. To demonstrate FAP efficacy, we coupled the SCA to the yeast G-protein coupled receptor Ste3. We measured Ste3 endocytic dynamics in response to pheromone and characterized cis- and trans-acting regulators of Ste3. Our work significantly expands FAP technology for varied applications in S. cerevisiae.

Divergent regulation of α-arrestin ARRDC3 function by ubiquitination

The α-arrestin ARRDC3 is a recently discovered tumor suppressor in invasive breast cancer that functions as a multifaceted adaptor protein to control protein trafficking and cellular signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms that control ARRDC3 function are unknown. Other arrestins are known to be regulated by posttranslational modifications, suggesting that ARRDC3 may be subject to similar regulatory mechanisms. Here we report that ubiquitination is a key regulator of ARRDC3 function and is mediated primarily by two proline-rich PPXY motifs in the ARRDC3 C-tail domain. Ubiquitination and the PPXY motifs are essential for ARRDC3 function in regulating GPCR trafficking and signaling. Additionally, ubiquitination and the PPXY motifs mediate ARRDC3 protein degradation, dictate ARRDC3 subcellular localization, and are required for interaction with the NEDD4-family E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2. These studies demonstrate a role for ubiquitination in regulating ARRDC3 function and reveal a mechanism by which ARRDC3 divergent functions are controlled.

Recycling of cell surface membrane proteins from yeast endosomes is regulated by ubiquitinated Ist1

Upon internalization, many surface membrane proteins are recycled back to the plasma membrane. Although these endosomal trafficking pathways control surface protein activity, the precise regulatory features and division of labor between interconnected pathways are poorly defined. In yeast, we show recycling back to the surface occurs through distinct pathways. In addition to retrograde recycling pathways via the late Golgi, used by synaptobrevins and driven by cargo ubiquitination, we find nutrient transporter recycling bypasses the Golgi in a pathway driven by cargo deubiquitination. Nutrient transporters rapidly internalize to, and recycle from, endosomes marked by the ESCRT-III associated factor Ist1. This compartment serves as both “early” and “recycling” endosome. We show Ist1 is ubiquitinated and that this is required for proper endosomal recruitment and cargo recycling to the surface. Additionally, the essential ATPase Cdc48 and its adaptor Npl4 are required for recycling, potentially through regulation of ubiquitinated Ist1. This collectively suggests mechanistic features of recycling from endosomes to the plasma membrane are conserved.

2-deoxyglucose transiently inhibits yeast AMPK signaling and triggers glucose transporter endocytosis, potentiating the drug toxicity

2-deoxyglucose is a glucose analog that impacts many aspects of cellular physiology. After its uptake and its phosphorylation into 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2DG6P), it interferes with several metabolic pathways including glycolysis and protein N-glycosylation. Despite this systemic effect, resistance can arise through strategies that are only partially understood. In yeast, 2DG resistance is often associated with mutations causing increased activity of the yeast 5’-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), Snf1. Here we focus on the contribution of a Snf1 substrate in 2DG resistance, namely the alpha-arrestin Rod1 involved in nutrient transporter endocytosis. We report that 2DG triggers the endocytosis of many plasma membrane proteins, mostly in a Rod1-dependent manner. Rod1 participates in 2DG-induced endocytosis because 2DG, following its phosphorylation by hexokinase Hxk2, triggers changes in Rod1 post-translational modifications and promotes its function in endocytosis. Mechanistically, this is explained by a transient, 2DG-induced inactivation of Snf1/AMPK by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). We show that 2DG-induced endocytosis is detrimental to cells, and the lack of Rod1 counteracts this process by stabilizing glucose transporters at the plasma membrane. This facilitates glucose uptake, which may help override the metabolic blockade caused by 2DG, and 2DG export—thus terminating the process of 2DG detoxification. Altogether, these results shed a new light on the regulation of AMPK signaling in yeast and highlight a remarkable strategy to bypass 2DG toxicity involving glucose transporter regulation.

Bro1 family proteins harmonize cargo sorting with vesicle formation

The Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRTs) drive membrane remodeling in a variety of cellular processes that include the formation of endosomal intralumenal vesicles (ILVs) during multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis. During MVB sorting, ESCRTs recognize ubiquitin (Ub) attached to membrane protein cargo and execute ILV formation by controlling the activities of ESCRT-III polymers regulated by the AAA-ATPase Vps4. Exactly how these events are coordinated to ensure proper cargo loading into ILVs remains unclear. Here we discuss recent work documenting the ability of Bro1, an ESCRT-associated Ub-binding protein, to coordinate ESCRT-III and Vps4-dependent ILV biogenesis with upstream events such as cargo recognition.

A GID E3 ligase assembly ubiquitinates an Rsp5 E3 adaptor and regulates plasma membrane transporters

Cells rapidly remodel their proteomes to align their cellular metabolism to environmental conditions. Ubiquitin E3 ligases enable this response, by facilitating rapid and reversible changes to protein stability, localization, or interaction partners. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the GID E3 ligase regulates the switch from gluconeogenic to glycolytic conditions through induction and incorporation of the substrate receptor subunit Gid4, which promotes the degradation of gluconeogenic enzymes. Here, we show an alternative substrate receptor, Gid10, which is induced in response to changes in temperature, osmolarity, and nutrient availability, regulates the ART‐Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase pathway, a component of plasma membrane quality control. Proteomic studies reveal that the levels of the adaptor protein Art2 are elevated upon GID10 deletion. A crystal structure shows the basis for Gid10‐Art2 interactions, and we demonstrate that Gid10 directs a GID E3 ligase complex to ubiquitinate Art2. Our data suggest that the GID E3 ligase affects Art2‐dependent amino acid transport. This study reveals GID as a system of E3 ligases with metabolic regulatory functions outside of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, controlled by distinct stress‐specific substrate receptors.

α-Arrestins and Their Functions: From Yeast to Human Health

α-Arrestins, also called arrestin-related trafficking adaptors (ARTs), constitute a large family of proteins conserved from yeast to humans. Despite their evolutionary precedence over their extensively studied relatives of the β-arrestin family, α-arrestins have been discovered relatively recently, and thus their properties are mostly unexplored. The predominant function of α-arrestins is the selective identification of membrane proteins for ubiquitination and degradation, which is an important element in maintaining membrane protein homeostasis as well as global cellular metabolisms. Among members of the arrestin clan, only α-arrestins possess PY motifs that allow canonical binding to WW domains of Rsp5/NEDD4 ubiquitin ligases and the subsequent ubiquitination of membrane proteins leading to their vacuolar/lysosomal degradation. The molecular mechanisms of the selective substrate’s targeting, function, and regulation of α-arrestins in response to different stimuli remain incompletely understood. Several functions of α-arrestins in animal models have been recently characterized, including redox homeostasis regulation, innate immune response regulation, and tumor suppression. However, the molecular mechanisms of α-arrestin regulation and substrate interactions are mainly based on observations from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. Nonetheless, α-arrestins have been implicated in health disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and tumor progression, placing them in the group of potential therapeutic targets.

Endosomal cargo recycling mediated by Gpa1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is inhibited by glucose starvation

Cell surface protein trafficking is regulated in response to nutrient availability, with multiple pathways directing surface membrane proteins to the lysosome for degradation in response to suboptimal extracellular nutrients. Internalized protein and lipid cargoes recycle back to the surface efficiently in glucose-replete conditions, but this trafficking is attenuated following glucose starvation. We find that cells with either reduced or hyperactive phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity are defective for endosome to surface recycling. Furthermore, we find that the yeast Gα subunit Gpa1, an endosomal PI3K effector, is required for surface recycling of cargoes. Following glucose starvation, mRNA and protein levels of a distinct Gα subunit Gpa2 are elevated following nuclear translocation of Mig1, which inhibits recycling of various cargoes. As Gpa1 and Gpa2 interact at the surface where Gpa2 concentrates during glucose starvation, we propose that this disrupts PI3K activity required for recycling, potentially diverting Gpa1 to the surface and interfering with its endosomal role in recycling. In support of this model, glucose starvation and overexpression of Gpa2 alter PI3K endosomal phosphoinositide production. Glucose deprivation therefore triggers a survival mechanism to increase retention of surface cargoes in endosomes and promote their lysosomal degradation.

Selective microautophagy of proteasomes is initiated by ESCRT-0 and is promoted by proteasome ubiquitylation

The proteasome is central to proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome system under normal growth conditions but is itself degraded through macroautophagy under nutrient stress. A recently described AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-regulated endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent microautophagy pathway also regulates proteasome trafficking and degradation in low-glucose conditions in yeast. Aberrant proteasomes are more prone to microautophagy, suggesting the ESCRT system fine-tunes proteasome quality control under low-glucose stress. Here, we uncover additional features of the selective microautophagy of proteasomes in budding yeast. Genetic or pharmacological induction of aberrant proteasomes is associated with increased mono- or oligo-ubiquitylation of proteasome components, which appears to be recognized by ESCRT-0. AMPK controls this pathway in part by regulating the trafficking of ESCRT-0 to the vacuole surface, which also leads to degradation of the Vps27 subunit of ESCRT-0. The Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase contributes to proteasome subunit ubiquitylation, and multiple ubiquitin-binding elements in Vps27 are involved in their recognition. We propose that ESCRT-0 at the vacuole surface recognizes ubiquitylated proteasomes and initiates their microautophagic elimination during glucose depletion. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Alpha-arrestins Aly1/Art6 and Aly2/Art3 regulate trafficking of the glycerophosphoinositol transporter Git1 and impact phospholipid homeostasis

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is an essential phospholipid, critical to membrane bilayers. The complete deacylation of PI by B-type phospholipases produces intracellular and extracellular glycerophosphoinositol (GPI). Extracellular GPI is transported into the cell via Git1, a member of the Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters at the yeast plasma membrane. Internalized GPI is degraded to produce inositol, phosphate and glycerol, thereby contributing to these pools. GIT1 gene expression is controlled by nutrient balance, with phosphate or inositol starvation increasing GIT1 expression to stimulate GPI uptake. However, less is known about control of Git1 protein levels or localization.

RESULTS

We find that the α-arrestins, an important class of protein trafficking adaptor, regulate Git1 localization and this is dependent upon their interaction with the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5. Specifically, α-arrestin Aly2 stimulates Git1 trafficking to the vacuole under basal conditions, but in response to GPI-treatment, either Aly1 or Aly2 promote Git1 vacuole trafficking. Cell surface retention of Git1, as occurs in aly1∆ aly2∆ cells, is linked to impaired growth in the presence of exogenous GPI and results in increased uptake of radiolabeled GPI, suggesting that accumulation of GPI somehow causes cellular toxicity. Regulation of α-arrestin Aly1 by the protein phosphatase calcineurin improves steady-state and substrate-induced trafficking of Git1, however, calcineurin plays a larger role in Git1 trafficking beyond regulation of α-arrestins. Interestingly, loss of Aly1 and Aly2 increased phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate on the limiting membrane of the vacuole, and this was further exacerbated by GPI addition, suggesting that the effect is partially linked to Git1. Loss of Aly1 and Aly2 leads to increased incorporation of inositol label from [3 H]-inositol-labelled GPI into PI, confirming that internalized GPI influences PI balance and indicating a role for the a-arrestins in this regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The α-arrestins Aly1 and Aly2 are novel regulators of Git1 trafficking with previously unanticipated roles in controlling phospholipid distribution and balance.

SIGNIFICANCE

To our knowledge, this is the first example of α-arrestin regulation of phosphatidyliniositol-3-phosphate levels. In future studies it will be exciting to determine if other α-arrestins similarly alter PI and PIPs to change the cellular landscape.

Adaptor linked K63 di-ubiquitin activates Nedd4/Rsp5 E3 ligase

Nedd4/Rsp5 family E3 ligases mediate numerous cellular processes, many of which require the E3 ligase to interact with PY motif containing adaptor proteins. Several arrestin-related trafficking adaptors (ARTs) of Rsp5 were self-ubiquitinated for activation, but the regulation mechanism remains elusive. Remarkably, we demonstrate that Art1, Art4, and Art5 undergo K63-linked di-ubiquitination by Rsp5. This modification enhances the plasma membrane recruitment of Rsp5 by Art1 or Art5 upon substrate induction, required for cargo protein ubiquitination. In agreement with these observations, we find that di-ubiquitin strengthens the interaction between the pombe orthologs of Rsp5 and Art1, Pub1, and Any1. Furthermore, we discover that the homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) domain exosite protects the K63-linked di-ubiquitin on the adaptors from cleavage by the deubiquitination enzyme Ubp2. Together, our study uncovers a novel ubiquitination modification implemented by Rsp5 adaptor proteins, underscoring the regulatory mechanism of how adaptor proteins control the recruitment, and activity of Rsp5 for the turnover of membrane proteins.

The Rpd3-Complex Regulates Expression of Multiple Cell Surface Recycling Factors in Yeast

Intracellular trafficking pathways control residency and bioactivity of integral membrane proteins at the cell surface. Upon internalisation, surface cargo proteins can be delivered back to the plasma membrane via endosomal recycling pathways. Recycling is thought to be controlled at the metabolic and transcriptional level, but such mechanisms are not fully understood. In yeast, recycling of surface proteins can be triggered by cargo deubiquitination and a series of molecular factors have been implicated in this trafficking. In this study, we follow up on the observation that many subunits of the Rpd3 lysine deacetylase complex are required for recycling. We validate ten Rpd3-complex subunits in recycling using two distinct assays and developed tools to quantify both. Fluorescently labelled Rpd3 localises to the nucleus and complements recycling defects, which we hypothesised were mediated by modulated expression of Rpd3 target gene(s). Bioinformatics implicated 32 candidates that function downstream of Rpd3, which were over-expressed and assessed for capacity to suppress recycling defects of rpd3∆ cells. This effort yielded three hits: Sit4, Dit1 and Ldb7, which were validated with a lipid dye recycling assay. Additionally, the essential phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase Pik1 was shown to have a role in recycling. We propose recycling is governed by Rpd3 at the transcriptional level via multiple downstream target genes.

The Bul1/2 Alpha-Arrestins Promote Ubiquitylation and Endocytosis of the Can1 Permease upon Cycloheximide-Induced TORC1-Hyperactivation

Selective endocytosis followed by degradation is a major mechanism for downregulating plasma membrane transporters in response to specific environmental cues. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this endocytosis is promoted by ubiquitylation catalyzed by the Rsp5 ubiquitin-ligase, targeted to transporters via adaptors of the alpha-arrestin family. However, the molecular mechanisms of this targeting and their control according to conditions remain incompletely understood. In this work, we dissect the molecular mechanisms eliciting the endocytosis of Can1, the arginine permease, in response to cycloheximide-induced TORC1 hyperactivation. We show that cycloheximide promotes Rsp5-dependent Can1 ubiquitylation and endocytosis in a manner dependent on the Bul1/2 alpha-arrestins. Also crucial for this downregulation is a short acidic patch sequence in the N-terminus of Can1 likely acting as a binding site for Bul1/2. The previously reported inhibition by cycloheximide of transporter recycling, from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane, seems to additionally contribute to efficient Can1 downregulation. Our results also indicate that, contrary to the previously described substrate-transport elicited Can1 endocytosis mediated by the Art1 alpha-arrestin, Bul1/2-mediated Can1 ubiquitylation occurs independently of the conformation of the transporter. This study provides further insights into how distinct alpha-arrestins control the ubiquitin-dependent downregulation of a specific amino acid transporter under different conditions.

Fur4-mediated uracil-scavenging to screen for surface protein regulators

Cell surface membrane proteins perform diverse and critical functions and are spatially and temporally regulated by membrane trafficking pathways. Although perturbations in these pathways underlie many pathologies, our understanding of these pathways at a mechanistic level remains incomplete. Using yeast as a model, we have developed an assay that reports on the surface activity of the uracil permease Fur4 in uracil auxotroph strains grown in the presence of limited uracil. This assay was used to screen a library of haploid deletion strains and identified mutants with both diminished and enhanced comparative growth in restricted uracil media. Factors identified, including various multisubunit complexes, were enriched for membrane trafficking and transcriptional functions, in addition to various uncharacterized genes. Bioinformatic analysis of expression profiles from many strains lacking transcription factors required for efficient uracil-scavenging validated particular hits from the screen, in addition to implicating essential genes not tested in the screen. Finally, we performed a secondary mating factor secretion screen to functionally categorize factors implicated in uracil-scavenging.

Induction and Repression of Hydrolase Genes in Aspergillus oryzae

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae, also known as yellow koji mold, produces high levels of hydrolases such as amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes. This property of producing large amounts of hydrolases is one of the reasons why A. oryzae has been used in the production of traditional Japanese fermented foods and beverages. A wide variety of hydrolases produced by A. oryzae have been used in the food industry. The expression of hydrolase genes is induced by the presence of certain substrates, and various transcription factors that regulate such expression have been identified. In contrast, in the presence of glucose, the expression of the glycosyl hydrolase gene is generally repressed by carbon catabolite repression (CCR), which is mediated by the transcription factor CreA and ubiquitination/deubiquitination factors. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the regulation of hydrolase gene expression, including CCR, in A. oryzae.

Calcineurin-dependent regulation of endocytosis by a plasma membrane ubiquitin ligase adaptor, Rcr1

Rsp5, the Nedd4 family member in yeast, is an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in numerous cellular processes, many of which require Rsp5 to interact with PY-motif containing adaptor proteins. Here, we show that two paralogous transmembrane Rsp5 adaptors, Rcr1 and Rcr2, are sorted to distinct cellular locations: Rcr1 is a plasma membrane (PM) protein, whereas Rcr2 is sorted to the vacuole. Rcr2 is delivered to the vacuole using ubiquitin as a sorting signal. Rcr1 is delivered to the PM by the exomer complex using a newly uncovered PM sorting motif. Further, we show that Rcr1, but not Rcr2, is up-regulated via the calcineurin/Crz1 signaling pathway. Upon exogenous calcium treatment, Rcr1 ubiquitinates and down-regulates the chitin synthase Chs3. We propose that the PM-anchored Rsp5/Rcr1 ubiquitin ligase-adaptor complex can provide an acute response to degrade unwanted proteins under stress conditions, thereby maintaining cell integrity.

Damage-induced chromatome dynamics link Ubiquitin ligase and proteasome recruitment to histone loss and efficient DNA repair

Eukaryotic cells package their genomes around histone octamers. In response to DNA damage, checkpoint activation in yeast induces core histone degradation resulting in 20%-40% reduction in nucleosome occupancy. To gain insight into this process, we developed a new approach to analyze the chromatin-associated proteome comprehensively before and after damage. This revealed extensive changes in protein composition after Zeocin-induced damage. First, core histones and the H1 homolog Hho1 were partially lost from chromatin along with replication, transcription, and chromatin remodeling machineries, while ubiquitin ligases and the proteasome were recruited. We found that the checkpoint- and INO80C-dependent recruitment of five ubiquitin-conjugating factors (Rad6, Bre1, Pep5, Ufd4, and Rsp5) contributes to core and linker histone depletion, reducing chromatin compaction and enhancing DNA locus mobility. Importantly, loss of Rad6/Bre1, Ufd4/TRIP12, and Pep5/VPS11 compromise DNA strand invasion kinetics during homology-driven repair. Thus we provide a comprehensive overview of a functionally relevant genome-wide chromatin response to DNA damage.

A glucose-starvation response governs endocytic trafficking and eisosomal retention of surface cargoes in budding yeast

Eukaryotic cells adapt their metabolism to the extracellular environment. Downregulation of surface cargo proteins in response to nutrient stress reduces the burden of anabolic processes whilst elevating catabolic production in the lysosome. We show that glucose starvation in yeast triggers a transcriptional response that increases internalisation from the plasma membrane. Nuclear export of the Mig1 transcriptional repressor in response to glucose starvation increases levels of the Yap1801 and Yap1802 clathrin adaptors, which is sufficient to increase cargo internalisation. Beyond this, we show that glucose starvation results in Mig1-independent transcriptional upregulation of various eisosomal factors. These factors serve to sequester a portion of nutrient transporters at existing eisosomes, through the presence of Ygr130c and biochemical and biophysical changes in Pil1, allowing cells to persist throughout the starvation period and maximise nutrient uptake upon return to replete conditions. This provides a physiological benefit for cells to rapidly recover from glucose starvation. Collectively, this remodelling of the surface protein landscape during glucose starvation calibrates metabolism to available nutrients.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Adaptors as the regulators of HECT ubiquitin ligases

The HECT (homologous to E6AP C-terminus) ubiquitin ligases (E3s) are a small family of highly conserved enzymes involved in diverse cellular functions and pathological conditions. Characterised by a C-terminal HECT domain that accepts ubiquitin from E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, these E3s regulate key signalling pathways. The activity and functional regulation of HECT E3s are controlled by several factors including post-translational modifications, inter- and intramolecular interactions and binding of co-activators and adaptor proteins. In this review, we focus on the regulation of HECT E3s by accessory proteins or adaptors and discuss various ways by which adaptors mediate their regulatory roles to affect physiological outcomes. We discuss common features that are conserved from yeast to mammals, regardless of the type of E3s as well as shed light on recent discoveries explaining some existing enigmas in the field.

Membrane Protein Quality Control Mechanisms in the Endo-Lysosome System

Protein quality control (PQC) machineries play a critical role in selective identification and removal of mistargeted, misfolded, and aberrant proteins. This task is extremely complicated due to the enormous diversity of the proteome. It also requires nuanced and careful differentiation between 'normal' and 'folding intermediates' from 'abnormal' and 'misfolded' protein states. Multiple genetic and proteomic approaches have started to delineate the molecular underpinnings of how these machineries recognize their target and how their activity is regulated. In this review, we summarize our understanding of the various E3 ubiquitin ligases and associated machinery that mediate PQC in the endo-lysosome system in yeast and humans, how they are regulated, and mechanisms of target selection, with the intent of guiding future research in this area.

The C2 domain of the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 is required for ubiquitination of the endocytic protein Rvs167 upon change of nitrogen source

Ubiquitination is a key signal for endocytosis of proteins on the plasma membrane. The ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains an amino-terminal membrane-binding C2 domain, three substrate-recognizing tryptophan-tryptophan (WW) domains and a carboxyl-terminal catalytic homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) domain, can ubiquitinate plasma membrane proteins directing them for endocytosis. Here, we examined the roles of the C2 domain in endocytosis for the downregulation of the general amino acid permease Gap1, which is one of nitrogen-regulated permeases in S. cerevisiae. First, we constructed several rsp5 mutants producing Rsp5 variants without the C2 domain or with amino acid changes of membrane-binding lysine residues. These mutants showed defects in endocytosis of Gap1 in response to a preferred nitrogen source. Intriguingly, we found that ubiquitination of Gap1 in these mutant cells was highly similar to that in wild-type cells during endocytosis. These results indicate that the C2 domain is essential for endocytosis but not for ubiquitination of substrates such as Gap1. Moreover, genetic and biochemical analyses showed that the endocytic protein Rvs167 was ubiquitinated via Rsp5 and the C2 domain was required for efficient ubiquitination in response to a preferred nitrogen source. Here, we propose a mechanism for the C2 domain-mediated endocytosis of plasma membrane permeases.