Article
Biology
Dmitry Shvarev, Jannis Schoppe, Caroline Koenig, Angela Perz, Nadia Fuellbrunn, Stephan Kiontke, Lars Langemeyer, Dovile Januliene, Kilian Schnelle, Daniel Kuemmel, Florian Froehlich, Arne Moeller, Christian Ungermann
Summary: Lysosomes are crucial for cell survival and function, and the HOPS complex plays a key role in lysosomal fusion. In this study, we used cryo-electron microscopy to examine the structure of HOPS and found that its flexibility is limited to the GTPase binding region. The SNARE-binding module is firmly attached to the core, positioning it ideally for membrane fusion.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunjia Shi, Hongtao Liu, Kelong Ma, Zhao-Qing Luo, Jiazhang Qiu
Summary: Legionella organisms are environmental bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease. A study characterized an effector protein, RavZ, in L. longbeachae, the second leading cause of Legionella infections. RavZ inhibits autophagy signaling in host cells challenged with L. pneumophila and L. longbeachae, indicating functional redundancy between RavZ(LLO) and RavZ(LP). RavZ(LLO) also reduces cellular levels of polyubiquitinated and polyneddylated proteins. RavZ(LLO) plays a role in the regulation of polyubiquitinated species on the Legionella-containing vacuole during L. longbeachae infection.
Article
Cell Biology
Fernande Ayenoue Siadous, Franck Cantet, Erin Van Schaik, Melanie Burette, Julie Allombert, Anissa Lakhani, Boris Bonaventure, Caroline Goujon, James Samuel, Matteo Bonazzi, Eric Martinez
Summary: The Coxiella burnetii effector protein CvpF interacts with host small GTPase RAB26, leading to the recruitment of autophagosomal marker MAP1LC3B/LC3B to Coxiella-containing vacuoles, affecting the pathogen's virulence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonglun Zeng, Baiying Li, Changyang Ji, Lei Feng, Fangfang Niu, Cesi Deng, Shuai Chen, Youshun Lin, Kenneth C. P. Cheung, Jinbo Shen, Kam-Bo Wong, Liwen Jiang
Summary: This study uncovered a novel role of a specific Sar1 homolog, AtSar1d, in plant autophagy in coordination with a unique Rab1/Ypt1 homolog, AtRabD2a. The research identified mechanistic connections between ATG machinery and specific COPII components, with a dominant negative mutant of AtSar1d showing distinct inhibition on YFP-ATG8 vacuolar degradation upon autophagic induction. AtRabD2a was found to be essential for bridging the specific AtSar1d-positive COPII vesicles to the autophagy initiation complex and contributing to autophagosome formation in plants.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nadia Fuellbrunn, Zehao Li, Lara Jorde, Christian P. Richter, Rainer Kurre, Lars Langemeyer, Changyuan Yu, Carola Meyer, Jorg Enderlein, Christian Ungermann, Jacob Piehler, Changjiang You
Summary: This study introduces a method called GIET to probe the axial orientation of arrested macromolecules at lipid monolayers, and analyzes the conformational organization of proteins and complexes involved in tethering and fusion at yeast vacuoles. The results reveal that the membrane-anchored Ypt7 protein undergoes conformational reorganization upon interactions with effector proteins, and the tethering complex alternates between 'closed' and 'open' conformations dynamically when recruited to membranes by Ypt7.
Article
Cell Biology
Olivia M. Connor, Srujan K. Matta, Jonathan R. Friedman
Summary: This study reveals the importance of a protein called Mdi1 in coordinating mitochondrial fission. Loss of Mdi1 leads to mitochondrial hyperfusion, suggesting its role in regulating fission. This work highlights the crucial role of Mdi1 in efficient mitochondrial division.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Amy Orr, William Wickner
Summary: The conserved catalysts of intracellular membrane fusion include Rab-family GTPases, effector complexes, and SNARE proteins and chaperones. PI3P is a crucial regulator in yeast vacuole fusion, as it enhances the engagement of Qc-SNARE, promotes trans-SNARE assembly and fusion, and helps protect SNARE complexes from Sec17/Sec18. PI3P supports multiple stages of fusion, including tethering, SNARE assembly, and fusion per se.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tianli Li, Gan Ai, Xiaowei Fu, Jin Liu, Hai Zhu, Ying Zhai, Weiye Pan, Danyu Shen, Maofeng Jing, Ai Xia, Daolong Dou
Summary: This study characterizes the functional properties of the core RXLR effector RXLR242 in P. capsici and its manipulation of host plant immunity. RXLR242 interacts with RAB proteins and disrupts protein trafficking, thereby promoting Phytophthora infection.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Aparajita Lahree, Sara de Jesus Santos Baptista, Sofia Marques, Veronika Perschin, Vanessa Zuzarte-Luis, Manisha Goel, Hadi Hasan Choudhary, Satish Mishra, Christian Stigloher, Marino Zerial, Varadharajan Sundaramurthy, Maria M. Mota
Summary: Intracellular pathogens manipulate host cells to survive and thrive. This study shows that liver-stage Plasmodium parasites compete with the host to sequester a host endosomal-adaptor protein (APPL1) involved in regulating endocytosis signaling. There is a correlation between the level of APPL1 enrichment at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and parasite size during exoerythrocytic development.
Article
Cell Biology
Viktoria Szentgyoergyi, Anne Spang
Summary: Cargo delivery in cellular organelles relies on the fusion of vesicles with the help of tethering factors. Recent studies show that tethers play a significant role in membrane fusion, and the discovery of novel tether FERARI complex has changed our understanding of cargo transport.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hongki Song, Thomas L. Torng, Amy S. Orr, Axel T. Brunger, William T. Wickner
Summary: Membrane fusion requires SNARE proteins to form coiled coils, but Sec17 and Sec18 can promote fusion without the need for completion of the coiled coils. Specific blocks in SNARE proteins can be bypassed by Sec17 and Sec18 to restore fusion.
Article
Biology
Yasmin ElMaghloob, Begona Sot, Michael J. McIlwraith, Esther Garcia, Tamas Yelland, Shehab Ismail
Summary: The study demonstrates that BART acts as a bona fide co-GEF for ARL3, interacting with ARL3 and ARL13B to efficiently activate ARL3 and maintain its active state. This finding contributes to a better understanding of the role of ARL3 in regulating ciliary function.
Article
Cell Biology
Ying Gao, Xueping Zheng, Boyang Chang, Yujie Lin, Xiaodan Huang, Wen Wang, Shirong Ding, Weixiang Zhan, Shang Wang, Beibei Xiao, Lanqing Huo, Youhui Yu, Yilin Chen, Run Gong, Yuanzhong Wu, Ruhua Zhang, Li Zhong, Xin Wang, Qiuyan Chen, Song Gao, Zhengfan Jiang, Denghui Wei, Tiebang Kang
Summary: Activated STING can be transferred between cells to promote antitumor immunity, a process triggered by non-canonical autophagy mediated by RAB22A. RAB22A induces the fusion of non-canonical autophagosomes with early endosomes, forming a new organelle called Rafeesome, and suppresses fusion with lysosomes. The inner vesicle of non-canonical autophagosome, containing activated STING, is secreted as R-EV, which induces the release of IFN beta from recipient cells and promotes antitumor immunity.
Article
Cell Biology
Amy Orr, William Wickner
Summary: Membrane fusion is driven by the interactions between Sec17, Sec18, and SNARE. Sec17 promotes fusion by binding to SNARE, while Sec18 aids Sec17 in fusion by lowering its affinity. ATP acts as a ligand to activate Sec18 for fusion, but ATP hydrolysis is not required.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shu Hiragi, Takahide Matsui, Yuriko Sakamaki, Mitsunori Fukuda
Summary: Hiragi et al. identify TBC1D18 as a Rab5-GAP associated with Mon1 that mediates endosome maturation. They propose a new model where Mon1-Ccz1 and TBC1D18 coordinate endosome maturation by inactivating Rab5 and activating Rab7. The study demonstrates that defects in endosome maturation are primarily caused by Rab5 hyperactivation rather than Rab7 inactivation.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ren Wang, Ellie Himschoot, Matteo Grenzi, Jian Chen, Alaeddine Safi, Melanie Krebs, Karin Schumacher, Moritz K. Nowack, Wolfgang Moeder, Keiko Yoshioka, Daniel Van Damme, Ive De Smet, Danny Geelen, Tom Beeckman, Jiri Friml, Alex Costa, Steffen Vanneste
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of different auxin analogs on the accumulation of PIN proteins in BFA bodies and their ability to induce Ca2+ responses. The results show that not all auxin analogs can elicit Ca2+ responses and their ability to do so partially correlates with their inhibition of BFA body formation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Patricia Scholz, Premysl Pejchar, Max Fernkorn, Eliska Skrabalkova, Roman Pleskot, Katharina Blersch, Teun Munnik, Martin Potocky, Till Ischebeck
Summary: Pollen tube growth requires tight regulation of pectin secretion, and molecules such as phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid play important roles in this process. A study found that DGK5, a kinase, is localized in the plasma membrane and is involved in the regulation of pectin secretion and lipid signaling, contributing to polar tip growth in pollen tubes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sabine Brumm, Manoj K. Singh, Choy Kriechbaum, Sandra Richter, Kerstin Huhn, Tim Kucera, Sarah Baumann, Hanno Wolters, Shinobu Takada, Gerd Juergens
Summary: Evolutionary changes following gene duplication can lead to functional differences in paralogous proteins. In this study, GNOM and GNL1, two paralogous proteins in Arabidopsis, were found to form homodimers but not heterodimers. Heterodimer formation between GNOM and GNL1 was shown to result in developmental defects. The interaction between the N-terminal dimerization and cyclophilin-binding (DCB) domain was found to play a crucial role in preventing the formation of detrimental GNOM-GNL1 heterodimers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong Zi Tan, Kristine A. Keon, Rana Abdelaziz, Peter Imming, Waltraud Schulze, Karin Schumacher, John L. Rubinstein
Summary: In this study, the Legionella pneumophila effector SidK was used for affinity purification of endogenous vacuolar-type ATPases (V-ATPases) from lemon fruit. The structure of the enzyme in two rotational states was determined by cryoelectron microscopy. The findings reveal the ATP:H+ ratio of the enzyme and its inability to maintain the low pH observed in the vacuoles of juice sac cells in lemons and citrus fruit. Furthermore, the plant V-ATPase membrane region lacks subunit f and exhibits an uncommon configuration of transmembrane a helices. The presence of two distinct conformations of subunit H in the intact complex suggests its role in modulating enzyme activity.
Article
Biology
Ruth Grosseholz, Friederike Wanke, Leander Rohr, Nina Gloeckner, Luiselotte Rausch, Stefan Scholl, Emanuele Scacchi, Amelie-Jette Spazierer, Lana Shabala, Sergey Shabala, Karin Schumacher, Ursula Kummer, Klaus Harter
Summary: This study combines computational modeling with quantitative cell physiology to investigate the key function of cellular elongation during the initiation of cellular responses in the epidermis of Arabidopsis roots. The research reveals that the competence of root epidermal cells for the BR response depends on the amount and activity of H+-ATPases in the plasma membrane. Additionally, the study identifies a potassium channel that is essential for compensating the shift of positive charges caused by apoplastic acidification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Teng Li, Xingkai Xiao, Qingyun Liu, Wenyan Li, Li Li, Wenhua Zhang, Teun Munnik, Xuemin Wang, Qun Zhang
Summary: Membrane properties such as fluidity, permeability, and surface charges are regulated by phospholipid metabolism and transport. Phosphatidic acid (PA), an important bioactive molecule, has unknown mechanical properties during translocation and subcellular accumulation. This study used a genetically encoded fluorescent indicator, GFP-N160RbohD, to monitor PA dynamics in living cells. The results showed that PA levels at the plasma membrane were sensitive to changes in salinity, abscisic acid, and heat stress, and that gravity triggered asymmetric PA distribution at the root apex.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Belen Rombola-Caldentey, Zaida Andres, Rainer Waadt, Francisco J. Quintero, Karin Schumacher, Jose M. Pardo
Summary: Plants have mechanisms to deal with high soil salinity, including calcium transients and changes in cytosolic pH. In this study, it was found that salinity caused alkalization of cytosolic pH in specific regions of Arabidopsis roots. The pH shift near the plasma membrane occurred before the tonoplast. Mutant roots lacking the SOS3/CBL4 protein showed reduced pHcyt changes in response to salinity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tonni Grube Andersen, Joop E. M. Vermeer
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Zsofia Winter, Kevin Bellande, Joop E. M. Vermeer
Summary: The development of lateral roots begins with asymmetric cell divisions in lateral root founder cells in the root's pericycle. The reorientation of the cell division plane occurs simultaneously with changes in cell shape and requires coordination with the neighboring endo-dermis. Recent studies suggest that dynamic changes in the cytoskeleton and possibly the cell wall play a role in properly orienting and positioning the cell division plane.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Plant Sciences
Philippe Fuchs, Elisenda Feixes-Prats, Paulo Arruda, Elias Feitosa-Araujo, Alisdair R. Fernie, Christopher Grefen, Sophie Lichtenauer, Nicole Linka, Ivan de Godoy Maia, Andreas J. Meyer, Soeren Schilasky, Lee J. Sweetlove, Stefanie Wege, Andreas P. M. Weber, A. Harvey Millar, Olivier Keech, Igor Florez-Sarasa, Pedro Barreto, Markus Schwarzlaender
Summary: UCP2 is localized to the Golgi, unlike its close homolog UCP1, which is abundant in the mitochondria.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul E. Verslues, Julia Bailey-Serres, Craig Brodersen, Thomas N. Buckley, Lucio Conti, Alexander Christmann, Jose R. Dinneny, Erwin Grill, Scott Hayes, Robert W. Heckman, Po-Kai Hsu, Thomas E. Juenger, Paloma Mas, Teun Munnik, Hilde Nelissen, Lawren Sack, Julian Schroeder, Christa Testerink, Stephen D. Tyerman, Taishi Umezawa, Philip A. Wigge
Summary: This article presents unresolved questions in plant abiotic stress biology from 15 research groups. These questions include understanding how plants detect water availability, temperature, salinity, and rising CO2 levels, as well as the interaction between environmental and endogenous signaling and development, and the control of downstream responses. Adaptation to changing environments involves tradeoffs that limit ecological distribution and crop resilience. Exploring plant diversity can help identify fundamental limits and new trait combinations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max van Hooren, Essam Darwish, Teun Munnik
Summary: Overexpressing phospholipase C genes can enhance plant tolerance to drought and salt stress. However, the role of Arabidopsis PLC4 in salt stress has been debated. This study demonstrates that PLC4 behaves similarly to other Arabidopsis PLCs in response to salt and osmotic stress.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Padraic J. Flood, Minou Nowrousian, Bruno Huettel, Christian Woehle, Kerstin Becker, Tassilo Erik Wollenweber, Dominik Begerow, Christopher Grefen
Summary: This study generated a draft genome assembly of Lathyrus tuberosus using PacBio sequencing data. The genome assembly has high completeness and can serve as a valuable resource for assessing domestication efforts and developing breeding programs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dorothee Stockle, Blanca Jazmin Reyes-Hernandez, Amaya Vilches Barro, Milica Nenadic, Zsofia Winter, Sophie Marc-Martin, Lotte Bald, Robertas Ursache, Satoshi Fujita, Alexis Maizel, Joop Em Vermeer
Summary: Precise coordination between cells and tissues is essential for differential growth in plants. The asymmetry of microtubule arrays in the endodermis and the remodeling of the endodermis are necessary for lateral root initiation. MAP70-5 and cortical microtubule arrays in the endodermis integrate mechanical signals and facilitate lateral root morphogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lise C. Noack, Vincent Bayle, Laia Armengot, Frederique Rozier, Adiilah Mamode-Cassim, Floris D. Stevens, Marie-Cecile Caillaud, Teun Munnik, Sebastien Mongrand, Roman Pleskot, Yvon Jaillais
Summary: Phosphoinositides, specifically phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P), play a crucial role in membrane identity acquisition, particularly at the plant plasma membrane. PI4K alpha 1 is anchored to the plasma membrane through a complex involving proteins from various families, and is essential for pollen, embryonic, and post-embryonic development. The immobilization of the PI4K alpha 1 complex in plasma membrane nanodomains is critical for its function, highlighting the importance of lipid kinases in plasma membrane nanopatterning.