The accurate replication and proper division of the genome is essential to life, and ?checkpoints? are placed throughout the cell cycle to ensure accuracy. Much less is known about the presence of checkpoints for the inheritance of functionally correct cytoplasmic organelles. The ER, a large and essential organelle, generates virtually all secretory and transmembrane proteins, and most lipids of the cell. We previously discovered a cell cycle checkpoint, the ER Stress Surveillance pathway (ERSU), which is vital for the inheritance of functionally correct ER by daughter cells in the model organism S. cerevisiae. When activated by ER stress, the ERSU pathway: (1) blocks the inheritance of damaged ER by preventing the ?initiating? ER tubule from entering the daughter cell, (2) mislocalizes the septin ring from the site of cytokinesis, and ultimately, (3) leads to a cell cycle arrest until a functional ER can be re-established. Cells that are mutant in the ERSU pathway die upon ER stress, underscoring the importance of the ERSU. Notably, the ERSU pathway is distinct from the well-known Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). In the past grant period, in search of the signal that activates ERSU, we found that phytosphingosine (PHS), an early intermediate of sphingolipid biosynthesis, is an ERSU activator. PHS increases upon ER stress induction and, when exogenously added, PHS sets in motion all the ERSU hallmark events. Moreover, we identified novel transmembrane domain mutants in Reticulon 1 (Rtn1), a protein important for correct ER structure: these mutants inactivate ERSU without affecting overall ER structure.
In AIM 1, we will investigate how phytosphingosine activates the ERSU pathway. We also will test how Reticulons are altered by PHS to prevent damaged ER inheritance.
In AIM 2, we will investigate how ER tubule inheritance is blocked at the molecular level, examining the role of key cell cycle structures such as septins, cytoskeletal elements, the exocyst and polarisome.
In AIM 3, we will: (A) Address whether there is a mammalian ERSU pathway. Our observations of mislocalization of septins upon mammalian ER stress provide initial compelling evidence. (B) Interrogate the impact of ER stress on the mammalian cell cycle including major mitotic cell cycle structural changes that involve the ER, such as ER clearing, nuclear disassembly and reassembly. Understanding the mechanisms by which the ER is inherited in normal cells and how this is perturbed under stress conditions will contribute to our understanding of human disease. Dysregulated ER function is a prominent feature of diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, key public health concerns. We hope our study will point towards new treatments for such diseases.

Public Health Relevance

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of the largest cellular organelles and carries out essential functions, producing almost all membrane proteins, secretory proteins, and lipids of the cell. We uncovered a regulatory pathway termed the ER Surveillance Pathway or ERSU that operates to ensure dividing cells will inherit only functionally competent ER. Dissection of the ERSU pathway and its underlying molecular machinery will contribute to understanding how cells may bypass such quality control checkpoints and contribute to the pathogenesis of cancers and other proliferative disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01GM087415-11S1
Application #
10135458
Study Section
Membrane Biology and Protein Processing Study Section (MBPP)
Program Officer
Ainsztein, Alexandra M
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2022-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California, San Diego
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Piña, Francisco; Yagisawa, Fumi; Obara, Keisuke et al. (2018) Sphingolipids activate the endoplasmic reticulum stress surveillance pathway. J Cell Biol 217:495-505
Tam, Arvin B; Roberts, Lindsay S; Chandra, Vivek et al. (2018) The UPR Activator ATF6 Responds to Proteotoxic and Lipotoxic Stress by Distinct Mechanisms. Dev Cell 46:327-343.e7
Miller, Marina; Tam, Arvin B; Mueller, James L et al. (2017) Cutting Edge: Targeting Epithelial ORMDL3 Increases, Rather than Reduces, Airway Responsiveness and Is Associated with Increased Sphingosine-1-Phosphate. J Immunol 198:3017-3022
Jiang, Dadi; Tam, Arvin B; Alagappan, Muthuraman et al. (2016) Acridine Derivatives as Inhibitors of the IRE1?-XBP1 Pathway Are Cytotoxic to Human Multiple Myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther 15:2055-65
Piña, Francisco Javier; Fleming, Tinya; Pogliano, Kit et al. (2016) Reticulons Regulate the ER Inheritance Block during ER Stress. Dev Cell 37:279-88
Jiang, Dadi; Lynch, Connor; Medeiros, Bruno C et al. (2016) Identification of Doxorubicin as an Inhibitor of the IRE1?-XBP1 Axis of the Unfolded Protein Response. Sci Rep 6:33353
Piña, Francisco J; Niwa, Maho (2015) The ER Stress Surveillance (ERSU) pathway regulates daughter cell ER protein aggregate inheritance. Elife 4:
Jiang, Dadi; Niwa, Maho; Koong, Albert C (2015) Targeting the IRE1?-XBP1 branch of the unfolded protein response in human diseases. Semin Cancer Biol 33:48-56
Tam, Arvin B; Koong, Albert C; Niwa, Maho (2014) Ire1 has distinct catalytic mechanisms for XBP1/HAC1 splicing and RIDD. Cell Rep 9:850-8
Miller, Marina; Rosenthal, Peter; Beppu, Andrew et al. (2014) ORMDL3 transgenic mice have increased airway remodeling and airway responsiveness characteristic of asthma. J Immunol 192:3475-87

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