No abstract

Tail-anchored (TA) proteins are post-translationally targeted to and inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane through their single C-terminal transmembrane domain. Membrane insertion of TA proteins in mammalian cells is mediated by the ATPase TRC40/Asna1 (Get3 in yeast) and a receptor in the ER membrane. We have identified tryptophan-rich basic protein (WRB), also known as congenital heart disease protein 5 (CHD5), as the ER membrane receptor for TRC40/Asna1. WRB shows sequence similarity to Get1, a subunit of the membrane receptor complex for yeast Get3. Using biochemical and cell imaging approaches, we demonstrate that WRB is an ER-resident membrane protein that interacts with TRC40/Asna1 and recruits it to the ER membrane. We identify the coiled-coil domain of WRB as the binding site for TRC40/Asna1 and show that a soluble form of the coiled-coil domain interferes with TRC40/Asna1-mediated membrane insertion of TA proteins. The identification of WRB as a component of the TRC (Get) pathway for membrane insertion of TA proteins raises new questions concerning the proposed roles of WRB (CHD5) in congenital heart disease, and heart and eye development.

Summary Exposure of cells to reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes a rapid and significant drop in intracellular ATP-levels. This energy depletion negatively affects ATP-dependent chaperone systems, making ROS-mediated protein unfolding and aggregation a potentially very challenging problem. Here we show that Get3, a protein involved in ATP-dependent targeting of tail-anchored (TA) proteins under non-stress conditions, turns into an effective ATP-in dependent chaperone when oxidized. Activation of Get3’s chaperone function, which is a fully reversible process, involves disulfide bond formation, metal release and its conversion into distinct, higher oligomeric structures. Mutational studies demonstrate that the chaperone activity of Get3 is functionally distinct from and likely mutually exclusive with its targeting function, and responsible for the oxidative stress sensitive phenotype that has long been noted for yeast cells lacking functional Get3. These results provide convincing evidence that Get3 functions as a redox regulated chaperone, effectively protecting eukaryotic cells against oxidative protein damage.