a b s t r a c tSignal-peptide-peptidase-like 2A (SPPL2a), an aspartyl intramembrane protease, has been implicated in the proteolysis of TNF-alpha, Fas Ligand and Bri2. Here, we show that endogenous SPPL2a -in agreement with overexpression studies -is localised in membranes of lysosomes/late endosomes. Furthermore, we have analysed the molecular determinants for lysosomal sorting of SPPL2a by creating chimaeric constructs between SPPL2a and its plasma membrane localised homologue SPPL2b. Lysosomal transport of SPPL2a critically depends on its cytosolic carboxyterminal tail. A canonical tyrosine-based sorting motif of the YXXø type at position 498 is sufficient to direct SPPL2a to lysosomal/late endosomal compartments. This motif accounts for the differential localisation of the homologous proteases SPPL2a and SPPL2b and thereby influences the access to substrates and biological function of SPPL2a. Structured summary of protein interactions:LAMP2 and SPPL2a colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (view interaction)

TMEM192 (transmembrane protein 192) is a novel constituent of late endosomal/lysosomal membranes with four potential transmembrane segments and an unknown function that was initially discovered by organellar proteomics. Subsequently, localization in late endosomes/lysosomes has been confirmed for overexpressed and endogenous TMEM192, and homodimers of TMEM192 linked by disulfide bonds have been reported. In the present study the molecular determinants of TMEM192 mediating its transport to late endosomes/lysosomes were analysed by using CD4 chimaeric constructs and mutagenesis of potential targeting motifs in TMEM192. Two directly adjacent N-terminally located dileucine motifs of the DXXLL-type were found to be critical for transport of TMEM192 to late endosomes/lysosomes. Whereas disruption of both dileucine motifs resulted in mistargeting of TMEM192 to the plasma membrane, each of the two motifs was sufficient to ensure correct targeting of TMEM192. In order to study disulfide bond formation, mutagenesis of cysteine residues was performed. Mutation of Cys266 abolished disulfide bridge formation between TMEM192 molecules, indicating that TMEM192 dimers are linked by a disulfide bridge between their C-terminal tails. According to the predicted topology, Cys266 would be localized in the reductive milieu of the cytosol where disulfide bridges are generally uncommon. Using immunogold labelling and proteinase protection assays, the localization of the N- and C-termini of TMEM192 on the cytosolic side of the late endosomal/lysosomal membrane was experimentally confirmed. These findings may imply close proximity of the C-termini in TMEM192 dimers and a possible involvement of this part of the protein in dimer assembly.