Biology subjects

Neidhardt, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Neidhardt, L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

A structural basis for chaperone repression of stress signalling from the endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) is tuned by the balance between unfolded proteins and chaperones. While reserve chaperones are known to suppress the UPR transducers via their stress-sensing luminal domains, the underlying structural mechanisms remain unclear. Cellular and biophysical analyses established that the ER chaperone AGR2 forms a repressive complex with the luminal domain of the UPR transducer IRE1{beta}. Structural prediction, X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy identify critical interactions between an AGR2 monomer and a regulatory loop in IRE1{beta}s luminal domain. However, in the repressive complex it is an AGR2 dimer that binds IRE1{beta}. Cryo-EM reconstruction reveals a mechanism of unanticipated simplicity: one AGR2 protomer engages the regulatory loop, while the second asymmetrically binds IRE1{beta}s luminal domains C-terminus, blocking IRE1{beta}-activating dimerization. Molecular dynamic simulations indicate that the second, disruptive AGR2 protomer exploits rare fluctuations in the IRE1{beta} dimer that expose its binding site. Thus, AGR2 actively disrupts IRE1{beta} dimers to suppress the UPR, while chaperone clients compete for AGR2 to trigger UPR signalling

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2023

Activation of goblet cell stress sensor IRE1β is controlled by the mucin chaperone AGR2

As secretory cells specialized in the production of mucins, intestinal goblet cells are challenged by the need for efficient protein folding. Goblet cells express Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1{beta} (IRE1{beta}), a unique unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor that is part of an adaptive mechanism that regulates the demands of mucin production and secretion. However, how IRE1{beta} activity is tuned to mucus folding load remains unknown. We identified the disulfide isomerase and mucin chaperone AGR2 as a goblet cell specific protein that crucially regulates IRE1{beta}-, but not IRE1-mediated signaling. AGR2 binding to IRE1{beta} disrupts IRE1{beta} dimerization, thereby blocking its downstream endonuclease activity. Depletion of endogenous AGR2 from goblet cells induces spontaneous IRE1{beta} activation, suggesting that alterations in AGR2 availability in the endoplasmic reticulum sets the threshold for IRE1{beta} activation. We found that AGR2 mutants lacking their catalytic cysteine or displaying the disease-associated mutation H117Y were no longer able to dampen IRE1{beta} activity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that AGR2 is a central chaperone regulating the goblet cell UPR by acting as a rheostat of IRE1{beta} endonuclease activity.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

An oligomeric state-dependent switch in FICD regulates AMPylation and deAMPylation of the chaperone BiP

AMPylation is an inactivating modification that matches the activity of the major endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone BiP to the burden of unfolded proteins. A single ER-localised Fic protein, FICD (HYPE), catalyses both AMPylation and deAMPylation of BiP. However, the basis for the switch in FICDs activity is unknown. We report on the transition of FICD from a dimeric enzyme, that deAMPylates BiP, to a monomer with potent AMPylation activity. Mutations in the dimer interface or in residues tracing an inhibitory relay from the dimer interface to the enzymes active site favour BiP AMPylation in vitro and in cells. Mechanistically, monomerisation relieves a repressive effect allosterically-propagated from the dimer interface to the inhibitory Glu234, thereby permitting AMPylation-competent binding of MgATP. Whereas, a reciprocal signal propagated from the nucleotide binding site, provides a mechanism for coupling the oligomeric-state and enzymatic activity of FICD to the energy status of the ER.\n\nImpact StatementUnique amongst known chaperones, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Hsp70, BiP, is subject to transient inactivation under conditions of low ER stress by reversible, covalent modification - AMPylation. The enzyme responsible for this modification, FICD, is in fact a bifunctional enzyme with a single active site capable of both AMPylation and deAMPylation. Here we elucidate, by biochemical, biophysical and structural means, the mechanism by which this enzyme is able to switch enzymatic modality: by regulation of its oligomeric state. The oligomeric state-dependent reciprocal regulation of FICD activity is, in turn, sensitive to the ATP/ADP ratio. This allosteric pathway potentially facilitates the sensing of unfolded protein load in the ER and permits the transduction of this signal into a post-translational buffering of ER chaperone activity.

biochemistry↗