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Yoshimori, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshimori, T..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

The Rubicon-WIPI axis regulates exosome biogenesis during aging

Cells release intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) in multivesicular bodies as exosomes to communicate with other cells. Although recent studies suggest an intimate link between exosome biogenesis and autophagy, the detailed mechanism is not fully understood. Here we employed comprehensive RNAi screening for autophagy-related factors and discovered that Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, is essential for exosome release. Rubicon recruits WIPI2d to endosomes to promote exosome biogenesis. Interactome analysis of WIPI2d identified the ESCRT components that are required for ILV formation. Notably, we found that Rubicon is required for an age-dependent increase of exosome release in mice. In addition, small RNA sequencing of serum exosomes revealed that Rubicon determines the fate of exosomal microRNAs associated with cellular senescence and longevity pathways. Taken together, our current results suggest that the Rubicon-WIPI axis functions as a key regulator of exosome biogenesis and is responsible for the age-dependent changes in exosome quantity and quality.

cell biology↗

Golgi membrane proteins YIPF3 and YIPF4 regulate turnover of the Golgi apparatus through autophagy

The degradation of organelles by autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis. The Golgi apparatus has recently been demonstrated to be degraded by autophagy, but little is known about how the Golgi is recognized by the autophagosome. Using quantitative proteomic analysis and two Golgiphagy-reporter systems that we developed, we found that five-transmembrane Golgi-resident proteins, YIPF3 and YIPF4, constitute a Golgiphagy receptor. The YIPF3-YIPF4 complex interacts with LC3B, GABARAP, and GABARAPL1 via the LIR motif in YIPF3, whose stability is dependent on YIPF4. Phosphorylation of the LIR in YIPF3 seems to be required for YIPF3-ATG8 interaction. Moreover, expression of the YIPF3 LIR mutant caused an elongated Golgi morphology, indicating the importance of Golgi turnover via selective autophagy. The reporter assays that we established will pave the way for future studies to obtain deeper insights into Golgiphagy.

cell biology↗

The P4-ATPase Drs2 regulates the homeostasis of Atg9

Multisubunit Tethering Complexes (MTCs) are a set of conserved protein complexes that tether transported vesicles at the acceptor membrane. Interactions with other components of the trafficking machinery regulate MTCs through mechanisms that are just partially understood. Here we systematically investigate the interactome that regulates the function of MTCs. We found that P4-ATPases, a family of lipid transporters involved in the biogenesis of vesicles, interact with MTCs that participate in the anterograde and retrograde transport at the Golgi, such as TRAPPIII. We used the lipid flippase Drs2 as a model to investigate the mechanism and biological relevance of such interplay during the transport of Atg9 vesicles. Binding to the N-terminal tail of Drs2 stabilizes TRAPPIII on membrane compartments loaded with Atg9 and it is required for the delivery of Atg9 during selective autophagy, a role that is independent of previously reported functions of the P4-ATPase. This mechanism relies on the I(S/R)TTK motif nested in the N-terminal tail cavity of Drs2, a motif that is required for the interaction with MTCs.

cell biology↗

Structural basis for autophagy inhibition by the human Rubicon-Rab7 complex

Rubicon is a potent negative regulator of autophagy and a potential target for autophagy-inducing therapeutics. Rubicon-mediated inhibition of autophagy requires the interaction of the C-terminal Rubicon homology (RH) domain of Rubicon with Rab7-GTP. Here we report the 2.8 [A] crystal structure of the Rubicon RH domain in complex with Rab7-GTP. Our structure reveals a novel fold for the RH domain built around four zinc clusters. The switch regions of Rab7 insert into pockets on the surface of the RH domain in a mode that is distinct from those of other Rab-effector complexes. Rubicon residues at the dimer interface are required for Rubicon and Rab7 to colocalize in living cells. Mutation of Rubicon RH residues in the Rab7 binding site restore efficient autophagic flux in the presence of overexpressed Rubicon, validating the Rubicon RH domain as a promising therapeutic target.

cell biology↗