Angarola, B. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2021

LyTS: A Lysosome Localized Complex of TMEM192 and STK11IP

The degradative and signaling functions of lysosomes are dependent on numerous peripherally associated proteins. Targeting of lysosomes to sites of need is controlled by adaptors that link lysosomes to both dynein and kinesin motors. SKIP is one such adaptor that promotes microtubule plus-end-directed movement through its interaction with Arl8 on the lysosome surface and kinesin-1. Sequence homology between SKIP and STK11IP (also known as LIP1) led us to investigate a potential role for STK11IP at lysosomes. After first establishing that STK11IP localizes to lysosomes, we identified TMEM192, an abundant lysosomal integral membrane protein, as the major binding partner of STK11IP and demonstrated that STK11IP depends on TMEM192 for both its lysosome localization as well as its stability. Depletion studies furthermore support a role for these proteins in the control of lysosome homeostasis. Collectively, these new results define a lysosome localized complex of TMEM192 and STK11IP that we have named LyTS ("lights").

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Minimal membrane interactions conferred by Rheb C-terminal farnesylation are essential for mTORC1 activation

Stable localization of the Rheb GTPase to lysosomes is thought to be required for activation of mTORC1 signaling. However, the lysosome targeting mechanisms for Rheb remain unclear. We therefore investigated the relationship between Rheb subcellular localization and mTORC1 activation. Surprisingly, we found that although Rheb was prominently enriched at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Rheb was undetectable at lysosomes. Functional assays in knockout human cells revealed that farnesylation of the C-terminal CaaX motif on Rheb was essential for both Rheb enrichment on ER membranes and mTORC1 activation. However, constitutively targeting Rheb to ER membranes did not support mTORC1 activation. Further systematic analysis of the Rheb hypervariable region revealed that weak, non-selective, farnesylation-dependent, membrane interactions confer Rheb function without the need for a specific lysosome targeting motif. Collectively, these results argue against stable interactions of Rheb with lysosomes and instead that transient membrane interactions optimally allow Rheb to activate mTORC1 signaling.

cell biology↗