Kline, I. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2021

The p97-UBXD8 complex modulates ER-Mitochondria contact sites by modulating membrane lipid saturation and composition

The intimate association between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial membranes at ER-mitochondria contact sites serves as a platform for several critical cellular processes, in particular lipid synthesis. Enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis are enriched at contacts and membrane lipid composition at contacts is distinct relative to surrounding membranes. How contacts are remodeled and the subsequent biological consequences of altered contacts such as perturbed lipid metabolism remains poorly understood. Here we show that the p97 AAA-ATPase and its ER-tethered ubiquitin-X domain adaptor 8 (UBXD8) regulate the prevalence of ER-mitochondria contacts. The p97-UBXD8 complex localizes to contacts and loss of this complex increases contacts in a manner that is dependent on p97 catalytic activity. Quantitative proteomics of purified contacts demonstrates alterations in proteins regulating lipid metabolism upon loss of UBXD8. Furthermore, lipidomics studies indicate significant changes in distinct lipid species in UBXD8 knockout cells. We show that loss of p97-UBXD8 results in perturbed contacts due to an increase in membrane lipid saturation via SREBP1 and the lipid desaturase SCD1. Aberrant contacts in p97-UBXD8 loss of function cells can be rescued by supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids or overexpression of SCD1. Perturbation of contacts and inherent lipid synthesis is emerging as a hallmark to a variety of human disorders such as neurodegeneration. Notably, we find that the SREBP1-SCD1 pathway is negatively impacted in the brains of mice with p97 mutations that cause neurodegeneration. Our results suggest that contacts are exquisitely sensitive to alterations to membrane lipid composition and saturation in a manner that is dependent on p97-UBXD8.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Human Cytomegalovirus uses a Host Stress Response to Balance the Elongation of Saturated/Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Very Long Chain Fatty Acids

Stress and virus infection are known to regulate lipid metabolism in cells. Human cytomegalovirus infection induces fatty acid (FA) elongation and increases the cellular abundance of lipids with very long-chain FA tails (VLCFAs). While reprogramming of metabolism can be stress-related, the role of stress in HCMV reprogramming of lipid metabolism is poorly understood. In this study, we engineered cells to knockout PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) in the ER stress pathway and measured lipid changes using lipidomics to determine if PERK is needed for lipid changes associated with HCMV infection. We found that in HCMV-infected cells, PERK promotes the increase in the levels of phospholipids with saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA) VLCFAs tails. Consistent with the SFA/MUFA lipidome changes, PERK enhances the protein levels of FA elongase 7 (ELOVL7), which elongates SFA and MUFA VLCFAs. Additionally, we found that increases in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) associated with HCMV infection was independent of PERK and that lipids with PUFA tails accumulated in HCMV-infected PERK knockout cells. Consistent with the PUFA lipidome changes, the protein levels of ELOVL5, which elongates PUFAs, are increased by HCMV infection through a PERK-independent mechanism. These observations show that PERK differentially regulates ELOVL7 and ELOVL5, creating a balance between the synthesis of lipids with SFA/MUFA tails and PUFA tails. Additionally, we found that PERK was necessary for virus replication and the infectivity of released viral progeny. Overall, our findings indicate that PERK--and more broadly, ER stress--may be necessary for membrane biogenesis needed to generate infectious HCMV virions. IMPORTANCEHCMV is a common herpesvirus that establishes lifelong persistent infections. While infection is asymptomatic in most people, HCMV causes life-threatening illnesses in immunocompromised people, including transplant recipients and cancer patients. Additionally, HCMV infection is a leading cause of congenital disabilities. HCMV replication relies on lipid synthesis. Here, we demonstrated that the ER stress mediator, PERK, controls fatty acid (FA) elongation and cellular abundance of several types of lipids following HCMV infection. Specifically, we found that PERK promotes FA elongase 7 synthesis of lipids with saturated/monounsaturated very long-chain FA tails which are important for building the viral membrane of infectious HCMV virions. Overall, our study shows that PERK is an essential host factor that supports HCMV replication and promotes lipidome changes caused by HCMV infection.

microbiology↗