Search bioRxiv⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Segarra, V. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Segarra, V. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel multifunctional role for Hsp70 in binding post-translational modifications on clients

Hsp70 interactions are critical for cellular viability and the response to stress. Previous attempts to characterize Hsp70 interactions have been limited by their transient nature and inability of current technologies to distinguish direct vs bridged interactions. We report the novel use of cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) to comprehensively characterize the budding yeast Hsp70 protein interactome. Using this approach, we have gained fundamental new insights into Hsp70 function, including definitive evidence of Hsp70 self-association as well as multi-point interaction with its client proteins. In addition to identifying a novel set of direct Hsp70 interactors which can be used to probe chaperone function in cells, we have also identified a suite of PTM-associated Hsp70 interactions. The majority of these PTMs have not been previously reported and appear to be critical in the regulation of client protein function. These data indicate that one of the mechanisms by which PTMs contribute to protein function is by facilitating interaction with chaperones. Taken together, we propose that XL-MS analysis of chaperone complexes may be used as a unique way to identify biologically-important PTMs on client proteins. O_LIIn vivo confirmation of Hsp70 dimerization C_LIO_LIComprehensive direct interactome of Hsp70 C_LIO_LIMulti-domain interactions between Hsp70 and client proteins C_LIO_LIIdentification of novel biologically-important client protein PTMs C_LI

molecular biology↗

Vps501, a novel vacuolar SNX-BAR protein cooperates with the SEA complex to induce autophagy

The sorting nexins (SNX), constitute a diverse family of molecules that play varied roles in membrane trafficking, cell signaling, membrane remodeling, organelle motility and autophagy. In particular, the SNX-BAR proteins, a SNX subfamily characterized by a C-terminal dimeric Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) lipid curvature domain and a conserved Phox-homology domain, are of great interest. In budding yeast, many SNX-BARs proteins have well-characterized endo-vacuolar trafficking roles. Phylogenetic analyses allowed us to identify an additional SNX-BAR protein, Vps501, with a novel endo-vacuolar role. We report that Vps501 uniquely localizes to the vacuolar membrane and works with the SEA complex to regulate autophagy. Furthermore, we found cells displayed a severe deficiency in starvation-induced/nonselective autophagy only when SEA complex subunits are ablated in combination with Vps501, indicating a cooperative role with the SEA complex during autophagy. Additionally, we found the SEA complex becomes destabilized in vps501{Delta}sea1{Delta} cells, which resulted in aberrant TORC1 hyperactivity and misregulation of autophagy induction.

cell biology↗

Scientific societies advancing STEM workforce diversity: Lessons and Outcomes from the Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology

Promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the STEM academic workforce remains a key challenge and national priority. Scientific societies can play a significant role in this process through the creation and implementation of programs to foster STEM academic workforce diversification, and by providing mentoring and skills development training that empower scientists from under-represented minority (URM) backgrounds to succeed in their communities of practice. In this article, we provide examples of challenges met by scientific societies in these areas and present data from the American Society for Cell Biology, highlighting the benefits received by trainees through long-term engagement with its programs. The success of these initiatives illustrates the impact of discipline-specific programming by scientific societies in supporting the development of URM scientists and an increasingly diverse and inclusive academic STEM community.

scientific communication and education↗