C9orf72 interacts strongly with SMCR8 and depends on this interaction for its stability. Lysosomes are major sites of C9orf72 subcellular localization, and abnormal lysosome morphology is seen in its absence. Defects are found in the regulation of the lysosome-localized mTORC1 signaling pathway in C9orf72 KO cells.

Summary Background Localized actomyosin contraction couples with actin polymerization and cell-matrix adhesion to regulate cell protrusions and retract trailing edges of migrating cells. While many cells migrate in collective groups during tissue morphogenesis, mechanisms that coordinate actomyosin dynamics in collective cell migration are poorly understood. Migration of Drosophila border cells, a genetically tractable model for collective cell migration, requires non-muscle myosin-II (Myo-II). How Myo-II specifically controls border cell migration and how Myo-II is itself regulated is largely unknown. Results We show that Myo-II regulates two essential features of border cell migration: 1) initial detachment of the border cell cluster from the follicular epithelium and 2) the dynamics of cellular protrusions. We further demonstrate that the cell polarity protein Par-1 (MARK), a serine-threonine kinase, regulates the localization and activation of Myo-II in border cells. Par-1 binds to myosin phosphatase and phosphorylates it at a known inactivating site. Par-1 thus promotes phosphorylated Myosin Regulatory Light Chain (MRLC), thereby increasing Myo-II activity. Furthermore, Par-1 localizes to and increases active Myo-II at the cluster rear to promote detachment; in the absence of Par-1, spatially distinct active Myo-II is lost. Conclusions We identify a critical new role for Par-1 kinase: spatiotemporal regulation of Myo-II activity within the border cell cluster through localized inhibition of myosin phosphatase. Polarity proteins such as Par-1, which intrinsically localize, can thus directly modulate the actomyosin dynamics required for border cell detachment and migration. Such a link between polarity proteins and cytoskeletal dynamics may also occur in other collective cell migrations.

Summary The ubiquitin ligase CHIP plays an important role in cytosolic protein quality control by ubiquitinating proteins chaperoned by Hsp70/Hsc70 and Hsp90, thereby targeting such substrate proteins for degradation. We present a 2.91 Å resolution structure of the TPR domain of CHIP in complex with the α-helical “lid” subdomain and unstructured “tail” of Hsc70. Surprisingly, the CHIP-TPR interacts with determinants within both the Hsc70-lid subdomain and the C-terminal PTIEEVD motif of the tail, exhibiting a novel mode of interaction between chaperones and TPR domains. We demonstrate that the interaction between CHIP and the Hsc70-lid subdomain is required for proper ubiquitination of Hsp70/Hsc70 or Hsp70/Hsc70-bound substrate proteins. Post-translational modifications of the Hsc70 lid and tail disrupt key contacts with the CHIP-TPR and may regulate CHIP-mediated ubiquitination. Our study shows how CHIP docks onto Hsp70/Hsc70 and defines a new bipartite mode of interaction between TPR domains and their binding partners.

Post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) regulates a host of cellular processes including protein quality control, DNA repair, endocytosis and cellular signaling. In the ubiquitination cascade, a thioester-linked conjugate between the Ub C-terminus and the active site cysteine of a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) is formed. The E2~Ub conjugate interacts with a ubiquitin ligase (E3) to transfer Ub to a lysine residue on a target protein. The flexibly-linked E2~Ub conjugates have been shown to form a range of structures in solution. In addition, select E2~Ub conjugates oligomerize through a noncovalent “backside” interaction between Ub and E2 components of different conjugates. Additional studies are needed to bridge the gap between the dynamic monomeric conjugates, E2~Ub oligomers and the mechanisms of ubiquitination. We present a new 2.35 Å crystal structure of an oligomeric UbcH5c~Ub conjugate. The conjugate forms a staggered linear oligomer that differs substantially from the “infinite spiral” helical arrangement of the sole previously reported structure of an oligomeric conjugate. Our structure also differs in intra-conjugate conformation from other structurally characterized conjugates. Despite these differences, we find that the backside interaction mode is conserved in different conjugate oligomers and is independent of intra-conjugate relative E2/Ub orientations. We delineate a common intra-conjugate E2-binding surface on Ub. In addition, we demonstrate that an E3 ligase CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein) interacts directly with UbcH5c~Ub oligomers, not only with conjugate monomers. These results provide insights into the conformational diversity of E2~Ub conjugates and conjugate oligomers, and into their compatibility and interactions with E3 ligases, which have important consequences for the ubiquitination process.

C9orf72 mutations are a major cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The C9orf72 protein undergoes regulated recruitment to lysosomes and has been broadly implicated in control of lysosome homeostasis. However, although evidence strongly supports an important function for C9orf72 at lysosomes, little is known about the lysosome recruitment mechanism. In this study, we identify an essential role for WDR41, a prominent C9orf72 interacting protein, in C9orf72 lysosome recruitment. Analysis of human WDR41 knockout cells revealed that WDR41 is required for localization of the protein complex containing C9orf72 and SMCR8 to lysosomes. Such lysosome localization increases in response to amino acid starvation but is not dependent on either mTORC1 inhibition or autophagy induction. Furthermore, WDR41 itself exhibits a parallel pattern of regulated association with lysosomes. This WDR41-dependent recruitment of C9orf72 to lysosomes is critical for the ability of lysosomes to support mTORC1 signaling as constitutive targeting of C9orf72 to lysosomes relieves the requirement for WDR41 in mTORC1 activation. Collectively, this study reveals an essential role for WDR41 in supporting the regulated binding of C9orf72 to lysosomes and solidifies the requirement for a larger C9orf72 containing protein complex in coordinating lysosomal responses to changes in amino acid availability.