The mechanism of transport through the Golgi complex is not completely understood, insofar as no single transport mechanism appears to account for all of the observations. Here, we compare the transport of soluble secretory proteins (albumin and α1-antitrypsin) with that of supramolecular cargoes (e.g., procollagen) that are proposed to traverse the Golgi by compartment progression–maturation. We show that these soluble proteins traverse the Golgi much faster than procollagen while moving through the same stack. Moreover, we present kinetic and morphological observations that indicate that albumin transport occurs by diffusion via intercisternal continuities. These data provide evidence for a transport mechanism that applies to a major class of secretory proteins and indicate the co-existence of multiple intra-Golgi trafficking modes.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02009.001

The unconventional secretory pathway exports proteins that bypass the endoplasmic reticulum. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, conditions that trigger Acb1 secretion via this pathway generate a Grh1 containing compartment composed of vesicles and tubules surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane and collectively called CUPS. Here we report a quantitative assay for Acb1 secretion that reveals requirements for ESCRT-I, -II, and -III but, surprisingly, without the involvement of the Vps4 AAA-ATPase. The major ESCRT-III subunit Snf7 localizes transiently to CUPS and this was accelerated in vps4Δ cells, correlating with increased Acb1 secretion. Microscopic analysis suggests that, instead of forming intraluminal vesicles with the help of Vps4, ESCRT-III/Snf7 promotes direct engulfment of preexisting Grh1 containing vesicles and tubules into a saccule to generate a mature Acb1 containing compartment. This novel multivesicular / multilamellar compartment, we suggest represents the stable secretory form of CUPS that is competent for the release of Acb1 to cells exterior.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.16299.001

TANGO1 interacts with COPII components to generate a transport carrier for export of large cargo from the endoplasmic reticulum. Raote et al. show that TANGO1 molecules assemble to form a closed ribbon structure that encircles COPII components.

Glycosphingolipids are important components of the plasma membrane where they modulate the activities of membrane proteins including signalling receptors. Glycosphingolipid synthesis relies on competing reactions catalysed by Golgi‐resident enzymes during the passage of substrates through the Golgi cisternae. The glycosphingolipid metabolic output is determined by the position and levels of the enzymes within the Golgi stack, but the mechanisms that coordinate the intra‐Golgi localisation of the enzymes are poorly understood. Here, we show that a group of sequentially‐acting enzymes operating at the branchpoint among glycosphingolipid synthetic pathways binds the Golgi‐localised oncoprotein GOLPH3. GOLPH3 sorts these enzymes into vesicles for intra‐Golgi retro‐transport, acting as a component of the cisternal maturation mechanism. Through these effects, GOLPH3 controls the sub‐Golgi localisation and the lysosomal degradation rate of specific enzymes. Increased GOLPH3 levels, as those observed in tumours, alter glycosphingolipid synthesis and plasma membrane composition thereby promoting mitogenic signalling and cell proliferation. These data have medical implications as they outline a novel oncogenic mechanism of action for GOLPH3 based on glycosphingolipid metabolism.

Engineered Golgi-resident constructs that can be polymerized at will to prevent their recycling via Golgi carriers provide evidence for the cisternal maturation mechanism of secretory protein transport through the Golgi.

Highlights d ER exit sites are endowed with an auto-regulatory signaling complex called AREX d The COPII subunit Sec24 senses folded cargo and activates the AREX signaling network d AREX responds to folded cargo fluxes by regulating cargo export and protein synthesis d AREX maintains potentially harmful folded cargo in the ER at steady low levels

Abstract:Sphingolipids are membrane lipids, which are globally required for eukaryotic life.Sphingolipid composition varies among endomembranes with pre-and post-Golgi compartments being poor and rich in sphingolipids, respectively. Thanks to this different sphingolipid content, pre-and post-Golgi membranes serve different cellular functions.Nevertheless, how subcellular sphingolipid levels are maintained in spite of trafficking and metabolic fluxes is only partially understood. Here we describe a homeostatic control circuit that controls sphingolipid levels at the trans Golgi network. Specifically, we show that sphingomyelin production at the trans Golgi network triggers a signalling reaction leading to PtdIns(4)P dephosphorylation. Since PtdIns(4)P is required for cholesterol, and sphingolipid transport to the trans Golgi network, PtdIns(4)P consumption leads to the interruption of this transport in response to excessive sphingomyelin production. Based on this evidence we envisage a model where this homeostatic circuit maintains the lipid composition of trans Golgi network and thus of post-Golgi compartments constant, against instant fluctuations in the sphingolipid biosynthetic flow. Introduction:

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by the toxic accumulation of copper (Cu) in the liver. The ATP7B gene, which is mutated in WD, encodes a multitransmembrane domain adenosine triphosphatase that traffics from the trans‐Golgi network to the canalicular area of hepatocytes, where it facilitates excretion of excess Cu into the bile. Several ATP7B mutations, including H1069Q and R778L that are two of the most frequent variants, result in protein products, which, although still functional, remain in the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, they fail to reach Cu excretion sites, resulting in the toxic buildup of Cu in the liver of WD patients. Therefore, correcting the location of these mutants by leading them to the appropriate functional sites in the cell should restore Cu excretion and would be beneficial to help large cohorts of WD patients. However, molecular targets for correction of endoplasmic reticulum‐retained ATP7B mutants remain elusive. Here, we show that expression of the most frequent ATP7B mutant, H1069Q, activates p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathways, which favor the rapid degradation of the mutant. Suppression of these pathways with RNA interference or specific chemical inhibitors results in the substantial rescue of ATP7BH1069Q (as well as that of several other WD‐causing mutants) from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans‐Golgi network compartment, in recovery of its Cu‐dependent trafficking, and in reduction of intracellular Cu levels. Conclusion: Our findings indicate p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase as intriguing targets for correction of WD‐causing mutants and, hence, as potential candidates, which could be evaluated for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat WD. (Hepatology 2016;63:1842‐1859)