GTPase-mediated regulation of the unfolded protein response in Caenorhabditis elegans is dependent on the AAA+ ATPase CDC-48

Mol Cell Biol. 2008 Jul;28(13):4261-74. doi: 10.1128/MCB.02252-07. Epub 2008 May 5.

Abstract

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is perturbed, an adaptive mechanism is triggered and named the unfolded protein response (UPR). Thus far, three known UPR signaling branches (IRE-1, PERK, and ATF-6) mediate the reestablishment of ER functions but can also lead to apoptosis if ER stress is not alleviated. However, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms integrating the UPR to other ER functions, such as membrane traffic or endomembrane signaling, remains incomplete. We consequently sought to identify new regulators of UPR-dependent transcriptional mechanisms and focused on a family of proteins known to mediate, among other, ER-related functions: the small GTP-binding proteins of the RAS superfamily. To this end, we used transgenic UPR reporter Caenorhabditis elegans strains as a model to specifically silence small-GTPase expression. We show that the Rho subfamily member CRP-1 is an essential component of UPR-induced transcriptional events through its physical and genetic interactions with the AAA+ ATPase CDC-48. In addition, we describe a novel signaling module involving CRP-1 and CDC-48 which may directly link the UPR to DNA remodeling and transcription control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Azetidinecarboxylic Acid / pharmacology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / enzymology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dithiothreitol / pharmacology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / drug effects
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / pathology
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Folding*
  • Thapsigargin / pharmacology
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Tunicamycin / pharmacology
  • Valosin Containing Protein
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Tunicamycin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Azetidinecarboxylic Acid
  • Thapsigargin
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • CRP-1 protein, C elegans
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Valosin Containing Protein
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Dithiothreitol