TL;DR: It is found that mammalian retromer complexes containing SNX1 and SNX2 have an essential role in embryonic development that is independent of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor trafficking.
Abstract: We have previously shown that the putative mammalian retromer components sorting nexins 1 and 2 (Snx1 and Snx2) result in embryonic lethality when simultaneously targeted for deletion in mice, whereas others have shown that Hβ58 (also known as mVps26), another retromer component, results in similar lethality when targeted for deletion. In the current study, we address the genetic interaction of these mammalian retromer components in mice. Our findings reveal a functional interaction between Hβ58, SNX1, and SNX2 and strongly suggest that SNX2 plays a more critical role than SNX1 in retromer activity during embryonic development. This genetic evidence supports the existence of mammalian retromer complexes containing SNX1 and SNX2 and identifies SNX2 as an important mediator of retromer biology. Moreover, we find that mammalian retromer complexes containing SNX1 and SNX2 have an essential role in embryonic development that is independent of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor trafficking.
TL;DR: Through a fusion of yeast genetics and mammalian cell biology, new insights have been gained into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the endosome-to-Golgi membrane-trafficking pathway.
TL;DR: A spatiotemporal model predicts a priori how a molecule underlying AD should behave anatomically and over time, and generates gene expression profiles of the entorhinal cortex and the dentate gyrus, harvested from the brains of AD cases and controls covering a broad age span.
Abstract: Although, in principle, gene expression profiling is well suited to isolate pathogenic molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), techniques such as microarray present unique analytic challenges when applied to disorders of the brain. Here, we addressed these challenges by first constructing a spatiotemporal model, predicting a priori how a molecule underlying AD should behave anatomically and over time. Then, guided by the model, we generated gene expression profiles of the entorhinal cortex and the dentate gyrus, harvested from the brains of AD cases and controls covering a broad age span. Among many expression differences, the retromer trafficking molecule VPS35 best conformed to the spatiotemporal model of AD. Western blotting confirmed the abnormality, establishing that VPS35 levels are reduced in brain regions selectively vulnerable to AD. VPS35 is the core molecule of the retromer trafficking complex and further analysis revealed that VPS26, another member of the complex, is also downregulated in AD. Cell culture studies, using small interfering RNAs or expression vectors, showed that VPS35 regulates Abeta peptide levels, establishing the relevance of the retromer complex to AD. Reviewing our findings in the context of recent studies suggests how downregulation of the retromer complex in AD can regulate local levels of Abeta peptide.
TL;DR: The crystal structure of the mammalian retromer subunit mVps29 is presented and it is shown that it has structural similarity to divalent metal-containing phosphoesterase activity in vitro, suggesting a unique specificity or function.
Abstract: The retromer complex is responsible for the retrieval of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from the endosomal system to the Golgi. Here we present the crystal structure of the mammalian retromer subunit mVps29 and show that it has structural similarity to divalent metal-containing phosphoesterases. mVps29 can coordinate metals in a similar manner but has no detectable phosphoesterase activity in vitro, suggesting a unique specificity or function. The mVps29 and mVps26 subunits bind independently to mVps35 and together form a high-affinity heterotrimeric subcomplex. Mutagenesis reveals the structural basis for the interaction of mVps29 with mVps35 and subsequent association with endosomal membranes in vivo. A conserved hydrophobic surface distinct from the primary Vps35p binding site mediates assembly of the Vps29p-Vps26p-Vps35p subcomplex with sorting nexins in yeast, and mutation of either site results in a defect in retromer-dependent membrane trafficking.
TL;DR: HVps29p contains a metal-binding site that is very similar to the active sites of some proteins of the phosphodiesterase/nuclease protein family, indicating that hVPS29p may carry out chemically similar functions.
TL;DR: It is proposed that the mammalian retromer complex is located at both endosomes and the plasma membrane in some cell types and the chordate Vps26‐like gene should be renamed VPS26A to differentiate it from Vps 26B.
Abstract: The mammalian retromer protein complex, which consists of three proteins - Vps26, Vps29, and Vps35 - in association with members of the sorting nexin family of proteins, has been implicated in the trafficking of receptors and their ligands within the endosomal/lysosomal system of mammalian cells. A bioinformatic analysis of the mouse genome identified an additional transcribed paralog of the Vps26 retromer protein, which we termed Vps26B. No paralogs were identified for Vps29 and Vps35. Phylogenetic studies indicate that the two paralogs of Vps26 become evident after the evolution of the chordates. We propose that the chordate Vps26-like gene published previously be renamed Vps26A to differentiate it from Vps26B. As for Vps26A, biochemical characterization of Vps26B established that this novel 336 amino acid residue protein is a peripheral membrane protein. Vps26B co-precipitated with Vps35 from transfected cells and the direct interaction between these two proteins was confirmed by yeast 2-hybrid analysis, thereby establishing Vps26B as a subunit of the retromer complex. Within HeLa cells, Vps26B was found in the cytoplasm with low levels at the plasma membrane, while Vps26A was predominantly associated with endosomal membranes. Within A549 cells, both Vps26A and Vps26B co-localized with actin-rich lamellipodia at the cell surface. These structures also co-localized with Vps35. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy confirmed the association of Vps26B with the plasma membrane in a stable HEK293 cell line expressing cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-Vps26B. Based on these observations, we propose that the mammalian retromer complex is located at both endosomes and the plasma membrane in some cell types.