J Biol Chem. 2022 Jun 20. pii: S0021-9258(22)00612-3. [Epub ahead of print] 102170
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteins destined for secretion utilize the post-translational translocon machinery to gain entry into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These proteins then mature by undergoing a number of post-translational modifications in different compartments of the secretory pathway. While these modifications have been well established for many proteins, to date only a few studies have been conducted regarding the conditions and factors affecting maturation of these proteins before entering into the ER. Here, using immunoblotting, microscopy and spot test assays, we show that excess copper inhibits the Sec61 translocon function and causes accumulation of two well-known post-translationally translocated (PTT) proteins, Gas1 and CPY, in the cytosol. We further show the copper-sensitive phenotype of sec61 deficient yeast cells is ameliorated by restoring the levels of SEC61 through plasmid transformation. Further, screening of translocation-defective Sec61 mutants revealed that sec61-22, bearing L80M, V134I, M248V, and L342S mutations, is resistant to copper, suggesting that copper might be inflicting toxicity through one of these residues. In conclusion, these findings imply that copper mediated accumulation of PTT proteins is due to the inhibition of Sec61.
Keywords: cell biology; copper; endoplasmic reticulum (ER); protein processing; protein translocation