PalC, one of two Bro1 domain proteins in the fungal pH signalling pathway, localizes to cortical structures and binds Vps32

Traffic. 2007 Oct;8(10):1346-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2007.00620.x. Epub 2007 Aug 13.

Abstract

PalC, distantly related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae peripheral endosomal sorting complexes required for transport III (ESCRT-III) component Bro1p and one of six Aspergillus nidulans pH signalling proteins, contains a Bro1 domain. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged PalC is recruited to plasma membrane-associated punctate structures upon alkalinization, when pH signalling is active. PalC recruitment to these structures is dependent on the seven transmembrane domain (7-TMD) receptor and likely pH sensor PalH. PalC is a two-hybrid interactor of the ESCRT-III Vps20/Vps32 subcomplex and binds Vps32 directly. This binding is largely impaired by Pro439Phe, Arg442Ala and Arg442His substitutions in a conserved region mediating interaction of Bro1p with Vps32p, but these substitutions do not prevent cortical punctate localization, indicating Vps32 independence. In contrast, Arg442Delta impairs Vps32 binding and prevents PalC-GFP recruitment to cortical structures. pH signalling involves a plasma membrane complex including the 7-TMD receptor PalH and the arrestin-like PalF and an endosomal membrane complex involving the PalB protease, the transcription factor PacC and the Vps32 binding, Bro1-domain-containing protein PalA. PalC, which localizes to cortical structures and can additionally bind a component of ESCRT-III, has the features required to bridge these two entities. A likely S. cerevisiae orthologue of PalC has been identified, providing the basis for a unifying hypothesis of gene regulation by ambient pH in ascomycetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Aspergillus nidulans / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PALC protein, Emericella nidulans
  • PacC protein, Aspergillus
  • SNF7 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors