Dissecting the ER-Golgi interface using Arabidopsis MNS3
Abstract
The project “Dissecting the ER-Golgi interface using Arabidopsis MNS3” centres on the study of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) alpha-mannosidase MNS3 from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This enzyme is part of the asparagine (N)-linked protein glycosylation machinery, which is a (biologically) important protein modification in eukaryotes and mainly takes place in the ER and Golgi apparatus. MNS3 generates an oligo-mannosidic N-glycan structure that is mainly found on ER-resident glycoproteins, but surprisingly the enzyme itself does not reside in the ER. Our preliminary data show that MNS3 concentrates in a compartment of the Golgi apparatus that is adjacent to the ER and appears resistant to common chemical and genetic means that cause the rapid breakdown of Golgi structures. Such unusual behaviour has only been observed for a few other Golgi proteins that potentially reside in the same Golgi compartment. We hypothesise that MNS3 together with these proteins resides in a so far uncharacterised membrane compartment within the ER-Golgi interface that may be functionally related to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment in mammalian cells. This subcellular compartment potentially facilitates protein sorting and serves as a scaffold for Golgi biogenesis in plants. This project aims to (1) pinpoint the subcellular whereabouts of MNS3 by dissecting the so far ill-defined ER-Golgi interface in plants, (2) reconcile this peculiar subcellular localisation with its biosynthetic and biological function (typically performed in the ER), and (3) determine the underlying localisation mechanisms. We will use the model plants Nicotiana benthamiana and A. thaliana and apply advanced cell biological, biochemical and genetic tools to shed light on the functional relevance of this peculiar subcellular compartmentation of MNS3 in plants. We anticipate that the outcome of this project will provide cell biologists from all fields with a better understanding of the mechanisms that control the transport of proteins through the secretory pathway. Knowledge of these mechanisms and the regulation of associated biosynthetic functions in plants is insofar important as plants bear a huge biotechnological and industrial potential for the production of pharmaceutically-relevant proteins (i.e. antibodies) that very often are highly N-glycosylated and transported through the secretory pathway.
Publikationen
Project staff
Jennifer Schoberer
Mag. Dr. Jennifer Schoberer
jennifer.schoberer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94346
Project Leader
10.12.2020 - 30.04.2024
Project Leader
01.05.2019 - 01.03.2020
Richard Strasser
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Richard Strasser
richard.strasser@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94345
Project Leader
02.03.2020 - 09.12.2020
Katharina Bauer
Katharina Bauer MSc.
katharina.bauer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94059
Project Staff
01.05.2019 - 30.04.2024