Lipid-regulated sterol transfer between closely apposed membranes by oxysterol-binding protein homologues

J Cell Biol. 2009 Dec 14;187(6):889-903. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200905007.

Abstract

Sterols are transferred between cellular membranes by vesicular and poorly understood nonvesicular pathways. Oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins (ORPs) have been implicated in sterol sensing and nonvesicular transport. In this study, we show that yeast ORPs use a novel mechanism that allows regulated sterol transfer between closely apposed membranes, such as organelle contact sites. We find that the core lipid-binding domain found in all ORPs can simultaneously bind two membranes. Using Osh4p/Kes1p as a representative ORP, we show that ORPs have at least two membrane-binding surfaces; one near the mouth of the sterol-binding pocket and a distal site that can bind a second membrane. The distal site is required for the protein to function in cells and, remarkably, regulates the rate at which Osh4p extracts and delivers sterols in a phosphoinositide-dependent manner. Together, these findings suggest a new model of how ORPs could sense and regulate the lipid composition of adjacent membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Liposomes / metabolism*
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Phosphatidylinositols / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Steroid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Steroid / genetics
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sterols / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • KES1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Liposomes
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphatidylinositols
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Sterols