Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factor UPF1 promotes aggresome formation

Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 19;11(1):3106. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16939-6.

Abstract

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) typifies an mRNA surveillance pathway. Because NMD necessitates a translation event to recognize a premature termination codon on mRNAs, truncated misfolded polypeptides (NMD-polypeptides) could potentially be generated from NMD substrates as byproducts. Here, we show that when the ubiquitin-proteasome system is overwhelmed, various misfolded polypeptides including NMD-polypeptides accumulate in the aggresome: a perinuclear nonmembranous compartment eventually cleared by autophagy. Hyperphosphorylation of the key NMD factor UPF1 is required for selective targeting of the misfolded polypeptide aggregates toward the aggresome via the CTIF-eEF1A1-DCTN1 complex: the aggresome-targeting cellular machinery. Visualization at a single-particle level reveals that UPF1 increases the frequency and fidelity of movement of CTIF aggregates toward the aggresome. Furthermore, the apoptosis induced by proteotoxic stresses is suppressed by UPF1 hyperphosphorylation. Altogether, our data provide evidence that UPF1 functions in the regulation of a protein surveillance as well as an mRNA quality control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autophagy
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Dynactin Complex / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay*
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*
  • Protein Aggregates / genetics
  • RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Single Molecule Imaging
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Unfolded Protein Response / genetics*

Substances

  • CTIF protein, human
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • DCTN1 protein, human
  • Dynactin Complex
  • EEF1A1 protein, human
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factors
  • Peptide Elongation Factor 1
  • Protein Aggregates
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Trans-Activators
  • Ubiquitin
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • RNA Helicases
  • UPF1 protein, human