Palmitoylation-induced aggregation of cysteine-string protein mutants that cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

Jennifer Greaves, Kimon Lemonidis, Oforiwa Gorleku, Carlos Cruchaga, Christopher Grefen, Luke Chamberlain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, mutations in the DNAJC5 gene encoding cysteine-string protein alpha (CSPα) were identified to cause the neurodegenerative disorder adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The disease-causing mutations (L115R or ΔL116) occur within the cysteine-string domain, a region of the protein that is post-translationally modified by extensive palmitoylation. Here we demonstrate that L115R and ΔL116 mutant proteins are mis-targeted in neuroendocrine cells and form SDS-resistant aggregates, concordant with the properties of other mutant proteins linked to neurodegenerative disorders. The mutant aggregates are membrane-associated and incorporate palmitate. Indeed, co-expression of palmitoyl transferase enzymes promoted the aggregation of the CSPα mutants, and chemical depalmitoylation solubilized the aggregates, demonstrating that aggregation is induced and maintained by palmitoylation. In agreement with these observations, SDS-resistant CSPα aggregates were present in brain samples from patients carrying the L115R mutation, and were depleted by chemical depalmitoylation. In summary, this study identifies a novel interplay between genetic mutations and palmitoylation in driving aggregation of CSPα mutant proteins. We propose that this palmitoylation-induced aggregation of mutant CSPα proteins may underlie the development of adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in affected families.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37330-37339
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume287
Issue number44
Early online date19 Aug 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Oct 2012

Keywords

  • exocytosis
  • protein palmitoylation
  • protein aggregation
  • protein acylation
  • membrane trafficking
  • palmitoylation-induced aggregation
  • cysteine-string protein mutants
  • neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

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