Biologists discover new mechanisms of protein transport in plant cells

Plasma membrane proteins that are to be degraded are transported to the vacuole, the largest cell compartment in the plant cell. For this reason, the transport pathway of a protein from the plasma membrane to the vacuole is one of the major transport pathways within a plant cell. The cell has created its own transport system for the trafficking of proteins: In preparation for transport, the proteins bud off as vesicles together with the surrounding membranes and are then "labelled" for delivery by special modifier proteins called ubiquitin to be delivered to the intended address. "Just like a package that is to be shipped," says Erika Isono before adding: "The recipient's address has to be first written on the package before it is mailed. A barcode scanner then reads the address and the package is transferred to the next post office before reaching its final destination." A similar process occurs in the plant cell, in this case on the molecular level: "Our research is focused on the cellular system through which the recipient's address is written and scanned on the cargo protein. Instead of a barcode scanner, the cell has proteins which can bind to ubiquitin molecules. Once this occurs, the cell can identify the proteins as packages and then transport them."

The ubiquitin molecule marks the protein for transport. In other words, it acts as the "address label" for a protein package. Transport proteins recognize and bind ubiquitin and carry the freight to its intended destination -- to the vacuole, where the protein can be degraded. Erika Isono and her team are currently examining a crucial step in this labelling and transportation process: "Our research demonstrates that the SH3P2 protein can first identify and then connect to ubiquitin molecules. We have found evidence that it functions as a ubiquitin adaptor protein," explains project member Marie-Kristin Nagel. Figuratively speaking, SH3P2 takes on the role of a barcode scanner. It detects the ubiquitin-marked package and guides it to the next station within the transport network -- the so-called ESCRT machinery, through which it then reaches the vacuole. "The SH3P2 protein was previously known for its roles in autophagie (the recycling of cellular components) and in cell division. That it interacts with ubiquitin is new," indicates Marie-Kristin Nagel.

An additional protein plays a special role in this process and in the current research being carried out by the biologists in Konstanz -- the so-called AMSH protein. AMSH is an enzyme that has the capability to remove ubiquitin. "It's precise function in this part of the transportation stage is not yet completely understood. We presume, however, that AMSH could play a role in the recycling of proteins," explains Nagel. "Our hypothesis is that AMSH removes the ubiquitin." The label is detached and the protein package is returned to the sender. Now without a shipping address, the protein cannot be taken to the vacuole to be degraded. Instead, it is returned to the plasma membrane.