A FYVE zinc finger domain protein specifically links mRNA transport to endosome trafficking

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Abstract

An emerging theme in cellular logistics is the close connection between mRNA and membrane trafficking. A prominent example is the microtubule-dependent transport of mRNAs and associated ribosomes on endosomes. This coordinated process is crucial for correct septin filamentation and efficient growth of polarised cells such as fungal hyphae. Despite detailed knowledge on the key RNA-binding protein and the molecular motors involved, it is unclear how mRNAs are connected to membranes during transport. Here, we identify a novel factor containing a FYVE zinc finger domain for interaction with endosomal lipids and a new PAM2-like domain required for interaction with the MLLE domain of the key RNA-binding protein. Consistently, loss of this FYVE domain protein leads to specific defects in mRNA, ribosome and septin transport without affecting general functions of endosomes or their movement. Hence, this is the first endosomal component specific for mRNP trafficking uncovering a new mechanism to couple mRNPs to endosomes.

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Thomas Pohlmann

Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Sebastian Baumann

Cell and Developmental Biology, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Carl Haag

Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Mario Albrecht

Institute for Knowledge Discovery, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Michael Feldbrügge

Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

For correspondence
feldbrue@hhu.de

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

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