Vacuole size control: regulation of PtdIns(3,5)P2 levels by the vacuole-associated Vac14-Fig4 complex, a PtdIns(3,5)P2-specific phosphatase

Mol Biol Cell. 2004 Jan;15(1):24-36. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e03-05-0297. Epub 2003 Oct 3.

Abstract

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2) is synthesized by a single phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase, Fab1. Cells deficient in PtdIns(3,5)P2 synthesis exhibit a grossly enlarged vacuole morphology, whereas increased levels of PtdIns(3,5)P2 provokes the formation of multiple small vacuoles, suggesting a specific role for PtdIns(3,5)P2 in vacuole size control. Genetic studies have indicated that Fab1 kinase is positively regulated by Vac7 and Vac14; deletion of either gene results in ablation of PtdIns(3,5)P2 synthesis and the formation of a grossly enlarged vacuole. More recently, a suppressor of vac7Delta mutants was identified and shown to encode a putative phosphoinositide phosphatase, Fig4. We demonstrate that Fig4 is a magnesium-activated PtdIns(3,5)P2-selective phosphoinositide phosphatase in vitro. Analysis of a Fig4-GFP fusion protein revealed that the Fig4 phosphatase is localized to the limiting membrane of the vacuole. Surprisingly, in the absence of Vac14, Fig4-GFP no longer localizes to the vacuole. However, Fig4-GFP remains localized to the grossly enlarged vacuoles of vac7 deletion mutants. Consistent with these observations, we found that Fig4 physically associates with Vac14 in a common membrane-associated complex. Our studies indicate that Vac14 both positively regulates Fab1 kinase activity and directs the localization/activation of the Fig4 PtdIns(3,5)P2 phosphatase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Enzyme Activation / physiology
  • Flavoproteins / genetics
  • Flavoproteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates / biosynthesis*
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Protein Binding
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Vacuoles / enzymology

Substances

  • Flavoproteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • VAC14 protein, S cerevisiae
  • VAC7 protein, S cerevisiae
  • phosphatidylinositol 3,5-diphosphate
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • FIG4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Magnesium