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Updated: May 31, 2026

Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
Published on: August 21, 2017
UBAP1 is a component of an endosome-specific ESCRT-I complex that is essential for MVB sorting
Flavia Stefani1, Ling Zhang, Sandra Taylor
1Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
A newly discovered protein, ubiquitin-associated protein 1 (UBAP1), forms a specific endosomal sorting complexes required for transport I (ESCRT-I) complex. This complex is crucial for sorting EGFR to multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and maintaining endosomal ubiquitin homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Protein Complexes
Background:
- Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) are vital for membrane dynamics in processes like multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis.
- ESCRT complexes, including ESCRT-I, function with accessory proteins to mediate membrane scission.
- Isoform diversity within ESCRT complexes suggests specialized roles in distinct cellular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel components of the ESCRT-I complex.
- To characterize the function and specificity of a newly identified ESCRT-I component.
- To elucidate the role of UBAP1 in endosomal trafficking and cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify protein interactions.
- Western blotting to detect protein presence and complex formation.
- Analysis of EGFR sorting and endosomal ubiquitin levels in UBAP1-depleted cells.
Main Results:
- Identification of ubiquitin-associated protein 1 (UBAP1) as a novel ESCRT-I component.
- UBAP1 specifically binds His domain protein tyrosine phosphatase (HDPTP), an endosomal Bro1 protein.
- UBAP1 is essential for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sorting to MVBs and endosomal ubiquitin homeostasis, but not cytokinesis.
- UBAP1 forms a distinct ESCRT-I complex with TSG101 and VPS37A, differentiating it from other ESCRT-I complexes.
Conclusions:
- UBAP1 defines an endosome-specific ESCRT-I complex, highlighting isoform-driven functional specialization.
- This UBAP1-containing ESCRT-I complex plays a critical role in MVB biogenesis and endosomal protein sorting.
- The findings provide new insights into the regulation of ESCRT function and membrane trafficking pathways.
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