Calnuc Function in Endosomal Sorting of Lysosomal Receptors

Calnuc is a ubiquitous Ca(2+)-binding protein present on the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and endosomes. However, the precise role of Calnuc in these organelles is poorly characterized. We previously highlighted the role of Calnuc in the transport of LRP9, a new member of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor subfamily that cycles between the TGN and endosomes. The objective of this study was to explore the role of Calnuc in the endocytic sorting of mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR) and Sortilin, two well-characterized lysosomal receptors that transit between the TGN and endosomes. Using biochemical and microscopy assays, we showed that Calnuc depletion [by small interfering RNA (siRNA)] causes the misdelivery to and degradation in lysosomes of cationic-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) and Sortilin due to a defect in the endosomal recruitment of retromers, which are key components of the endosome-to-Golgi retrieval machinery. Indeed, we demonstrated that Calnuc depletion impairs the activation and membrane association of Rab7, a small G protein required for the endosomal recruitment of retromers. Overall, our data indicate a novel role for Calnuc in the endosome-to-TGN retrograde transport of lysosomal receptors through the regulation of Rab7 activity and the recruitment of retromers to endosomes.