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Published on: June 24, 2018
Inorganic polyphosphate controls cyclophilin B-mediated collagen folding in osteoblast-like cells
Mei Li Khong1, Lina Li1, Maria E Solesio2
1School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, China.
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) regulates collagen folding in the endoplasmic reticulum by inhibiting cyclophilin B. This finding reveals polyP as a key controller of protein homeostasis in the ER.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) plays diverse biological roles.
- PolyP is abundant in osteoblasts, but its specific functions remain unclear.
- The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for protein folding and homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) in higher eukaryotes.
- To determine the role of polyP in protein folding within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
- To elucidate the interaction between polyP and cyclophilin B (CypB) in collagen folding.
Main Methods:
- Utilized osteoblastic SaOS-2 cell line as a model system.
- Investigated the localization of polyP within the ER.
- Performed biochemical assays to confirm direct binding of polyP to CypB.
- Assessed the effect of polyP on CypB's peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity.
- Manipulated cellular polyP levels using spermine sequestration and polyphosphatase expression.
Main Results:
- PolyP was found to be highly enriched in the ER and colocalized with cyclophilin B (CypB).
- PolyP directly binds to CypB, inhibiting its enzymatic activity essential for collagen folding.
- Reducing cellular polyP levels (via spermine or polyphosphatase) decreased collagen misfolding.
- Endogenous polyP was confirmed to regulate CypB-mediated collagen folding.
Conclusions:
- Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a critical regulator of protein homeostasis within the ER.
- PolyP directly modulates cyclophilin B activity, thereby controlling collagen folding.
- This study identifies a novel role for polyP as a molecular chaperone or regulator in the ER environment.
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