Regulation of the Golgi apparatus via GOLPH3-mediated new selective autophagy

Although previous studies elaborated that selective autophagy was involved in quality control of some organelles, including nucleus, mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, it remained unclear whether the selective autophagy of the Golgi apparatus (Golgiphagy) existed or not.

In this study, H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells were treated with autophagy inducers, Golgi stress inducers and cardiomyocytes hypertrophy stimulators. The Golgiphagy was evaluated by analysing the co-localization of Golgi markers and LC3B. Furthermore, the transmission electron microscope was used to observe the occurrence of Golgiphagy. The co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to evaluate the interaction of GOLPH3 and LC3B.

Results showed that starvation promoted the co-localization of both GM130-positive and TGN46-positive Golgi fragments with LC3B-positive autophagosomes in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that Golgi apparatus was sequestered into the autophagosomes in the starvation group. Moreover, Golgi stress inducers also facilitated the co-localization of Golgi markers and LC3B in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy stimulators also triggered the appearance of Golgiphagy in H9c2 cells. Importantly, the co-immunoprecipitation assay indicated endogenous GOLPH3 interacted with LC3B in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs. However, knocking down GOLPH3 inhibited the Golgiphagy.

This study unveiled a new selective autophagy of the Golgi apparatus (Golgiphagy). In addition, GOLPH3 might act as a novel cargo receptor to regulate Golgiphagy. Maintaining homeostasis of the Golgi apparatus via GOLPH3-mediated autophagy was indispensable for cell survival.