Lysine 473 Regulates the Progression of SLC7A11, the Cystine/Glutamate Exchanger, through the Secretory Pathway

System x_c^-, the cystine/glutamate exchanger, is a membrane transporter that plays a critical role in the antioxidant response of cells. Recent work has shown that System x_c^- localizes to the plasma membrane during oxidative stress, allowing for increased activity to support the production of glutathione. In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis to examine the role of C-terminal lysine residues (K422, K472, and K473) of xCT (SLC7A11) in regulating System x_c^-. We observed that K473R exhibits loss of transporter activity and membrane localization and is 7.5 kD lower in molecular weight, suggesting that K473 regulates System x_c^- trafficking and is modified under basal conditions. After ruling out ubiquitination and neddylation, we demonstrated that unlike WT xCT, K473R lacks N- and O-glycosylation and is sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum. Next, we demonstrated that K473Q, a constitutively acetylated lysine mimic, also exhibits loss of transporter activity, decreased membrane expression, and a 4 kD decrease in molecular weight; however, it is N- and O-glycosylated and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. These results suggest that acetylation and deacetylation of K473 in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, respectively, serve to regulate the progression of the transporter through the biosynthetic pathway.