Evidence that assembly of an active γ-secretase complex occurs in the early compartments of the secretory pathway Journal Article


Authors: Kim, S. H.; Yin, Y. I.; Li, Y. M.; Sisodia, S. S.
Article Title: Evidence that assembly of an active γ-secretase complex occurs in the early compartments of the secretory pathway
Abstract: The γ-secretase complex, consisting of presenilins (PS), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1, and PEN-2, catalyzes the intramembranous proteolysis of truncated β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch derivatives to generate the APP intracellular domain (AICD) and Notch intracellular domain (NICD), respectively. To examine the intracellular sites in which active γ-secretase resides, we expressed NCT variants harboring either an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (NCT-ER) or a trans-Golgi network (TGN) targeting motif (NCT-TGN) along with PS1, APH-1, and PEN-2 and examined γ-secretase activity in these settings. In cells expressing NCT-ER and the other components, PS1 fragments hyperaccumulated, but AICD levels were not elevated. On the other hand, upon coexpression of an ER-retained APP variant or a constitutionally active Notch mutant, NΔE, we observed enhanced production of AICD or NICD, respectively, in cells expressing NCT-ER. Moreover, we show that membranes from cells expressing NCT-ER, NCT-TGN, or NCT-WT contain identical levels of PS1 derivatives that can be photoaffinity cross-linked to a biotinylated, benzophenone-derivatized γ-secretase inhibitor. Finally, our cell-free γ-secretase assays revealed nearly equivalent γ-secretase activities in cells expressing PS1, APH-1, PEN-2, and either NCT-WT or NCT-ER. Taken together, we interpret these findings as suggesting that active γ-secretase complex is generated in the early compartments of the secretory pathway but that these complexes are transported to late compartments in which substrates are encountered and subsequently processed within respective transmembrane segments.
Keywords: protein expression; protein conformation; proteins; enzyme inhibition; signaling; cell line; membrane proteins; genetic variability; enzyme activity; transfection; blotting, western; endoplasmic reticulum; enzyme inhibitors; receptors, notch; cell membrane; protein structure, tertiary; binding sites; catalysis; mutagenesis; amino acid motifs; mutant; amyloid precursor protein secretases; dna, complementary; gamma secretase; biotinylation; endopeptidases; golgi complex; epitopes; cells; cross-linking reagents; membrane; amyloid beta-protein precursor; biocatalysts; cell-free system; golgi apparatus; benzophenones; aspartic endopeptidases; membrane potential; trans-golgi network; humans; priority journal; article; amyloid precursor protein (app); app intracellular domain (aicd); endoplasmic reticulum (er)
Journal Title: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Volume: 279
Issue: 47
ISSN: 0021-9258
Publisher: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology  
Date Published: 2004-11-09
Start Page: 48615
End Page: 48619
Language: English
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.C400396200
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 15456788
DOI/URL:
Notes: J. Biol. Chem. -- Cited By (since 1996):48 -- Export Date: 16 June 2014 -- CODEN: JBCHA -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ye Yin
    11 Yin
  2. Yueming Li
    132 Li