Cytosolic splice isoform of Hsp70 nucleotide exchange factor Fes1 is required for the degradation of misfolded proteins in yeast.

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Gowda NK, Kaimal JM, Masser AE, Kang W, Friedländer MR, Andréasson C

Mol. Biol. Cell 27 (8) 1210-1219 [2016-04-15; online 2016-02-26]

Cells maintain proteostasis by selectively recognizing and targeting misfolded proteins for degradation. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the Hsp70 nucleotide exchange factor Fes1 is essential for the degradation of chaperone-associated misfolded proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here we show that theFES1transcript undergoes unique 3' alternative splicing that results in two equally active isoforms with alternative C-termini, Fes1L and Fes1S. Fes1L is actively targeted to the nucleus and represents the first identified nuclear Hsp70 nucleotide exchange factor. In contrast, Fes1S localizes to the cytosol and is essential to maintain proteostasis. In the absence of Fes1S, the heat-shock response is constitutively induced at normally nonstressful conditions. Moreover, cells display severe growth defects when elevated temperatures, amino acid analogues, or the ectopic expression of misfolded proteins, induce protein misfolding. Importantly, misfolded proteins are not targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. These observations support the notion that cytosolic Fes1S maintains proteostasis by supporting the removal of toxic misfolded proteins by proteasomal degradation. This study provides key findings for the understanding of the organization of protein quality control mechanisms in the cytosol and nucleus.

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PubMed 26912797

DOI 10.1091/mbc.E15-10-0697

Crossref 10.1091/mbc.E15-10-0697

pii: mbc.E15-10-0697
pmc: PMC4831876