Reticulon proteins modulate autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum in maize endosperm

• Published in: eLife 2020-02, Vol.9
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaoguo, Ding, Xinxin, Marshall, Richard Scott, Paez-Valencia, Julio, Lacey, Patrick, Vierstra, Richard David, Otegui, Marisa S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autophagy; Autophagy - physiology; Autophagy-Related Protein 8 Family - chemistry; Autophagy-Related Protein 8 Family - genetics; Autophagy-Related Protein 8 Family - metabolism; C-Terminus; Cell Biology; Corn; Endoplasmic reticulum; Endoplasmic Reticulum - metabolism; Endosperm; Endosperm - cytology; Endosperm - metabolism; Enzymes; ER stress; ER-phagy; Germination; Homeostasis; Localization; Maximum likelihood method; Membranes; Mutants; Phagocytosis; Physiology; Plant Biology; Plant Proteins - chemistry; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Protein folding; Proteins; Scientific equipment industry; Yeast; Zea mays - genetics
• ISSN: 2050-084X; 2050-084X
• DOI: 10.7554/eLife.51918

Reticulon (Rtn) proteins shape tubular domains of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and in some cases are autophagy receptors for selective ER turnover. We have found that maize Rtn1 and Rtn2 control ER homeostasis and autophagic flux in endosperm aleurone cells, where the ER accumulates lipid droplets and synthesizes storage protein accretions metabolized during germination. Maize Rtn1 and Rtn2 are expressed in the endosperm, localize to the ER, and re-model ER architecture in a dose-dependent manner. Rtn1 and Rtn2 interact with Atg8a using four Atg8-interacting motifs (AIMs) located at the C-terminus, cytoplasmic loop, and within the transmembrane segments. Binding between Rtn2 and Atg8 is elevated upon ER stress. Maize mutants display increased autophagy and up-regulation of an ER stress-responsive chaperone. We propose that maize Rtn1 and Rtn2 act as receptors for autophagy-mediated ER turnover, and thus are critical for ER homeostasis and suppression of ER stress.