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A role for ubiquitin ligases and Spartin/SPG20 in lipid droplet turnover.

The Journal of cell biology | 2009

HECT (homologous to the E6AP C terminus) ubiquitin ligases have diverse functions in eukaryotic cells. In screens for proteins that bind to the HECT ubiquitin ligase WWP1, we identified Spartin, which is also known as SPG20. This protein is truncated in a neurological disease, Troyer syndrome. In this study, we show that SPG20 associates with the surface of lipid droplets (LDs) and can regulate their size and number. SPG20 binds to another LD protein, TIP47, and both proteins compete with an additional LD protein, adipophilin/adipocyte differentiation-related protein, for occupancy of LDs. The mutant SPG20 present in Troyer syndrome does not possess these activities. Depletion of SPG20 using RNA interference increases the number and size of LDs when cells are fed with oleic acid. Binding of WWP1 to SPG20 and the consequent ubiquitin transfer remove SPG20 from LDs and reduce the levels of coexpressed SPG20. These experiments suggest functions for ubiquitin ligases and SPG20 in the regulation of LD turnover and potential pathological mechanisms in Troyer syndrome.

Pubmed ID: 19307600 RIS Download

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Associated grants

  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: F32 AI065094
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 AI052774
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 AI 52774
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: F32 AI 065094

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