The cellular trafficking of the secretory proprotein convertase PCSK9 and its dependence on the LDLR.
Mutations in the proprotein convertase PCSK9 gene are associated with autosomal dominant familial hyper- or hypocholesterolemia. These phenotypes are caused by a gain or loss of function of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) to elicit the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) protein. Herein, we asked whether the subcellular localization of wild-type PCSK9 or mutants of PCSK9 and the LDLR would provide insight into the mechanism of PCSK9-dependent LDLR degradation. We show that the LDLR is the dominant partner in regulating the cellular trafficking of PCSK9. In cells lacking the LDLR, PCSK9 localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In cells expressing the LDLR, PCSK9 sorted to post-ER compartments (i.e. endosomes in cell lines and Golgi apparatus in primary hepatocytes), where it colocalized with the LDLR. In cell lines, PCSK9 also colocalized with the LDLR at the cell surface, requiring the presence of the C-terminal Cys/His-rich domain of PCSK9. We provide evidence that PCSK9 promotes the degradation of the LDLR by an endocytic mechanism, as small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the clathrin heavy chain reduced the functional activity of PCSK9. We also compared the subcellular localization of natural mutants of PCSK9 with that of the wild-type enzyme in human hepatic (HuH7) cells. Whereas the mutants associated with hypercholesterolemia (S127R, F216L and R218S) localized to endosomes/lysosomes, those associated with hypocholesterolemia did not reach this compartment. We conclude that the sorting of PCSK9 to the cell surface and endosomes is required for PCSK9 to fully promote LDLR degradation and that retention in the ER prevents this activity. Mutations that affect this transport can lead to hyper- or hypocholesterolemia.
Nassoury
Nasha
N
Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2W 1R7.
Blasiole
Daniel A
DA
Tebon Oler
Angie
A
Benjannet
Suzanne
S
Hamelin
Josée
J
Poupon
Vivianne
V
McPherson
Peter S
PS
Attie
Alan D
AD
Prat
Annik
A
Seidah
Nabil G
NG
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D011973:Receptors, LDL; C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9; D043484:Proprotein Convertases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases