The lysosomal transporter MFSD1 is essential for liver homeostasis and critically depends on its accessory subunit GLMP.

Massa López, David; Thelen, Melanie; Stahl, Felix; Thiel, Christian; Linhorst, Arne; Sylvester, Marc; Hermanns-Borgmeyer, Irm; Lüllmann-Rauch, Renate et al. · Elife · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Lysosomes are major sites for intracellular, acidic hydrolase-mediated proteolysis and cellular degradation. The export of low-molecular-weight catabolic end-products is facilitated by polytopic transmembrane proteins mediating secondary active or passive transport. A number of these lysosomal transporters, however, remain enigmatic. We present a detailed analysis of MFSD1, a hitherto uncharacterized lysosomal family member of the major facilitator superfamily. MFSD1 is not N-glycosylated. It contains a dileucine-based sorting motif needed for its transport to lysosomes. <i>Mfsd1</i> knockout mice develop splenomegaly and severe liver disease. Proteomics of isolated lysosomes from <i>Mfsd1</i> knockout mice revealed GLMP as a critical accessory subunit for MFSD1. MFSD1 and GLMP physically interact. GLMP is essential for the maintenance of normal levels of MFSD1 in lysosomes and vice versa. <i>Glmp</i> knockout mice mimic the phenotype of <i>Mfsd1</i> knockout mice. Our data reveal a tightly linked MFSD1/GLMP lysosomal membrane protein transporter complex.

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