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Title: AlphaFold2-Guided Functional Screens Reveal a Conserved Antioxidant Protein at ER Membranes
Abstract Oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is essential for all eukaryotic cells yet generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ER-transmembrane protein that provides reducing equivalents to ER and guards the cytosol for antioxidant defense remains unidentified. Here we combine AlphaFold2-based and functional reporter screens inC. elegansto discover a previously uncharacterized and evolutionarily conserved protein ERGU-1 that fulfills these roles. DeletingC. elegansERGU-1 causes excessive H2O2and transcriptional gene up-regulation through SKN-1, homolog of mammalian antioxidant master regulator NRF2. ERGU-1 deficiency also impairs organismal reproduction and behavioral responses to H2O2. BothC. elegansand human ERGU-1 proteins localize to ER membranes and form network reticulum structures. Human andDrosophilahomologs of ERGU-1 can rescueC. elegansmutant phenotypes, demonstrating evolutionarily ancient and conserved functions. In addition, purified ERGU-1 and human homolog TMEM161B exhibit redox-modulated oligomeric states. Together, our results reveal an ER-membrane-specific protein machinery for peroxide detoxification and suggest a previously unknown and conserved mechanisms for antioxidant defense in animal cells.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2019598
PAR ID:
10621831
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
bioRxiv
Date Published:
Format(s):
Medium: X
Institution:
bioRxiv
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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