New insights into the functions of ACBD4/5-like proteins using a combined phylogenetic and experimental approach across model organisms

Acyl-CoA binding domain-containing proteins (ACBDs) perform diverse but often uncharacterised functions linked to cellular lipid metabolism. Human ACBD4 and ACBD5 are closely related peroxisomal membrane proteins, involved in tethering of peroxisomes to the ER and capturing fatty acids for peroxisom...

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Published in:Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research 2024-09, p.119843, Article 119843
Main Authors: Kors, Suzan, Schuster, Martin, Maddison, Daniel C., Kilaru, Sreedhar, Schrader, Tina A., Costello, Joseph L., Islinger, Markus, Smith, Gaynor A., Schrader, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACBD4
ACBD5
Drosophila melanogaster
Membrane contact sites
Neurons
Organelle distribution
Peroxisomes
Ustilago maydis
VAP
Vap33
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Summary:Acyl-CoA binding domain-containing proteins (ACBDs) perform diverse but often uncharacterised functions linked to cellular lipid metabolism. Human ACBD4 and ACBD5 are closely related peroxisomal membrane proteins, involved in tethering of peroxisomes to the ER and capturing fatty acids for peroxisomal β-oxidation. ACBD5 deficiency causes neurological abnormalities including ataxia and white matter disease. Peroxisome-ER contacts depend on an ACBD4/5-FFAT motif, which interacts with ER-resident VAP proteins. As ACBD4/5-like proteins are present in most fungi and all animals, we combined phylogenetic analyses with experimental approaches to improve understanding of their evolution and functions. Notably, all vertebrates exhibit gene sequences for both ACBD4 and ACBD5, while invertebrates and fungi possess only a single ACBD4/5-like protein. Our analyses revealed alterations in domain structure and FFAT sequences, which help understanding functional diversification of ACBD4/5-like proteins. We show that the Drosophila melanogaster ACBD4/5-like protein possesses a functional FFAT motif to tether peroxisomes to the ER via Dm_Vap33. Depletion of Dm_Acbd4/5 caused peroxisome redistribution in wing neurons and reduced life expectancy. In contrast, the ACBD4/5-like protein of the filamentous fungus Ustilago maydis lacks a FFAT motif and does not interact with Um_Vap33. Loss of Um_Acbd4/5 resulted in an accumulation of peroxisomes and early endosomes at the hyphal tip. Moreover, lipid droplet numbers increased, and mitochondrial membrane potential declined, implying altered lipid homeostasis. Our findings reveal differences between tethering and metabolic functions of ACBD4/5-like proteins across evolution, improving our understanding of ACBD4/5 function in health and disease. The need for a unifying nomenclature for ACBD proteins is discussed. [Display omitted] •Like the human homologs, D. melanogaster and U. maydis Acbd4/5 target to peroxisomes.•D. melanogaster Acbd4/5 binds to ER-protein Vap33, while U. maydis Acbd4/5 does not.•Depletion of acbd4/5 in D. melanogaster increases the number of axonal peroxisomes.•Deletion of acbd4/5 in U. maydis redistributes peroxisomes to the hyphal tip.•Overexpression of fungal Acbd4/5 or human ACBD4 reduces the number of peroxisomes.
ISSN:0167-4889
1879-2596
1879-2596
DOI:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119843