Structural insights into the EGO-TC-mediated membrane tethering of the TORC1-regulatory Rag GTPases

Sci Adv. 2019 Sep 25;5(9):eaax8164. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax8164. eCollection 2019 Sep.

Abstract

The Rag/Gtr GTPases serve as a central module in the nutrient-sensing signaling network upstream of TORC1. In yeast, the anchoring of Gtr1-Gtr2 to membranes depends on the Ego1-Ego2-Ego3 ternary complex (EGO-TC), resulting in an EGO-TC-Gtr1-Gtr2 complex (EGOC). EGO-TC and human Ragulator share no obvious sequence similarities and also differ in their composition with respect to the number of known subunits, which raises the question of how the EGO-TC fulfills its function in recruiting Gtr1-Gtr2. Here, we report the structure of EGOC, in which Ego1 wraps around Ego2, Ego3, and Gtr1-Gtr2. In addition, Ego3 interacts with Gtr1-Gtr2 to stabilize the complex. The functional roles of key residues involved in the assembly are validated by in vivo assays. Our structural and functional data combined demonstrate that EGOC and Ragulator-Rag complex are structurally conserved and that EGO-TC is essential and sufficient to recruit Gtr1-Gtr2 to membranes to ensure appropriate TORC1 signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Membrane / genetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / chemistry*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / chemistry*
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases