Our team studies the adaptation strategies of cells to nutritional stresses, such as nutrient deficiencies or inhibition of metabolism. Our work has contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms governing nutrient transporter endocytosis in the face of glucose fluctuations. This involves proteins of the arrestin family, which are regulated by signaling pathways in response to nutritional changes. More recently, we have initiated a new theme by studying the cellular consequences of a metabolic inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose, on trafficking and we seek to understand the mechanisms of resistance to this drug.

1/ Regulation of endocytosis by the nutritional status of the environment

Endocytosis is a fundamental cellular mechanism that regulates the presence and abundance of proteins (receptors, transporters) at the plasma membrane.

Endocytosis of receptors is usually induced by the presence of the corresponding ligand (hormone, growth factor) in the extracellular medium and contributes to limit the exposure of cells to the signal. Defects in endocytosis can lead to aberrant signaling and be at the origin of pathologies including certain cancers.

Endocytosis also regulates the presence of nutrient transporters at the plasma membrane according to the nutritional composition of the environment and its possible changes. It is therefore an important component of the adaptation of cells to their environment.

Endocytosis of transporters is usually triggered by their ubiquitylation, which acts as a molecular signal. In yeast, transporter ubiquitylation is performed by Rsp5, a ubiquitin ligase of the Nedd4 family, which has 9 members in humans. This step also involves adaptor proteins called ARTs (Arrestin-Related Trafficking adaptors). In humans, ARTs-like proteins (called ARRDCs) appear to function in a similar way, and act as tumor suppressors.

Our goal is to understand how extracellular signals control arrestin function, and therefore transporter ubiquitylation and endocytosis during cell adaptation to a changing environment.

Our current model organism is the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has contributed greatly to the understanding of conserved cellular mechanisms, including endocytosis

This project is situated in the context of the adaptation of cells to the presence or absence of glucose in the surrounding environment. Indeed, changes in glucose availability lead to profound changes in the landscape of transporters present at the plasma membrane. For example, glucose deficiency triggers endocytosis of most glucose transporters (e.g. Hxt3, Figure 1). Conversely, the addition of glucose to cells grown in the presence of alternative carbon sources leads to endocytosis of the corresponding transporters (e.g. Jen1, Figure 1 and Movie 1), to ensure that glucose is the preferred carbon source for use.

Figure 1. Glucose removal or addition trigger the endocytosis of selected transporters. © Sébastien LEON, CNRS/IJM

Movie 1. Glucose-induced endocytosis of the lactate transporter, Jen1. Yeast cells expressing Jen1-GFP were perfused with medium containing lactate (10’) and then glucose (45’) using a microfluidics device, and are imaged sequentially. Jen1-GFP departs from the plasma membrane within minutes after glucose treatment, to reach endosomal compartments and later, the large lytic compartment called vacuole, the yeast equivalent of lysosomes.

(ImagoSeine imaging facility, IJM). © Sébastien LEON, CNRS/IJM ]

In our lab, we delineated some of the molecular mechanisms at stake in these regulations. In particular, we found that nutrient signaling pathways modulate the post-translational modifications of ART proteins and their activity. The regulation of ART activity by nutrient availability explains why transporter ubiquitylation and endocytosis is triggered only in a specific physiological condition.

Our work has recently extended to the effects of a metabolic inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose, on endocytosis.

2/ Toxicity of a metabolic inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose, and associated resistance mechanisms

2-Deoxyglucose (2DG) is a glucose analog that inhibits cell growth by interfering with glucose utilization in many cellular processes, including glycolysis and protein N-glycosylation. 2DG has been considered for the treatment of tumors, following observations that the majority of cancer cells have increased glucose consumption. A glucose analogue, 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose, is used to detect certain tumors (PET-scans).

However, some cells are able to bypass the toxicity of 2DG. We are investigating the mechanisms of resistance to this inhibitor through genetic screens in yeast, based on the characterization of mutants that have spontaneously become resistant to 2DG and the sequencing of their genome. Our work showed that 2DG triggers the activation of several signaling pathways and the induction of enzymes detoxifying a 2DG-derived metabolite. A similar enzyme has been identified in humans.

Other resistance strategies are currently under investigation.

Click here for a summary of our recent research.

To contact a member of the team by e-mail: name.surname@ijm.fr

Kahlhofer J, Leon S, Teis D, Schmidt O. The alpha-arrestin family of ubiquitin ligase adaptors links metabolism with selective endocytosis. Biology of the cell. 2021;113(4):183-219. Epub 2020/12/15. doi: 10.1111/boc.202000137. PubMed PMID: 33314196.

Publications 

Revues

• Alexandre SOULARD, Université Lyon I
• France Gwenaël RABUT, IGDR Rennes
• France Florian FROEHLICH, Univ. Osnabrück, Allemagne
• David TEIS, BioZentrum Innsbruck, Autriche
• Helle ULRICH, IMB Mainz, Allemagne

Our work has been funded by the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ANR), the Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, the Ligue contre le Cancer (Comité de Paris), the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM), the Université de Paris (IDEX), and the CNRS.