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Ubp3 is one of about 20 deubiquitinases (DUBs) in S. cerevisiae. The current view generally assumes that Ubp3 requires its interaction partner Bre5, which is proposed to function as a positive regulator. Accordingly, the Ubp3/Bre5 complex has been implicated in a broad range of cellular processes for example trafficking between ER and Golgi, stress granule formation and selective autophagy. However, the molecular basis of this proposed Bre5-dependent activity remains unclear. To address this at a molecular level, Ubp3, Bre5, and related constructs were heterologously expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized in vitro. Both proteins contain folded domains as well as extensive intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). Despite this structural complexity, the Ubp3/Bre5 complex could be isolated following either co-expression in vivo or after in vitro assembly. Unexpectedly, complex formation with Bre5 was not required for the catalytic activity of full length Ubp3. Furthermore, even the isolated catalytic domain of Ubp3 was fully active against two distinct substrates in the absence of Bre5, demonstrating that its deubiquitinating activity is intrinsically independent of Bre5. These findings indicate that the catalytic domain alone is sufficient for substrate cleavage, whereas the extensive IDRs of Ubp3 and its cofactor Bre5 might contribute to substrate recognition or specificity. Overall, this study challenges the prevailing model of Bre5-dependent activation of Ubp3 and provides new insights into the molecular organization of the Ubp3/Bre5 system. More broadly, it highlights the importance of intrinsically disordered regions in regulating deubiquitinase function and cellular signaling networks.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are unique organelles, surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer. They are present in most eukaryotic cells including the unicellular model organism S. cerevisiae. LDs store neutral lipids which serve as precursors for amphipathic membrane lipids and as an energy reserve. Loss of LDs in S. cerevisiae results in multiple cellular defects impairing lipid homeostasis and the biogenesis and function of other organelles. Here, we find that the expression levels of many proteins in isolated mitochondrial fractions are altered in cells that cannot synthesize neutral lipids and therefore lack LDs. In addition, among several downregulated proteins, we identified the previously uncharacterized Ylr001c (which we name Vlf1 for Vacuolar Lipophagy Factor 1). We show that Vlf1 is glycosylated and, in contrast to some previous reports, is actually localized to the vacuole. Furthermore, we demonstrate that changes in Vlf1 expression alter growth sensitivity to rapamycin, and detected a physical interaction of Vlf1 with Atg15, a lipase involved in autophagy. Additionally, we observe higher levels of autophagy/lipophagy in the absence of Vlf1 and a reduction upon overexpression of the protein. Taken together, the effects on lipohagy by Vlf1 makes it, according to our knowledge, the first vacuolar lipophagy regulator identified in S. cerevisiae.

The QxxR motif is evolutionarily conserved within DEAD-box RNA helicases, including Drosophila Me31B and human DDX6, which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression during animal development. A pathogenic H372R substitution (QxHR to QxRR) in the QxxR motif of human DDX6 has been associated with various developmental defects, but how this motif contributes to DDX6-family protein function remains unclear. Here, we used Drosophila Me31B as an in vivo model to investigate the QxxR motifs developmental role. We generated a Drosophila strain carrying the corresponding H333R missense mutation in Me31B and characterized its effects on female fertility, embryonic viability, germline development, and Me31B-associated molecular pathways. The me31BH333R mutation reduced female fertility in a gene dose-dependent manner, with homozygous mutant females being sterile. Embryos from the mutant females also exhibited primordial germ cell defects. Despite these developmental phenotypes, the me31BH333R mutation did not significantly alter Me31B protein abundance, global ovarian transcriptome or proteome profiles, or representative germ plasm mRNA and protein localization. In contrast, bait-normalized IP-MS analysis revealed altered enrichment of selected Me31B-associated proteins, including increased association of known Me31B interactors Trailer hitch (Tral) and Ypsilon Schachtel (Yps). These findings establish Me31BH333R as an in vivo model for investigating the conserved QxxR motif and suggest that disruption of this motif compromises development not through broad changes in gene expression, but potentially through altered composition or regulation of Me31B-containing ribonucleoprotein complexes.

The timing of DNA replication and centrosome duplication is tightly regulated with cell cycle progression to ensure the faithful duplication of the genome during cell division. Both DNA and centrosomes are licensed for replication in late telophase/early G1, replicated in S phase and segregated during mitosis; yet how defects in DNA replication licensing are coupled to centrosome homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here, we show that depletion of the replication licensing inhibitor Geminin in proliferating mouse embryonic fibroblasts induces robust centrosome amplification together with impaired primary cilium assembly. Rather than promoting whole-genome reduplication, knockdown of Geminin triggers a replication stress response, characterized by DNA damage accumulation throughout the cycle, and activation of an ATR-dependent DNA damage response. Mechanistically, Geminin depletion-induced replication stress activates the ATR-Chk1-Wee1 checkpoint axis prolonging G2 and leading to premature centriole disengagement and centrosome amplification. These findings identify replication stress as the signaling module that couples defective DNA replication licensing to centrosome amplification.

GPR27/SREB1 is a highly conserved orphan class A G-protein coupled receptor implicated in insulin production, metabolic regulation, tumour biology, neurodegeneration and L-lactate homeostasis, but its immediate second-messenger signalling remains poorly defined. We used single-cell Forster resonance energy transfer nanosensors to monitor cytosolic Ca2+ and cAMP in wild-type 3T3 MEF cells, CRISPR-Cas9 GPR27-knockout cells (GPR27KO) and GPR27-knockout cells transiently re-expressing FLAG-tagged GPR27 (GPR27-rescued). The GPR27 surrogate agonist 8535n (1 {micro}M) increased intracellular Ca2+ in wild-type and rescued cells but not in GPR27-knockout cells and produced no significant cAMP response in wild-type cells. Basal Ca2+ and cAMP levels were unaffected by GPR27 deletion. Extracellular L-lactate (2 mM) induced a GPR27-dependent increase in Ca2+ and cAMP in wild-type and rescued cells, but not in knockout cells, raising the possibility that L-lactate acts as an endogenous ligand or modulator of GPR27. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=111 SRC="FIGDIR/small/743761v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (10K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2af45dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@113e2corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8dea4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@50ec49_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIGPR27 surrogate agonist 8535n increases intracellular Ca2+ but not cAMP in 3T3 cells. C_LIO_LIExtracellular L-lactate induces GPR27-dependent intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP increases in 3T3 cells. C_LIO_LIThese findings identify GPR27 as a putative candidate lactate sensor. C_LI

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well-established model organism to study cellular stress response and underlying mechanistic regulation. Although glucose starvation fundamentally alters gene regulation and cell behaviour, inconsistent deprivation protocols often trigger gross morphological artefacts. These non-specific changes confound findings by activating pathways independently of true glucose-signalling mechanisms. Furthermore, a thorough transcriptomic profile of glucose starvation using non-confounding conditions remains lacking. Consequently, the precise transcriptional impact of losing key metabolic regulators that mediate adaptation to glucose starvation remains undefined. Here we have employed a refined glucose starvation protocol, utilising raffinose exchange, which shows induction of vast transcriptional stress response with minimal impact on cellular morphology confirmed by label-free imaging. Transcriptomic profiling revealed shifts in metabolic regulation, ATP turnover, and cell-to-cell communication as acute glucose deprivation driving cells towards oxidation-driven metabolism. Additionally, we characterise transcriptional alterations seen in deletion mutants of SNF12 and SPT20, known regulators of cellular metabolism, showing previously unappreciated transcriptional conservation, in part mimicking glucose starvation response. Finally, we identified cargo and stress-specific expression related to both eisosome components and surface transporters that are critical for metabolic adaptation. Overall, this dataset provides a comprehensive transcriptomic resource for dissecting stress signalling and driving novel hypothesis generation.

Innate immune cells sense pathogenic bacteria like Legionella pneumophila through patterns such as the protein flagellin, a critical component of the bacterial motility apparatus. Recognition of cytosolic flagellin in mouse immune cells is well understood and mediated by the receptors, neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (Naip) 5 or Naip6, which activate the Nlrc4 inflammasome multi-protein complex for initiating cell death or interleukin-1 family cytokine release. However, the role of human NAIP as a cytosolic flagellin sensor remains controversial. Using a multipronged approach, we demonstrate that in a reconstituted cell system human NLRC4 engaged Legionella FlaA flagellin directly (i.e. without the need for hNAIP), whereas human NAIP did not interact with FlaA. Ectopic cytosolic FlaA expression also induced NLRC4 oligomerization, a prerequisite for inflammasome activation, in the absence of NAIP. Unexpectedly, the presence of NAIP diminished the binding of NLRC4 to flagellins and subsequent interleukin-1{beta} release. Interestingly, in resting THP-1 cells, NAIP stably interacted with NLRC4, and during infection or stimulation with FlaA pro-inflammatory responses in THP-1 cells were predominantly NLRC4-dependent. Our data highlight NLRC4 as a putative direct sensor of cytosolic flagellins in the human system and NAIP as a potential negative regulator of flagellin sensing.

BackgroundLamins are major regulators of the spatial and functional organization of chromatin. Lamins at the nuclear periphery form the lamina that anchors heterochromatin to the nuclear envelope. A subpool of A-type lamins localizes in the nuclear interior, where they also bind to euchromatic genomic regions. A-type lamin properties and chromatin association are regulated by lamin-associated polypeptide 2alpha (LAP2). Here we systematically analyze, how LAP2 depletion affects chromatin organization, accessibility and gene expression on a genome-wide level. ResultsLAP2 depletion in mouse dermal fibroblasts positively and negatively affects chromatin accessibility and gene expression throughout the genome, which correlates with changes in chromatin association of A-type lamins and the nucleosomal remodeler proteins BRG1 and CHD4. In particular, A-type lamins bind to open chromatin regions close to BRG1 and CHD4 binding sites and deregulated genes, but do not directly accumulate on genes and BRG1 and CHD4-enriched sites. Unsupervised clustering of the datasets on LAP2-bound genomic regions confirms spreading of A-type lamins to active chromatin regions containing deregulated genes and an enrichment of chromatin remodelers on a subset of these genomic regions. ConclusionsLAP2 depletion in fibroblasts leads to a gross rearrangement of chromatin. Genome-wide chromatin reorganization is linked to spreading of A-type lamins to active chromatin regions and accompanied by a restriction of chromatin remodelers to a subset of active genomic regions. These changes correlate with changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression throughout the genome, particularly in regions where lamin binding is gained in LAP2 knockout versus wildtype cells.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disorder worldwide, yet therapeutic options remain limited. TMPRSS6, a liver serine protease best known for its role in iron homeostasis, has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic target for MASLD. However, the molecular mechanisms linking TMPRSS6 to hepatic lipid metabolism remain incompletely understood. To identify novel TMPRSS6 substrates, we performed extracellular proteomic analyses of TMPRSS6-overexpressing cells. Among the proteins identified, {beta}-klotho (KLB), a co-receptor required for FGF19 and FGF21 signaling, emerged as a compelling candidate substrate. We demonstrate that TMPRSS6 interacts with KLB and promotes its proteolytic shedding in a catalytic activity-dependent manner. Functionally, TMPRSS6 reduced full-length KLB abundance at the cell surface and attenuated FGF19-dependent FGFR4 signaling in a heterologous expression system. Together, these findings identify KLB as a novel functional substrate of TMPRSS6, providing a mechanistic framework through which this protease may influence hepatic lipid metabolism. These results provide a rationale for investigating the regulation of KLB and other candidate substrates by TMPRSS6 in physiological models and further support its evaluation as a therapeutic target for MASLD.

Polyphosphate (polyP), a linear polymer of orthophosphate residues, is enriched in secretory granules in specialised mammalian cell types including platelets and mast cells. Although polyP released during activation and degranulation of these cells has been shown to promote blood clotting and inflammation, little is known about the mechanisms governing polyP synthesis in these granules. In mice, the loss of IP6K1, an enzyme that catalyses the production of 5-InsP7, has been shown to result in depletion of platelet polyP and impaired hemostasis. Here, we use the rat mast cell line RBL-2H3 as a model to study the regulation of polyP synthesis in secretory granules. By monitoring real-time polyP synthesis in isolated mast cell granules, we demonstrate that ATP is the substrate fuelling granule polyP production. By the use of inhibitors, we show that accumulation of polyP in granules requires an intact transmembrane proton gradient maintained by vacuolar H+ATPase (V-ATPase). In RBL-2H3 cells, depletion of IP6K1 led to a substantial reduction in cellular polyP levels and defective accumulation of polyP, serotonin, and tryptase inside granules. Cells with reduced IP6K1 showed a profound loss of granule acidification, correlating with downregulated levels of V1 subunits of V-ATPase. Adding back active or catalytically inactive IP6K1 rescued the expression of V-ATPase V1 subunits, reversed granule deacidification, and restored polyP levels in IP6K1-depleted cells. Together, these data unveil a role for IP6K1 in maintaining granule pH and thereby supporting polyP synthesis in mammals.

The normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) is an essential substrate in all forms of prion diseases and a receptor for A{beta} oligomers in Alzheimers disease. However, it is not fully understood how cells regulate PrPC levels. Recently, we identified glycogen synthase kinase-3{beta} (GSK-3{beta}) as a potential regulator of PrPC levels in a whole genome knockout screen. Here, we show that both cell surface and total PrPC levels can be reduced either by siRNA-mediated Gsk3b (but not Gsk3a) knockdown or by CRISPR-mediated Gs3b knockout. Whole cell mass spectrometric analysis showed that PrPC was the 60th most significantly reduced protein (out of 7227 total proteins detected) in Gsk3b knockout cells, compared to wild-type cells. Two different GSK-3 inhibitors, laduviglusib (CHIR-99021) and AZD-1080, reduced PrPC levels in mouse CAD5 and human BE(2)-C cells, both in undifferentiated and differentiated states. PrPC levels were similarly reduced by cycloheximide treatment in both Gsk3b knockout and WT cells, indicating that GSK-3{beta} regulates PrPC levels through a post-translational mechanism. Finally, treatment with either laduviglusib or AZD-1080 reduced PrPSc levels in CAD5 cells infected with three different rodent prion strains. Overall, the results reveal that GSK-3{beta} activity controls PrPC levels in living cells, revealing a novel regulatory mechanism and promising therapeutic target.

Actinomycin D (Act D) is a global transcriptional inhibitor widely used in research and clinical practice; however, its effects on RNA-binding protein (RBP) dynamics remain poorly understood. Analysis of an RNA-seq dataset from Act D-treated HeLa cells revealed a compensatory stress response enriched in RNA metabolism, processing, and translation. Here, we investigated the effects of Act D on the subcellular localization of RBPs using HuR as a model mRNA stabilizing RBP. Short-term Act D treatment markedly increased cytoplasmic HuR localization in HCT116 and HeLa cells where the protein is known to be active. Analysis of known pathways regulating HuR nucleocytoplasmic translocation did not fully explain this redistribution, suggesting alternative mechanisms. To identify proteins proximal to HuR following Act D treatment, we performed TurboID labeling followed by LC-MS/MS in HCT116 cells. Several proteins involved in RNA regulation were identified. Probabilistic modeling highlighted FUS, an RBP with established roles in phase-separated granule dynamics, as a candidate proximal protein. The Act D-dependent interaction between HuR and FUS was interrogated using molecular dynamics simulations and validated with proximity ligation assays. Furthermore, increased cytoplasmic localization of RBPs following Act D treatment was accompanied by formation of granular structures that were relatively fluid and could be disrupted by hypotonic shock. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Act D induces cytoplasmic redistribution of multiple RBPs and their sequestration into dynamic granular structures, revealing a previously unrecognized cellular response to transcriptional inhibition. Graphical AbstractAct D induced cytoplasmic re-localization of HuR along with FUS and other RBPs in dynamic, hypotonic shock-sensitive granular structures. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=93 SRC="FIGDIR/small/745449v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (36K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@515322org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@128f0d5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@db4302org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10c4a2e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

HP1 proteins are highly evolutionarily conserved chromatin-associated factors known to play essential roles in genome stability and nuclear organization. In mammals, three HP1 isoforms, HP1, HP1{beta} and HP1{gamma}, have been described, but their individual functions remain incompletely characterized. Here, we inactivated HP1 or HP1{beta} in different cell lines and quantified chromosomal breaks on metaphase spreads in the presence or absence of aphidicolin-induced replication stress. Loss of HP1, but not of HP1{beta}, led to a significant increase of chromosomal breaks on chromosome arms and within pericentromeric heterochromatin under these conditions. Mechanistically, loss of HP1 was associated with a reduction in replication fork velocity, suggesting that HP1 deficiency induces a replication stress that sensitizes specific genomic loci to replication perturbation. Consistent with this, HP1 loss was associated with a moderate but consistent increase in {gamma}H2AX and 53BP1 foci, an increased occurrence of DNA synthesis during mitosis, and enhanced recruitment of FANCD2, all recognized as hallmarks of common fragile site (CFS) expression. In addition, rescue experiments using a chromodomain mutant HP1 (V22M) unable to bind H3K9me3 indicated that HP1 protective function over these specific foci did not require its interaction with this histone mark. Altogether, these data indicate that, independently of its binding to H3K9me3, HP1 stabilizes specific genomic regions that behave as HP1-dependent fragile sites, at least in part by regulating replication fork progression, limiting mitotic DNA synthesis possibly by competing with FANCD2 for chromatin access at these regions.

Sex differences in immunity shape cancer risk, autoimmunity, and responses to immunotherapy, yet the sex-chromosome genes that regulate antitumor T cell function remain incompletely defined. Here, we identify the Y chromosome-encoded KDM5D histone demethylase as a male-specific suppressor of CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity. In murine colorectal cancer (CRC) models, male CD8+ T cells displayed reduced cytokine production, proliferation, cytotoxicity, TCR{beta} abundance, and proximal TCR signaling relative to female CD8+ T cells. CRISPR-RNP-mediated KDM5D depletion in male CD8+ T cells enhanced effector function, increased TCR{beta} expression, augmented TCR signaling, and improved tumor control after adoptive transfer. Transcriptomic and functional analyses further linked KDM5D to cholesterol biosynthesis and exhaustion-associated programs, with KDM5D depletion reducing SREBP2/XBP1-associated cholesterol and exhaustion signatures. Correspondingly, human CRC single-cell analyses supported the clinical relevance of this axis, showing enrichment of exhausted and cholesterol-associated CD8+ T cell states in male tumors. Pharmacologic inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis with lovastatin partially attenuated select exhaustion-associated markers in male CD8+ T cells and delayed tumor growth in vivo. Together, these findings define KDM5D as a sex chromosome-encoded regulator of male CD8+ T cell dysfunction and point to cholesterol-exhaustion programs as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in male CRC.

Colorectal cancer remains among the most lethal malignancies worldwide, and the proliferative programme that sustains it has proved to be a challenging target, particularly with acceptable selectivity. Herein, we combined stage-resolved transcriptomic analysis with experimental testing in colorectal cancer cells to inquire whether small molecules, in particular melatonin, act on that programme. The comparison of stage II, III and IV colorectal tumours with normal tissue identified 410 genes upregulated at every stage as a core set, dominated by cell-cycle, spindle-assembly and chromosome-segregation functions. Twenty hub genes were extracted from the corresponding protein interaction network, thirteen of which were required for viability across 59 colorectal cancer cell lines in genome-wide CRISPR screening data. Target-set enrichment nominated E2F4, FOXM1, SIN3A and both DNA-binding subunits of NF-Y as upstream regulators. NF-YA and NF-YB were distinctive in one respect: their annotated targets include BUB1 and CCNA2 but exclude NCAPG, yielding a testable prediction. Our experimental results showed melatonin reduces SW480 viability with an IC of 2.63 mM and lowers BUB1 and CCNA2 expression in different manners of concentration-dependency, while NCAPG remains unchanged. Melatonin treatment arrests cells in G1 phase, causes a drastic fall in the cycling S-phase fraction, impairs the migration and proliferation phenotype, and rises apoptosis moderately. We also found {beta}2-microglobulin to be an unsuitable normalization reference gene for CRC research due to changes upon treatment. Selective repression of two NF-Y targets with sparing of a non-target is consistent with reduced NF-Y-dependent transcription, though occupancy and subunit-level evidence are to be established.

Background/Objectives: MS4A4A is associated with M2-like macrophage states, while the MS4A gene cluster modifies soluble TREM2 levels and Alzheimer's disease risk. We asked whether MS4A4A consistently marks the M2 side of human myeloid activation and whether AlphaFold supports a proposed MS4A4A-MS4A6A interaction. Methods: We reanalysed four public human datasets: bulk RNA-seq and ATAC-seq of primary monocyte-derived macrophages from independent three-donor cohorts, and single-cell RNA-seq atlases of healthy liver and severe COVID-19 blood. MS4A4A and an MS4A4A-MS4A6A complex were modelled with AlphaFold 3 and evaluated using pLDDT, predicted aligned error, and ipTM. Results: MS4A4A was higher in M2 (IL-4) than in M1 (IFN-gamma; + LPS) macrophages in all three donors (log2 fold change +2.68, adjusted P = 0.0013). Its promoter showed the highest mean accessibility in M2. MS4A4A was macrophage-enriched in liver and monocyte-enriched in blood, and was detected in 76.7% of M2-like versus 39.3% of M1-like liver macrophages, with the difference driven mainly by the proportion of positive cells. AlphaFold confidently modelled the four transmembrane helices (mean pLDDT 83.1), but the predicted MS4A4A-MS4A6A interface was not supported (ipTM 0.59). Conclusions: MS4A4A is consistently associated with the M2 side of human myeloid activation across independent transcriptomic, chromatin, and single-cell datasets. The findings are associative, and the proposed MS4A4A-MS4A6A interface remains an untested structural hypothesis.

TGF-{beta} signals through a conserved pathway yet produces diverse outcomes, pointing to regulatory mechanisms upstream of receptor engagement. A family of four latent TGF-{beta} binding proteins (LTBPs) tether pro-TGF-{beta}s and control their localization and activation, but how distinct LTBPs contribute to this regulation is unclear. Here we combine cryo-electron microscopy with functional assays to dissect LTBP-pro-TGF-{beta} interactions. We resolve the LTBP-1/pro-TGF-{beta}1 and LTBP-3/pro-TGF-{beta}3 complex structures, revealing a conserved yet plastic hydrophobic binding interface, and systematically map key residues across all four LTBP and three pro-TGF-{beta} subtypes that determine binding specificity and affinity. Unexpectedly, LTBP-2, previously thought incapable of TGF-{beta} binding, engages pro-TGF-{beta}1 through a covalent linkage via its 16th EGF-like domain, providing a mechanistic link between LTBP-2 function and TGF-{beta} signaling. Beyond tethering, LTBP-3 shifts pro-TGF-{beta}3 from spontaneous activation toward integrin dependence, establishing LTPBs as dynamic modulators that dictate not only where but also how TGF-{beta} is unleashed. Collectively, these findings establish that LTBPs are not redundant ECM scaffolds but a family of functionally distinct regulators that differentially encode TGF-{beta} spatial localization and activation, with implications for isoform-selective therapeutic strategies.

MLLT1 (also named ENL) is a chromatin reader protein whose encoding gene was originally identified as a chromosomal translocation partner with MLL(KMT2A) in acute leukemia. However, its role in normal hematopoiesis has not been investigated. This study uncovers a critical role of Mllt1 in normal B cell lymphopoiesis. We found Mllt1 to be essential for early B lymphocyte development using a conditional Mllt1 knockout mouse model that we developed. A significant decrease of bone marrow B-lineage progenitors, splenic transitional B cells and peripheral blood B cells were observed in Mllt1del mice compared to control Mllt1fl/fl mice. Similarly, Mllt1 deletion in in vitro cultured B-enriched progenitor cells from Mllt1fl/fl; Rosa26CreERT2/+ mice resulted in reduced B cells, demonstrating the cell-intrinsic role of Mllt1 in this process. Direct MLLT1 target genes including Il7r and critical B-lineage transcription factors, Ebf1 and Pax5, were decreased following Mllt1 deletion. Gene set enrichment, gene ontology, and functional analyses of Mllt1-deficient cells showed significant alterations related to B cell development, critical relevant signaling pathways, DNA replication, and mitochondrial function. In vitro complementation with MLLT1 rescued the B cell phenotype observed with endogenous Mllt1 deletion; however, specific MLLT1 YEATS domain mutants lacking chromatin reader and RNA-binding functions were unable to rescue the phenotype. Taken together, our research demonstrates a previously unappreciated role for MLLT1 as critical for maintenance of B cell lymphopoiesis.

Bipolar spindle assembly is essential for accurate chromosome segregation. KIFC1, a conserved Ran- regulated minus-end-directed kinesin-14 motor, accumulates in the nucleus during interphase and promotes chromatin-mediated spindle assembly during mitosis and meiosis. In human oocytes, reduced KIFC1 levels destabilize meiotic spindles, a defect that can be rescued by increasing KIFC1 expression. However, how KIFC1 expression levels affect mitotic spindle stability during cleavage divisions in vertebrates remains unclear. Here, we show that whereas an approximately 50% reduction in KIFC1 causes no detectable defects in spindle assembly, approximately 10-fold overexpression of KIFC1 induces monopolar spindle formation, leading to chromosome mis-segregation and embryonic lethality in medaka early embryos. KIFC1 overexpression results in ectopic centrosomal localization during interphase, impairing the separation of duplicated centrosomes before mitotic entry. Analyses of KIFC1 mutants demonstrated that these centrosome separation defects require KIFC1s microtubule-binding and motor activities and are further enhanced by deletion of KIFC1s nuclear localization sequences. Together, our findings demonstrate that tight regulation of KIFC1 expression and its nuclear sequestration is essential for the proper separation and positioning of duplicated centrosomes before mitotic entry, thereby ensuring efficient bipolar spindle assembly during the rapid cleavage divisions of vertebrate embryos. HighlightsO_LIKIFC1 accumulates in the nucleus and at the embryonic spindle midplane via the Ran pathway. C_LIO_LIPartial KIFC1 depletion does not impair spindle assembly in medaka early embryos. C_LIO_LIKIFC1 overexpression induces monopolar spindles by preventing centrosome separation. C_LIO_LICentrosome separation defects require KIFC1 microtubule-binding and motor activity. C_LI

Macroautophagy is a conserved catabolic process that facilitates the degradation of cellular material by capturing it in double membrane vesicles termed autophagosomes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, selective macroautophagy is initiated by the scaffolding protein Atg11. Atg11 recruits the transmembrane protein Atg9, which resides in small vesicles, to autophagic cargo. Atg9 vesicles then fuse, forming the initial membrane sheet that expands into the autophagosomal membrane. While it is known that Atg9 interacts with Atg11 via a set of hydrophobic amino acids in the disordered N-terminus of Atg9, it is unclear how Atg11 mediates this interaction. To gain insight into this unknown aspect of autophagy initiation we utilized a combination of biochemical, structural, and cellular approaches. We demonstrate that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of Atg11 is the primary interaction site for Atg9, but the NTD requires clustering by the C-terminal region of Atg11 for its complete interaction with Atg9. We investigated the structure of the Atg11-NTD using cryo-EM which, in combination with AlphaFold modeling, revealed a positively charged binding pocket within the Atg11-NTD that is essential for Atg9 binding. Mutation of this conserved binding pocket leads to a loss of Atg9 binding in yeast and a reduction in the selective autophagy of mitochondria. Taken together, our results demonstrate the mechanism by which Atg11 recruits Atg9 to autophagy initiation sites.