Back to results

University of Cambridge

Post-translational regulation of BiP by FICD-mediated AMPylation and deAMPylation

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Regulation of the amount and activity of Binding Immunoglobulin Protein (BiP) contributes to protein-folding homeostasis. BiP’s abundance is modulated transcriptionally by the canonical unfolded protein response (UPR). Conversely, a metazoan-specific, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident, Fic domain containing protein (FICD) is able to dynamically adjust BiP’s activity through AMPylation and deAMPylation. These two mutually antagonistic reactions, catalysed by the single active site of FICD, are reciprocally regulated by an oligomeric state-dependent switch. Under conditions of low unfolded protein load this bifunctional (monomeric) Fic enzyme AMPylates and inactivates excess ATP-bound BiP. However, with increasing ER stress dimeric FICD rapidly deAMPylates the inactive BiP-AMP store — enabling extra BiP to re-enter the chaperone cycle and thereby increase the organelle’s chaperone capacity (in a post-translational strand of the UPR). In this thesis, through structural, biochemical and biophysical techniques, I address the fundamental nature of FICD’s post-translational regulation of BiP. By obtaining high-resolution crystal structures of trapped deAMPylation complexes (of FICD•BiP-AMP) I elucidate the basis of FICD substrate engagement, reveal the mechanism of Fic domain deAMPylation and clarify the essential role of the gatekeeper Glu234 residue (characteristic of the Fic domain inhibitory -helix) in this hydrolytic reaction. These structures also explain FICD’s exquisite selectivity for its AMPylation substrate — ATP-bound, domain-docked BiP — with FICD’s tetratricopeptide repeat domain binding a tripartite assembly of BiP’s nucleotide binding domain, docked linker and substrate binding domain, that is unique to the aforementioned Hsp70-state. My studies also shed light on the structural basis of the monomerisation-dependent switch between FICD’s two mutually antagonistic activities — which centres on a monomerisation-induced increase in gatekeeper Glu234 flexibility. Upon monomerisation, increased Glu234 flexibility permits AMPylation competent binding of MgATP in FICD’s active site whilst simultaneously impairing the ability for Glu234 to properly align an attacking water molecule for efficient deAMPylation of BiP-AMP.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
2021

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Perera, Luke A
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Ron, David

Subjects

dc:subject × 16

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Author Identifier
0000-0002-3014-5636
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/319721

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
api.repository.cam.ac.uk/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Perera, Luke A. Post-translational regulation of BiP by FICD-mediated AMPylation and deAMPylation. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 2021. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.66842