The exquisite structural biophysics of the Golgi Reassembly and Stacking Proteins

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 164; pp. 3632 - 3644
• Main Authors: Mendes, Luís F.S., Fontana, Natália A., Reddy, S. Thirupathi, Uversky, Vladimir N., Costa-Filho, Antonio J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Biophysics; Crystallography, X-Ray; Golgi Apparatus - chemistry; Golgi Apparatus - ultrastructure; Golgi complex; Golgi Matrix Proteins - chemistry; Golgi Matrix Proteins - ultrastructure; Golgi Reassembly and Stacking Proteins; Humans; Intrinsic disorder; Membrane Proteins - chemistry; Membrane Proteins - ultrastructure; Protein Conformation; Structural plasticity; Unconventional protein secretion; Golgi Reassembly and Stacking Proteins; Intrinsic disorder; Unconventional protein secretion; Structural plasticity; Golgi complex
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.203

Golgi Reassembly and Stacking Proteins (GRASPs) were firstly described as crucial elements in determining the structure of the Golgi complex. However, data have been accumulating over the years showing GRASPs can participate in various cell processes beyond the Golgi maintenance, including cell adhesion and migration, autophagy and unconventional secretion of proteins. A comprehensive understanding of the GRASP functions requires deep mechanistic knowledge of its structure and dynamics, especially because of the unique structural plasticity observed for many members of this family coupled with their high promiscuity in mediating protein-protein interactions. Here, we critically review data regarding the structural biophysics of GRASPs in the quest for understanding the structural determinants of different functionalities. We dissect GRASP structure starting with the full-length protein down to its separate domains (PDZ1, PDZ2 and SPR) and outline some structural features common to all members of the GRASP family (such as the presence of many intrinsically disordered regions). Although the impact of those exquisite properties in vivo will still require further studies, it is possible, from our review, to pinpoint factors that must be considered in future interpretation of data regarding GRASP functions, thus bringing somewhat new perspectives to the field.