SNX19 restricts endolysosome motility through contacts with the endoplasmic reticulum

Abstract

The ability of endolysosomal organelles to move within the cytoplasm is essential for the performance of their functions. Long-range movement involves coupling of the endolysosomes to motor proteins that carry them along microtubule tracks. This movement is influenced by interactions with other organelles, but the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. Herein we show that the sorting nexin SNX19 tethers endolysosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), decreasing their motility and contributing to their concentration in the perinuclear area of the cell. Tethering depends on two N-terminal transmembrane domains that anchor SNX19 to the ER, and a PX domain that binds to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate on the endolysosomal membrane. Two other domains named PXA and PXC negatively regulate the interaction of SNX19 with endolysosomes. These studies thus identify a mechanism for controlling the motility and positioning of endolysosomes that involves tethering to the ER by a sorting nexin.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-interorganelle membrane contact sites have emerged as key regulators of organelle dynamics. Here, the authors report that the ER-resident protein SNX19 mediates ER-endolysosome membrane contacts to maintain the perinuclear distribution of endolysosomes and restrict their motility.