The role of Rer1 in ER-related homeostatic mechanisms

Retrieval-to-ER 1 (Rer1p) is identified as a cargo receptor required for the quality control (QC) during Golgi-to-ER recycling of multi-protein complex assembly. This includes γ-secretase, an enzyme complex critically involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The complex consists of the catalytic subunit Presenilin, Aph1, nicastrin and PEN-2. In small animal models, deficiency of Rer1p causes developmental defects up to lethality underscoring a critical physiological role for Rer1p in ER-Golgi transport regulation of specific cargo that remains underexplored. The Laboratory of Membrane Transport (Prof. Wim Annaert) has performed an extensive interactomics study identifying several new candidate interactors that link Rer1p to different ER-related homeostatic pathways. My goal is to validate these potential interactors to explore the different roles of Rer1p.