Author(s): Zhang C; Calderin JD; Hurst LR; Gokbayrak ZD; Hrabak MR; Balutowski A; Rivera-Kohr DA; Kazmirchuk TDD; Brett CL; Fratti RA;

Sphingolipids are essential in membrane trafficking and cellular homeostasis. Here, we show that sphingolipids containing very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) promote homotypic vacuolar fusion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The elongase Elo3 adds the last two carbons to VLCFAs that are incorporated ...

Article GUID: 39307308

Author(s): Golden CK; Kazmirchuk TDD; McNally EK; El Eissawi M; Gokbayrak ZD; Richard JD; Brett CL;

Diverse physiology relies on receptor and transporter protein down-regulation and degradation mediated by ESCRTs. Loss-of-function mutations in human ESCRT genes linked to cancers and neurological disorders are thought to block this process. However, when homologous mutations are introduced into model organisms, cells thrive and degradation persists, sugg ...

Article GUID: 36215320

Author(s): Gokbayrak ZD; Patel D; Brett CL;

Vacuoles in plants and fungi play critical roles in cell metabolism and osmoregulation. To support these functions, vacuoles change their morphology, e.g. they fragment when these organisms are challenged with draught, high salinity or metabolic stress (e.g. acetate accumulation). In turn, morphology reflects an equilibrium between membrane fusion and fis ...

Article GUID: 35834522