Golgi pH homeostasis stabilizes the lysosomal membrane throughN-glycosylation of membrane proteins

Abstract

Protein glycosylation plays a vital role in various cellular functions, many of which occur within the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi pH regulator (GPHR) is essential for the proper functioning of the Golgi apparatus. The lysosomal membrane contains highly glycosylated membrane proteins in abundance. This study investigated the role of the Golgi luminal pH inN-glycosylation of lysosomal membrane proteins and the effect of this protein modification on membrane stability usingGphr-deficient MEFs. We showed thatGphrdeficiency causes an imbalance in the Golgi luminal pH, resulting in abnormal proteinN-glycosylation, indicated by a reduction in sialylated glycans and markedly reduced molecular weight of glycoproteins. Further experiments using FRAP and PLA revealed thatGphrdeficiency prevented the trafficking dynamics and proximity condition of glycosyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus. In addition, incompleteN-glycosylation of lysosomal membrane proteins affected lysosomal membrane stability, as demonstrated by the increased susceptibility to lysosomal damage. Thus, this study highlights the critical role of Golgi pH regulation in controlling protein glycosylation and the impact of Golgi dysfunction on lysosomal membrane stability.