Clearance of protein aggregates during cell division

Abstract

Protein aggregates are spatially organized and regulated in cells to prevent deleterious effects of proteostatic stress. Misfolding of proteins in the ER result in aggregate formation, but how the aggregates are processed especially during cell division is not well understood. Here, we induced proteostatic stress and protein aggregation using a proteostasis reporter, which is prone to misfolding and aggregation in the ER. Unexpectedly, we detected solid-like protein aggregates deposited mainly in the nucleus and surrounded by the ER membrane. The membrane-bound aggregates were then cleared as cells progressed through mitosis and cytokinesis. Aggregate clearance was depended on Hsp70 family chaperones in the ER, particularly BiP, and proteasomal activity. The clearance culminates at mitotic exit and required cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) inactivation but was independent of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C). Thus, dividing cells have the capacity to clear protein aggregates to maintain proteostasis in the newly divided cells, which could have implications for human disease development and aging.