RHBDL4 protects against endoplasmic reticulum stress by regulating the morphology and distribution of ER sheets

Abstract

In metazoans, the architecture of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) differs between cell types, and undergoes major changes through the cell cycle and according to physiological needs. Although much is known about how the different ER morphologies are generated and maintained, especially the ER tubules, how context dependent changes in ER shape and distribution are regulated and the factors involved are less characterized. Here, we show that RHBDL4, an ER-resident rhomboid protease, modulates the shape and distribution of the ER, especially under conditions that require rapid changes in the ER sheet distribution, including ER stress. RHBDL4 interacts with CLIMP-63, a protein involved in ER sheet stabilisation, and with the cytoskeleton. Mice lacking RHBDL4 are sensitive to ER stress and develop liver steatosis, a phenotype associated with unresolved ER stress. Our data introduce a new physiological role of RHBDL4 and also imply that this function does not require its enzymatic activity.