Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control

IntroductionThe interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the sodium-dependent Broad neutral Amino acid Transporter 1 (B0AT1), encoded by the SLC6A19 gene, is increasingly recognized as pivotal in both physiological and pathological contexts. B0AT1 facilitates neutral amino acid...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nesreen F. Alkhofash, Bassam R. Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1589534/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850034615344955392
author Nesreen F. Alkhofash
Bassam R. Ali
Bassam R. Ali
author_facet Nesreen F. Alkhofash
Bassam R. Ali
Bassam R. Ali
author_sort Nesreen F. Alkhofash
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the sodium-dependent Broad neutral Amino acid Transporter 1 (B0AT1), encoded by the SLC6A19 gene, is increasingly recognized as pivotal in both physiological and pathological contexts. B0AT1 facilitates neutral amino acid transport and nutrient absorption, while ACE2 regulates vascular homeostasis and inflammation through the renin-angiotensin system. Mutations in SLC6A19 are implicated in Hartnup disease, a metabolic disorder characterized by defective amino acid transport. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying Hartnup disease-causing mutations' impact on B0AT1 and ACE2 function remain unclear.MethodsThis study evaluated the subcellular localization and trafficking of 18 Hartnup disease-causing B0AT1 variants using experimental approaches including biochemical assays and In Silico analysis. The impact of these variants on ACE2 trafficking and plasma membrane targeting was also assessed to elucidate their interplay.ResultsNine B0AT1 variants (R57C, G93R, R95P, R178Q, L242P, G284R, S303L, D517G, P579L) were found to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, impairing their trafficking to the plasma membrane. These variants were distributed across multiple B0AT1 structural domains. Importantly, several of these ER-retained variants, particularly R178Q and S303L, significantly disrupted ACE2 intracellular trafficking and its localization to the plasma membrane, indicating a direct effect on ACE2 subcellular targeting.DiscussionThe findings reveal that Hartnup disease-causing mutations can lead to ER retention of B0AT1, which in turn has a variable effect on ACE2 trafficking. This disruption likely contributes to Hartnup disease pathogenesis by impairing amino acid transport and may influence ACE2-mediated physiological functions beyond the renin-angiotensin system. Understanding these molecular mechanisms enhances insight into ACE2-B0AT1 interactions and could inform future therapeutic strategies and biomarker development for related disorders. Further research is needed to explore these pathways and their implications in disease.
format Article
id doaj-art-49c3754e059a452298bfcf257c137ee4
institution DOAJ
issn 2296-634X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
spelling doaj-art-49c3754e059a452298bfcf257c137ee42025-08-20T02:57:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-08-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15895341589534Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality controlNesreen F. Alkhofash0Bassam R. Ali1Bassam R. Ali2Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesIntroductionThe interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the sodium-dependent Broad neutral Amino acid Transporter 1 (B0AT1), encoded by the SLC6A19 gene, is increasingly recognized as pivotal in both physiological and pathological contexts. B0AT1 facilitates neutral amino acid transport and nutrient absorption, while ACE2 regulates vascular homeostasis and inflammation through the renin-angiotensin system. Mutations in SLC6A19 are implicated in Hartnup disease, a metabolic disorder characterized by defective amino acid transport. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying Hartnup disease-causing mutations' impact on B0AT1 and ACE2 function remain unclear.MethodsThis study evaluated the subcellular localization and trafficking of 18 Hartnup disease-causing B0AT1 variants using experimental approaches including biochemical assays and In Silico analysis. The impact of these variants on ACE2 trafficking and plasma membrane targeting was also assessed to elucidate their interplay.ResultsNine B0AT1 variants (R57C, G93R, R95P, R178Q, L242P, G284R, S303L, D517G, P579L) were found to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, impairing their trafficking to the plasma membrane. These variants were distributed across multiple B0AT1 structural domains. Importantly, several of these ER-retained variants, particularly R178Q and S303L, significantly disrupted ACE2 intracellular trafficking and its localization to the plasma membrane, indicating a direct effect on ACE2 subcellular targeting.DiscussionThe findings reveal that Hartnup disease-causing mutations can lead to ER retention of B0AT1, which in turn has a variable effect on ACE2 trafficking. This disruption likely contributes to Hartnup disease pathogenesis by impairing amino acid transport and may influence ACE2-mediated physiological functions beyond the renin-angiotensin system. Understanding these molecular mechanisms enhances insight into ACE2-B0AT1 interactions and could inform future therapeutic strategies and biomarker development for related disorders. Further research is needed to explore these pathways and their implications in disease.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1589534/fullACE2B0AT1ACE2 variantsB0AT1 variantssub-cellular localizationmolecular modulators
spellingShingle Nesreen F. Alkhofash
Bassam R. Ali
Bassam R. Ali
Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
ACE2
B0AT1
ACE2 variants
B0AT1 variants
sub-cellular localization
molecular modulators
title Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
title_full Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
title_fullStr Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
title_full_unstemmed Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
title_short Hartnup disease-causing SLC6A19 mutations lead to B0AT1 aberrant trafficking and ACE2 mis-localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
title_sort hartnup disease causing slc6a19 mutations lead to b0at1 aberrant trafficking and ace2 mis localisation implicating the endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control
topic ACE2
B0AT1
ACE2 variants
B0AT1 variants
sub-cellular localization
molecular modulators
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1589534/full
work_keys_str_mv AT nesreenfalkhofash hartnupdiseasecausingslc6a19mutationsleadtob0at1aberranttraffickingandace2mislocalisationimplicatingtheendoplasmicreticulumproteinqualitycontrol
AT bassamrali hartnupdiseasecausingslc6a19mutationsleadtob0at1aberranttraffickingandace2mislocalisationimplicatingtheendoplasmicreticulumproteinqualitycontrol
AT bassamrali hartnupdiseasecausingslc6a19mutationsleadtob0at1aberranttraffickingandace2mislocalisationimplicatingtheendoplasmicreticulumproteinqualitycontrol