DMXL1 promotes recruitment of V1-ATPase to lysosomes upon TRPML1 activation

  • Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 17:10.1038/s41594-025-01581-x. doi: 10.1038/s41594-025-01581-x.
Chan Lee  1 Matthew J G Eldridge  2 Miguel A Gonzalez-Lozano  1 Thomas Bresnahan  3 Zachary Niday  3 Donato Del Camino  3 Tao Fu  1 Joao A Paulo  1 Magdalene M Moran  3 Sophie Helaine  2 J Wade Harper  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
  • 2. Department of Microbiology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
  • 3. Caraway Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
  • 4. Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected].
Abstract

Lysosomes, central hydrolytic organelles, are regulated by ion flow, including calcium and protons, via transporters and channels to maintain an acidified lumen for hydrolytic activity. TRPML1, a lysosomal ion channel, effluxes cations upon activation, promoting rapid conjugation of ATG8 proteins to the lysosomal membrane in a process known as conjugation of ATG8 to single membranes (CASM). However, our understanding of how TRPML1 activation reorganizes the lysosomal proteome is poorly understood. Here, we identify DMXL1 as a key regulator of lysosomal homeostasis through quantitative proteomics of lysosomes during TRPML1 activation by the agonist MLSA5. DMXL1 is recruited to lysosomes and Salmonella-containing vacuoles, both in a CASM-dependent manner. As the mammalian ortholog of yeast Rav1, DMXL1 assembles with Rav2 ortholog ROGDI and WDR7, and associates with V0 and V1 subunits of the lysosomal V-ATPase. TRPML1 activation drives V1 subunit recruitment to lysosomes in a DMXL1- and DMXL2-dependent manner. DMXL1- and DMXL2-deficient cells display reduced V1-ATPase recruitment, increased lysosomal pH and diminished hydrolytic capacity. Using AlphaFold modeling supported by cross-linking proteomics, we identify interaction interfaces within the DMXL1-ROGDI-WDR7 complex, as well as an ATP6V1A binding interface in DMXL1, whose mutation affects interaction and function. Our findings suggest CASM-dependent DMXL1 recruitment, coupled with V-ATPase assembly, is critical for maintaining lumenal pH and lysosomal function in response to TRPML1 activation.

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