Proximity Interactome analyses unveil novel regulators of IRE1α canonical signaling

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a key adaptive pathway that controls endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. The UPR is transduced by three ER-resident sensors of ER homeostasis disruption in the lumen of this compartment. They trigger select downstream signaling pathways in the cytosol and nucleus. Among them, IRE1α (referred to as IRE1 hereafter), a type I transmembrane protein, senses accumulation of improperly folded proteins in the ER lumen and transduces signals through both kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase) activities in the cytosol. IRE1 catalyzes XBP1 mRNA unconventional splicing and RNA degradation (Regulated IRE1 Dependent Decay, termed RIDD). Recent studies have reported that IRE1-dependent protein-protein interactions (PPi) drive additional non-canonical IRE1 functions. Herein, we define the IRE1 signalosome as a list of IRE1 binding partners (direct or not) which alter IRE1 signaling towards XBP1 mRNA splicing and RIDD. Here we determined the IRE1 in situ interactome using BioID, putatively connecting IRE1 to previously unrecognized cellular functions. In addition, we link the binding of several IRE1 partners to the regulation of its RNase. Furthermore, we identify HNRNPL as an IRE1-interacting partner, previously unrecognized, which stabilizes IRE1 under basal conditions by counteracting ERAD-mediated degradation. Overall, the characterization of the IRE1 signalosome not only reveals the multi-faceted control of IRE1 RNase activity and stability by its interacting partners and allow us to discuss putative additional IRE1 regulators and cellular functions based on the nature of its interactome and its localization.