Thioredoxin‐interacting protein regulates protein disulfide isomerases and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum ( ER ) is responsible for protein folding, modification, and trafficking. Accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins represents the condition of ER stress and triggers the unfolded protein response ( UPR ), a key mechanism linking supply of excess nutrients to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in obesity. The ER harbors proteins that participate in protein folding including protein disulfide isomerases ( PDI s). Changes in PDI activity are associated with protein misfolding and ER stress. Here, we show that thioredoxin‐interacting protein (Txnip), a member of the arrestin protein superfamily and one of the most strongly induced proteins in diabetic patients, regulates PDI activity and UPR signaling. We found that Txnip binds to PDI s and increases their enzymatic activity. Genetic deletion of Txnip in cells and mice led to increased protein ubiquitination and splicing of the UPR regulated transcription factor X‐box‐binding protein 1 (Xbp1s) at baseline as well as under ER stress. Our results reveal Txnip as a novel direct regulator of PDI activity and a feedback mechanism of UPR signaling to decrease ER stress. image More and more evidence implicates ER stress in diabetes. Thioredoxin‐interacting protein (Txnip) is here shown to interact with and regulate protein disulfide isomerases ( PDI s) activity and ER stress. This study highlights new therapeutic targets for treating diabetes. An unbiased proteomics approach as well as specific pulldown assays revealed an interaction of thioredoxin‐interacting protein (Txnip) with protein disulfide isomerases ( PDI s). Txnip increases PDI activity, and Txnip knockout leads to increased protein ubiquitination and increased levels of Xbp1s, a marker of ER stress. Increased levels of Xbp1s in Txnip‐ KO mice is reversed by treatment with chemical chaperones.