ORP2 couples LDL-cholesterol transport to FAK activation by endosomal cholesterol/PI(4,5)P2 exchange

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol delivery from late endosomes to the plasma membrane regulates focal adhesion dynamics and cell migration, but the mechanisms controlling it are poorly characterized. Here, we employed auxin-inducible rapid degradation of oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2/OSBPL2) to show that endogenous ORP2 mediates the transfer of LDL-derived cholesterol from late endosomes to focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-/integrin-positive recycling endosomes in human cells. In vitro, cholesterol enhances membrane association of FAK to PI(4,5)P-2-containing lipid bilayers. In cells, ORP2 stimulates FAK activation and PI(4,5)P-2 generation in endomembranes, enhancing cell adhesion. Moreover, ORP2 increases PI(4,5)P-2 in NPC1-containing late endosomes in a FAK-dependent manner, controlling their tubulovesicular trafficking. Together, these results provide evidence that ORP2 controls FAK activation and LDL-cholesterol plasma membrane delivery by promoting bidirectional cholesterol/PI(4,5)P-2 exchange between late and recycling endosomes.

Automated summary

The study reveals the mechanism by which ORP2 regulates lipid and protein trafficking in cells, controlling FAK activation and LDL-cholesterol plasma membrane delivery by facilitating cholesterol and PI(4,5)P-2 exchange between late and recycling endosomes.