UFMylation of BiP / GRP78 Is Crucial for Maintenance of Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis

UFMylation is essential for the embryonic development of metazoans and is associated with several human diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that the UFMylation pathway plays a critical role in the maintenance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. However, the underlying mechanisms and relevant cellular targets remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the ER chaperone protein BiP can be covalently modified by UFM1 at lysine residues 294, 296, 352, 353, and 370. This modification destabilizes BiP by promoting its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome degradation. Depletion of the UFM1 E3 ligase UFL1 or mutation of the BiP UFMylation sites impairs BiP's functions as an ER chaperone and ER stress sensor, thereby increasing apoptotic cell death under ER stress. Our findings suggest that the UFMylation of BiP is critical for maintaining ER homeostasis.