The Torsin/ NEP1R1-CTDNEP1/ Lipin axis regulates nuclear envelope lipid metabolism for nuclear pore complex insertion

Torsin ATPases of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope (NE) lumen inhibit Lipin-mediated phosphatidate (PA) to diacylglycerol (DAG) conversion by an unknown mechanism. This excess PA metabolism is implicated in TOR1A/TorsinA diseases, but it is unclear whether it explains why Torsin concomitantly affects nuclear structure, lipid droplets (LD), organelle and cell growth. Here a fly miniscreen identified that Torsins affect these events via the NEP1R1-CTDNEP1 phosphatase complex. Further, Torsin homo-oligomerization rather than ATPase activity was key to activity. NEP1R1-CTDNEP1 activates Lipin by dephosphorylation. We show that Torsin prevents CTDNEP1 from accumulating in the NE and excludes Lipin from the nucleus. Moreover, this repression of nuclear PA metabolism is required for interphase nuclear pore biogenesis. We conclude that the Torsin is an upstream regulator of the NEP1R1-CTDNEP1/ Lipin pathway. This connects the ER/NE lumen with PA metabolism, and affects numerous cellular events including a previously unrecognized role in nuclear pore biogenesis.