The C10orf76-PI4KB axis orchestrates CERT-mediated ceramide trafficking to the distal Golgi.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate [PtdIns(4)P] is a precursor for various phosphoinositides but also a membrane-embedded component crucial for membrane contact sites (MCSs). Several lipid transfer proteins are recruited to MCSs by recognizing PtdIns(4)P; however, it remains poorly elucidated how the production of PtdIns(4)P for lipid transport at MCSs is regulated. Following human genome-wide screening, we discovered that the PtdIns(4)P-related genes PI4KB, ACBD3, and C10orf76 are involved in endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi trafficking of ceramide by the ceramide transport protein CERT. CERT preferentially utilizes PtdIns(4)P generated by PI4KB recruited to the Golgi by C10orf76 rather than by ACBD3. Super-resolution microscopy observation revealed that C10orf76 predominantly localizes at distal Golgi regions, where sphingomyelin (SM) synthesis primarily occurs, while the majority of ACBD3 localizes at more proximal regions. This study provides a proof-of-concept that distinct pools of PtdIns(4)P are generated in different subregions, even within the same organelle, to facilitate interorganelle metabolic channeling for the ceramide-to-SM conversion.