Certain Pairs of Ubiquitin-conjugating Enzymes (E2s) and Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases (E3s) Synthesize Nondegradable Forked Ubiquitin Chains Containing All Possible Isopeptide Linkages

Cullin neddylation may allosterically tune polyubiquitin chain length and topology

Conjugation of Nedd8 (neddylation) to Cullins (Cul) in Cul-RING E3 ligases (CRLs) stimulates ubiquitination and polyubiquitination of protein substrates. CRL is made up of two Cul-flanked arms: one consists of the substrate-binding and adaptor proteins and the other consists of E2 and Ring-box protein (Rbx). Polyubiquitin chain length and topology determine the substrate fate. Here, we ask how polyubiquitin chains are accommodated in the limited space available between the two arms and what determines the polyubiquitin linkage topology. We focus on Cul5 and Rbx1 in three states: before Cul5 neddylation (closed state), after neddylation (open state), and after deneddylation, exploiting molecular dynamics simulations and the Gaussian Network Model. We observe that regulation of substrate ubiquitination and polyubiquitination takes place through Rbx1 rotations, which are controlled by Nedd8-Rbx1 allosteric communication. Allosteric propagation proceeds from Nedd8 via Cul5 dynamic hinges and hydrogen bonds between the C-terminal domain of Cul5 (Cul5CTD) and Rbx1 (Cul5CTD residues R538/R569 and Rbx1 residue E67, or Cul5CTD E474/E478/N491 and Rbx1 K105). Importantly, at each ubiquitination step (homogeneous or heterogeneous, linear or branched), the polyubiquitin linkages fit into the distances between the two arms, and these match the inherent CRL conformational tendencies. Hinge sites may constitute drug targets.

Ufd2p synthesizes branched ubiquitin chains to promote the degradation of substrates modified with atypical chains

Ubiquitination of a subset of proteins by ubiquitin chain elongation factors (E4), represented by Ufd2p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a pivotal regulator for many biological processes. However, the mechanism of Ufd2p-mediated ubiquitination is largely unclear. Here, we show that Ufd2p catalyses K48-linked multi-monoubiquitination on K29-linked ubiquitin chains assembled by the ubiquitin ligase (Ufd4p), resulting in branched ubiquitin chains. This reaction depends on the interaction of K29-linked ubiquitin chains with two N-terminal loops of Ufd2p. Only following the addition of K48-linked ubiquitin to substrates modified with K29-linked ubiquitin chains, can the substrates be escorted to the proteasome for degradation. We demonstrate that this ubiquitin chain linkage switching reaction is essential for ERAD, oleic acid and acid pH resistance in yeast. Thus, our results suggest that Ufd2p functions by switching ubiquitin chain linkages to allow the degradation of proteins modified with a ubiquitin linkage, which is normally not targeted to the proteasome.

How ubiquitination affects the proteins it modifies varies according to the type of linkage between ubiquitin moieties. Here, Liu et al. show how yeast Udf2p promotes K48 linkage formation onto K29-linked chains to generate branched K29-K48 ubiquitin chains that target its substrate to the proteasome.

The recognition of ubiquitinated proteins by the proteasome

The ability of ubiquitin to form up to eight different polyubiquitin chain linkages generates complexity within the ubiquitin proteasome system, and accounts for the diverse roles of ubiquitination within the cell. Understanding how each type of ubiquitin linkage is correctly interpreted by ubiquitin binding proteins provides important insights into the link between chain recognition and cellular fate. A major function of ubiquitination is to signal degradation of intracellular proteins by the 26S proteasome. Lysine-48 (K48) linked polyubiquitin chains are well established as the canonical signal for proteasomal degradation, but recent studies show a role for other ubiquitin linked chains in facilitating degradation by the 26S proteasome. Here, we review how different types of polyubiquitin linkage bind to ubiquitin receptors on the 26S proteasome, how they signal degradation and discuss the implications of ubiquitin chain linkage in regulating protein breakdown by the proteasome.

Sequential Poly-ubiquitylation by Specialized Conjugating Enzymes Expands the Versatility of a Quality Control Ubiquitin Ligase

The Doa10 quality control ubiquitin (Ub) ligase labels proteins with uniform lysine 48-linked poly-Ub (K48-pUB) chains for proteasomal degradation. Processing of Doa10 substrates requires the activity of two Ub conjugating enzymes. Here we show that the non-canonical conjugating enzyme Ubc6 attaches single Ub molecules not only to lysines but also to hydroxylated amino acids. These Ub moieties serve as primers for subsequent poly-ubiquitylation by Ubc7. We propose that the evolutionary conserved propensity of Ubc6 to mount Ub on diverse amino acids augments the number of ubiquitylation sites within a substrate and thereby increases the target range of Doa10. Our work provides new insights on how the consecutive activity of two specialized conjugating enzymes facilitates the attachment of poly-Ub to very heterogeneous client molecules. Such stepwise ubiquitylation reactions most likely represent a more general cellular phenomenon that extends the versatility yet sustains the specificity of the Ub conjugation system.

UBE2D2 is not involved in MuRF1-dependent muscle wasting during hindlimb suspension

The Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is mainly responsible for the increased protein breakdown observed in muscle wasting. The E3 ligase MuRF1 is so far the only enzyme known to direct the main contractile proteins for degradation (i.e. troponin I, myosin heavy chains and actin). However, MuRF1 does not possess any catalytic activity and thus depends on the presence of a dedicated E2 for catalyzing the covalent binding of polyubiquitin (polyUb) chains on the substrates. The E2 enzymes belonging to the UBE2D family are commonly used for in vitro ubiquitination assays but no experimental data suggesting their physiological role as bona fide MuRF1-interacting E2 enzymes are available. In this work, we first found that the mRNA levels of critical E3 enzymes implicated in the atrophying program (MuRF1, MAFbx, Nedd4 and to a lesser extent Mdm2) are tightly and rapidly controlled during the atrophy (up regulation) and recovery (down regulation) phases in the soleus muscle from hindlimb suspended rats. By contrast, E3 ligases (Ozz, ASB2β and E4b) implicated in other processes (muscle development or regeneration) poorly responded to atrophy and recovery. UBE2B, an E2 enzyme systematically up regulated in various catabolic situations, was controlled at the mRNA levels like the E3s implicated in the atrophying process. By contrast, UBE2D2 was progressively repressed during atrophy and recovery, which makes it a poor candidate for a role during muscle atrophy. In addition, UBE2D2 did not exhibit any affinity with MuRF1 using either yeast two-hybrid or Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) approaches. Finally, UBE2D2 was unable to promote the degradation of the MuRF1 substrate α-actin in HEK293T cells, suggesting that no functional interaction exists between these enzymes within a cellular context. Altogether, our data strongly suggest that UBE2D2 is not the cognate ubiquitinating enzyme for MuRF1 and that peculiar properties of UBE2D enzymes may have biased in vitro ubiquitination assays.

Translational and post-translational regulation of mouse cation transport regulator homolog 1

Cation transport regulator homolog 1 (Chac1) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducible gene that has a function as a γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase involved in the degradation of glutathione. To characterize the translation and stability of Chac1, we found that the Kozak-like sequence present in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the Chac1 mRNA was responsible for Chac1 translation. In addition, the short form (ΔChac1), which translated from the second ATG codon, was generated in the absence of the 5′UTR. The proteasome pathway predominantly participated in the stability of the Chac1 protein; however, its expression was remarkably up-regulated by co-transfection with ubiquitin genes. Using an immunoprecipitation assay, we revealed that ubiquitin molecule was directly conjugated to Chac1, and that mutated Chac1 with all lysine residues replaced by arginine was also ubiquitinated. Finally, we showed that WT Chac1 but not ΔChac1 reduced the intracellular level of glutathione. Taken together, our results suggest that the Chac1 protein expression is regulated in translational and post-translational fashion due to the Kozak-like sequence in the 5′UTR and the ubiquitin-mediated pathways. The bidirectional roles of ubiquitination in regulating Chac1 stabilization might give us a new insight into understanding the homeostasis of glutathione under pathophysiological conditions.

The evolving world of ubiquitin: transformed polyubiquitin chains

The regulation of diverse cellular events by proteins that have undergone post-translational modification with ubiquitin is well documented. Ubiquitin can be polymerized and eight types of polyubiquitin chain contribute to the complexity and specificity of the ubiquitin signal. Unexpectedly, recent studies have shown that ubiquitin itself undergoes post-translational modification by acetylation and phosphorylation; moreover, amyloid-like fibrils comprised of polyubiquitin chains have been discovered. Thus, ubiquitin is not only conjugated to substrate proteins, but also modified and transformed itself. Here, we review these novel forms of ubiquitin signal, with a focus on fibril formation of polyubiquitin chains and its underlying biological relevance.

UBE2B is implicated in myofibrillar protein loss in catabolic C2C12 myotubes

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle protein loss is an adaptive response to various patho-physiological situations, and the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for the degradation of the bulk of muscle proteins. The role of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes is still poorly understood in skeletal muscle.

METHODS

We screened for E2s expression levels in C2C12 myotubes submitted to the catabolic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex).

RESULTS

One micromolar Dex induced an accumulation of proteasome substrates (polyUb conjugates) and an overexpression of the muscle-specific E3 ligase MuRF1 and of six E2 enzymes, UBE2A, UBE2B, UBE2D1, UBE2D2, UBE2G1, and UBE2J1. However, only MuRF1 and UBE2B were sensitive to mild catabolic conditions (0.16 μM Dex). UBE2B knockdown induced a sharp decrease of total (-18%) and K48 (-28%) Ub conjugates, that is, proteasome substrates, indicating an important role of UBE2B in the overall protein breakdown in catabolic myotubes.

CONCLUSIONS

Interestingly, these results indicate an important role of UBE2B on muscle protein homeostasis during catabolic conditions.

Ubiquitin Ligases and Deubiquitinating Enzymes in CD4+ T Cell Effector Fate Choice and Function

The human body is exposed to potentially pathogenic microorganisms at barrier sites such as the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. To mount an effective response against these pathogens, the immune system must recruit the right cells with effector responses that are appropriate for the task at hand. Several types of CD4(+) T cells can be recruited, including Th cells (Th1, Th2, and Th17), T follicular helper cells, and regulatory T cells. These cells help to maintain normal immune homeostasis in the face of constantly changing microbes in the environment. Because these cells differentiate from a common progenitor, the composition of their intracellular milieu of proteins changes to appropriately guide their effector function. One underappreciated process that impacts the levels and functions of effector fate-determining factors is ubiquitylation. This review details our current understanding of how ubiquitylation regulates CD4(+) T cell effector identity and function.

MuRF1 mono-ubiquitinates TRα to inhibit T3-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo

Thyroid hormone (TH) is recognized for its role in cellular metabolism and growth and participates in homeostasis of the heart. T3 activates pro-survival pathways including Akt and mTOR. Treatment with T3 after myocardial infarction is cardioprotective and promotes elements of physiological hypertrophic response after cardiac injury. Although T3 is known to benefit the heart, very little about its regulation at the molecular level has been described to date. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) regulates nuclear hormone receptors such as estrogen, progesterone, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors by both degradatory and non-degradatory mechanisms. However, how the UPS regulates T3-mediated activity is not well understood. In this study, we aim to determine the role of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF1) in regulating T3-induced cardiomyocyte growth. An increase in MuRF1 expression inhibits T3-induced physiological cardiac hypertrophy, whereas a decrease in MuRF1 expression enhances T3's activity both in vitro and in cardiomyocytes in vivo MuRF1 interacts directly with TRα to inhibit its activity by posttranslational ubiquitination in a non-canonical manner. We then demonstrated that a nuclear localization apparatus that regulates/inhibits nuclear receptors by sequestering them within a subcompartment of the nucleus was necessary for MuRF1 to inhibit T3 activity. This work implicates a novel mechanism that enhances the beneficial T3 activity specifically within the heart, thereby offering a potential target to enhance cardiac T3 activity in an organ-specific manner.

Ubiquitin modifications

Protein ubiquitination is a dynamic multifaceted post-translational modification involved in nearly all aspects of eukaryotic biology. Once attached to a substrate, the 76-amino acid protein ubiquitin is subjected to further modifications, creating a multitude of distinct signals with distinct cellular outcomes, referred to as the 'ubiquitin code'. Ubiquitin can be ubiquitinated on seven lysine (Lys) residues or on the N-terminus, leading to polyubiquitin chains that can encompass complex topologies. Alternatively or in addition, ubiquitin Lys residues can be modified by ubiquitin-like molecules (such as SUMO or NEDD8). Finally, ubiquitin can also be acetylated on Lys, or phosphorylated on Ser, Thr or Tyr residues, and each modification has the potential to dramatically alter the signaling outcome. While the number of distinctly modified ubiquitin species in cells is mind-boggling, much progress has been made to characterize the roles of distinct ubiquitin modifications, and many enzymes and receptors have been identified that create, recognize or remove these ubiquitin modifications. We here provide an overview of the various ubiquitin modifications present in cells, and highlight recent progress on ubiquitin chain biology. We then discuss the recent findings in the field of ubiquitin acetylation and phosphorylation, with a focus on Ser65-phosphorylation and its role in mitophagy and Parkin activation.

The Ball and Chain of Polyubiquitin Structures

Ubiquitylation is a post-translational modification implicated in several different cellular pathways. The possibility of forming chains through covalent crosslinking between any of the seven lysines, or the initial methionine, and the C terminus of another moiety provides ubiquitin (Ub) with special flexibility in its function in signalling. Here, we review the knowledge accumulated over the past several years about the functions and structural features of polyUb chains. This analysis reveals the need to understand further the functional role of some of the linkages and the structural code that determines recognition of polyUbs by protein partners.

Structural basis for the indispensable role of a unique zinc finger motif in LNX2 ubiquitination

LNX (Ligand of Numb Protein-X) proteins, LNX1 and LNX2, are RING- and PDZ-based E3-ubiquitin ligases known to interact with Numb. Silencing of LNX2 has been reported to down-regulate WNT and NOTCH, two key signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. Here we report the identification of the domain boundary of LNX2 to confer its ubiquitination activity, its crystal structure along with functional studies. We show that the RING domain in LNX2 is flanked by two Zinc-binding motifs (Zn-RING-Zn), in which the N-terminal Zinc-binding motif adopts novel conformation. Although this motif follows the typical Cys2His2-type zinc finger configuration, it is devoid of any secondary structure and forms an open circle conformation, which has not been reported yet. This unique N-terminal Zn-finger motif is indispensable for the activity and stability of LNX2, as verified using mutational studies. The Zn-RING-Zn domain of LNX2 is a dimer and assumes a rigid elongated structure that undergoes autoubiquitination and undergoes N-terminal polyubiquitination. The ubiquitin chains consist of all seven possible isopeptide linkages. These results were validated using full-length LNX2. Moreover we have demonstrated the ubiquitination of cell fate determinant protein, Numb by LNX2. Our study provides a structural basis for the functional machinery of LNX2 and thus provides the opportunity to investigate suitable drug targets against LNX2.

The ubiquitin ligase MuRF1 regulates PPARα activity in the heart by enhancing nuclear export via monoubiquitination

The transcriptional regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α by post-translational modification, such as ubiquitin, has not been described. We report here for the first time an ubiquitin ligase (muscle ring finger-1/MuRF1) that inhibits fatty acid oxidation by inhibiting PPARα, but not PPARβ/δ or PPARγ in cardiomyocytes in vitro. Similarly, MuRF1 Tg+ hearts showed significant decreases in nuclear PPARα activity and acyl-carnitine intermediates, while MuRF1-/- hearts exhibited increased PPARα activity and acyl-carnitine intermediates. MuRF1 directly interacts with PPARα, mono-ubiquitinates it, and targets it for nuclear export to inhibit fatty acid oxidation in a proteasome independent manner. We then identified a previously undescribed nuclear export sequence in PPARα, along with three specific lysines (292, 310, 388) required for MuRF1's targeting of nuclear export. These studies identify the role of ubiquitination in regulating cardiac PPARα, including the ubiquitin ligase that may be responsible for this critical regulation of cardiac metabolism in heart failure.

Redundant Roles of Rpn10 and Rpn13 in Recognition of Ubiquitinated Proteins and Cellular Homeostasis

Intracellular proteins tagged with ubiquitin chains are targeted to the 26S proteasome for degradation. The two subunits, Rpn10 and Rpn13, function as ubiquitin receptors of the proteasome. However, differences in roles between Rpn10 and Rpn13 in mammals remains to be understood. We analyzed mice deficient for Rpn13 and Rpn10. Liver-specific deletion of either Rpn10 or Rpn13 showed only modest impairment, but simultaneous loss of both caused severe liver injury accompanied by massive accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates, which was recovered by re-expression of either Rpn10 or Rpn13. We also found that mHR23B and ubiquilin/Plic-1 and -4 failed to bind to the proteasome in the absence of both Rpn10 and Rpn13, suggesting that these two subunits are the main receptors for these UBL-UBA proteins that deliver ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome. Our results indicate that Rpn13 mostly plays a redundant role with Rpn10 in recognition of ubiquitinated proteins and maintaining homeostasis in Mus musculus.

At least two major ubiquitin receptor subunits that directly capture ubiquitin chains have been identified in the proteasome: Rpn10 and Rpn13. Analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have suggested only a modest role of Rpn10 and Rpn13 in the recruitment of ubiquitinated proteins, as double deletion of Rpn10 and Rpn13 causes very mild phenotypes. Considering that ubiquitin recognition is an essential process for protein degradation by the proteasome and that failure in degradation of ubiquitinated proteins leads to human diseases such as neurodegeneration, it is important to evaluate the role of Rpn10 and Rpn13 in mammals. Liver-specific deletion of either Rpn10 or Rpn13 showed modest impairment, but simultaneous loss of both Rpn10 and Rpn13 caused severe liver injury accompanied by massive accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates and failure in recruiting mHR23B and ubiquilin/Plic-1 and -4 proteins, which deliver ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome. Our findings indicate that the largely redundant roles of Rpn10 and Rpn13 in ubiquitin recognition and recruitment of mHR23B and ubiquilin/Plic-1 and -4 are essential for cellular homeostasis in mammals and should provide information for understanding the mechanism of ubiquitin recognition by the 26S proteasome in mammals and for development of therapeutic agents targeting protein degradation.

HECT E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Itch Functions as a Novel Negative Regulator of Gli-Similar 3 (Glis3) Transcriptional Activity

The transcription factor Gli-similar 3 (Glis3) plays a critical role in the generation of pancreatic ß cells and the regulation insulin gene transcription and has been implicated in the development of several pathologies, including type 1 and 2 diabetes and polycystic kidney disease. However, little is known about the proteins and posttranslational modifications that regulate or mediate Glis3 transcriptional activity. In this study, we identify by mass-spectrometry and yeast 2-hybrid analyses several proteins that interact with the N-terminal region of Glis3. These include the WW-domain-containing HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases, Itch, Smurf2, and Nedd4. The interaction between Glis3 and the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases was verified by co-immunoprecipitation assays and mutation analysis. All three proteins interact through their WW-domains with a PPxY motif located in the Glis3 N-terminus. However, only Itch significantly contributed to Glis3 polyubiquitination and reduced Glis3 stability by enhancing its proteasomal degradation. Itch-mediated degradation of Glis3 required the PPxY motif-dependent interaction between Glis3 and the WW-domains of Itch as well as the presence of the Glis3 zinc finger domains. Transcription analyses demonstrated that Itch dramatically inhibited Glis3-mediated transactivation and endogenous Ins2 expression by increasing Glis3 protein turnover. Taken together, our study identifies Itch as a critical negative regulator of Glis3-mediated transcriptional activity. This regulation provides a novel mechanism to modulate Glis3-driven gene expression and suggests that it may play a role in a number of physiological processes controlled by Glis3, such as insulin transcription, as well as in Glis3-associated diseases.

Toward therapeutic targets for SCA3: Insight into the role of Machado-Joseph disease protein ataxin-3 in misfolded proteins clearance

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, SCA3), an autosomal dominant neurological disorder, is caused by an abnormal expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the ataxin-3 protein. The length of the expanded polyQ stretch correlates positively with the severity of the disease and inversely with the age at onset. To date, we cannot fully explain the mechanism underlying neurobiological abnormalities of this disease. Yet, accumulating reports have demonstrated the functions of ataxin-3 protein in the chaperone system, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and aggregation-autophagy, all of which suggest a role of ataxin-3 in the clearance of misfolded proteins. Notably, the SCA3 pathogenic form of ataxin-3 (ataxin-3(exp)) impairs the misfolded protein clearance via mechanisms that are either dependent or independent of its deubiquitinase (DUB) activity, resulting in the accumulation of misfolded proteins and the progressive loss of neurons in SCA3. Some drugs, which have been used as activators/inducers in the chaperone system, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and aggregation-autophagy, have been demonstrated to be efficacious in the relief of neurodegeneration diseases like Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinson's (PD), Alzheimer's (AD) as well as SCA3 in animal models and clinical trials, putting misfolded protein clearance on the list of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we undertake a comprehensive review of the progress in understanding the physiological functions of ataxin-3 in misfolded protein clearance and how the polyQ expansion impairs misfolded protein clearance. We then detail the preclinical studies targeting the elimination of misfolded proteins for SCA3 treatment. We close with future considerations for translating these pre-clinical results into therapies for SCA3 patients.

Biochemical and Proteomic Analysis of Ubiquitination of Hsc70 and Hsp70 by the E3 Ligase CHIP

The E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP is involved in protein triage, serving as a co-chaperone for refolding as well as catalyzing ubiquitination of substrates. CHIP functions with both the stress induced Hsp70 and constitutive Hsc70 chaperones, and also plays a role in maintaining their balance in the cell. When the chaperones carry no client proteins, CHIP catalyzes their polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Although Hsp70 and Hsc70 are highly homologous in sequence and similar in structure, CHIP mediated ubiquitination promotes degradation of Hsp70 with a higher efficiency than for Hsc70. Here we report a detailed and systematic investigation to characterize if there are significant differences in the CHIP in vitro ubiquitination of human Hsp70 and Hsc70. Proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry revealed that only 12 of 39 detectable lysine residues were ubiquitinated by UbcH5a in Hsp70 and only 16 of 45 in Hsc70. The only conserved lysine identified as ubiquitinated in one but not the other heat shock protein was K159 in Hsc70. Ubiquitination assays with K-R ubiquitin mutants showed that multiple Ub chain types are formed and that the distribution is different for Hsp70 versus Hsc70. CHIP ubiquitination with the E2 enzyme Ube2W is predominantly directed to the N-terminal amine of the substrate; however, some internal lysine modifications were also detected. Together, our results provide a detailed view of the differences in CHIP ubiquitination of these two very similar proteins, and show a clear example where substantial differences in ubiquitination can be generated by a single E3 ligase in response to not only different E2 enzymes but subtle differences in the substrate.

The ubiquitination of rag A GTPase by RNF152 negatively regulates mTORC1 activation

mTORC1 is essential for regulating cell growth and metabolism in response to various environmental stimuli. Heterodimeric Rag GTPases are required for amino-acid-mediated mTORC1 activation at the lysosome. However, the mechanism by which amino acids regulate Rag activation remains not fully understood. Here, we identified the lysosome-anchored E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF152 as an essential negative regulator of the mTORC1 pathway by targeting RagA for K63-linked ubiquitination. RNF152 interacts with and ubiquitinates RagA in an amino-acid-sensitive manner. The mutation of RagA ubiquitination sites abolishes this effect of RNF152 and enhances the RagA-mediated activation of mTORC1. Ubiquitination by RNF152 generates an anchor on RagA to recruit its inhibitor GATOR1, a GAP complex for Rag GTPases. RNF152 knockout results in the hyperactivation of mTORC1 and protects cells from amino-acid-starvation-induced autophagy. Thus, this study reveals a mechanism for regulation of mTORC1 signaling by RNF152-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination of RagA.

Genome-wide identification and evolution of HECT genes in soybean

Proteins containing domains homologous to the E6-associated protein (E6-AP) carboxyl terminus (HECT) are an important class of E3 ubiquitin ligases involved in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. HECT-type E3s play crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, current understanding of plant HECT genes and their evolution is very limited. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the HECT domain-containing genes in soybean. Using high-quality genome sequences, we identified 19 soybean HECT genes. The predicted HECT genes were distributed unevenly across 15 of 20 chromosomes. Nineteen of these genes were inferred to be segmentally duplicated gene pairs, suggesting that in soybean, segmental duplications have made a significant contribution to the expansion of the HECT gene family. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these HECT genes can be divided into seven groups, among which gene structure and domain architecture was relatively well-conserved. The Ka/Ks ratios show that after the duplication events, duplicated HECT genes underwent purifying selection. Moreover, expression analysis reveals that 15 of the HECT genes in soybean are differentially expressed in 14 tissues, and are often highly expressed in the flowers and roots. In summary, this work provides useful information on which further functional studies of soybean HECT genes can be based.

Ubiquitinated proteins enriched from tumor cells by a ubiquitin binding protein Vx3(A7) as a potent cancer vaccine

Background

Our previous studies have demonstrated that autophagosome-enriched vaccine (named DRibbles: DRiPs-containing blebs) induce a potent anti-tumor efficacy in different murine tumor models, in which DRibble-containing ubiquitinated proteins are efficient tumor-specific antigen source for the cross-presentation after being loaded onto dendritic cells. In this study, we sought to detect whether ubiquitinated proteins enriched from tumor cells could be used directly as a novel cancer vaccine.

Methods

The ubiquitin binding protein Vx3(A7) was used to isolate ubiquitinated proteins from EL4 and B16-F10 tumor cells after blocking their proteasomal degradation pathway. C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated with different doses of Ub-enriched proteins via inguinal lymph nodes or subcutaneous injection and with DRibbles, Ub-depleted proteins and whole cell lysate as comparison groups, respectively. The lymphocytes from the vaccinated mice were re-stimulated with inactivated tumor cells and the levels of IFN-γ in the supernatant were detected by ELISA. Anti-tumor efficacy of Ub-enriched proteins vaccine was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth in established tumor mice models. Graphpad Prism 5.0 was used for all statistical analysis.

Results

We found that after stimulation with inactivated tumor cells, the lymphocytes from the Ub-enriched proteins-vaccinated mice secreted high level of IFN-γ in dose dependent manner, in which the priming vaccination via inguinal lymph nodes injection induced higher IFN-γ level than that via subcutaneous injection. Moreover, the level of secreted IFN-γ in the Ub-enriched proteins group was markedly higher than that in the whole cell lysate and Ub-depleted proteins. Interestingly, the lymphocytes from mice vaccinated with Ub-enriched proteins, but not Ub-depleted proteins and whole cell lysates, isolated from EL4 or B16-F10 tumor cells also produced an obvious level of IFN-γ when stimulated alternately with inactivated B16-F10 or EL4 tumor cells. Furthermore, Ub-enriched proteins vaccine showed a significant inhibitory effect on in vivo growth of homologous tumor, as well as allogeneic tumor, compared with Ub-depleted proteins and tumor cell lysate. Tumor growth was regressed after three times of vaccination with Ub-enriched proteins in contrast to other groups.

Conclusion

These results indicated that Ub-enriched proteins isolated from tumor cells may have a potential as a potent vaccine for immunotherapy against cancer.

DUBs, the regulation of cell identity and disease

The post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin represents a complex signalling system that co-ordinates essential cellular functions, including proteolysis, DNA repair, receptor signalling and cell communication. DUBs (deubiquitinases), the enzymes that disassemble ubiquitin chains and remove ubiquitin from proteins, are central to this system. Reflecting the complexity and versatility of ubiquitin signalling, DUB activity is controlled in multiple ways. Although several lines of evidence indicate that aberrant DUB function may promote human disease, the underlying molecular mechanisms are often unclear. Notwithstanding, considerable interest in DUBs as potential drug targets has emerged over the past years. The future success of DUB-based therapy development will require connecting the basic science of DUB function and enzymology with drug discovery. In the present review, we discuss new insights into DUB activity regulation and their links to disease, focusing on the role of DUBs as regulators of cell identity and differentiation, and discuss their potential as emerging drug targets.

Role of E2-Ub-conjugating enzymes during skeletal muscle atrophy

The Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is a major actor of muscle wasting during various physio-pathological situations. In the past 15 years, increasing amounts of data have depicted a picture, although incomplete, of the mechanisms implicated in myofibrillar protein degradation, from the discovery of muscle-specific E3 ligases to the identification of the signaling pathways involved. The targeting specificity of the UPS relies on the capacity of the system to first recognize and then label the proteins to be degraded with a poly-ubiquitin (Ub) chain. It is fairly assumed that the recognition of the substrate is accomplished by the numerous E3 ligases present in mammalian cells. However, most E3s do not possess any catalytic activity and E2 enzymes may be more than simple Ub-providers for E3s since they are probably important actors in the ubiquitination machinery. Surprisingly, most authors have tried to characterize E3 substrates, but the exact role of E2s in muscle protein degradation is largely unknown. A very limited number of the 35 E2s described in humans have been studied in muscle protein breakdown experiments and the vast majority of studies were only descriptive. We review here the role of E2 enzymes in skeletal muscle and the difficulties linked to their study and provide future directions for the identification of muscle E2s responsible for the ubiquitination of contractile proteins.

A bipartite interaction between Hsp70 and CHIP regulates ubiquitination of chaperoned client proteins

The ubiquitin ligase CHIP plays an important role in cytosolic protein quality control by ubiquitinating proteins chaperoned by Hsp70/Hsc70 and Hsp90, thereby targeting such substrate proteins for degradation. We present a 2.91 Å resolution structure of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of CHIP in complex with the α-helical lid subdomain and unstructured tail of Hsc70. Surprisingly, the CHIP-TPR interacts with determinants within both the Hsc70-lid subdomain and the C-terminal PTIEEVD motif of the tail, exhibiting an atypical mode of interaction between chaperones and TPR domains. We demonstrate that the interaction between CHIP and the Hsc70-lid subdomain is required for proper ubiquitination of Hsp70/Hsc70 or Hsp70/Hsc70-bound substrate proteins. Posttranslational modifications of the Hsc70 lid and tail disrupt key contacts with the CHIP-TPR and may regulate CHIP-mediated ubiquitination. Our study shows how CHIP docks onto Hsp70/Hsc70 and defines a bipartite mode of interaction between TPR domains and their binding partners.

Intrinsic site-selectivity of ubiquitin dimer formation

The post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin can take on many forms, including the decoration of substrates with polymeric ubiquitin chains. These chains are linked through one of the seven lysine residues in ubiquitin, with the potential to form a panoply of linkage combinations as the chain length increases. The ensuing structural diversity of modifications serves a variety of signaling functions. Still, some linkages are present at a much higher level than others in cellulo. Although ubiquitination is an enzyme-catalyzed process, the large disparity of abundancies led us to the hypothesis that some linkages might be intrinsically faster to form than others, perhaps directing the course of enzyme evolution. Herein, we assess the kinetics of ubiquitin dimer formation in an enzyme-free system by measuring the rate constants for thiol-disulfide interchange between appropriate ubiquitin variants. Remarkably, we find that the kinetically expedient linkages correlate with those that are most abundant in cellulo. As the abundant linkages also appear to function more broadly in cellulo, this correlation suggests that the more accessible chains were selected for global roles.

Ubiquitin Ser65 phosphorylation affects ubiquitin structure, chain assembly and hydrolysis

The protein kinase PINK1 was recently shown to phosphorylate ubiquitin (Ub) on Ser65, and phosphoUb activates the E3 ligase Parkin allosterically. Here, we show that PINK1 can phosphorylate every Ub in Ub chains. Moreover, Ser65 phosphorylation alters Ub structure, generating two conformations in solution. A crystal structure of the major conformation resembles Ub but has altered surface properties. NMR reveals a second phosphoUb conformation in which β5-strand slippage retracts the C-terminal tail by two residues into the Ub core. We further show that phosphoUb has no effect on E1-mediated E2 charging but can affect discharging of E2 enzymes to form polyUb chains. Notably, UBE2R1- (CDC34), UBE2N/UBE2V1- (UBC13/UEV1A), TRAF6- and HOIP-mediated chain assembly is inhibited by phosphoUb. While Lys63-linked poly-phosphoUb is recognized by the TAB2 NZF Ub binding domain (UBD), 10 out of 12 deubiquitinases (DUBs), including USP8, USP15 and USP30, are impaired in hydrolyzing phosphoUb chains. Hence, Ub phosphorylation has repercussions for ubiquitination and deubiquitination cascades beyond Parkin activation and may provide an independent layer of regulation in the Ub system.

Disassembly of Lys11 and mixed linkage polyubiquitin conjugates provides insights into function of proteasomal deubiquitinases Rpn11 and Ubp6

Protein homeostasis is largely dependent on proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Diverse polyubiquitin modifications are reported to target cellular proteins to the proteasome. At the proteasome, deubiquitination is an essential preprocessing event that contributes to degradation efficiency. We characterized the specificities of two proteasome-associated deubiquitinases (DUBs), Rpn11 and Ubp6, and explored their impact on overall proteasome DUB activity. This was accomplished by constructing a panel of well defined ubiquitin (Ub) conjugates, including homogeneous linkages of varying lengths as well as a heterogeneously modified target. Rpn11 and Ubp6 processed Lys(11) and Lys(63) linkages with comparable efficiencies that increased with chain length. In contrast, processing of Lys(48) linkages by proteasome was inversely correlated to chain length. Fluorescently labeled tetra-Ub chains revealed endo-chain preference for Ubp6 acting on Lys(48) and random action for Rpn11. Proteasomes were more efficient at deconjugating identical substrates than their constituent DUBs by roughly 2 orders of magnitude. Incorporation into proteasomes significantly enhanced enzymatic efficiency of Rpn11, due in part to alleviation of the autoinhibitory role of its C terminus. The broad specificity of Rpn11 could explain how proteasomes were more effective at disassembling a heterogeneously modified conjugate compared with homogeneous Lys(48)-linked chains. The reduced ability to disassemble homogeneous Lys(48)-linked chains longer than 4 Ub units may prolong residency time on the proteasome.

Aged monkey brains reveal the role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2N in the synaptosomal accumulation of mutant huntingtin

Although misfolded proteins are ubiquitinated and cleared by the proteasome, they can accumulate in synapses in aged neurons to promote synaptic dysfunction in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD), which is caused by polyglutamine expansion in huntingtin. The mechanism behind this aging-related phenomenon is unknown and has been difficult to investigate using animals with short life spans. With brain tissues from longer-lived rhesus monkeys of different ages, we found that aging reduces ubiquitin-proteasomal activity and also increases the level of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2N (Ubc13) in synaptosomes. Synaptosomal fractions from aged monkey brain increase in vitro ubiquitinated huntingtin, whereas depletion of UBE2N markedly reduces this increase. Overexpressing UBE2N increases the aggregation of mutant huntingtin, and reducing UBE2N attenuates huntingtin aggregation in cellular and mouse models of HD. Our studies suggest that increased UBE2N plays a critical role in the synaptosomal accumulation of mutant huntingtin with age.

Skeletal muscle atrophy and the E3 ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1

Muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1 were identified more than 10 years ago as two muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases that are increased transcriptionally in skeletal muscle under atrophy-inducing conditions, making them excellent markers of muscle atrophy. In the past 10 years much has been published about MuRF1 and MAFbx with respect to their mRNA expression patterns under atrophy-inducing conditions, their transcriptional regulation, and their putative substrates. However, much remains to be learned about the physiological role of both genes in the regulation of mass and other cellular functions in striated muscle. Although both MuRF1 and MAFbx are enriched in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, this review will focus on the current understanding of MuRF1 and MAFbx in skeletal muscle, highlighting the critical questions that remain to be answered.

An optimal ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the nervous system: the role of deubiquitinating enzymes

The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway (UPP), which is critical for normal function in the nervous system and is implicated in various neurological diseases, requires the small modifier protein ubiquitin to accomplish its duty of selectively degrading short-lived, abnormal or misfolded proteins. Over the past decade, a large class of proteases collectively known as deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) has increasingly gained attention in all manners related to ubiquitin. By cleaving ubiquitin from another protein, DUBs ensure that the UPP functions properly. DUBs accomplish this task by processing newly translated ubiquitin so that it can be used for conjugation to substrate proteins, by regulating the "where, when, and why" of UPP substrate ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, and by recycling ubiquitin for re-use by the UPP. Because of the reliance of the UPP on DUB activities, it is not surprising that these proteases play important roles in the normal activities of the nervous system and in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the functions of DUBs in the nervous system. We focus on their role in the UPP, and make the argument that understanding the UPP from the perspective of DUBs can yield new insight into diseases that result from anomalous intra-cellular processes or inter-cellular networks. Lastly, we discuss the relevance of DUBs as therapeutic options for disorders of the nervous system.

Degradation of DNA damage-independently stalled RNA polymerase II is independent of the E3 ligase Elc1

Transcription elongation is a highly dynamic and discontinuous process, which includes frequent pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). RNAPII complexes that stall persistently on a gene during transcription elongation block transcription and thus have to be removed. It has been proposed that the cellular pathway for removal of these DNA damage-independently stalled RNAPII complexes is similar or identical to the removal of RNAPII complexes stalled due to DNA damage. Here, we show that-consistent with previous data-DNA damage-independent stalling causes polyubiquitylation and proteasome-mediated degradation of Rpb1, the largest subunit of RNAPII, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model system. Moreover, recruitment of the proteasome to RNAPII and transcribed genes is increased when transcription elongation is impaired indicating that Rpb1 degradation takes place at the gene. Importantly, in contrast to the DNA damage-dependent pathway Rpb1 degradation of DNA damage-independently stalled RNAPII is independent of the E3 ligase Elc1. In addition, deubiquitylation of RNAPII is also independent of the Elc1-antagonizing deubiquitylase Ubp3. Thus, the pathway for degradation of DNA damage-independently stalled RNAPII is overlapping yet distinct from the previously described pathway for degradation of RNAPII stalled due to DNA damage. Taken together, we provide the first evidence that the cell discriminates between DNA damage-dependently and -independently stalled RNAPII.

Middle-down mass spectrometry enables characterization of branched ubiquitin chains

Protein ubiquitylation, one of the most prevalent post-translational modifications in eukaryotes, is involved in regulating nearly every cellular signaling pathway. The vast functional range of ubiquitylation has largely been attributed to the formation of a diverse array of polymeric ubiquitin (polyUb) chains. Methods that enable the characterization of these diverse chains are necessary to fully understand how differences in structure relate to function. Here, we describe a method for the detection of enzymatically derived branched polyUb conjugates in which a single Ub subunit is modified by two Ub molecules at distinct lysine residues. Using a middle-down mass spectrometry approach in which restricted trypsin-mediated digestion is coupled with mass spectrometric analysis, we characterize the polyUb chains produced by bacterial effector E3 ligases NleL (non-Lee-encoded effector ligase from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7) and IpaH9.8 (from Shigella flexneri). Because Ub is largely intact after minimal trypsinolysis, multiple modifications on a single Ub moiety can be detected. Analysis of NleL- and IpaH9.8-derived polyUb chains reveals branch points are present in approximately 10% of the overall chain population. When unanchored, well-defined polyUb chains are added to reaction mixtures containing NleL, longer chains are more likely to be modified internally, forming branch points rather than extending from the end of the chain. These results suggest that middle-down mass spectrometry can be used to assess the extent to which branched polyUb chains are formed by various enzymatic systems and potentially evaluate the presence of these atypical conjugates in cell and tissue extracts.

Deciphering functions of branched ubiquitin chains

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome targets proteins for degradation by catalyzing homotypic ubiquitin chains of different linkage types. In this issue of Cell, Meyer and Rape diversify the degradation signals by demonstrating that the APC/C and its cognate E2 conjugating enzymes enhance the rate of substrate degradation by decorating them with branched Lys11 and Lys48 ubiquitin chains.

Enhanced protein degradation by branched ubiquitin chains

Posttranslational modification of cell-cycle regulators with ubiquitin chains is essential for eukaryotic cell division. Such chains can be connected through seven lysine residues or the amino terminus of ubiquitin, thereby allowing the assembly of eight homogenous and multiple mixed or branched conjugates. Although functions of homogenous chain types have been described, physiological roles of branched structures are unknown. Here, we report that the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) efficiently synthesizes branched conjugates that contain multiple blocks of K11-linked chains. Compared to homogenous chains, the branched conjugates assembled by the APC/C strongly enhance substrate recognition by the proteasome, thereby driving degradation of cell-cycle regulators during early mitosis. Our work, therefore, identifies an enzyme and substrates for modification with branched ubiquitin chains and points to an important role of these conjugates in providing an improved signal for proteasomal degradation.

MDM2 mediates nonproteolytic polyubiquitylation of the DEAD-Box RNA helicase DDX24

MDM2 mediates the ubiquitylation and thereby triggers the proteasomal degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. However, genetic evidence suggests that MDM2 contributes to multiple regulatory networks independently of p53 degradation. We have now identified the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX24 as a nucleolar protein that interacts with MDM2. DDX24 was found to bind to the central region of MDM2, resulting in the polyubiquitylation of DDX24 both in vitro and in vivo. Unexpectedly, however, the polyubiquitylation of DDX24 did not elicit its proteasomal degradation but rather promoted its association with preribosomal ribonucleoprotein (pre-rRNP) processing complexes that are required for the early steps of pre-rRNA processing. Consistently with these findings, depletion of DDX24 in cells impaired pre-rRNA processing and resulted both in abrogation of MDM2 function and in consequent p53 stabilization. Our results thus suggest an unexpected role of MDM2 in the nonproteolytic ubiquitylation of DDX24, which may contribute to the regulation of pre-rRNA processing.

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UbcM2, is restricted to monoubiquitylation by a two-fold mechanism that involves backside residues of E2 and Lys48 of ubiquitin

Proteins can be modified on lysines (K) with a single ubiquitin (Ub) or with polymers of Ub (polyUb). These different configurations and their respective topologies are primary factors for determining whether substrates are targeted to the proteasome for degradation or directed to nonproteolytic outcomes. We report here on the intrinsic ubiquitylation properties of UbcM2 (UBE2E3/UbcH9), a conserved Ub-conjugating enzyme linked to cell proliferation, development, and the cellular antioxidant defense system. Using a fully recombinant ubiquitylation assay, we show that UbcM2 is severely limited in its ability to synthesize polyUb chains with wild-type Ub. Restriction to monoubiquitylation is governed by multiple residues on the backside of the enzyme, far removed from its active site, and by lysine 48 of Ub. UbcM2 with mutated backside residues can synthesize K63-linked polyUb chains and to a lesser extent K6- and K48-linked chains. Additionally, we identified a single residue on the backside of the enzyme that promotes monoubiquitylation. Together, these findings reveal that a combination of noncatalytic residues within the Ubc catalytic core domain of UbcM2 as well as a lysine(s) within Ub can relegate a Ub-conjugating enzyme to monoubiquitylate its cognate targets despite having the latent capacity to construct polyUb chains. The two-fold mechanism for restricting activity to monoubiquitylation provides added insurance that UbcM2 will not build polyUb chains on its substrates, even under conditions of high local Ub concentrations.

The E3 ligase CHIP: insights into its structure and regulation

The carboxy-terminus of Hsc70 interacting protein (CHIP) is a cochaperone E3 ligase containing three tandem repeats of tetratricopeptide (TPR) motifs and a C-terminal U-box domain separated by a charged coiled-coil region. CHIP is known to function as a central quality control E3 ligase and regulates several proteins involved in a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have highlighted varied regulatory mechanisms operating on the activity of CHIP which is crucial for cellular homeostasis. In this review article, we give a concise account of our current knowledge on the biochemistry and regulation of CHIP.

Comprehensive ubiquitin E2 profiling of ten ubiquitin E3 ligases

The ubiquitin pathway regulates diverse functions including protein localization and stability. The complexity of the pathway involving nearly 40 identified E2 conjugating enzymes and over 600 E3 ligases raises the issue of specificity. With the E2s and E3s fitting into a limited number of classes based on bioinformatics, structures, and proven activities, there is not a clear picture as to what would determine which E2/E3 enzyme pair would be functional. There have been many reports of limited E2/E3 activity profiling with a small number of E2s and E3s. We have expanded on this to investigate the activity of ubiquitin E2s covering the majority of the reported classes/families in concert with a number of E3s implicated in a variety of diseases. Using an ELISA-based assay we screened 10 E3 ligases against a panel of 11 E2s to determine which E2/E3 pairs exhibited E3 autoubiquitylation activity. In addition, the ubiquitin chain linkage preference by certain E2/E3 pairs was investigated. Finally, substrate ubiquitylation was assayed for the E3 ligase MuRF1 using various E2/MuRF1 pairs. These studies demonstrate the utility of identifying the correct E2/E3 pair to monitor specific substrate ubiquitylation.

The WD40-repeat protein-containing deubiquitinase complex: catalysis, regulation, and potential for therapeutic intervention

Ubiquitination has emerged as an essential signaling mechanism in eukaryotes. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) counteract the activities of the ubiquitination machinery and provide another level of control in cellular ubiquitination. Not surprisingly, DUBs are subjected to stringent regulations. Besides regulation by the noncatalytic domains present in the DUB sequences, DUB-interacting proteins are increasingly realized as essential regulators for DUB activity and function. This review focuses on DUBs that are associated with WD40-repeat proteins. Many human ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) were found to interact with WD40-repeat proteins, but little is known as to how this interaction regulates the activity and function of USPs. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding a prototypical WD40-repeat protein-containing DUB complex that comprises USP1 and USP1-associated factor 1 (UAF1). It has been shown that UAF1 activates USP1 through a potential active-site modulation, and the complex formation between USP1 and UAF1 is regulated by serine phosphorylation. Recently, human USPs have been recognized as a promising target class for inhibitor discovery. Small molecule inhibitors targeting several human USPs have been reported. USP1 is involved in two major DNA damage response pathways, DNA translesion synthesis and the Fanconi anemia pathway. Inhibiting the USP1/UAF1 deubiquitinase complex represents a new strategy to potentiate cancer cells to DNA-crosslinking agents and to overcome resistance that has plagued clinical cancer chemotherapy. The progress in inhibitor discovery against USPs and the WD40-repeat protein-containing USP complex will be discussed.

The conserved sumoylation consensus site in TRIM5α modulates its immune activation functions

TRIM5α is a type I interferon-stimulated anti-retroviral restriction factor expressed in most primates and homologous proteins are expressed in other mammals. Through its C-terminal PRYSPRY (B30.2) domain, TRIM5α binds to incoming and intact post-fusion retroviral cores in the cytoplasm. Following this direct interaction, the retroviral capsid core is destabilized and progression of the virus life cycle is interrupted. Specific recognition of its viral target by TRIM5α also triggers the induction of an antiviral state involving the activation of transcription factors NF-κB- and AP-1. In addition to PRYSPRY, several other TRIM5α domains are important for anti-retroviral function, including a RING zinc-binding motif. This domain has "E3" ubiquitin ligase activity and is involved in both the direct inhibition of incoming retroviruses and innate immune activation. A highly conserved sumoylation consensus site is present between the RING motif and the N-terminal extremity of TRIM5α. No clear role in restriction has been mapped to this sumoylation site, and no sumoylated forms of TRIM5α have been observed. Here we confirm that mutating the putatively sumoylated lysine (K10) of the Rhesus macaque TRIM5α (TRIM5αRh) to an arginine has only a small effect on restriction. However, we show that the mutation significantly decreases the TRIM5α-induced generation of free K63-linked ubiquitin chains, an intermediate in the activation of innate immunity pathways. Accordingly, K10R decreases TRIM5α-mediated activation of both NF-κB and AP-1. Concomitantly, we find that K10R causes a large increase in the levels of ubiquitylated TRIM5α. Finally, treatment with the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B shows that K10R enhances the nuclear localization of TRIM5αRh, while at the same time reducing its level of association with nuclear SUMO bodies. In conclusion, the TRIM5α sumoylation site appears to modulate the E3 ubiquitin ligase activities of the adjacent RING domain, promoting K63-linked ubiquitin chains at the expense of auto-ubiquitylation which is probably K48-linked. Consistently, we find this sumoylation site to be important for innate immune activation by TRIM5α. In addition, lysine 10 regulates TRIM5α nuclear shuttling and nuclear localization, which may also be related to its role in innate immunity activation.

Chemical strategies to understand the language of ubiquitin signaling

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a small 76 amino acid long protein that is highly conserved in all eukaryotes studied to date. In humans, more than 600 ligases are involved in the reversible modification of specific lysine side-chain amines in substrate proteins by conjugation with the C-terminal carboxylate of Ub. Initially monoubiquitylated proteins can undergo repetitive ubiquitylation starting from one of seven lysine residues or the α-amine in the first Ub to generate a variety of polyUb chains with different topologies and functions. The most well known role for protein ubiquitylation is in targeting substrates for proteolytic destruction by 26S proteasomes. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that both mono- and polyubiquitylation play proteasome-independent roles in modulating the structure, function, and localization of protein substrates. Understanding the complexity of Ub-mediated functions in our cells is a major challenge for modern biology. In addition to well-established in vivo genetic methods, biochemical and biophysical investigations of ubiquitylated proteins in vitro can shed light on the direct mechanistic roles for Ub in different contexts. Such studies have traditionally been limited by the ability to obtain sufficient quantities of homogenously ubiquitylated proteins with precisely defined linkages. This review focuses on recent advances in both synthetic and recombinant protein-based methods that have yielded access to homogenously site-specifically ubiquitylated proteins. Mechanistic studies of the roles for protein ubiquitylation and of the enzymes involved in protein deubiquitylation that are enabled by these chemical tools are highlighted.

Reconstruction of an active SOCS3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in vitro: identification of the active components and JAK2 and gp130 as substrates

SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3) inhibits the intracellular signaling cascade initiated by exposure of cells to cytokines. SOCS3 regulates signaling via two distinct mechanisms: directly inhibiting the catalytic activity of Janus kinases (JAKs) that initiate the intracellular signaling cascade and catalysing the ubiquitination of signaling components by recruiting components of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Here we investigate the latter mode-of-action biochemically by reconstructing a SOCS3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in vitro using fully purified, recombinant components and examining its ability to promote the ubiquitination of molecules involved in the cytokine signaling cascade. We show that SOCS3 is an active substrate recruitment module for a Cullin5-based E3 ligase and have defined the core protein components required for ubiquitination. SOCS3-induced polyubiquitination was rapid and could proceed through a number of different ubiquitin lysines. SOCS3 catalyzed the ubiquitination of both the IL-6 receptor common chain (gp130) and JAK2.

Degradation of connexins and gap junctions

Connexin proteins are short-lived within the cell, whether present in the secretory pathway or in gap junction plaques. Their levels can be modulated by their rate of degradation. Connexins, at different stages of assembly, are degraded through the proteasomal, endo-/lysosomal, and phago-/lysosomal pathways. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about connexin and gap junction degradation including the signals and protein-protein interactions that participate in their targeting for degradation.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for ubiquitin-specific protease 20

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination are important processes for numerous intracellular mechanisms, and the imbalance of these two processes can cause severe diseases including cancer. Accordingly, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) responsible for deubiquitination from their protein substrates become attractive targets for many studies. USP20, also known as VDU2, belongs to ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) subfamily of DUBs and has several important roles in cells as shown with other DUBs. USP20 stabilizes HIF-1α by abolishing von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL)-E3 ligase complex-mediated HIF-1α degradation. USP20 is also associated with β2 adrenergic receptor recycling. In addition, a previous study demonstrated that USP20 regulates Tax-induced NF-κB activation through its deubiquitinating activity. These studies provide a line of evidence that USP20 has critical roles in cellular functions. In this study, we generated and characterized a polyclonal and two monoclonal antibodies against USP20. It is feasible that USP20 antibodies can be useful to investigate USP20-related cellular mechanisms and to find novel substrates of USP20.

The role of ubiquitin ligases in cardiac disease

Rigorous surveillance of protein quality control is essential for the maintenance of normal cardiac function, while the dysregulation of protein turnover is present in a diverse array of common cardiac diseases. Central to the protein quality control found in all cells is the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). The UPS plays a critical role in protein trafficking, cellular signaling, and most prominently, protein degradation. As ubiquitin ligases (E3s) control the specificity of the UPS, their description in the cardiomyocyte has highlighted how ubiquitin ligases are critical to the turnover and function of the sarcomere complex, responsible for the heart's required continuous contraction. In this review, we provide an overview of the UPS, highlighting a comprehensive overview of the cardiac ubiquitin ligases identified to date. We then focus on recent studies of new cardiac ubiquitin ligases outlining their novel roles in protein turnover, cellular signaling, and the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and receptor turnover in the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac atrophy, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Protein Quality Control, the Ubiquitin Proteasome System, and Autophagy".

Ubiquitination-dependent quality control of hERG K+ channel with acquired and inherited conformational defect at the plasma membrane

Membrane trafficking in concert with the peripheral quality control machinery plays a critical role in preserving plasma membrane (PM) protein homeostasis. Unfortunately, the peripheral quality control may also dispose of partially or transiently unfolded polypeptides and thereby contribute to the loss-of-expression phenotype of conformational diseases. Defective functional PM expression of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) K(+) channel leads to the prolongation of the ventricular action potential that causes long QT syndrome 2 (LQT2), with increased propensity for arrhythmia and sudden cardiac arrest. LQT2 syndrome is attributed to channel biosynthetic processing defects due to mutation, drug-induced misfolding, or direct channel blockade. Here we provide evidence that a peripheral quality control mechanism can contribute to development of the LQT2 syndrome. We show that PM hERG structural and metabolic stability is compromised by the reduction of extracellular or intracellular K(+) concentration. Cardiac glycoside-induced intracellular K(+) depletion conformationally impairs the complex-glycosylated channel, which provokes chaperone- and C-terminal Hsp70-interacting protein-dependent polyubiquitination, accelerated internalization, and endosomal sorting complex required for transport-dependent lysosomal degradation. A similar mechanism contributes to the down-regulation of PM hERG harboring LQT2 missense mutations, with incomplete secretion defect. These results suggest that PM quality control plays a determining role in the loss-of-expression phenotype of hERG in certain hereditary and acquired LTQ2 syndromes.