Interaction codes within the family of mammalian Phox and Bem1p domain-containing proteins

The PB1 domain and the PC motif-containing region are structurally similar protein binding modules

The PC motif is evolutionarily conserved together with the PB1 domain, a binding partner of the PC motif-containing protein. For interaction with the PB1 domain, the PC motif-containing region (PCCR) comprising the PC motif and its flanking regions is required. Because the PB1 domain and the PCCR are novel binding modules found in a variety of signaling proteins, their structural and functional characterization is crucial. Bem1p and Cdc24p interact through the PB1-PCCR interaction and regulate cell polarization in budding yeast. Here, we determined a tertiary structure of the PCCR of Cdc24p by NMR. The tertiary structure of the PCCR is similar to that of the PB1 domain of Bem1p, which is classified into a ubiquitin fold. The PC motif portion takes a compact betabetaalpha-fold, presented on the ubiquitin scaffold. Mutational studies indicate that the PB1-PCCR interaction is mainly electrostatic. Based on the structural information, we group the PB1 domains and the PCCRs into a novel family, named the PB1 family. Thus, the PB1 family proteins form a specific dimer with each other.

PB1 domains of MEKK2 and MEKK3 interact with the MEK5 PB1 domain for activation of the ERK5 pathway

MEKK2 and MEKK3 are MAPK kinase kinases that activate the ERK5 pathway by phosphorylating and activating the MAPK kinase, MEK5. Activated MEK5 then phosphorylates and activates ERK5. PB1 domains were first defined in the p67phox and Bem1p proteins and have been shown to mediate protein-protein heterodimerization. A PB1 domain is encoded within the N-terminal portion of MEKK2, MEKK3, and MEK5. Herein, we analyze the functional role of MEKK2, MEKK3, and MEK5 PB1 domains in the ERK5 activation pathway. The PB1 domains of MEKK2 and MEKK3 bind the PB1 domain of MEK5 but do not significantly homo- or heterodimerize with one another in vitro. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation of MEKK2 and MEK5 from cell lysates shows that they form a complex in vivo. Deletion or mutation of the MEKK2 PB1 domain abolishes MEKK2-MEK5 complexes, demonstrating that the PB1 domain interaction is required for MEKK2-MEK5 interactions. Expression in cells of the MEKK2 or MEKK3 PB1 domain inhibits ERK5 activation, whereas expression of a mutant MEKK2 unable to bind the MEK5 PB1 domain or expression of the p67phox PB1 domain has no effect on ERK5 activation. These findings demonstrate that the PB1 domain mediates the association of MEKK2 and MEKK3 with MEK5 and that the respective PB1 domains of these kinases are critical for regulation of the ERK5 pathway. The free PB1 domain of MEKK2 or MEKK3 functions effectively to inhibit the ERK5 pathway but not the p38 or JNK pathways, demonstrating the specific and unique requirement of the MEKK2 and MEKK3 PB1 domain in regulating ERK5 activation.