Preparing to read the ubiquitin code: a middle-out strategy for characterization of all lysine-linked diubiquitins

Structural Insights into Linkage-Specific Ubiquitin Chains Using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

The structural characterization and differentiation of four types of oligoubiquitin conjugates [linear (Met1)-, Lys11-, Lys48-, Lys63-linked di-, tri-, and tetraubiquitin chains] using ion mobility mass spectrometry are reported. A comparison of collision cross sections for the same linkage of di-, tri-, and tetraubiquitin chains shows differences in conformational elongation for higher charge states due to the interplay of linkage-derived structure and Coulombic repulsion. For di- and triubiquitin chains, this elongation results in a single narrow feature representing an elongated conformation type for multiple higher charge state species. In contrast, higher charge state tetraubiquitin species do not form a single conformer type as readily. A comparison of different linkages in tetraubiquitin chains reveals greater similarity in conformation type at lower charge states; with increasing charge state, the four linkage types diverge in the relative proportions of elongated conformer types with Met1- ≥ Lys11- > Lys63- > Lys48-linkage. These differences in conformational trends could be discussed with respect to biological functions of linkage-specific polyubiquitinated proteins.

Deciphering the protein ubiquitylation system in plants

Protein ubiquitylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) process that covalently modifies a protein substrate with either mono-ubiquitin moieties or poly-ubiquitin chains often at the lysine residues. In Arabidopsis, bioinformatic predictions have suggested that over 5% of its proteome constitutes the protein ubiquitylation system. Despite advancements in functional genomic studies in plants, only a small fraction of this bioinformatically predicted system has been functionally characterized. To expand our understanding about the regulatory function of protein ubiquitylation to that rivalling several other major systems, such as transcription regulation and epigenetics, I describe the status, issues, and new approaches of protein ubiquitylation studies in plant biology. I summarize the methods utilized in defining the ubiquitylation machinery by bioinformatics, identifying ubiquitylation substrates by proteomics, and characterizing the ubiquitin E3 ligase-substrate pathways by functional genomics. Based on the functional and evolutionary analyses of the F-box gene superfamily, I propose a deleterious duplication model for the large expansion of this family in plant genomes. Given this model, I present new perspectives of future functional genomic studies on the plant ubiquitylation system to focus on core and active groups of ubiquitin E3 ligase genes.

Ubiquitin Chain Enrichment Middle-Down Mass Spectrometry Enables Characterization of Branched Ubiquitin Chains in Cellulo

Ubiquitin (Ub) has a broad functional range that has been ascribed to the formation of an array of polymeric ubiquitin chains. Understanding the precise roles of ubiquitin chains, however, is difficult due to their complex chain topologies. Branched ubiquitin chains are particularly challenging, as multiple modifications on a single ubiquitin preclude the use of standard bottom-up proteomic approaches. Developing methods to overcome these challenges is crucial considering evidence suggesting branched chains regulate the stability of proteins. In this study, we employ Ubiquitin Chain Enrichment Middle-down Mass Spectrometry (UbiChEM-MS) to identify branched chains that cannot be detected using bottom-up proteomic methods. Specifically, we employ tandem ubiquitin binding entities (TUBEs) and the K29-selective Npl4 Zinc Finger 1 (NZF1) domain from the deubiquitinase TRABID to enrich for chains from human cells. Minimal trypsinolysis followed by high resolution mass spectrometric analysis reveals that Ub chain branching can indeed be detected using both Ub binding domains (UBDs) tested at endogenous levels. We find that ∼1% of chains isolated with TUBEs contain Ub branch points, with this value rising to ∼4% after proteasome inhibition. Electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) analysis indicates the presence of K48 in these branched chains. The use of the NZF1 domain reveals that ∼4% of the isolated chains contain branch points with no apparent dependence on proteasome inhibition. Our results demonstrate an effective strategy for detecting and characterizing the dynamics of branched conjugates under different cellular conditions.

Prostate cancer-associated mutation in SPOP impairs its ability to target Cdc20 for poly-ubiquitination and degradation

Recent studies revealed that mutations in SPOP (Speckle-type POZ protein) occur in up to 15% of patients with prostate cancer. However, the physiological role of SPOP in regulating prostate tumorigenesis remains elusive. Here, we identified the Cdc20 oncoprotein as a novel ubiquitin substrate of SPOP. As such, pharmacological inhibition of Cullin-based E3 ligases by MLN4924 could stabilize endogenous Cdc20 in cells. Furthermore, we found that Cullin 3, and, to a less extent, Cullin 1, specifically interacted with Cdc20. Depletion of Cullin 3, but not Cullin 1, could upregulate the abudance of Cdc20 largely via prolonging Cdc20 half-life. Moreover, SPOP, the adaptor protein of Cullin 3 family E3 ligase, specifically interacted with Cdc20, and promoted the poly-ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of Cdc20 in a degron-dependent manner. Importantly, prostate cancer-derived SPOP mutants failed to interact with Cdc20 to promote its degradation. As a result, SPOP-deficient prostate cancer cells with elevated Cdc20 expression became resistant to a pharmacological Cdc20 inhibitor. Therefore, our results revealed a novel role of SPOP in tumorigenesis in part by promoting the degradation of the Cdc20 oncoprotein.

Preparing to read the ubiquitin code: characterization of ubiquitin trimers by top-down mass spectrometry

The profound effects of ubiquitination on the movement and processing of cellular proteins depend exquisitely on the structures of monoubiquitin and polyubiquitin modifications. Unconjugated polyubiquitins also have a variety of intracellular functions. Structures and functions are not well correlated yet, because the structures of polyubiquitins and polyubiquitin modifications of proteins are difficult to decipher. We are moving towards a robust strategy to provide that structural information. In this report electron transfer dissociation mass spectra of six synthetic ubiquitin trimers (multiply branched proteins with molecular masses exceeding 25,600 Da) are examined using an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos instrument to determine how top-down mass spectrometry can characterize the chain topology and linkage sites in a single, facile workflow. The efficacy of this method relies on the formation, detection, and interpretation of extensive fragmentation.

Unexpected trypsin cleavage at ubiquitinated lysines

Unexpected tryptic cleavage has been characterized at modified K48 residues in polyubiquitins. In particular, the tryptic products of all seven of the lysine-linked dimers of ubiquitin and of three trimers-linear Ub-(48)Ub-(48)Ub, linear Ub-(63)Ub-(63)Ub, and the branched trimer [Ub]2-(6,48)Ub-have been analyzed. In addition to the peptide products expected under commonly used tryptic conditions, we observe that peptides are formed with an unexpected ε-glycinylglycinyl-Lys carboxyl terminus when the site of linkage is Lys48. Trypsin from three different commercial sources exhibited this aberration. Initial cleavage at R74 is proposed in a distal ubiquitin to produce a glycinylglycinyl-lysine residue which is bound by trypsin.