1
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Liang CT, Roscow O, Zhang W. Generation and Characterization of Engineered Ubiquitin Variants to Modulate the Ubiquitin Signaling Cascade. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:107784. [PMID: 36997275 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.over107784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin signaling cascade plays a crucial role in human cells. Consistent with this, malfunction of ubiquitination and deubiquitination is implicated in the initiation and progression of numerous human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the development of potent and specific modulators of ubiquitin signal transduction has been at the forefront of drug development. In the past decade, a structure-based combinatorial protein-engineering approach has been used to generate ubiquitin variants (UbVs) as protein-based modulators of multiple components in the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here, we review the design and generation of phage-displayed UbV libraries, including the processes of binder selection and library improvement. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the general in vitro and cellular methodologies involved in characterizing UbV binders. Finally, we describe two recent applications of UbVs for developing molecules with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen T Liang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Olivia Roscow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G1M1, Canada
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2
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You J, Xu D, Zhang C, Chen Y, Huang S, Bian H, Lv J, Chen D, Su L, Yin H, Li Y, Wang Y. Koumine inhibits RANKL-induced ubiquitination and NF-κB activation to prevent ovariectomy and aging-induced bone loss. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:100-114. [PMID: 38031891 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone remodeling disease characterized by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. Osteoclasts are the primary therapeutic targets for treating bone destruction. Koumine (KM), the most bioactive component in Gelsemium alkaloids, exhibits antitumor, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. However, the effects of bone loss have not been well studied. This study conducted in vitro and in vivo verification experiments on KM. The results showed that KM inhibited bone resorption and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive (TRAP+) osteoclasts development by mature osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, KM prevented OVX-induced OP in vivo and potentially inhibited ubiquitination, a process closely related to various biological activities, including protein interaction, transcription, and transmembrane signal transduction regulation, especially within the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that several proteins ubiquitination promotes osteoclastogenesis, our study indicated that KM inhibits early NF-κB activation and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand induced ubiquitination, a critical factor in osteoclast differentiation. In conclusion, our research suggests that KM holds potential as an effective therapeutic agent for OP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongming You
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dingjun Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Chen
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Song Huang
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Huihui Bian
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Lv
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dagui Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Yin
- Jiangsu CM Clinical Innovation Center of Degenerative Bone & Joint Disease, Wuxi TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
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3
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Bodrug T, Welsh KA, Bolhuis DL, Paulаkonis E, Martinez-Chacin RC, Liu B, Pinkin N, Bonacci T, Cui L, Xu P, Roscow O, Amann SJ, Grishkovskaya I, Emanuele MJ, Harrison JS, Steimel JP, Hahn KM, Zhang W, Zhong ED, Haselbach D, Brown NG. Time-resolved cryo-EM (TR-EM) analysis of substrate polyubiquitination by the RING E3 anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1663-1674. [PMID: 37735619 PMCID: PMC10643132 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Substrate polyubiquitination drives a myriad of cellular processes, including the cell cycle, apoptosis and immune responses. Polyubiquitination is highly dynamic, and obtaining mechanistic insight has thus far required artificially trapped structures to stabilize specific steps along the enzymatic process. So far, how any ubiquitin ligase builds a proteasomal degradation signal, which is canonically regarded as four or more ubiquitins, remains unclear. Here we present time-resolved cryogenic electron microscopy studies of the 1.2 MDa E3 ubiquitin ligase, known as the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), and its E2 co-enzymes (UBE2C/UBCH10 and UBE2S) during substrate polyubiquitination. Using cryoDRGN (Deep Reconstructing Generative Networks), a neural network-based approach, we reconstruct the conformational changes undergone by the human APC/C during polyubiquitination, directly visualize an active E3-E2 pair modifying its substrate, and identify unexpected interactions between multiple ubiquitins with parts of the APC/C machinery, including its coactivator CDH1. Together, we demonstrate how modification of substrates with nascent ubiquitin chains helps to potentiate processive substrate polyubiquitination, allowing us to model how a ubiquitin ligase builds a proteasomal degradation signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Bodrug
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kaeli A Welsh
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Derek L Bolhuis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ethan Paulаkonis
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Raquel C Martinez-Chacin
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- College of Future Technology, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Nicholas Pinkin
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Thomas Bonacci
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Pengning Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Olivia Roscow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sascha Josef Amann
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irina Grishkovskaya
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael J Emanuele
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph S Harrison
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
| | - Joshua P Steimel
- School of Engineering, California Polytechnic State University Humboldt, Arcata, CA, USA
| | - Klaus M Hahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen D Zhong
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - David Haselbach
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Nicholas G Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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4
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Tang JQ, Marchand MM, Veggiani G. Ubiquitin Engineering for Interrogating the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2023; 12:2117. [PMID: 37626927 PMCID: PMC10453149 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein turnover, a highly regulated process governed by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of the UPS has been implicated in various diseases, including viral infections and cancer, making the proteins in the UPS attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the functional and structural redundancies of UPS enzymes present challenges in identifying precise drug targets and achieving target selectivity. Consequently, only 26S proteasome inhibitors have successfully advanced to clinical use thus far. To overcome these obstacles, engineered peptides and proteins, particularly engineered ubiquitin, have emerged as promising alternatives. In this review, we examine the impact of engineered ubiquitin on UPS and non-UPS proteins, as well as on viral enzymes. Furthermore, we explore their potential to guide the development of small molecules targeting novel surfaces, thereby expanding the range of druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Q. Tang
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada
| | - Mary M. Marchand
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Gianluca Veggiani
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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5
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Kao HW, Lu WL, Ho MR, Lin YF, Hsieh YJ, Ko TP, Danny Hsu ST, Wu KP. Robust Design of Effective Allosteric Activators for Rsp5 E3 Ligase Using the Machine Learning Tool ProteinMPNN. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2310-2319. [PMID: 37556858 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
We used the deep learning tool ProteinMPNN to redesign ubiquitin (Ub) as a specific and functionally stimulating/enhancing binder of the Rsp5 E3 ligase. We generated 20 extensively mutated─up to 37 of 76 residues─recombinant Ub variants (UbVs), named R1 to R20, displaying well-folded structures and high thermal stabilities. These UbVs can also form stable complexes with Rsp5, as predicted using AlphaFold2. Three of the UbVs bound to Rsp5 with low micromolar affinity, with R4 and R12 effectively enhancing the Rsp5 activity six folds. AlphaFold2 predicts that R4 and R12 bind to Rsp5's exosite in an identical manner to the Rsp5-Ub template, thereby allosterically activating Rsp5-Ub thioester formation. Thus, we present a virtual solution for rapidly and cost-effectively designing UbVs as functional modulators of Ub-related enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Wen Kao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lin Lu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ru Ho
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fong Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jung Hsieh
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ping Ko
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Te Danny Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Kuen-Phon Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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6
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Deng X, Ma J, Zhou W, Yuan Y, Wang B, Meng X. GID2 Interacts With CDKN3 and Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Growth and Apoptosis. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100122. [PMID: 36828188 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of deubiquitinase or ubiquitinase-mediated protein expression contributes to various diseases, including cancer. In the present study, we identified GID2, a subunit of the glucose-induced degradation-deficient (GID) complex that functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a potential key candidate gene in pancreatic cancer (PC) progression. The functional role and potential mechanism of GID2 in PC progression were investigated. Integrated bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in PC based on the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis data sets. We found that GID2 was upregulated in PC tissues and that a high level of GID2 expression in clinical PC samples was positively associated with tumor stage and poor survival. Functional assays elucidated that GID2 expression promoted cell growth in vitro and accelerated tumor growth in vivo. GID2 knockdown effectively attenuated the malignant behaviors of PC cells and tumor formation. Furthermore, the protein network that interacted with the GID2 protein was constructed based on the GeneMANIA website. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3), a cell cycle regulator, was identified as a potential target of the GID2 protein. We revealed that GID2 positively regulated CDKN3 expression and inhibited CDKN3 ubiquitination. Furthermore, CDKN3 downregulation reversed the promoting effects of GID2 on PC progression. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that GID2 might regulate PC progression by maintaining the stability of the CDKN3 protein. These findings highlight the potential roles of the GID2/CDKN3 axis as a potential therapeutic target in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Deng
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jia Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wenyang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yifeng Yuan
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baosheng Wang
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xiangpeng Meng
- Pancreatic Endocrinology Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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7
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Wang J, Zhang M, Liu S, He Z, Wang R, Liang M, An Y, Jiang C, Song C, Ning Z, Yin F, Huang H, Li Z, Ye Y. Targeting UBE2C for degradation by bioPROTACs based on bacterial E3 ligase. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Kaczmarska Z, Czarnocki-Cieciura M, Górecka-Minakowska KM, Wingo RJ, Jackiewicz J, Zajko W, Poznański JT, Rawski M, Grant T, Peters JE, Nowotny M. Structural basis of transposon end recognition explains central features of Tn7 transposition systems. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2618-2632.e7. [PMID: 35654042 PMCID: PMC9308760 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tn7 is a bacterial transposon with relatives containing element-encoded CRISPR-Cas systems mediating RNA-guided transposon insertion. Here, we present the 2.7 Å cryoelectron microscopy structure of prototypic Tn7 transposase TnsB interacting with the transposon end DNA. When TnsB interacts across repeating binding sites, it adopts a beads-on-a-string architecture, where the DNA-binding and catalytic domains are arranged in a tiled and intertwined fashion. The DNA-binding domains form few base-specific contacts leading to a binding preference that requires multiple weakly conserved sites at the appropriate spacing to achieve DNA sequence specificity. TnsB binding imparts differences in the global structure of the protein-bound DNA ends dictated by the spacing or overlap of binding sites explaining functional differences in the left and right ends of the element. We propose a model of the strand-transfer complex in which the terminal TnsB molecule is rearranged so that its catalytic domain is in a position conducive to transposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kaczmarska
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Czarnocki-Cieciura
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Robert J Wingo
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Justyna Jackiewicz
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Weronika Zajko
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław T Poznański
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Rawski
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Timothy Grant
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Joseph E Peters
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Marcin Nowotny
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland.
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9
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On the Study of Deubiquitinases: Using the Right Tools for the Job. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050703. [PMID: 35625630 PMCID: PMC9139131 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Deubiquitinases (DUBs) have been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent years. Many of their diverse enzymatic mechanisms are well characterized in vitro; however, our understanding of these enzymes at the cellular level lags due to the lack of quality tool reagents. DUBs play a role in seemingly every biological process and are central to many human pathologies, thus rendering them very desirable and challenging therapeutic targets. This review aims to provide researchers entering the field of ubiquitination with knowledge of the pharmacological modulators and tool molecules available to study DUBs. A focus is placed on small molecule inhibitors, ubiquitin variants (UbVs), and activity-based probes (ABPs). Leveraging these tools to uncover DUB biology at the cellular level is of particular importance and may lead to significant breakthroughs. Despite significant drug discovery efforts, only approximately 15 chemical probe-quality small molecule inhibitors have been reported, hitting just 6 of about 100 DUB targets. UbV technology is a promising approach to rapidly expand the library of known DUB inhibitors and may be used as a combinatorial platform for structure-guided drug design.
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10
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Assembly and function of branched ubiquitin chains. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:759-771. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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11
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Veggiani G, Yates BP, Martyn GD, Manczyk N, Singer AU, Kurinov I, Sicheri F, Sidhu SS. Panel of Engineered Ubiquitin Variants Targeting the Family of Human Ubiquitin Interacting Motifs. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:941-956. [PMID: 35385646 PMCID: PMC9305627 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin (Ub)-binding domains embedded in intracellular proteins act as readers of the complex Ub code and contribute to regulation of numerous eukaryotic processes. Ub-interacting motifs (UIMs) are short α-helical modular recognition elements whose role in controlling proteostasis and signal transduction has been poorly investigated. Moreover, impaired or aberrant activity of UIM-containing proteins has been implicated in numerous diseases, but targeting modular recognition elements in proteins remains a major challenge. To overcome this limitation, we developed Ub variants (UbVs) that bind to 42 UIMs in the human proteome with high affinity and specificity. Structural analysis of a UbV:UIM complex revealed the molecular determinants of enhanced affinity and specificity. Furthermore, we showed that a UbV targeting a UIM in the cancer-associated Ub-specific protease 28 potently inhibited catalytic activity. Our work demonstrates the versatility of UbVs to target short α-helical Ub receptors with high affinity and specificity. Moreover, the UbVs provide a toolkit to investigate the role of UIMs in regulating and transducing Ub signals and establish a general strategy for the systematic development of probes for Ub-binding domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Veggiani
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
| | - Bradley P. Yates
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
| | - Gregory D. Martyn
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Noah Manczyk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Alex U. Singer
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
| | - Igor Kurinov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, NE-CAT, Cornell University, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Frank Sicheri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Sachdev S. Sidhu
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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12
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Targeted Degradation of 53BP1 Using Ubiquitin Variant Induced Proximity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040479. [PMID: 35454069 PMCID: PMC9029692 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, researchers have leveraged the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to induce selective degradation of proteins by E3 ubiquitin ligases, which has great potential as novel therapeutics for human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. However, despite extensive efforts, only a handful of ~600 human E3 ligases were utilized, and numerous protein–protein interaction surfaces on E3 ligases were not explored. To tackle these problems, we leveraged a structure-based protein engineering technology to develop a multi-domain fusion protein bringing functional E3 ligases to the proximity of a target protein to trigger its proteasomal degradation, which we termed Ubiquitin Variant Induced Proximity (UbVIP). We first generated non-inhibitory synthetic UbV binders for a selected group of human E3 ligases. With these UbVs employed as E3 ligase engagers, we designed a library of UbVIPs targeting a DNA damage response protein 53BP1. We observed that two UbVIPs recruiting RFWD3 and NEDD4L could effectively induce proteasome degradation of 53BP1 in human cell lines. This provides a proof-of-principle that UbVs can act as a means of targeted degradation for nucleus-localized proteins. Our work demonstrated that UbV technology is suitable to develop protein-based molecules for targeted degradation and can help identify novel E3 ligases for future therapeutic development.
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13
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Cruz Walma DA, Chen Z, Bullock AN, Yamada KM. Ubiquitin ligases: guardians of mammalian development. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:350-367. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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14
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A Panel of Engineered Ubiquitin Variants Targeting the Family of Domains Found in Ubiquitin Specific Proteases (DUSPs). J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167300. [PMID: 34666042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Domains found in ubiquitin specific proteases (DUSPs) occur in seven members of the ubiquitin specific protease (USP) family. DUSPs are defined by a distinct structural fold but their functions remain largely unknown, although studies with USP4 suggest that its DUSP enhances deubiquitination activity. We used phage-displayed libraries of ubiquitin variants (UbVs) to derive protein-based tools to target DUSP family members with high affinity and specificity. We designed a UbV library based on insights from the structure of a previously identified UbV bound to the DUSP of USP15. The new library yielded 33 unique UbVs that bound to DUSPs from five different USPs (USP4, USP11, USP15, USP20 and USP33). For each USP, we were able to identify at least one DUSP that bound with high affinity and absolute specificity relative to the other DUSPs. We showed that UbVs targeting the DUSPs of USP15, USP11 and USP20 inhibited the catalytic activity of the enzyme, despite the fact that the DUSP is located outside of the catalytic domain. These findings provide an alternative means of inhibiting USP activity by targeting DUSPs, and this mechanism could be potentially extended other DUSP-containing USPs.
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Bodrug T, Welsh KA, Hinkle M, Emanuele MJ, Brown NG. Intricate Regulatory Mechanisms of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome and Its Role in Chromatin Regulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:687515. [PMID: 34109183 PMCID: PMC8182066 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.687515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system is vital to nearly every biological process in eukaryotes. Specifically, the conjugation of Ub to target proteins by Ub ligases, such as the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C), is paramount for cell cycle transitions as it leads to the irreversible destruction of cell cycle regulators by the proteasome. Through this activity, the RING Ub ligase APC/C governs mitosis, G1, and numerous aspects of neurobiology. Pioneering cryo-EM, biochemical reconstitution, and cell-based studies have illuminated many aspects of the conformational dynamics of this large, multi-subunit complex and the sophisticated regulation of APC/C function. More recent studies have revealed new mechanisms that selectively dictate APC/C activity and explore additional pathways that are controlled by APC/C-mediated ubiquitination, including an intimate relationship with chromatin regulation. These tasks go beyond the traditional cell cycle role historically ascribed to the APC/C. Here, we review these novel findings, examine the mechanistic implications of APC/C regulation, and discuss the role of the APC/C in previously unappreciated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Bodrug
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kaeli A Welsh
- Department of Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Megan Hinkle
- Department of Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael J Emanuele
- Department of Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nicholas G Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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16
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Pluska L, Jarosch E, Zauber H, Kniss A, Waltho A, Bagola K, von Delbrück M, Löhr F, Schulman BA, Selbach M, Dötsch V, Sommer T. The UBA domain of conjugating enzyme Ubc1/Ube2K facilitates assembly of K48/K63-branched ubiquitin chains. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106094. [PMID: 33576509 PMCID: PMC7957398 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The assembly of a specific polymeric ubiquitin chain on a target protein is a key event in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. Yet, the mechanisms that govern the selective synthesis of particular polyubiquitin signals remain enigmatic. The homologous ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes Ubc1 (budding yeast) and Ube2K (mammals) exclusively generate polyubiquitin linked through lysine 48 (K48). Uniquely among E2 enzymes, Ubc1 and Ube2K harbor a ubiquitin-binding UBA domain with unknown function. We found that this UBA domain preferentially interacts with ubiquitin chains linked through lysine 63 (K63). Based on structural modeling, in vitro ubiquitination experiments, and NMR studies, we propose that the UBA domain aligns Ubc1 with K63-linked polyubiquitin and facilitates the selective assembly of K48/K63-branched ubiquitin conjugates. Genetic and proteomics experiments link the activity of the UBA domain, and hence the formation of this unusual ubiquitin chain topology, to the maintenance of cellular proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Pluska
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
| | - Ernst Jarosch
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
| | - Henrik Zauber
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
| | - Andreas Kniss
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic ResonanceGoethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Anita Waltho
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
| | - Katrin Bagola
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
| | | | - Frank Löhr
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic ResonanceGoethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Brenda A Schulman
- Department of Molecular Machines and SignalingMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Matthias Selbach
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic ResonanceGoethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Thomas Sommer
- Max‐Delbrück‐Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz AssociationBerlin‐BuchGermany
- Institute for BiologyHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
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17
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Liang CT, Roscow OMA, Zhang W. Recent developments in engineering protein-protein interactions using phage display. Protein Eng Des Sel 2021; 34:6297171. [PMID: 34117768 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of misregulated protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has been a promising area of investigation in drug discovery and development for human diseases. However, many constraints remain, including shallow binding surfaces and dynamic conformation changes upon interaction. A particularly challenging aspect is the undesirable off-target effects caused by inherent structural similarity among the protein families. To tackle this problem, phage display has been used to engineer PPIs for high-specificity binders with improved binding affinity and greatly reduced undesirable interactions with closely related proteins. Although general steps of phage display are standardized, library design is highly variable depending on experimental contexts. Here in this review, we examined recent advances in the structure-based combinatorial library design and the advantages and limitations of different approaches. The strategies described here can be explored for other protein-protein interactions and aid in designing new libraries or improving on previous libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen T Liang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Olivia M A Roscow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada.,CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, MaRS Centre West Tower, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G1M1, Canada
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18
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Targeting the Ubiquitin Signaling Cascade in Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020791. [PMID: 33466790 PMCID: PMC7830467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironments are composed of a myriad of elements, both cellular (immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, etc.) and non-cellular (extracellular matrix, cytokines, growth factors, etc.), which collectively provide a permissive environment enabling tumor progression. In this review, we focused on the regulation of tumor microenvironment through ubiquitination. Ubiquitination is a reversible protein post-translational modification that regulates various key biological processes, whereby ubiquitin is attached to substrates through a catalytic cascade coordinated by multiple enzymes, including E1 ubiquitin-activating enzymes, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes and E3 ubiquitin ligases. In contrast, ubiquitin can be removed by deubiquitinases in the process of deubiquitination. Here, we discuss the roles of E3 ligases and deubiquitinases as modulators of both cellular and non-cellular components in tumor microenvironment, providing potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. Finally, we introduced several emerging technologies that can be utilized to develop effective therapeutic agents for targeting tumor microenvironment.
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19
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LeBlanc N, Mallette E, Zhang W. Targeted modulation of E3 ligases using engineered ubiquitin variants. FEBS J 2020; 288:2143-2165. [PMID: 32867007 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitination plays an essential role in signal transduction to regulate most if not all cellular processes. Among the enzymes that are involved in the ubiquitin (Ub) signaling cascade, tremendous efforts have been focused on elucidating the roles of E3 Ub ligases as they determine the complexity and specificity of ubiquitination. Not surprisingly, the malfunction of E3 ligases is directly implicated in many human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop potent and specific molecules to modulate E3 ligase activity as intracellular probes for target validation and as pharmacological agents in preclinical research. Unfortunately, the progress has been hampered by the dynamic regulation mechanisms for different types of E3 ligases. Here, we summarize the progress of using protein engineering to develop Ub variant (UbV) inhibitors for all major families of E3 ligases and UbV activators for homologous with E6-associated protein C terminus E3s and homodimeric RING E3s. We believe that this provides a general strategy and a valuable toolkit for the research community to inhibit or activate E3 ligases and these synthetic molecules have important implications in exploring protein degradation for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Evan Mallette
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
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20
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Rennie ML, Chaugule VK, Walden H. Modes of allosteric regulation of the ubiquitination machinery. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 62:189-196. [PMID: 32305021 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification crucial for cellular signaling. A diverse range of enzymes constitute the machinery that mediates attachment of ubiquitin onto target proteins. This diversity allows the targeting of various proteins in a highly regulated fashion. Many of the enzymes have multiple domains or subunits that bind allosteric effectors and exhibit large conformational rearrangements to facilitate regulation. Here we consider recent examples of ubiquitin itself as an allosteric effector of RING and RBR E3 ligases, as well as advances in the understanding of allosteric regulatory elements within HECT E3 ligases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Rennie
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Viduth K Chaugule
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Helen Walden
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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21
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Barford D. Structural interconversions of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) regulate cell cycle transitions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 61:86-97. [PMID: 31864160 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a large multi-subunit complex that functions as a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase to regulate transitions through the cell cycle, achieved by controlling the defined ubiquitin-dependent degradation of specific cell cycle regulators. APC/C activity and substrate selection are controlled at various levels to ensure that specific cell cycle events occur in the correct order and time. Structural and mechanistic studies over the past two decades have complemented functional studies to provide comprehensive insights that explain APC/C molecular mechanisms. This review discusses how modifications of the core APC/C are responsible for the APC/C's interconversion between different structural and functional states that govern its capacity to control transitions between specific cell cycle phases. A unifying theme is that these structural interconversions involve competition between short linear sequence motifs (SLIMs), shared between substrates, coactivators, inhibitors and E2s, for their common binding sites on the APC/C.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Barford
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, United Kingdom.
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22
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Ubiquitin in disguise unveils a cryptic binding site in 1.2-MDa anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17142-17144. [PMID: 31371495 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1911388116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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