1
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Shimshon A, Dahan K, Israel-Gueta M, Olmayev-Yaakobov D, Timms RT, Bekturova A, Makaros Y, Elledge SJ, Koren I. Dipeptidyl peptidases and E3 ligases of N-degron pathways cooperate to regulate protein stability. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202311035. [PMID: 38874443 PMCID: PMC11178506 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202311035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
N-degrons are short sequences located at protein N-terminus that mediate the interaction of E3 ligases (E3s) with substrates to promote their proteolysis. It is well established that N-degrons can be exposed following protease cleavage to allow recognition by E3s. However, our knowledge regarding how proteases and E3s cooperate in protein quality control mechanisms remains minimal. Using a systematic approach to monitor the protein stability of an N-terminome library, we found that proline residue at the third N-terminal position (hereafter "P+3") promotes instability. Genetic perturbations identified the dipeptidyl peptidases DPP8 and DPP9 and the primary E3s of N-degron pathways, UBR proteins, as regulators of P+3 bearing substrate turnover. Interestingly, P+3 UBR substrates are significantly enriched for secretory proteins. We found that secretory proteins relying on a signal peptide (SP) for their targeting contain a "built-in" N-degron within their SP. This degron becomes exposed by DPP8/9 upon translocation failure to the designated compartments, thus enabling clearance of mislocalized proteins by UBRs to maintain proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Shimshon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Karin Dahan
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Mor Israel-Gueta
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Diana Olmayev-Yaakobov
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Richard T Timms
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre , Cambridge, UK
| | - Aizat Bekturova
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yaara Makaros
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Stephen J Elledge
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Itay Koren
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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2
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Truex N, Mohapatra S, Melo M, Rodriguez J, Li N, Abraham W, Sementa D, Touti F, Keskin DB, Wu CJ, Irvine DJ, Gómez-Bombarelli R, Pentelute BL. Design of Cytotoxic T Cell Epitopes by Machine Learning of Human Degrons. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:793-802. [PMID: 38680558 PMCID: PMC11046456 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Antigen processing is critical for therapeutic vaccines to generate epitopes for priming cytotoxic T cell responses against cancer and pathogens, but insufficient processing often limits the quantity of epitopes released. We address this challenge using machine learning to ascribe a proteasomal degradation score to epitope sequences. Epitopes with varying scores were translocated into cells using nontoxic anthrax proteins. Epitopes with a low score show pronounced immunogenicity due to antigen processing, but epitopes with a high score show limited immunogenicity. This work sheds light on the sequence-activity relationships between proteasomal degradation and epitope immunogenicity. We anticipate that future efforts to incorporate proteasomal degradation signals into vaccine designs will lead to enhanced cytotoxic T cell priming by these vaccines in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas
L. Truex
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Somesh Mohapatra
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Machine
Intelligence and Manufacturing Operations Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mariane Melo
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon Institute
of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jacob Rodriguez
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Na Li
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Deborah Sementa
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Faycal Touti
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department
of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Translational
Immunogenomics Laboratory (TIGL), Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Section
for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department
of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon Institute
of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, United States
| | - Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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3
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Truex NL, Mohapatra S, Melo M, Rodriguez J, Li N, Abraham W, Sementa D, Touti F, Keskin DB, Wu CJ, Irvine DJ, Gómez-Bombarelli R, Pentelute BL. Design of Cytotoxic T Cell Epitopes by Machine Learning of Human Degrons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.22.554289. [PMID: 37662211 PMCID: PMC10473641 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Antigen processing is critical for producing epitope peptides that are presented by HLA molecules for T cell recognition. Therapeutic vaccines aim to harness these epitopes for priming cytotoxic T cell responses against cancer and pathogens, but insufficient processing often reduces vaccine efficacy through limiting the quantity of epitopes released. Here, we set out to improve antigen processing by harnessing protein degradation signals called degrons from the ubiquitin-proteasome system. We used machine learning to generate a computational model that ascribes a proteasomal degradation score between 0 and 100. Epitope peptides with varying degron activities were synthesized and translocated into cells using nontoxic anthrax proteins: protective antigen (PA) and the N-terminus of lethal factor (LFN). Immunogenicity studies revealed epitope sequences with a low score (<25) show pronounced T-cell activation but epitope sequences with a higher score (>75) provide limited activation. This work sheds light on the sequence-activity relationships between proteasomal degradation and epitope immunogenicity, through conserving the epitope region but varying the flanking sequence. We anticipate that future efforts to incorporate proteasomal degradation signals into vaccine designs will lead to enhanced cytotoxic T cell priming by vaccine therapeutics in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L. Truex
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina; 631 Sumter St., Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA
| | - Somesh Mohapatra
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Machine Intelligence and Manufacturing Operations Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Mariane Melo
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Jacob Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Na Li
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Deborah Sementa
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Faycal Touti
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory (TIGL), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark; Lyngby, DK
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; 4000 Jones Bridge Rd, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
| | - Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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Xie SM, Lai JX, Liu CQ, Zhang XX, Lin YM, Lan QW, Hong DY, Chen XC, Qiao JD, Mao YL. UBR4 deficiency causes male sterility and testis abnormal in Drosophila. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1165825. [PMID: 37529615 PMCID: PMC10390308 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1165825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction It has been established that UBR4 encodes E3 ubiquitin ligase, which determines the specificity of substrate binding during protein ubiquitination and has been associated with various functions of the nervous system but not the reproductive system. Herein, we explored the role of UBR4 on fertility with a Drosophila model. Methods Different Ubr4 knockdown flies were established using the UAS/GAL4 activating sequence system. Fertility, hatchability, and testis morphology were studied, and bioinformatics analyses were conducted. Our results indicated that UBR4 deficiency could induce male sterility and influent egg hatchability in Drosophila. Results We found that Ubr4 deficiency affected the testis during morphological analysis. Proteomics analysis indicated 188 upregulated proteins and 175 downregulated proteins in the testis of Ubr4 knockdown flies. Gene Ontology analysis revealed significant upregulation of CG11598 and Sfp65A, and downregulation of Pelota in Ubr4 knockdown flies. These proteins were involved in the biometabolic or reproductive process in Drosophila. These regulated proteins are important in testis generation and sperm storage promotion. Bioinformatics analysis verified that UBR4 was low expressed in cryptorchidism patients, which further supported the important role of UBR4 in male fertility. Discussion Overall, our findings suggest that UBR4 deficiency could promote male infertility and may be involved in the protein modification of UBR4 by upregulating Sfp65A and CG11598, whereas downregulating Pelota protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ming Xie
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Xuan Lai
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chu-Qiao Liu
- The Second Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi-Xing Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Miao Lin
- The Second Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Wen Lan
- The Second Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Yao Hong
- The First Clinical Medicine School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Chuan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Da Qiao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ling Mao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Collins MA, Avery R, Albert FW. Substrate-specific effects of natural genetic variation on proteasome activity. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010734. [PMID: 37126494 PMCID: PMC10174532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein degradation is an essential biological process that regulates protein abundance and removes misfolded and damaged proteins from cells. In eukaryotes, most protein degradation occurs through the stepwise actions of two functionally distinct entities, the ubiquitin system and the proteasome. Ubiquitin system enzymes attach ubiquitin to cellular proteins, targeting them for degradation. The proteasome then selectively binds and degrades ubiquitinated substrate proteins. Genetic variation in ubiquitin system genes creates heritable differences in the degradation of their substrates. However, the challenges of measuring the degradative activity of the proteasome independently of the ubiquitin system in large samples have limited our understanding of genetic influences on the proteasome. Here, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we built and characterized reporters that provide high-throughput, ubiquitin system-independent measurements of proteasome activity. Using single-cell measurements of proteasome activity from millions of genetically diverse yeast cells, we mapped 15 loci across the genome that influence proteasomal protein degradation. Twelve of these 15 loci exerted specific effects on the degradation of two distinct proteasome substrates, revealing a high degree of substrate-specificity in the genetics of proteasome activity. Using CRISPR-Cas9-based allelic engineering, we resolved a locus to a causal variant in the promoter of RPT6, a gene that encodes a subunit of the proteasome's 19S regulatory particle. The variant increases RPT6 expression, which we show results in increased proteasome activity. Our results reveal the complex genetic architecture of proteasome activity and suggest that genetic influences on the proteasome may be an important source of variation in the many cellular and organismal traits shaped by protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahlon A. Collins
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Randi Avery
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Frank W. Albert
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Mashahreh B, Armony S, Johansson KE, Chappleboim A, Friedman N, Gardner RG, Hartmann-Petersen R, Lindorff-Larsen K, Ravid T. Conserved degronome features governing quality control associated proteolysis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7588. [PMID: 36481666 PMCID: PMC9732359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic proteome undergoes constant surveillance by quality control systems that either sequester, refold, or eliminate aberrant proteins by ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms. Ubiquitin-conjugation necessitates the recognition of degradation determinants, termed degrons, by their cognate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. To learn about the distinctive properties of quality control degrons, we performed an unbiased peptidome stability screen in yeast. The search identify a large cohort of proteome-derived degrons, some of which exhibited broad E3 ligase specificity. Consequent application of a machine-learning algorithm establishes constraints governing degron potency, including the amino acid composition and secondary structure propensities. According to the set criteria, degrons with transmembrane domain-like characteristics are the most probable sequences to act as degrons. Similar quality control degrons are present in viral and human proteins, suggesting conserved degradation mechanisms. Altogether, the emerging data indicate that transmembrane domain-like degron features have been preserved in evolution as key quality control determinants of protein half-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan Mashahreh
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shir Armony
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kristoffer Enøe Johansson
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XThe Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alon Chappleboim
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nir Friedman
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Richard G. Gardner
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Rasmus Hartmann-Petersen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XThe Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XThe Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tommer Ravid
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Fechner J, Ketelhut M, Maier D, Preiss A, Nagel AC. The Binding of CSL Proteins to Either Co-Activators or Co-Repressors Protects from Proteasomal Degradation Induced by MAPK-Dependent Phosphorylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012336. [PMID: 36293193 PMCID: PMC9604145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary role of Notch is to specify cellular identities, whereby the cells respond to amazingly small changes in Notch signalling activity. Hence, dosage of Notch components is crucial to regulation. Central to Notch signal transduction are CSL proteins: together with respective cofactors, they mediate the activation or the silencing of Notch target genes. CSL proteins are extremely similar amongst species regarding sequence and structure. We noticed that the fly homologue suppressor of hairless (Su(H)) is stabilised in transcription complexes. Using specific transgenic fly lines and HeLa RBPJKO cells we provide evidence that Su(H) is subjected to proteasomal degradation with a half-life of about two hours if not protected by binding to co-repressor hairless or co-activator Notch. Moreover, Su(H) stability is controlled by MAPK-dependent phosphorylation, matching earlier data for RBPJ in human cells. The homologous murine and human RBPJ proteins, however, are largely resistant to degradation in our system. Mutating presumptive protein contact sites, however, sensitised RBPJ for proteolysis. Overall, our data highlight the similarities in the regulation of CSL protein stability across species and imply that turnover of CSL proteins may be a conserved means of regulating Notch signalling output directly at the level of transcription.
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8
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A Degradation Motif in STAU1 Defines a Novel Family of Proteins Involved in Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911588. [PMID: 36232890 PMCID: PMC9569955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer development is regulated by inflammation. Staufen1 (STAU1) is an RNA-binding protein whose expression level is critical in cancer cells as it is related to cell proliferation or cell death. STAU1 protein levels are downregulated during mitosis due to its degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). In this paper, we map the molecular determinant involved in STAU1 degradation to amino acids 38-50, and by alanine scanning, we shorten the motif to F39PxPxxLxxxxL50 (FPL-motif). Mutation of the FPL-motif prevents STAU1 degradation by APC/C. Interestingly, a search in databases reveals that the FPL-motif is shared by 15 additional proteins, most of them being involved in inflammation. We show that one of these proteins, MAP4K1, is indeed degraded via the FPL-motif; however, it is not a target of APC/C. Using proximity labeling with STAU1, we identify TRIM25, an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the innate immune response and interferon production, as responsible for STAU1 and MAP4K1 degradation, dependent on the FPL-motif. These results are consistent with previous studies that linked STAU1 to cancer-induced inflammation and identified a novel degradation motif that likely coordinates a novel family of proteins involved in inflammation. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD036675.
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9
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Hou C, Li Y, Wang M, Wu H, Li T. Systematic prediction of degrons and E3 ubiquitin ligase binding via deep learning. BMC Biol 2022; 20:162. [PMID: 35836176 PMCID: PMC9281121 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Degrons are short linear motifs, bound by E3 ubiquitin ligase to target protein substrates to be degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Mutations leading to deregulation of degron functionality disrupt control of protein abundance due to mistargeting of proteins destined for degradation and often result in pathologies. Targeting degrons by small molecules also emerges as an exciting drug design strategy to upregulate the expression of specific proteins. Despite their essential function and disease targetability, reliable identification of degrons remains a conundrum. Here, we developed a deep learning-based model named Degpred that predicts general degrons directly from protein sequences. RESULTS We showed that the BERT-based model performed well in predicting degrons singly from protein sequences. Then, we used the deep learning model Degpred to predict degrons proteome-widely. Degpred successfully captured typical degron-related sequence properties and predicted degrons beyond those from motif-based methods which use a handful of E3 motifs to match possible degrons. Furthermore, we calculated E3 motifs using predicted degrons on the substrates in our collected E3-substrate interaction dataset and constructed a regulatory network of protein degradation by assigning predicted degrons to specific E3s with calculated motifs. Critically, we experimentally verified that a predicted SPOP binding degron on CBX6 prompts CBX6 degradation and mediates the interaction with SPOP. We also showed that the protein degradation regulatory system is important in tumorigenesis by surveying degron-related mutations in TCGA. CONCLUSIONS Degpred provides an efficient tool to proteome-wide prediction of degrons and binding E3s singly from protein sequences. Degpred successfully captures typical degron-related sequence properties and predicts degrons beyond those from previously used motif-based methods, thus greatly expanding the degron landscape, which should advance the understanding of protein degradation, and allow exploration of uncharacterized alterations of proteins in diseases. To make it easier for readers to access collected and predicted datasets, we integrated these data into the website http://degron.phasep.pro/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Hou
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Mengyao Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
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10
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Richardson PG, Mateos MV, Vangsted AJ, Ramasamy K, Abildgaard N, Ho PJ, Quach H, Bahlis NJ. The role of E3 ubiquitin ligase in multiple myeloma: potential for cereblon E3 ligase modulators in the treatment of relapsed/refractory disease. Expert Rev Proteomics 2022; 19:235-246. [PMID: 36342226 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2022.2142564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Insights into the mechanisms of protein homeostasis and proteasomal degradation have led to new strategies of redirecting the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to reduce or eliminate proteins or survival factors key to malignant pathobiology, multiple myeloma (MM) in particular. These strategies have enabled researchers to target proteins that were previously considered difficult to modulate by pharmacological means. AREAS COVERED This review provides a brief overview of UPS biology, particularly the role of the CRL4CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and summarizes current strategies for co-opting the UPS, including CELMoD compounds, SNIPERs, PROTACs, and degronimids. A detailed discussion is provided on lead CELMoD compounds iberdomide and mezigdomide, which are currently being evaluated in clinical trials in patients with MM. EXPERT OPINION Since a high proportion of patients develop drug resistance, it is vital to have novel therapeutic agents for treating relapsed patients with MM more effectively. It is encouraging that the expanding pathophysiological insight into cellular signaling pathways in MM increasingly translates into the development of novel therapeutic agents such as targeted protein degraders. This holds promise for improving outcomes in MM and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Richardson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Karthik Ramasamy
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Niels Abildgaard
- Hematology Research Unit, Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Research.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - P Joy Ho
- Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Hang Quach
- Department of Haematology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nizar J Bahlis
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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11
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Russi M, Marson D, Fermeglia A, Aulic S, Fermeglia M, Laurini E, Pricl S. The fellowship of the RING: BRCA1, its partner BARD1 and their liaison in DNA repair and cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108009. [PMID: 34619284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and its partner - the BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) - are key players in a plethora of fundamental biological functions including, among others, DNA repair, replication fork protection, cell cycle progression, telomere maintenance, chromatin remodeling, apoptosis and tumor suppression. However, mutations in their encoding genes transform them into dangerous threats, and substantially increase the risk of developing cancer and other malignancies during the lifetime of the affected individuals. Understanding how BRCA1 and BARD1 perform their biological activities therefore not only provides a powerful mean to prevent such fatal occurrences but can also pave the way to the development of new targeted therapeutics. Thus, through this review work we aim at presenting the major efforts focused on the functional characterization and structural insights of BRCA1 and BARD1, per se and in combination with all their principal mediators and regulators, and on the multifaceted roles these proteins play in the maintenance of human genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russi
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Marson
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Suzana Aulic
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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12
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Signaling Pathways Regulated by UBR Box-Containing E3 Ligases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158323. [PMID: 34361089 PMCID: PMC8346999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UBR box E3 ligases, also called N-recognins, are integral components of the N-degron pathway. Representative N-recognins include UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5, and they bind destabilizing N-terminal residues, termed N-degrons. Understanding the molecular bases of their substrate recognition and the biological impact of the clearance of their substrates on cellular signaling pathways can provide valuable insights into the regulation of these pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the binding mechanism of UBR box N-recognin/N-degron interactions and their roles in signaling pathways linked to G-protein-coupled receptors, apoptosis, mitochondrial quality control, inflammation, and DNA damage. The targeting of these UBR box N-recognins can provide potential therapies to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
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13
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Kong KYE, Fischer B, Meurer M, Kats I, Li Z, Rühle F, Barry JD, Kirrmaier D, Chevyreva V, San Luis BJ, Costanzo M, Huber W, Andrews BJ, Boone C, Knop M, Khmelinskii A. Timer-based proteomic profiling of the ubiquitin-proteasome system reveals a substrate receptor of the GID ubiquitin ligase. Mol Cell 2021; 81:2460-2476.e11. [PMID: 33974913 PMCID: PMC8189435 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Selective protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in all cellular processes. However, the substrates and specificity of most UPS components are not well understood. Here we systematically characterized the UPS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using fluorescent timers, we determined how loss of individual UPS components affects yeast proteome turnover, detecting phenotypes for 76% of E2, E3, and deubiquitinating enzymes. We exploit this dataset to gain insights into N-degron pathways, which target proteins carrying N-terminal degradation signals. We implicate Ubr1, an E3 of the Arg/N-degron pathway, in targeting mitochondrial proteins processed by the mitochondrial inner membrane protease. Moreover, we identify Ylr149c/Gid11 as a substrate receptor of the glucose-induced degradation-deficient (GID) complex, an E3 of the Pro/N-degron pathway. Our results suggest that Gid11 recognizes proteins with N-terminal threonines, expanding the specificity of the GID complex. This resource of potential substrates and relationships between UPS components enables exploring functions of selective protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernd Fischer
- Computational Genome Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Meurer
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilia Kats
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhaoyan Li
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank Rühle
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Joseph D Barry
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Kirrmaier
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Cell Morphogenesis and Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Veronika Chevyreva
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bryan-Joseph San Luis
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Costanzo
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Huber
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Brenda J Andrews
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charles Boone
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Knop
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Cell Morphogenesis and Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.
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14
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Tying up loose ends: the N-degron and C-degron pathways of protein degradation. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:1557-1567. [PMID: 32627813 PMCID: PMC7458402 DOI: 10.1042/bst20191094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Selective protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is thought to be governed primarily by the recognition of specific motifs — degrons — present in substrate proteins. The ends of proteins — the N- and C-termini – have unique properties, and an important subset of protein–protein interactions involve the recognition of free termini. The first degrons to be discovered were located at the extreme N-terminus of proteins, a finding which initiated the study of the N-degron (formerly N-end rule) pathways, but only in the last few years has it emerged that a diverse set of C-degron pathways target analogous degron motifs located at the extreme C-terminus of proteins. In this minireview we summarise the N-degron and C-degron pathways currently known to operate in human cells, focussing primarily on those that have been discovered in recent years. In each case we describe the cellular machinery responsible for terminal degron recognition, and then consider some of the functional roles of terminal degron pathways. Altogether, a broad spectrum of E3 ubiquitin ligases mediate the recognition of a diverse array of terminal degron motifs; these degradative pathways have the potential to influence a wide variety of cellular functions.
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15
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S Bell H, Tower J. In vivo assay and modelling of protein and mitochondrial turnover during aging. Fly (Austin) 2021; 15:60-72. [PMID: 34002678 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2021.1911286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To maintain homoeostasis, cells must degrade damaged or misfolded proteins and synthesize functional replacements. Maintaining a balance between these processes, known as protein turnover, is necessary for stress response and cellular adaptation to a changing environment. Damaged mitochondria must also be removed and replaced. Changes in protein and mitochondrial turnover are associated with aging and neurodegenerative disease, making it important to understand how these processes occur and are regulated in cells. To achieve this, reliable assays of turnover must be developed. Several methods exist, including pulse-labelling with radioactive or stable isotopes and strategies making use of fluorescent proteins, each with their own advantages and limitations. Both cell culture and live animals have been used for these studies, in systems ranging from yeast to mammals. In vivo assays are especially useful for connecting turnover to aging and disease. With its short life cycle, suitability for fluorescent imaging, and availability of genetic tools, Drosophila melanogaster is particularly well suited for this kind of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans S Bell
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Tower
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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16
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Gersing SK, Wang Y, Grønbæk-Thygesen M, Kampmeyer C, Clausen L, Willemoës M, Andréasson C, Stein A, Lindorff-Larsen K, Hartmann-Petersen R. Mapping the degradation pathway of a disease-linked aspartoacylase variant. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009539. [PMID: 33914734 PMCID: PMC8084241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by swelling and spongy degeneration of brain white matter. The disease is genetically linked to polymorphisms in the aspartoacylase (ASPA) gene, including the substitution C152W. ASPA C152W is associated with greatly reduced protein levels in cells, yet biophysical experiments suggest a wild-type like thermal stability. Here, we use ASPA C152W as a model to investigate the degradation pathway of a disease-causing protein variant. When we expressed ASPA C152W in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found a decreased steady state compared to wild-type ASPA as a result of increased proteasomal degradation. However, molecular dynamics simulations of ASPA C152W did not substantially deviate from wild-type ASPA, indicating that the native state is structurally preserved. Instead, we suggest that the C152W substitution interferes with the de novo folding pathway resulting in increased proteasomal degradation before reaching its stable conformation. Systematic mapping of the protein quality control components acting on misfolded and aggregation-prone species of C152W, revealed that the degradation is highly dependent on the molecular chaperone Hsp70, its co-chaperone Hsp110 as well as several quality control E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases, including Ubr1. In addition, the disaggregase Hsp104 facilitated refolding of aggregated ASPA C152W, while Cdc48 mediated degradation of insoluble ASPA protein. In human cells, ASPA C152W displayed increased proteasomal turnover that was similarly dependent on Hsp70 and Hsp110. Our findings underscore the use of yeast to determine the protein quality control components involved in the degradation of human pathogenic variants in order to identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Gersing
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yong Wang
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Grønbæk-Thygesen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline Kampmeyer
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Clausen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Willemoës
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claes Andréasson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amelie Stein
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Hartmann-Petersen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Systematic characterization of mutations altering protein degradation in human cancers. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1292-1308.e11. [PMID: 33567269 PMCID: PMC9245451 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the primary route for selective protein degradation in human cells. The UPS is an attractive target for novel cancer therapies, but the precise UPS genes and substrates important for cancer growth are incompletely understood. Leveraging multi-omics data across more than 9,000 human tumors and 33 cancer types, we found that over 19% of all cancer driver genes affect UPS function. We implicate transcription factors as important substrates and show that c-Myc stability is modulated by CUL3. Moreover, we developed a deep learning model (deepDegron) to identify mutations that result in degron loss and experimentally validated the prediction that gain-of-function truncating mutations in GATA3 and PPM1D result in increased protein stability. Last, we identified UPS driver genes associated with prognosis and the tumor microenvironment. This study demonstrates the important role of UPS dysregulation in human cancer and underscores the potential therapeutic utility of targeting the UPS.
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18
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Abraham-Juárez MJ, Schrager-Lavelle A, Man J, Whipple C, Handakumbura P, Babbitt C, Bartlett M. Evolutionary Variation in MADS Box Dimerization Affects Floral Development and Protein Abundance in Maize. THE PLANT CELL 2020; 32:3408-3424. [PMID: 32873631 PMCID: PMC7610293 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.20.00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between MADS box transcription factors are critical in the regulation of floral development, and shifting MADS box protein-protein interactions are predicted to have influenced floral evolution. However, precisely how evolutionary variation in protein-protein interactions affects MADS box protein function remains unknown. To assess the impact of changing MADS box protein-protein interactions on transcription factor function, we turned to the grasses, where interactions between B-class MADS box proteins vary. We tested the functional consequences of this evolutionary variability using maize (Zea mays) as an experimental system. We found that differential B-class dimerization was associated with subtle, quantitative differences in stamen shape. In contrast, differential dimerization resulted in large-scale changes to downstream gene expression. Differential dimerization also affected B-class complex composition and abundance, independent of transcript levels. This indicates that differential B-class dimerization affects protein degradation, revealing an important consequence for evolutionary variability in MADS box interactions. Our results highlight complexity in the evolution of developmental gene networks: changing protein-protein interactions could affect not only the composition of transcription factor complexes but also their degradation and persistence in developing flowers. Our results also show how coding change in a pleiotropic master regulator could have small, quantitative effects on development.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Jazmín Abraham-Juárez
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
- CONACYT-Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., 78216 San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Amanda Schrager-Lavelle
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
- Biology Department, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, 81501 Colorado
| | - Jarrett Man
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
| | - Clinton Whipple
- Biology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, 84602 Utah
| | - Pubudu Handakumbura
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, 99354 Washington
| | - Courtney Babbitt
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
| | - Madelaine Bartlett
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003 Massachusetts
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19
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Blount JR, Johnson SL, Libohova K, Todi SV, Tsou WL. Degron capability of the hydrophobic C-terminus of the polyglutamine disease protein, ataxin-3. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:2096-2108. [PMID: 32643791 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Ataxin-3 is a deubiquitinase and polyglutamine disease protein whose cellular properties and functions are not entirely understood. Mutations in ataxin-3 cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a neurodegenerative disorder that is a member of the polyglutamine family of diseases. Two major isoforms arise from alternative splicing of ATXN3 and are differently toxic in vivo as a result of faster proteasomal degradation of one isoform compared to the other. The isoforms vary only at their C-termini, suggesting that the hydrophobic C-terminus of the more quickly degraded form of ataxin-3 (here referred to as isoform 2) functions as a degron-that is, a peptide sequence that expedites the degradation of its host protein. We explored this notion in this study and present evidence that: (a) the C-terminus of ataxin-3 isoform 2 signals its degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner, (b) this effect from the C-terminus of isoform 2 does not require the ubiquitination of ataxin-3, and (c) the isolated C-terminus of isoform 2 can enhance the degradation of an unrelated protein. According to our data, the C-terminus of ataxin-3 isoform 2 is a degron, increasing overall understanding of the cellular properties of the SCA3 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Blount
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sean L Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kozeta Libohova
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sokol V Todi
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wei-Ling Tsou
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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