DELTEX E3 ligases ubiquitylate ADP-ribosyl modification on protein substrates

Ubiquitylation had been considered limited to protein lysine residues, but other substrates have recently emerged. Here, we show that DELTEX E3 ligases specifically target the 3' hydroxyl of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosyl moiety that can be linked to a protein, thus generating a hybrid ADP-ribosyl-ubiquitin modification. Unlike other known hydroxyl-specific E3s, which proceed via a covalent E3~ubiqutin intermediate, DELTEX enzymes are RING E3s that stimulate a direct ubiquitin transfer from E2~ubiquitin onto a substrate. However, DELTEXes follow a previously unidentified paradigm for RING E3s, whereby the ligase not only forms a scaffold but also provides catalytic residues to activate the acceptor. Comparative analysis of known hydroxyl-ubiquitylating active sites points to the recurring use of a catalytic histidine residue, which, in DELTEX E3s, is potentiated by a glutamate in a catalytic triad-like manner. In addition, we determined the hydrolase specificity profile of this modification, identifying human and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enzymes that could reverse it in cells.

Streptomyces coelicolor macrodomain hydrolase SCO6735 cleaves thymidine-linked ADP-ribosylation of DNA

ADP-ribosylation is an ancient, highly conserved, and reversible covalent modification critical for a variety of endogenous processes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. ADP-ribosylation targets proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules (including antibiotics). ADP-ribosylation signalling involves enzymes that add ADP-ribose to the target molecule, the (ADP-ribosyl)transferases; and those that remove it, the (ADP-ribosyl)hydrolases. Recently, the toxin/antitoxin pair DarT/DarG composed of a DNA ADP-ribosylating toxin, DarT, and (ADP-ribosyl)hydrolase antitoxin, DarG, was described. DarT modifies thymidine in single-stranded DNA in a sequence-specific manner while DarG reverses this modification, thereby rescuing cells from DarT toxicity. We studied the DarG homologue SCO6735 which is highly conserved in all Streptomyces species and known to be associated with antibiotic production in the bacterium S. coelicolor. SCO6735 shares a high structural similarity with the bacterial DarG and human TARG1. Like DarG and TARG1, SCO6735 can also readily reverse thymidine-linked ADP-ribosylation catalysed by DarT in vitro and in cells. SCO6735 active site analysis including molecular dynamic simulations of its complex with ADP-ribosylated thymidine suggests a novel catalytic mechanism of DNA-(ADP-ribose) hydrolysis. Moreover, a comparison of SCO6735 structure with ALC1-like homologues revealed an evolutionarily conserved feature characteristic for this subclass of macrodomain hydrolases.

ADP-ribosylation systems in bacteria and viruses

ADP-ribosylation is an ancient posttranslational modification present in all kingdoms of life. The system likely originated in bacteria where it functions in inter- and intra-species conflict, stress response and pathogenicity. It was repeatedly adopted via lateral transfer by eukaryotes, including humans, where it has a pivotal role in epigenetics, DNA-damage repair, apoptosis, and other crucial pathways including the immune response to pathogenic bacteria and viruses. In other words, the same ammunition used by pathogens is adapted by eukaryotes to fight back. While we know quite a lot about the eukaryotic system, expanding rather patchy knowledge on bacterial and viral ADP-ribosylation would give us not only a better understanding of the system as a whole but a fighting advantage in this constant arms race. By writing this review we hope to put into focus the available information and give a perspective on how this system works and can be exploited in the search for therapeutic targets in the future. The relevance of the subject is especially highlighted by the current situation of being amid the world pandemic caused by a virus harbouring and dependent on a representative of such a system.

Reversible ADP-ribosylation of RNA

ADP-ribosylation is a reversible chemical modification catalysed by ADP-ribosyltransferases such as PARPs that utilize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as a cofactor to transfer monomer or polymers of ADP-ribose nucleotide onto macromolecular targets such as proteins and DNA. ADP-ribosylation plays an important role in several biological processes such as DNA repair, transcription, chromatin remodelling, host-virus interactions, cellular stress response and many more. Using biochemical methods we identify RNA as a novel target of reversible mono-ADP-ribosylation. We demonstrate that the human PARPs - PARP10, PARP11 and PARP15 as well as a highly diverged PARP homologue TRPT1, ADP-ribosylate phosphorylated ends of RNA. We further reveal that ADP-ribosylation of RNA mediated by PARP10 and TRPT1 can be efficiently reversed by several cellular ADP-ribosylhydrolases (PARG, TARG1, MACROD1, MACROD2 and ARH3), as well as by MACROD-like hydrolases from VEEV and SARS viruses. Finally, we show that TRPT1 and MACROD homologues in bacteria possess activities equivalent to the human proteins. Our data suggest that RNA ADP-ribosylation may represent a widespread and physiologically relevant form of reversible ADP-ribosylation signalling.

ADP-ribosylation signalling and human disease

ADP-ribosylation (ADPr) is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins, which controls major cellular and biological processes, including DNA damage repair, cell proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, stress and immune responses. In order to maintain the cellular homeostasis, diverse ADP-ribosyl transferases and hydrolases are involved in the fine-tuning of ADPr systems. The control of ADPr network is vital, and dysregulation of enzymes involved in the regulation of ADPr signalling has been linked to a number of inherited and acquired human diseases, such as several neurological disorders and in cancer. Conversely, the therapeutic manipulation of ADPr has been shown to ameliorate several disorders in both human and animal models. These include cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune and neurological disorders. Herein, we summarize the recent findings in the field of ADPr, which support the impact of this modification in human pathophysiology and highlight the curative potential of targeting ADPr for translational and molecular medicine.

Characterization of a group I Nme protein of Capsaspora owczarzaki-a close unicellular relative of animals

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases are enzymes present in all domains of life. In animals, they are called Nme or Nm23 proteins, and are divided into group I and II. Human Nme1 was the first protein identified as a metastasis suppressor. Because of its medical importance, it has been extensively studied. In spite of the large research effort, the exact mechanism of metastasis suppression remains unclear. It is unknown which of the biochemical properties or biological functions are responsible for the antimetastatic role of the mammalian Nme1. Furthermore, it is not clear at which point in the evolution of life group I Nme proteins acquired the potential to suppress metastasis, a process that is usually associated with complex animals. In this study we performed a series of tests and assays on a group I Nme protein from filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki, a close unicellular relative of animals. The aim was to compare the protein to the well-known human Nme1 and Nme2 homologs, as well as with the homolog from a simple animal-sponge (Porifera), in order to see how the proteins changed with the transition to multicellularity, and subsequently in the evolution of complex animals. We found that premetazoan-type protein is highly similar to the homologs from sponge and human, in terms of biochemical characteristics and potential biological functions. Like the human Nme1 and Nme2, it is able to diminish the migratory potential of human cancer cells in culture.

Specificity of reversible ADP-ribosylation and regulation of cellular processes

Proper and timely regulation of cellular processes is fundamental to the overall health and viability of organisms across all kingdoms of life. Thus, organisms have evolved multiple highly dynamic and complex biochemical signaling cascades in order to adapt and survive diverse challenges. One such method of conferring rapid adaptation is the addition or removal of reversible modifications of different chemical groups onto macromolecules which in turn induce the appropriate downstream outcome. ADP-ribosylation, the addition of ADP-ribose (ADPr) groups, represents one of these highly conserved signaling chemicals. Herein we outline the writers, erasers and readers of ADP-ribosylation and dip into the multitude of cellular processes they have been implicated in. We also review what we currently know on how specificity of activity is ensured for this important modification.

MacroD1 Is a Promiscuous ADP-Ribosyl Hydrolase Localized to Mitochondria

MacroD1 is a macrodomain containing protein that has mono-ADP-ribose hydrolase enzymatic activity toward several ADP-ribose adducts. Dysregulation of MacroD1 expression has been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of several forms of cancer. To date, the physiological functions and sub-cellular localization of MacroD1 are unclear. Previous studies have described nuclear and cytosolic functions of MacroD1. However, in this study we show that endogenous MacroD1 protein is highly enriched within mitochondria. We also show that MacroD1 is highly expressed in human and mouse skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we show that MacroD1 can efficiently remove ADP-ribose from 5' and 3'-phosphorylated double stranded DNA adducts in vitro. Overall, we have shown that MacroD1 is a mitochondrial protein with promiscuous enzymatic activity that can target the ester bonds of ADP-ribosylated phosphorylated double-stranded DNA ends. These findings have exciting implications for MacroD1 and ADP-ribosylation within the regulation of mitochondrial function and DNA-damage in vivo.

ADP-ribosylation: new facets of an ancient modification

Rapid response to environmental changes is achieved by uni- and multicellular organisms through a series of molecular events, often involving modification of macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Amongst these, ADP-ribosylation is of emerging interest because of its ability to modify different macromolecules in the cells, and its association with many key biological processes, such as DNA-damage repair, DNA replication, transcription, cell division, signal transduction, stress and infection responses, microbial pathogenicity and aging. In this review, we provide an update on novel pathways and mechanisms regulated by ADP-ribosylation in organisms coming from all kingdoms of life.

Disruption of Macrodomain Protein SCO6735 Increases Antibiotic Production in Streptomyces coelicolor

ADP-ribosylation is a post-translational modification that can alter the physical and chemical properties of target proteins and that controls many important cellular processes. Macrodomains are evolutionarily conserved structural domains that bind ADP-ribose derivatives and are found in proteins with diverse cellular functions. Some proteins from the macrodomain family can hydrolyze ADP-ribosylated substrates and therefore reverse this post-translational modification. Bacteria and Streptomyces, in particular, are known to utilize protein ADP-ribosylation, yet very little is known about their enzymes that synthesize and remove this modification. We have determined the crystal structure and characterized, both biochemically and functionally, the macrodomain protein SCO6735 from Streptomyces coelicolor This protein is a member of an uncharacterized subfamily of macrodomain proteins. Its crystal structure revealed a highly conserved macrodomain fold. We showed that SCO6735 possesses the ability to hydrolyze PARP-dependent protein ADP-ribosylation. Furthermore, we showed that expression of this protein is induced upon DNA damage and that deletion of this protein in S. coelicolor increases antibiotic production. Our results provide the first insights into the molecular basis of its action and impact on Streptomyces metabolism.

Functional and Structural Characterization of FAU Gene/Protein from Marine Sponge Suberites domuncula

Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR-MuSV) ubiquitously expressed (FAU) gene is down-regulated in human prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Moreover, its dysregulation is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Sponges (Porifera) are animals without tissues which branched off first from the common ancestor of all metazoans. A large majority of genes implicated in human cancers have their homologues in the sponge genome. Our study suggests that FAU gene from the sponge Suberites domuncula reflects characteristics of the FAU gene from the metazoan ancestor, which have changed only slightly during the course of animal evolution. We found pro-apoptotic activity of sponge FAU protein. The same as its human homologue, sponge FAU increases apoptosis in human HEK293T cells. This indicates that the biological functions of FAU, usually associated with "higher" metazoans, particularly in cancer etiology, possess a biochemical background established early in metazoan evolution. The ancestor of all animals possibly possessed FAU protein with the structure and function similar to evolutionarily more recent versions of the protein, even before the appearance of true tissues and the origin of tumors and metastasis. It provides an opportunity to use pre-bilaterian animals as a simpler model for studying complex interactions in human cancerogenesis.

Distribution of protein poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation systems across all domains of life

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification of proteins involved in regulation of many cellular pathways. Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) consists of chains of repeating ADP-ribose nucleotide units and is synthesized by the family of enzymes called poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). This modification can be removed by the hydrolytic action of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) and ADP-ribosylhydrolase 3 (ARH3). Hydrolytic activity of macrodomain proteins (MacroD1, MacroD2 and TARG1) is responsible for the removal of terminal ADP-ribose unit and for complete reversion of protein ADP-ribosylation. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is widely utilized in eukaryotes and PARPs are present in representatives from all six major eukaryotic supergroups, with only a small number of eukaryotic species that do not possess PARP genes. The last common ancestor of all eukaryotes possessed at least five types of PARP proteins that include both mono and poly(ADP-ribosyl) transferases. Distribution of PARGs strictly follows the distribution of PARP proteins in eukaryotic species. At least one of the macrodomain proteins that hydrolyse terminal ADP-ribose is also always present. Therefore, we can presume that the last common ancestor of all eukaryotes possessed a fully functional and reversible PAR metabolism and that PAR signalling provided the conditions essential for survival of the ancestral eukaryote in its ancient environment. PARP proteins are far less prevalent in bacteria and were probably gained through horizontal gene transfer. Only eleven bacterial species possess all proteins essential for a functional PAR metabolism, although it is not known whether PAR metabolism is truly functional in bacteria. Several dsDNA viruses also possess PARP homologues, while no PARP proteins have been identified in any archaeal genome. Our analysis of the distribution of enzymes involved in PAR metabolism provides insight into the evolution of these important signalling systems, as well as providing the basis for selection of the appropriate genetic model organisms to study the physiology of the specific human PARP proteins.

Molecular Insights into Poly(ADP-ribose) Recognition and Processing

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational protein modification involved in the regulation of important cellular functions including DNA repair, transcription, mitosis and apoptosis. The amount of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PAR) in cells reflects the balance of synthesis, mediated by the PARP protein family, and degradation, which is catalyzed by a glycohydrolase, PARG. Many of the proteins mediating PAR metabolism possess specialised high affinity PAR-binding modules that allow the efficient sensing or processing of the PAR signal. The identification of four such PAR-binding modules and the characterization of a number of proteins utilising these elements during the last decade has provided important insights into how PAR regulates different cellular activities. The macrodomain represents a unique PAR-binding module which is, in some instances, known to possess enzymatic activity on ADP-ribose derivatives (in addition to PAR-binding). The most recently discovered example for this is the PARG protein, and several available PARG structures have provided an understanding into how the PARG macrodomain evolved into a major enzyme that maintains PAR homeostasis in living cells.

Structural and functional characterization of ribosomal protein gene introns in sponges

Ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) are a powerful tool for studying intron evolution. They exist in all three domains of life and are much conserved. Accumulating genomic data suggest that RPG introns in many organisms abound with non-protein-coding-RNAs (ncRNAs). These ancient ncRNAs are small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) essential for ribosome assembly. They are also mobile genetic elements and therefore probably important in diversification and enrichment of transcriptomes through various mechanisms such as intron/exon gain/loss. snoRNAs in basal metazoans are poorly characterized. We examined 449 RPG introns, in total, from four demosponges: Amphimedon queenslandica, Suberites domuncula, Suberites ficus and Suberites pagurorum and showed that RPG introns from A. queenslandica share position conservancy and some structural similarity with "higher" metazoans. Moreover, our study indicates that mobile element insertions play an important role in the evolution of their size. In four sponges 51 snoRNAs were identified. The analysis showed discrepancies between the snoRNA pools of orthologous RPG introns between S. domuncula and A. queenslandica. Furthermore, these two sponges show as much conservancy of RPG intron positions between each other as between themselves and human. Sponges from the Suberites genus show consistency in RPG intron position conservation. However, significant differences in some of the orthologous RPG introns of closely related sponges were observed. This indicates that RPG introns are dynamic even on these shorter evolutionary time scales.

Characterization of Nme6-like gene/protein from marine sponge Suberites domuncula

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) are evolutionarily conserved enzymes involved in many biological processes such as metastasis, proliferation, development, differentiation, ciliary functions, vesicle transport and apoptosis in vertebrates. Biochemical mechanisms of these processes are still largely unknown. Sponges (Porifera) are simple metazoans without tissues, closest to the common ancestor of all animals. They changed little during evolution and probably provide the best insight into the metazoan ancestors' genomic features. The purpose of this study was to address structural and functional properties of group II Nme6 gene/protein ortholog from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula, Nme6, in order to elucidate its evolutionary history. Sponge Nme6 gene and promoter were sequenced and analysed with various bioinformatical tools. Nme6 and Nme6Δ31 proteins were produced in E. coli strain BL21 and NDPK activity was measured using a coupled pyruvate kinase-lactate dehydrogenase assay. Subcellular localization in human tumour cells was examined by confocal scanning microscopy. Our results show that the sponge Nme6 compared to human Nme6 does not possess NDPK activity, does not localize in mitochondria at least in human cells although it has a putative mitochondrial signal sequence, lacks two recent introns that comprise miRNAs and have different transcriptional binding sites in the promoter region. Therefore, we conclude that the structure of Nme6 gene has changed during metazoan evolution possibly in correlation with the function of the protein.

Sponge non-metastatic Group I Nme gene/protein - structure and function is conserved from sponges to humans

Background

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases NDPK are evolutionarily conserved enzymes present in Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya, with human Nme1 the most studied representative of the family and the first identified metastasis suppressor. Sponges (Porifera) are simple metazoans without tissues, closest to the common ancestor of all animals. They changed little during evolution and probably provide the best insight into the metazoan ancestor's genomic features. Recent studies show that sponges have a wide repertoire of genes many of which are involved in diseases in more complex metazoans. The original function of those genes and the way it has evolved in the animal lineage is largely unknown. Here we report new results on the metastasis suppressor gene/protein homolog from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula, NmeGp1Sd. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of the sponge Group I Nme gene and protein, and compare it to its human homolog in order to elucidate the evolution of the structure and function of Nme.

Results

We found that sponge genes coding for Group I Nme protein are intron-rich. Furthermore, we discovered that the sponge NmeGp1Sd protein has a similar level of kinase activity as its human homolog Nme1, does not cleave negatively supercoiled DNA and shows nonspecific DNA-binding activity. The sponge NmeGp1Sd forms a hexamer, like human Nme1, and all other eukaryotic Nme proteins. NmeGp1Sd interacts with human Nme1 in human cells and exhibits the same subcellular localization. Stable clones expressing sponge NmeGp1Sd inhibited the migratory potential of CAL 27 cells, as already reported for human Nme1, which suggests that Nme's function in migratory processes was engaged long before the composition of true tissues.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the ancestor of all animals possessed a NmeGp1 protein with properties and functions similar to evolutionarily recent versions of the protein, even before the appearance of true tissues and the origin of tumors and metastasis.

Over-represented localized sequence motifs in ribosomal protein gene promoters of basal metazoans

Equimolecular presence of ribosomal proteins (RPs) in the cell is needed for ribosome assembly and is achieved by synchronized expression of ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) with promoters of similar strengths. Over-represented motifs of RPG promoter regions are identified as targets for specific transcription factors. Unlike RPs, those motifs are not conserved between mammals, drosophila, and yeast. We analyzed RPGs proximal promoter regions of three basal metazoans with sequenced genomes: sponge, cnidarian, and placozoan and found common features, such as 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine tracts and TATA-boxes. Furthermore, we identified over-represented motifs, some of which displayed the highest similarity to motifs abundant in human RPG promoters and not present in Drosophila or yeast. Our results indicate that humans over-represented motifs, as well as corresponding domains of transcription factors, were established very early in metazoan evolution. The fast evolving nature of RPGs regulatory network leads to formation of other, lineage specific, over-represented motifs.