Endocytosis and degradation of the growth hormone receptor are proteasome-dependent

The ubiquitin conjugation system is involved in ligand-induced endocytosis of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) via a cytosolic 10-amino acid ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif. Herein, we demonstrate that the proteasome is also involved in growth hormone receptor down-regulation. Ligand-induced degradation was blocked in the presence of specific proteasomal inhibitors. In addition, growth hormone (GH) internalization was inhibited, whereas the transferrin receptor cycle remained unaffected. A truncated GHR entered the cells independent of proteasome action. In addition, we show that GH internalization is independent of the presence of lysine residues in the cytosolic domain of the receptor, whereas its internalization can still be inhibited by proteasomal inhibitors. Thus, GHR internalization requires proteasome action in addition to an active ubiquitin conjugation system, but ubiquitination of the GHR itself seems not to be required.     

Identification of a novel ubiquitin conjugation motif, required for ligand-induced internalization of the growth hormone receptor.

In addition to its role in selective protein degradation, the conjugation of ubiquitin to proteins has also been implicated in the internalization of plasma membrane proteins, including the alpha-factor receptor Ste2p, uracil permease Fur4p, epithelial sodium channel ENaC and the growth hormone receptor (GHR). Binding of GH to its receptor induces receptor dimerization, resulting in the activation of signal transduction pathways and an increase of GHR ubiquitination. Previously, we have shown that the ubiquitin conjugation system mediates GH-induced GHR internalization. Here, we present evidence that a specific domain of the GHR regulates receptor endocytosis via the ubiquitin conjugation system. This ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis (UbE) motif consists of the amino acid sequence DSWVEFIELD and is homologous to sequences in other proteins, several of which are known to be ubiquitinated. In addition, we show that GH internalization by a truncated GHR is independent of the presence of lysine residues in the cytosolic domain of this receptor, while internalization still depends on an intact ubiquitin conjugation system. Thus, GHR internalization requires the recruitment of the ubiquitin conjugation system to the GHR UbE motif rather than the conjugation of ubiquitin to the GHR itself.     

Linkage of the ubiquitin-conjugating system and the endocytic pathway in ligand-induced internalization of the growth hormone receptor.

The major function of the ubiquitin-conjugating system is the targeting of cytosolic and nuclear proteins for degradation by the proteasome. Recently, ubiquitin conjugation has been implicated in the downregulation of signalling receptors such as the mammalian growth hormone receptor (GHR) and the alpha-factor receptor in yeast. By examining truncated receptors, the internalization-deficient receptor mutant F327A and conditions under which clathrin-mediated GHR endocytosis is inhibited, we show here that GHR ubiquitination and ligand-induced GHR internalization are coupled events. Previously, we had shown that GHR endocytosis is dependent on an intact ubiquitination system. Here we present evidence that GHR ubiquitination depends on an intact endocytic pathway. Our data indicate that the ubiquitin-conjugating system and the endocytic pathway interact at the cytoplasmic tail of the GHR at the plasma membrane, where they cooperate to regulate internalization of the GHR.     

The ubiquitin ligase SCF(betaTrCP) regulates the degradation of the growth hormone receptor

SCF ubiquitin ligases play a pivotal role in the regulation of cell division and various signal transduction pathways, which in turn are involved in cell growth, survival, and transformation. SCF(TrCP) recognizes the double phosphorylated DSGPhiXS destruction motif in beta-catenin and IkappaB. We show that the same ligase drives endocytosis and degradation of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in a ligand-independent fashion. The F-box protein beta-TrCP binds directly and specifically with its WD40 domain to a novel recognition motif, previously designated as the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif. Receptor degradation requires an active neddylation system, implicating ubiquitin ligase activity. GHR-TrCP binding, but not GHR ubiquitination, is necessary for endocytosis. TrCP2 silencing is more effective on GHR degradation and endocytosis than TrCP1, although overexpression of either isoform restores TrCP function in silenced cells. Together, these findings provide direct evidence for a key role of the SCF(TrCP) in the endocytosis and degradation of an important factor in growth, immunity, and life span regulation.     

Ubc13 and COOH terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP) are required for growth hormone receptor endocytosis

Growth hormone receptor (GHR) endocytosis is a highly regulated process that depends on the binding and activity of the multimeric ubiquitin ligase, SCF(βTrCP) (Skp Cullin F-box). Despite a specific interaction between β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP) and the GHR, and a strict requirement for ubiquitination activity, the receptor is not an obligatory target for SCF(βTrCP)-directed Lys(48) polyubiquitination. We now show that also Lys(63)-linked ubiquitin chain formation is required for GHR endocytosis. We identified both the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13 and the ubiquitin ligase COOH terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) as being connected to this process. Ubc13 activity and its interaction with CHIP precede endocytosis of GHR. In addition to βTrCP, CHIP interacts specifically with the cytosolic tails of the dimeric GHR, identifying both Ubc13 and CHIP as novel factors in the regulation of cell surface availability of GHR.     

Cbl-dependent ubiquitination is required for progression of EGF receptors into clathrin-coated pits

Ligand binding causes the EGF receptor (EGFR) to become ubiquitinated by Cbl upon association with the adaptor protein Grb2. We have investigated the role of ubiquitin and Grb2 in ligand-induced endocytosis of the EGFR. Incubation of cells with EGF on ice caused translocation of Grb2 and Cbl from the cytosol to the rim of coated pits. Grb2 with point mutations in both SH3 domains inhibited recruitment of the EGFR to clathrin-coated pits, in a Ras-independent manner. On overexpression of the Cbl-binding protein Sprouty, ubiquitination of the EGFR was inhibited, the EGFR was recruited only to the rim of coated pits, and endocytosis of the EGFR was inhibited. Conjugation-defective ubiquitin similarly inhibited recruitment of EGF-EGFR to clathrin-coated pits. Even though this does not prove that cargo must be ubiquitinated, this indicates the importance of interaction of ubiquitinated protein(s) with proteins harboring ubiquitin-interacting domains. We propose that Grb2 mediates transient anchoring of the EGFR to an Eps15-containing molecular complex at the rim of coated pits and that Cbl-induced ubiquitination of the EGFR allows relocation of EGFR from the rim to the center of clathrin-coated pits.     

SCF acts in endosomal sorting of the GH receptor

The ubiquitin ligase SCF^TrCP is required for internalisation of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and acts via a direct interaction with the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif. Details of how the ligase communicates its information to the clathrin-mediated internalisation machinery are unknown. For the EGF receptor, c-Cbl acts both at the cell surface and in endosomes. We hypothesised that SCF^TrCP is required for GHR degradation at both sites. This was tested by truncating GHR after a di-leucine-based internalisation motif (GHR349). This receptor enters the cells via the adapter complex AP2. We show that TrCP acts in an early stage of cargo selection: both TrCP silencing and mutation of the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif force the GHR to recycle between endosomes and the plasma membrane, together with the transferrin receptor. Depletion of Tsg101 (ESCRT-I) has the same effect, while silencing of Hrs (ESCRT-0) prevents GH recycling. GH passes through late endosomal vesicles, marked by Lamp1. Coexpressing GHR and EGFR demonstrates that both receptors use the same route to the lysosomes. We show for the first time that SCF^TrCP is involved in cargo-specific sorting at endosomes and that Tsg101 rather than Hrs might direct the cargo into the ESCRT machinery.     

SCF(TrCP) acts in endosomal sorting of the GH receptor

The ubiquitin ligase SCF(TrCP) is required for internalisation of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and acts via a direct interaction with the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif. Details of how the ligase communicates its information to the clathrin-mediated internalisation machinery are unknown. For the EGF receptor, c-Cbl acts both at the cell surface and in endosomes. We hypothesised that SCF(TrCP) is required for GHR degradation at both sites. This was tested by truncating GHR after a di-leucine-based internalisation motif (GHR349). This receptor enters the cells via the adapter complex AP2. We show that TrCP acts in an early stage of cargo selection: both TrCP silencing and mutation of the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis motif force the GHR to recycle between endosomes and the plasma membrane, together with the transferrin receptor. Depletion of Tsg101 (ESCRT-I) has the same effect, while silencing of Hrs (ESCRT-0) prevents GH recycling. GH passes through late endosomal vesicles, marked by Lamp1. Coexpressing GHR and EGFR demonstrates that both receptors use the same route to the lysosomes. We show for the first time that SCF(TrCP) is involved in cargo-specific sorting at endosomes and that Tsg101 rather than Hrs might direct the cargo into the ESCRT machinery.     

Growth hormone receptor ubiquitination, endocytosis, and degradation are independent of signal transduction via Janus kinase 2.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is required in growth hormone receptor (GHR) endocytosis. For cytokine receptors, which lack intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, signal transduction is initiated by the activation of a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family. Previously, we have shown that GHR and JAK2 tyrosine (de) phosphorylation are regulated via the ubiquitin system. In this study, we examined the role of JAK2-mediated signal transduction in GHR internalization and down-regulation. Mutation of the attachment site for JAK2, box-1, in the GHR cytoplasmic tail resulted in the complete absence of GHR and JAK2 phosphorylation. This modification did not alter the rate and extent of receptor-bound growth hormone internalization as compared with a functional GHR, nor did it change its turnover and transport to the plasma membrane. In addition, the receptor was still normally ubiquitinated and remained dependent on both an intact ubiquitin system and proteasomal action for its internalization. Thus, GHR ubiquitination, endocytosis, and degradation occur independently of GHR signal transduction via JAK2. We conclude that whereas endocytosis and degradation require the ubiquitin system, they are independent of GHR signal transduction.     

The ubiquitin conjugation system is required for ligand-induced endocytosis and degradation of the growth hormone receptor.

The ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation system has recently been implicated in downregulation of signal transducing receptors. Growth hormone receptor (GHR) cDNA was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells, which exhibit a temperature-sensitive defect in ubiquitin conjugation (CHO-ts20), as well as into wild-type cells (CHO-E36). Upon binding of growth hormone (GH), two GHR polypeptides dimerize and initiate signal transduction. In CHO-E36 and in CHO-ts20 at the permissive temperature the GHR was ubiquitinated and degraded in a GH-dependent fashion. However, at the non-permissive temperature in CHO-ts20 cells, neither GH-dependent uptake nor degradation of the GHR was observed, while in CHO-E36 cells both GHR uptake and degradation were accelerated. Incubation of CHO-E36 cells with inhibitors of endosomal/lysosomal function (NH4Cl, bafilomycin A1) markedly reduced ligand-induced GHR degradation. Our results indicate that a functional ubiquitin conjugating system is required for GH-induced endocytosis and that degradation of both the exoplasmic and cytoplasmic portions of the GHR occurs within the endosomal/lysosomal compartment.     

The Ankrd 13 family of UIM-bearing proteins regulates EGF receptor endocytosis from the plasma membrane

The mechanism of ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis of cell surface proteins is not completely understood. Here we examine the role of the ankyrin repeat domain (Ankrd) 13A, 13B, and 13D proteins, which constitute a functionally unknown family of ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM)-bearing proteins, in the process. Stimulation of human HeLa cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) rapidly induced direct binding of Ankrd 13 proteins to ubiquitinated EGF receptor (EGFR) via the UIMs. The binding was inhibited when the Ankrd 13 proteins underwent UIM-dependent monoubiquitination, suggesting that their activity is regulated by ubiquitination of themselves. Ankrd 13 proteins bound specifically to Lys-63-linked ubiquitin chains, which was consistent with a previous report that EGFR mainly undergoes Lys-63-linked polyubiquitination. Ankrd 13 proteins were anchored, via the central region and UIMs, to the plasma membrane, where they colocalized with EGFR. Finally, overexpression of wild-type as well as truncated-mutant Ankrd 13 proteins strongly inhibited rapid endocytosis of ubiquitinated EGFR from the surface in EGF-treated cells. We conclude that by binding to the Lys-63-linked polyubiquitin moiety of EGFR at the plasma membrane, Ankrd 13 proteins regulate the rapid internalization of ligand-activated EGFR.     

Ubiquitination of the yeast a-factor receptor

The a-factor receptor (Ste3p) is one of two pheromone receptors in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that enable the cell-cell communication of mating. In this report, we show that this receptor is subject to two distinct covalent modifications-phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Phosphorylation, evident on the unstimulated receptor, increases upon challenge by the receptor's ligand, a-factor. We suggest that this phosphorylation likely functions in the adaptive, negative regulation of receptor activity. Removal of phosphorylation by phosphatase treatment uncovered two phosphatase-resistant modifications identified as ubiquitination using a myc-epitope-tagged ubiquitin construct. Ste3p undergoes rapid, ligand-independent turnover that depends on vacuolar proteases and also on transport of the receptor from surface to vacuole (i.e., endocytosis) (Davis, N.G., J.L.Horecka, and G.F. Sprague, Jr., 1993 J. Cell Biol. 122:53-65). An end4 mutation, isolated for its defect in the endocytic uptake of alpha-factor pheromone (Raths, S., J. Rohrer, F. Crausaz, and H. Riezman. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 120:55-65), blocks constitutive endocytosis of the a-factor receptor, yet fails to block ubiquitination of the receptor. In fact, both phosphorylation and ubiquitination of the surfacebound receptor were found to increase, suggesting that these modifications may occur normally while the receptor is at the cell surface. In a mutant strain constructed to allow for depletion of ubiquitin, the level of receptor ubiquitination was found to be substantially decreased. Correlated with this was an impairment of receptor degradative turnover-receptor half-life that is normally approximately 20 min at 30 degrees C was increased to approximately 2 h under these ubiquitin-depletion conditions. Furthermore, surface residency, normally of short duration in wild-type cells (terminated by endocytosis to the vacuole), was found to be prolonged; the majority of the receptor protein remained surface localized fully 2 h after biosynthesis. Thus, the rates of a-factor receptor endocytosis and consequent vacuolar turnover depend on the available level of ubiquitin in the cell. In cells mutant for two E2 activities, i.e., ubc4 delta ubc5 delta cells, the receptor was found to be substantially less ubiquitinated, and in addition, receptor turnover was slowed, suggesting that Ubc4p and Ubc5p may play a role in the recognition of the receptor protein as substrate for the ubiquitin system. In addition to ligand-independent uptake, the a-factor receptor also undergoes a ligand-dependent form of endocytosis (Davis, N.G., J.L. Horecka, and G.F. Sprague, Jr. 1993. J. Cell. Biol. 122:53-65). Concurrent with ligand-dependent uptake, we now show that the receptor undergoes ligand-induced ubiquitination, suggesting that receptor ubiquitination may function in the ligand-dependent endocytosis of the a-factor receptor as well as in its constitutive endocytosis. To account for these findings, we propose a model wherein the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to surface receptor triggers endocytic uptake.     

Regulation of receptors and transporters by ubiquitination: new insights into surprisingly similar mechanisms

The function of many receptors and transport proteins that reside at the surface of the cell is regulated by endocytosis and postendocytic trafficking. Modification of receptors and transporters by ubiquitin conjugation has recently emerged as the major regulatory mechanism of internalization and intracellular sorting of these membrane proteins. This review will describe recent advances in elucidating the mechanisms of ubiquitination of mammalian receptors and transporters using two examples: the receptor for epidermal growth factor and the dopamine transporter. How ubiquitination controls the endocytosis and turnover of these proteins will be also discussed.     

MDA-9/syntenin interacts with ubiquitin via a novel ubiquitin-binding motif

Ubiquitination appears to be involved in proteasome-dependent proteolysis and in the membrane trafficking system including endocytosis and exocytosis. In this study, we identified MDA-9/syntenin as a novel ubiquitin-binding protein by a yeast two-hybrid system using modified ubiquitin in which lysine 48 is substituted by arginine. It has been reported that MDA-9/syntenin is a membrane-associated protein and regulates a cellular process involving endocytosis and intracellular transport. We found that MDA-9/syntenin binds to ubiquitin by a non-covalent bond and is ubiquitinated covalently. MDA-9/syntenin has no ubiquitin-binding motifs that have so far been reported, suggesting that MDA-9/syntenin physically interacts with ubiquitin via a novel binding motif. MDA-9/syntenin is stable in the cell, suggesting that ubiquitin binding of MDA-9/syntenin or ubiquitination of MDA-9/syntenin is not related to proteolysis. Furthermore, we showed that overexpression of wild-type MDA-9/syntenin enhances formation of filopodia, whereas MDA-9/syntenin lacking the PDZ domain inhibits the formation of filopodia, suggesting that MDA-9/syntenin plays an important role via interaction with ubiquitin in the regulation of cancer metastasis and invasion.     

The yeast Npi1/Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase lacking its N-terminal C2 domain is competent for ubiquitination but not for subsequent endocytosis of the gap1 permease

The yeast ubiquitin ligase Npi1/Rsp5 and its mammalian homologue Nedd4 are involved in ubiquitination of various cell surface proteins, these being subsequently internalized by endocytosis and degraded in the vacuole/lysosome. Both enzymes consist of an N-terminal C2 domain, three to four successive WW(P) domains, and a C-terminal catalytic domain (HECT) containing a highly conserved cysteine residue involved in ubiquitin thioester formation. In this study, we show that the conserved cysteine of the HECT domain is required for yeast cell viability and for ubiquitination and subsequent endocytosis of the Gap1 permease. In contrast, the C2 domain of Npi1/Rsp5 is not essential to cell viability. Its deletion impairs internalization of Gap1, without detectably affecting ubiquitination of the permease. This suggests that Npi1/Rsp5 participates, via its C2 domain, in endocytosis of ubiquitinated permeases.     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor processing: role of ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation

These studies were designed to characterize ubiquitination of the G protein-coupled TRH receptor (TRHR). TRHRs and ubiquitin coprecipitated with antibodies to either receptor or ubiquitin in Chinese hamster ovary or pituitary GHFT cells. Inhibition of the proteasome with MG-132 resulted in an accumulation of total TRHRs and the appearance of a small amount of cytosolic receptor. MG-132 caused an increase in newly synthesized receptors, detected by microscopy using a TRHR coupled to Timer, a DsRed that undergoes a spontaneous time-dependent color change. Misfolded TRHRs were particularly heavily ubiquitinated. These results show that the proteasome participates in TRHR quality control early after receptor synthesis. Under normal circumstances, most ubiquitinated TRHRs were absorbed to wheat germ agglutinin, indicating that they had undergone complex glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. When cells were treated with tunicamycin to block glycosylation, a ladder of ubiquitinated species was detectable. Cell surface receptors, which were labeled selectively with either radioligand or antibody, showed no detectable ubiquitin modification. To determine if ubiqutination plays a role in TRH-induced receptor endocytosis, the receptor was expressed in Ts20 cells, which have a temperature-sensitive ubiquitin pathway. TRH induced a significant calcium response and rapid and extensive receptor internalization at both the permissive and nonpermissive temperatures, indicating that ligand-dependent ubiquitination of the receptor, or any other protein, is not necessary for TRHR signaling or internalization. These results show that ubiquitin modification targets misfolded receptors for degradation and suggest a possible role for ubiquitination in receptor trafficking.     

βTrCP controls GH receptor degradation via two different motifs

The physiological roles of GH are broad and include metabolism regulation and promotion of somatic growth. Therefore, the responsiveness of cells to GH must be tightly regulated. This is mainly achieved by a complex and well-controlled mechanism of GH receptor (GHR) endocytosis. GHR endocytosis occurs independently of GH and requires the ubiquitin ligase, SCF (βTrCP) that is recruited to the ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis (UbE) motif in the cytoplasmic tail of the GHR. In this study we report that, in addition to the UbE motif, a downstream degron, DSGRTS, binds to βTrCP. The WD40 residues on βTrCP involved in the interaction with this sequence are identical to the ones necessary for binding the classical motif, DSGxxS, in inhibitor of NFκB signalling, and β-catenin. Previously, we showed that this motif is not involved in GH-induced endocytosis. We show here that the DSGRTS sequence significantly contributes to GHR endocytosis/degradation in basal conditions, whereas the UbE motif is involved both in basal and GH-induced conditions. These findings explain the high rate of GHR degradation under basal conditions, which is important for regulating the responsiveness of cells to GH.     

Suppression of the ligand-mediated down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor by Ymer, a novel tyrosine-phosphorylated and ubiquitinated protein

The ligand-mediated down-regulation of the growth factor receptors is preceded by the involvement of various other factors. In particular, a ubiquitin ligase, Cbl, plays a central role in this event. Several candidates that have potential effects on the negative control of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor have now been identified by our recent studies in phospho-proteomics. Among these molecules, we focus on characterizing a novel protein, Ymer, which is a tyrosine-phosphorylated and ubiquitinated protein. Ymer is found to be phosphorylated at tyrosine 145 and 146 upon EGF stimulation, and lysine 129 of Ymer has been identified as a ubiquitination site. Ymer has two motifs interacting with the ubiquitin (MIU) domains that might function as a binding site for the ubiquitinated EGF receptor. Although Ymer and EGF receptors are associated in an EGF-dependent manner, their interaction is required not only for MIU domains but also for the tyrosine phosphorylation of Ymer. Phosphorylated Ymer is mainly located at the plasma membrane with EGF receptor and functions in its endocytosis and degradation. Furthermore, EGF-mediated secondary modifications of an activated-EGF receptor are inhibited by overexpressing Ymer in COS7 cells. Therefore, Ymer may have competitive effects on the activation of the EGF receptor. Our findings suggest that Ymer functions as a novel inhibitor for the down-regulation of the EGF receptor and plays a crucial role for regulating the amount of the EGF receptor on the cell surface membrane.     

Phosphorylation-independent ubiquitylation and endocytosis of Fc gammaRIIA

Endocytosis of the Fc receptor Fc gammaRIIA depends on a functional ubiquitin conjugation system, and the receptor becomes ubiquitylated upon ligand binding. Phosphorylation of tyrosines in Fc gammaRIIA by Src family kinases is thought to be the initiating event in its signaling. However, although the Src family kinase inhibitor PP1 inhibited both ligand-induced phosphorylation of Fc gammaRIIA and phagocytosis in ts20 cells expressing Fc gammaRIIA, it did not inhibit receptor ubiquitylation or endocytosis of soluble ligands. Conversely, genistein and the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 did not inhibit receptor phosphorylation but strongly inhibited both receptor ubiquitylation and endocytosis. A region of the receptor lying within the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif was found to be necessary for both ubiquitylation and endocytosis. Ubiquitylation occurs at the plasma membrane before internalization. Endocytosis of Fc gammaRIIA is dependent on clathrin but independent of the adaptor protein AP-2. These findings point to a novel mechanism for ubiquitylation and endocytosis of this immunoreceptor.