Ubiquitin-proteasome system mediates heme oxygenase-1 degradation through endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway

The present study investigated the cellular mechanism underlying the degradation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-anchored protein. The turnover of HO-1 induced in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was significantly attenuated by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of a proteasome-mediated pathway. High molecular weight ubiquitin conjugates were co-immunoprecipitated with HO-1 from VSMCs after proteasome inhibition, and HO-1 ubiquitination was confirmed in HEK293 cells overexpressing His-tagged HO-1 and HA-tagged ubiquitin. Endogenous p97, an ATPase, and Ufd1, both implicated as essential components in the ER-associated degradation pathway (ERAD), were co-eluted with His-tagged HO-1 from metal affinity resin. Knockdown of either p97 or Ufd1 in HEK293 cells using specific siRNA significantly prolonged the half-life of endogenously induced HO-1 and slowed the degradation of ubiquitinated HO-1. HO-1 ubiquitination in HEK293 cells was enhanced by zinc chloride, but suppressed with a zinc chelator (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethyl-enediamine), suggesting the involvement of a RING-E3 ligase in this process. Collectively, these data indicate that HO-1 protein turnover is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system through the ERAD pathway.     

Mdm2 Promotes Myogenesis through the Ubiquitination and Degradation of CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein β

Myogenesis is a tightly regulated differentiation process during which precursor cells express in a coordinated fashion the myogenic regulatory factors, while down-regulating the satellite cell marker Pax7. CCAAT/Enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is also expressed in satellite cells and acts to maintain the undifferentiated state by stimulating Pax7 expression and by triggering a decrease in MyoD protein expression. Herein, we show that C/EBPβ protein is rapidly down-regulated upon induction of myogenesis and this is not due to changes in Cebpb mRNA expression. Rather, loss of C/EBPβ protein is accompanied by an increase in Mdm2 expression, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. We demonstrate that Mdm2 interacts with, ubiquitinates and targets C/EBPβ for degradation by the 26 S proteasome, leading to increased MyoD expression. Knockdown of Mdm2 expression in myoblasts using a shRNA resulted in high C/EBPβ levels and a blockade of myogenesis, indicating that Mdm2 is necessary for myogenic differentiation. Primary myoblasts expressing the shMdm2 construct were unable to contribute to muscle regeneration when grafted into cardiotoxin-injured muscle. The differentiation defect imposed by loss of Mdm2 could be partially rescued by loss of C/EBPβ, suggesting that the regulation of C/EBPβ turnover is a major role for Mdm2 in myoblasts. Taken together, we provide evidence that Mdm2 regulates entry into myogenesis by targeting C/EBPβ for degradation by the 26 S proteasome.     

Chaperone-dependent E3 ligase CHIP ubiquitinates and mediates proteasomal degradation of soluble guanylyl cyclase

The nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) exists in multimeric protein complexes, including heat shock protein (HSP) 90 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Inhibition of HSP90 by geldanamycin causes proteasomal degradation of sGC protein. In this study, we have investigated whether COOH terminus of heat shock protein 70-interacting protein (CHIP), a co-chaperone molecule that is involved in protein folding but is also a chaperone-dependent ubiquitin E3 ligase, could play a role in the process of degradation of sGC. Transient overexpression of CHIP in COS-7 cells degraded heterologous sGC in a concentration-related manner; this downregulation of sGC was abrogated by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. Transfection of tetratricopeptide repeats and U-box domain CHIP mutants attenuated sGC degradation, suggesting that both domains are indispensable for CHIP function. Results from immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescent microscopy experiments demonstrated that CHIP is associated with sGC, HSP90, and HSP70 in COS-7 cells. Furthermore, CHIP increased the association of HSP70 with sGC. In in vitro ubiquitination assays using purified proteins and ubiquitin enzymes, E3 ligase CHIP directly ubiquitinated sGC; this ubiquitination was potentiated by geldanamycin in COS-7 cells, followed by proteasomal degradation. In rat aortic smooth muscle cells, endogenous sGC was also degraded by adenovirus-infected wild-type CHIP but not by the chaperone interaction-deficient K30A CHIP, whereas CHIP, but not K30A, attenuated sGC expression in, and nitric oxide donor-induced relaxation of, rat aortic rings, suggesting that CHIP plays a regulatory role under physiological conditions. This study reveals a new mechanism for the regulation of sGC, an important mediator of cellular and vascular function.     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) regulates cortactin ubiquitination and degradation in lung epithelial cells

Cortactin, an actin-binding protein, is essential for cell growth and motility. We have shown that cortactin is regulated by reversible phosphorylation, but little is known regarding cortactin protein stability. Here, we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cortactin degradation is mediated by extracellular regulated signal kinase (ERK). LPS induces cortactin serine phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation in mouse lung epithelia, an effect abrogated by ERK inhibition. Serine phosphorylation sites mutant, cortactin(S405A/S418A), enhances its protein stability. Cortactin is polyubiquitinated and degraded within the proteasome, whereas a cortactin(K79R) mutant exhibited proteolytic stability during cyclohexamide (CHX) or LPS treatment. The E3 ligase subunit β-Trcp interacts with cortactin, and its overexpression reduced cortactin protein levels, an effect attenuated by ERK inhibition. Overexpression of β-Trcp was sufficient to reduce the protective effects of exogenous cortactin on epithelial cell barrier integrity, an effect not observed after expression of a cortactin(K79R) mutant. These results provide evidence that LPS modulation of cortactin stability is coordinately regulated by stress kinases and the ubiquitin-proteasomal network.     

SMURF2 and SMAD7 induce SARA degradation via the proteasome

TGFβ-dependent signal transduction is facilitated by Smad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) and inhibited by the inhibitory-Smad, Smad7, which recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Smurf2, to catalyze the degradation of TGFβ receptors. Since the signalling and degradation pathways target active receptor complexes, we assessed if SARA and Smurf2/Smad7 interact and if Smad7/Smurf2 would affect SARA steady state levels. We observed that the Smurf2/Smad7 complex induces a decrease of SARA steady state levels in a process that is dependent on the HECT ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of Smurf2 but is independent of SARA associating with TGFβ receptors or Smad2. We observed that Smurf2/Smad7-dependent reduction of SARA levels is dependent on proteasome activity, as the pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome using MG132 blocked degradation of SARA. When we assessed the functional outcome of reducing endogenous SARA levels via siRNA-mediated silencing, we observed that siRNA directed at SARA decreased both TGFβ-dependent Smad2 membrane recruitment and phosphorylation, as assessed by subcellular fractionation and western blotting. Furthermore, siRNA targeting SARA decreased TGFβ-dependent epithelial to mesenchymal transition, as measured by cellular E- and N-Cadherin protein levels, and the reorganization of actin from cortical actin to stress fiber formation. These data describe a previously undescribed mechanism where the robustness of the TGFβ signalling is regulated by interplay between SARA and Smurf2/Smad7 complexes.     

Downregulation of muscle protein degradation in sepsis by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been shown to attenuate muscle atrophy in cancer, starvation and hyperthermia by downregulating the increased expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway leading to a reduction in protein degradation. In the current study EPA (0.5 g/kg) administered to septic mice completely attenuated the increased protein degradation in skeletal muscle by preventing the increase in both gene expression and protein concentration of the α- and β-subunits of the 20S proteasome, as well as functional activity of the proteasome, as measured by the ‘chymotrypsin-like’ enzyme activity. These results suggest that muscle protein catabolism in sepsis is mediated by the same intracellular signalling pathways as found in other catabolic conditions.     

Regulation of Pax3 by proteasomal degradation of monoubiquitinated protein in skeletal muscle progenitors

Pax3 and Pax7 play distinct but overlapping roles in developmental and postnatal myogenesis. The mechanisms involved in the differential regulation of these highly homologous proteins are unknown. We present evidence that Pax3, but not Pax7, is regulated by ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation during adult muscle stem cell activation. Intriguingly, only monoubiquitinated forms of Pax3 could be detected. Mutation of two specific lysine residues in the C-terminal region of Pax3 reduced the extent of its monoubiquitination and susceptibility to proteasomal degradation, whereas introduction of a key lysine into the C-terminal region of Pax7 rendered that protein susceptible to monoubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Monoubiquitinated Pax3 was shuttled to the intrinsic proteasomal protein S5a by interacting specifically with the ubiquitin-binding protein Rad23B. Functionally, sustained expression of Pax3 proteins inhibited myogenic differentiation, demonstrating that Pax3 degradation is an essential step for the progression of the myogenic program. These results reveal an important mechanism of Pax3 regulation in muscle progenitors and an unrecognized role of protein monoubiquitination in mediating proteasomal degradation.     

快速高效检测植物体内蛋白泛素化修饰研究方法

UPS参与植物中绝大多数的信号转导通路。其中, 一些激素的受体本身就是E3泛素连接酶, 如茉莉酸(JA)受体COI1和生长素(auxin)受体TIR1都是F-box蛋白, 它们通过特异性介导相应转录抑制子的泛素化降解来传递激素信号, 但对于整个UPS体系而言, 由于技术的限制, 迄今为止仅见少量泛素连接酶与特异性底物间生化机制的报道。用大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)表达蛋白实施泛素连接酶泛素化修饰底物的体外实验是验证泛素连接酶/底物对的常用方法, 但由于体外实验缺乏某些蛋白必需的转录后修饰, 导致实验结果有时存在假阴性。利用农杆菌注射烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)瞬时表达蛋白的方法, 建立高效的植物体内检测蛋白泛素化系统, 可以快速检测蛋白泛素化, 包括检测泛素连接酶和底物的特异性相互作用、底物蛋白的自身泛素化、泛素连接酶对底物降解的促进作用、26S蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对底物降解的抑制作用以及用植物内源表达蛋白进行体外泛素化反应。     

快速高效检测植物体内蛋白泛素化修饰研究方法

UPS参与植物中绝大多数的信号转导通路。其中, 一些激素的受体本身就是E3泛素连接酶, 如茉莉酸(JA)受体COI1和生长素(auxin)受体TIR1都是F-box蛋白, 它们通过特异性介导相应转录抑制子的泛素化降解来传递激素信号, 但对于整个UPS体系而言, 由于技术的限制, 迄今为止仅见少量泛素连接酶与特异性底物间生化机制的报道。用大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)表达蛋白实施泛素连接酶泛素化修饰底物的体外实验是验证泛素连接酶/底物对的常用方法, 但由于体外实验缺乏某些蛋白必需的转录后修饰, 导致实验结果有时存在假阴性。利用农杆菌注射烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)瞬时表达蛋白的方法, 建立高效的植物体内检测蛋白泛素化系统, 可以快速检测蛋白泛素化, 包括检测泛素连接酶和底物的特异性相互作用、底物蛋白的自身泛素化、泛素连接酶对底物降解的促进作用、26S蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对底物降解的抑制作用以及用植物内源表达蛋白进行体外泛素化反应。     

The initiation factor eIF3-f is a major target for atrogin1/MAFbx function in skeletal muscle atrophy

In response to cancer, AIDS, sepsis and other systemic diseases inducing muscle atrophy, the E3 ubiquitin ligase Atrogin1/MAFbx (MAFbx) is dramatically upregulated and this response is necessary for rapid atrophy. However, the precise function of MAFbx in muscle wasting has been questioned. Here, we present evidence that during muscle atrophy MAFbx targets the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit 5 (eIF3-f) for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. Ectopic expression of MAFbx in myotubes induces atrophy and degradation of eIF3-f. Conversely, blockade of MAFbx expression by small hairpin RNA interference prevents eIF3-f degradation in myotubes undergoing atrophy. Furthermore, genetic activation of eIF3-f is sufficient to cause hypertrophy and to block atrophy in myotubes, whereas genetic blockade of eIF3-f expression induces atrophy in myotubes. Finally, eIF3-f induces increasing expression of muscle structural proteins and hypertrophy in both myotubes and mouse skeletal muscle. We conclude that eIF3-f is a key target that accounts for MAFbx function during muscle atrophy and has a major role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Thus, eIF3-f seems to be an attractive therapeutic target.     

Molecular characterization of the MuRF genes in rainbow trout: Potential role in muscle degradation

Muscle growth is determined primarily by the balance between protein synthesis and degradation. When rates of protein synthesis are similar between individuals, protein degradation is critical in explaining differences in growth efficiency. Studies in mammals showed that muscle atrophy results from increased protein breakdown, and is associated with activation of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, including induction of the muscle-specific ubiquitin protein ligase, MuRF1. Animals lacking MuRF1 are resistant to muscle atrophy. In fish, little is known about the role of the proteasome/MuRF pathway in muscle degradation. The objectives of this study were to: 1) clone and characterize MuRF genes in rainbow trout; and 2) determine expression of MuRF genes in association with starvation- and vitellogenesis-induced muscle atrophy in rainbow trout. We have identified full-length cDNA sequences for three MuRF genes (MuRF1, MuRF2, and MuRF3). These genes encode proteins with typical MuRF structural domains, including a RING-finger, a B-box and a Leucine-rich coiled-coil domain. RT-PCR analysis showed that MuRF genes are predominantly expressed in muscle and heart tissues. Real time PCR analysis revealed that expression of all MuRF genes is up-regulated during starvation and MuRF3 is up-regulated in vitellogenesis-associated muscle degradation. These results suggest that MuRF genes have an important role in fish muscle protein degradation. Further studies are warranted to assess the potential use of MuRF genes as tools to monitor fish muscle growth and degradation.