The molecular determinants of NEDD8 specific recognition by human SENP8

Although neuronal-precursor-cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein-8 (NEDD8) and ubiquitin share the highest level of sequence identity and structural similarity among several known ubiquitin-like proteins, their conjugation to a protein leads to distinct biological consequences. In the study, we first identified the NEDD8 protein of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrNEDD8) and discovered that CrNEDD8 is fused at the C-terminus of a ubiquitin moiety (CrUb) in a head-to-tail arrangement. This CrUb-CrNEDD8 protein was termed CrRUB1 (related to ubiquitin 1) by analogy with a similar protein in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtRUB1). Since there is high sequence identity in comparison to the corresponding human proteins (97% for ubiquitin and 84% for NEDD8), a His-CrRUB1-glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion construct was adopted as the alternative substrate to characterize the specificity of NEDD8-specific peptidase SENP8 for CrNEDD8. The data showed that SENP8 only cleaved the peptide bond beyond the di-glycine motif of CrNEDD8 and His-RUB1 was subsequently generated, confirming that SENP8 has exquisite specificity for CrNEDD8 but not CrUb. To further determine the basis of this specificity, site-directed mutagenesis at earlier reported putative molecular determinants of NEDD8 specific recognition by SENP8 was performed. We found that a single N51E mutation of CrNEDD8 completely inhibited its hydrolysis by SENP8. Conversely, a single E51N mutation of CrUb enabled this ubiquitin mutant to undergo hydrolysis by SENP8, revealing that a single residue difference at the position 51 contributes substantially to the substrate selectivity of SENP8. Moreover, the E51N/R72A double mutant of the CrUb subdomain can further increase the efficiency of cleavage by SENP8, indicating that the residue at position 72 is also important in substrate recognition. The E51N or R72A mutation of CrUb also inhibited the hydrolysis of CrUb by ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP2. However, USP2 cannot cleave the N51E/A72R double mutant of the CrNEDD8 subdomain, suggesting that USP2 requires additional recognition sites.     

Protection of cullin-RING E3 ligases by CSN-UBP12

Neddylation, a process that conjugates the ubiquitin-like polypeptide NEDD8 to cullin proteins, activates cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). Deneddylation, in which the COP9 signalosome (CSN) removes NEDD8 from cullins, inactivates CRLs. However, genetic studies of CSN function conclude that deneddylation also promotes CRL activity. It has been proposed that a cyclic transition through neddylation and deneddylation is required for the regulation of CRL activity in vivo. Recent discoveries suggest that an additional level of complexity exists, whereby CRL components are targets for degradation, mediated either by autocatalytic ubiquitination or by unknown mechanisms. Deneddylation by CSN and deubiquitylation by CSN-associated ubiquitin-specific protease 12 protect CRL components from cellular depletion, thus maintaining the physiological CRL activities.     

NEDP1, a highly conserved cysteine protease that deNEDDylates Cullins

The ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 is essential for activity of SCF-like ubiquitin ligase complexes. Here we identify and characterize NEDP1, a human NEDD8-specific protease. NEDP1 is highly conserved throughout evolution and equivalent proteins are present in yeast, plants, insects, and mammals. Bacterially expressed NEDP1 is capable of processing NEDD8 in vitro to expose the diglycine motif required for conjugation and can deconjugate NEDD8 from modified substrates. NEDP1 appears to be specific for NEDD8 as neither ubiquitin nor SUMO bearing COOH-terminal extensions are utilized as substrates. Inhibition studies and mutagenesis indicate that NEDP1 is a cysteine protease with sequence similarities to SUMO-specific proteases and the class of viral proteases typified by the adenovirus protease. In vivo NEDP1 deconjugates NEDD8 from a wide variety of substrates including the cullin component of SCF-like complexes. Thus NEDP1 is likely to play an important role in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis by controlling the activity of SCF complexes.     

Characterization of alternatively spliced products and tissue-specific isoforms of USP28 and USP25

Background  

The ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation pathway is essential for the proteolysis of intracellular proteins and peptides. Deubiquitinating enzymes constitute a complex protein family involved in a multitude of cellular processes. The ubiquitin-specific proteases (UBP) are a group of enzymes whose predicted function is to reverse the ubiquitinating reaction by removing ubiquitin from a large variety of substrates. We have lately reported the characterization of human USP25, a specific-ubiquitin protease gene at 21q11.2, with a specific pattern of expression in murine fetal brains and adult testis.     

Polyubiquitin binding and cross-reactivity in the USP domain deubiquitinase USP21

Modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-like (Ubl) modifiers regulates a variety of cellular functions. The ability of Ub to form chains of eight structurally and functionally distinct types adds further complexity to the system. Ub-specific proteases (USPs) hydrolyse polyUb chains, and some have been suggested to be cross-reactive with Ubl modifiers, such as neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8) and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15). Here, we report that USP21 cleaves Ub polymers, and with reduced activity also targets ISG15, but is inactive against NEDD8. A crystal structure of USP21 in complex with linear diUb aldehyde shows how USP21 interacts with polyUb through a previously unidentified second Ub- and ISG15-binding surface on the USP domain core. We also rationalize the inability of USP21 to target NEDD8 and identify differences that allow USPs to distinguish between structurally related modifications.     

Structural basis of NEDD8 ubiquitin discrimination by the deNEDDylating enzyme NEDP1

NEDD8 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 8)-specific protease NEDP1 processes preNEDD8 to its mature form and deconjugates NEDD8 from substrates such as p53 and cullins. Although NEDD8 and ubiquitin are highly related in sequence and structure, their attachment to a protein leads to different biological effects. It is therefore critical that NEDP1 discriminates between NEDD8 and ubiquitin, and this requires remarkable precision in molecular recognition. To determine the basis of this specificity, we have determined the crystal structure of NEDP1 in isolation and in a transition state complex with NEDD8. This reveals that NEDP1 is a cysteine protease of the Ulp family. Binding of NEDD8 induces a dramatic conformational change in a flexible loop that swings over the C-terminus of NEDD8 locking it into an extended beta-structure optimal for catalysis. Structural, mutational and biochemical studies have identified key residues involved in molecular recognition. A single-residue difference in the C-terminus of NEDD8 and ubiquitin contributes significantly to the ability of NEDP1 to discriminate between them. In vivo analysis indicates that NEDP1 mutants perturb deNEDDylation of the tumour suppressor p53.     

Identification, Functional Characterization, and Chromosomal Localization of USP15, a Novel Human Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Related to the UNP Oncoprotein, and a Systematic Nomenclature for Human Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases

We have identified a novel gene, USP15, encoding a human ubiquitin-specific protease (USP). The USP15 protein consists of 952 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 109.2 kDa and contains the highly conserved Cys and His boxes present in all members of the UBP family of deubiquitinating enzymes. USP15 shares 60.5% sequence identity and 76% sequence similarity with the human homolog (UNP/Unph/USP4) of the mouse Unp proto-oncogene. Recombinant USP15 demonstrated ubiquitin-specific protease activity against engineered linear fusions of ubiquitin to beta-galactosidase and glutathione S-transferase. USP15 can also cleave the ubiquitin-proline bond, a property previously unique to Unp/UNP. Chromosomal mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid analyses localized the USP15 gene to chromosome band 12q14, a different location than that of UNP (3p21.3). Analysis of expressed sequence tag databases reveals evidence of alternate polyadenylation sites in the USP15 gene and also indicates that the gene may possess an exon/intron structure similar to that of the Unp gene, suggesting they have descended from a common ancestor. A systematic nomenclature for the human USPs is proposed.     

A RING finger ubiquitin ligase is protected from autocatalyzed ubiquitination and degradation by binding to ubiquitin-specific protease USP7

Herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate-early regulatory protein ICP0 stimulates lytic infection and reactivation from latency, processes that require the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity mediated by the RING finger domain in the N-terminal portion of the protein. ICP0 stimulates the production of polyubiquitin chains by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes UbcH5a and UbcH6 in vitro, and in infected and transfected cells it induces the proteasome-dependent degradation of a number of cellular proteins including PML, the major constituent protein of PML nuclear bodies. However, ICP0 binds strongly to the cellular ubiquitin-specific protease USP7, a member of a family of proteins that cleave polyubiquitin chains and/or ubiquitin precursors. The region of ICP0 that is required for its interaction with USP7 has been mapped, and mutations in this domain reduce the functionality of ICP0. These findings pose the question: why does ICP0 include domains that are associated with the potentially antagonistic functions of ubiquitin conjugation and deconjugation? Here we report that although neither protein affected the intrinsic activities of the other in vitro, USP7 protected ICP0 from autoubiquitination in vitro, and their interaction can greatly increase the stability of ICP0 in vivo. These results demonstrate that RING finger-mediated autoubiquitination of ICP0 is biologically relevant and can be regulated by interaction with USP7. This principle may extend to a number of cellular RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins that have analogous interactions with ubiquitin-specific cleavage enzymes.     

Cloning and functional analysis of the ubiquitin-specific protease gene UBP1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In eukaryotes, both natural and engineered fusions of ubiquitin to itself or other proteins are cleaved by processing proteases after the last (Gly76) residue of ubiquitin. Using the method of sib selection, and taking advantage of the fact that bacteria such as Escherichia coli lack ubiquitin-specific enzymes, we have cloned a gene, named UBP1, of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that encodes a ubiquitin-specific processing protease. With the exception of polyubiquitin, the UBP1 protease cleaves at the carboxyl terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in natural and engineered fusions irrespective of their size or the presence of an amino-terminal ubiquitin extension. These properties of UBP1 distinguish it from the previously cloned yeast protease YUH1, which deubiquitinates relatively short ubiquitin fusions but is virtually inactive with longer fusions such as ubiquitin-beta-galactosidase. The amino acid sequence of the 809-residue UBP1 lacks significant similarities to other known proteins, including the 236-residue YUH1 protease. Null ubp1 mutants are viable, and retain the ability to deubiquitinate ubiquitin-beta-galactosidase, indicating that the family of ubiquitin-specific proteases in yeast is not limited to UBP1 and YUH1.     

USP7 regulates the ERK1/2 signaling pathway through deubiquitinating Raf-1 in lung adenocarcinoma

Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is one of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family. It is a key regulator of numerous cellular functions including immune response, cell cycle, DNA damage and repair, epigenetics, and several signaling pathways. USP7 acts by removing ubiquitin from the substrate proteins. USP7 also binds to a specific binding motif of substrate proteins having the [P/A/E]-X-X-S or K-X-X-X-K protein sequences. To date, numerous substrate proteins of USP7 have been identified, but no studies have been conducted using the binding motif that USP7 binds. In the current study, we analyzed putative substrate proteins of USP7 through the [P/A/E]-X-X-S and K-X-X-X-K binding motifs using bioinformatics tools, and confirmed that Raf-1 is one of the substrates for USP7. USP7 binds to the Pro-Val-Asp-Ser (PVDS) motif of the conserved region 2 (CR2) which contains phosphorylation sites of Raf-1 and decreased M1-, K6-, K11-, K27-, K33-, and K48-linked polyubiquitination of Raf-1. We further identified that the DUB activity of USP7 decreases the threonine phosphorylation level of Raf-1 and inhibits signaling transduction through Raf activation. This regulatory mechanism inhibits the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the G2/M transition and the cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells. In summary, our results indicate that USP7 deubiquitinates Raf-1 and is a new regulator of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.Subject terms: Ubiquitylation, Non-small-cell lung cancer, Protein-protein interaction networks     

Differential regulation of sentrinized proteins by a novel sentrin-specific protease

Sentrin-1, also called SUMO-1, is a protein of 101 residues that is distantly related to ubiquitin and another ubiquitin-like protein, NEDD8. Here we report the cloning of a novel sentrin-specific protease, SENP1, which has no homology to the known de-ubiquitinating enzymes or ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases. However, SENP1 is distantly related to the yeast Smt3-specific protease, Ulp1. A COS cell expression system was used to demonstrate the activity of SENP1 in vivo. When HA-tagged sentrin-1 was co-expressed with SENP1, the higher molecular weight sentrin-1 conjugates were completely removed. Surprisingly, the major sentrinized band at 90 kDa remained intact. The disappearance of the high molecular weight sentrin-1 conjugates also coincided with an increase in free sentrin-1 monomers. SENP1 is also active against proteins modified by sentrin-2, but not those modified by ubiquitin or NEDD8. In addition, sentrinized PML, a tumor suppressor protein that resides in the nucleus, was selectively affected by SENP1, whereas sentrinized RanGAP1, which is associated with the cytoplasmic fibrils of the nuclear pore complex, remained intact. The inability of SENP1 to process sentrinized RanGAP1 in vivo is most likely due to its nuclear localization because SENP1 is active against sentrinized RanGAP1 in vitro. The identification of a nuclear-localized, sentrin-specific protease will provide a unique tool to study the role of sentrinization in the biological function of PML and in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia.     

DENEDDYLASE1 Deconjugates NEDD8 from Non-Cullin Protein Substrates in Arabidopsis thaliana

The evolutionarily conserved 8-kD protein NEDD8 (NEURAL PRECURSOR CELL EXPRESSED, DEVELOPMENTALLY DOWN-REGULATED8) belongs to the family of ubiquitin-like modifiers. Like ubiquitin, NEDD8 is conjugated to and deconjugated from target proteins. Many targets and functions of ubiquitylation have been described; by contrast, few targets of NEDD8 have been identified. In plants as well as in non-plant organisms, the cullin subunits of cullin-RING E3 ligases are NEDD8 conjugates with a demonstrated functional role for the NEDD8 modification. The existence of other non-cullin NEDD8 targets has generally been questioned. NEDD8 is translated as a precursor protein and proteolytic processing exposes a C-terminal glycine required for NEDD8 conjugation. In animals and yeast, DENEDDYLASE1 (DEN1) processes NEDD8. Here, we show that mutants of a DEN1 homolog from Arabidopsis thaliana have no detectable defects in NEDD8 processing but do accumulate a broad range of NEDD8 conjugates; this provides direct evidence for the existence of non-cullin NEDD8 conjugates. We further identify AUXIN RESISTANT1 (AXR1), a subunit of the heterodimeric NEDD8 E1 activating enzyme, as a NEDD8-modified protein in den1 mutants and wild type and provide evidence that AXR1 function may be compromised in the absence of DEN1 activity. Thus, in plants, neddylation may serve as a regulatory mechanism for cullin and non-cullin proteins.     

Regulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Ubiquitination and Trafficking by the USP8·STAM Complex

Reversible ubiquitination of activated receptor complexes signals their sorting between recycling and degradation and thereby dictates receptor fate. The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8/UBPy) has been previously implicated in the regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); however, the molecular mechanisms governing its recruitment and activity in this context remain unclear. Herein, we investigate the role of USP8 in countering ligand-induced ubiquitination and down-regulation of EGFR and characterize a subset of protein-protein interaction determinants critical for this function. USP8 depletion accelerates receptor turnover, whereas loss of hepatocyte growth factor-regulated substrate (Hrs) rescues this phenotype, indicating that USP8 protects EGFR from degradation via an Hrs-dependent pathway. Catalytic inactivation of USP8 incurs EGFR hyperubiquitination and promotes receptor localization to endosomes marked by high ubiquitin content. These phenotypes require the central region of USP8, containing three extended Arg-X-X-Lys (RXXK) motifs that specify direct low affinity interactions with the SH3 domain(s) of ESCRT-0 proteins, STAM1/2. The USP8·STAM complex critically impinges on receptor ubiquitination status and modulates ubiquitin dynamics on EGFR-positive endosomes. Consequently, USP8-mediated deubiquitination slows progression of EGFR past the early-to-recycling endosome circuit in a manner dependent upon the RXXK motifs. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a role for the USP8·STAM complex as a protective mechanism regulating early endosomal sorting of EGFR between pathways destined for lysosomal degradation and recycling.     

Structure and mechanisms of the proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme USP14

The ubiquitin-specific processing protease (UBP) family of deubiquitinating enzymes plays an essential role in numerous cellular processes. Mammalian USP14 (Ubp6 in yeast) is unique among known UBP enzymes in that it is activated catalytically upon specific association with the 26S proteasome. Here, we report the crystal structures of the 45-kDa catalytic domain of USP14 in isolation and in a complex with ubiquitin aldehyde, which reveal distinct structural features. In the absence of ubiquitin binding, the catalytic cleft leading to the active site of USP14 is blocked by two surface loops. Binding by ubiquitin induces a significant conformational change that translocates the two surface loops thereby allowing access of the ubiquitin C-terminus to the active site. These structural observations, in conjunction with biochemical characterization, identify important regulatory mechanisms for USP14.     

Ubiquitin-specific Protease 11 (USP11) Deubiquitinates Hybrid Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)-Ubiquitin Chains to Counteract RING Finger Protein 4 (RNF4)

Ring finger protein 4 (RNF4) is a SUMO-targeted ubiquitin E3 ligase with a pivotal function in the DNA damage response (DDR). SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs) in the N-terminal part of RNF4 tightly bind to SUMO polymers, and RNF4 can ubiquitinate these polymers in vitro. Using a proteomic approach, we identified the deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 11 (USP11), a known DDR-component, as a functional interactor of RNF4. USP11 can deubiquitinate hybrid SUMO-ubiquitin chains to counteract RNF4. SUMO-enriched nuclear bodies are stabilized by USP11, which functions downstream of RNF4 as a counterbalancing factor. In response to DNA damage induced by methyl methanesulfonate, USP11 could counteract RNF4 to inhibit the dissolution of nuclear bodies. Thus, we provide novel insight into cross-talk between ubiquitin and SUMO and uncover USP11 and RNF4 as a balanced SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase/protease pair with a role in the DDR.     

GMP synthetase stimulates histone H2B deubiquitylation by the epigenetic silencer USP7

The packaging of eukaryotic genomic DNA into chromatin is modulated through a range of posttranslational histone modifications. Among these, the role of histone ubiquitylation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the essential Drosophila ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) contributes to epigenetic silencing of homeotic genes by Polycomb (Pc). We purified USP7 from embryo nuclear extracts as a stable heteromeric complex with guanosine 5'-monophosphate synthetase (GMPS). The USP7-GMPS complex catalyzed the selective deubiquitylation of histone H2B, but not H2A. Biochemical assays confirmed the tight association between USP7 and GMPS in Drosophila embryo extracts. Similar to USP7, mutations in GMPS acted as enhancers of Pc in vivo. USP7 binding to GMPS was required for histone H2B deubiquitylation and strongly augmented deubiquitylation of the human tumor suppressor p53. Thus, GMPS can regulate the activity of a ubiquitin protease. Collectively, these results implicate a biosynthetic enzyme in chromatin control via ubiquitin regulation.     

NEDD化修饰系统及其在肿瘤发展中的作用

目前已经鉴定出17种类泛素蛋白（ubiquitin like proteins,UBLs）,这些蛋白与底物的结合方式与泛素相似．根据进化特征,可将UBLs分为9类,分别为：NEDD8、SUMO、ISG15、FUB1、FAT10、Atg8、Atg12、Urm1和UFM1．NEDD8是目前研究最多的UBLs之一,与泛素的氨基酸序列具有高度相似性．NEDD化修饰是一种动态的可逆蛋白质翻译后修饰方式,可以将NEDD8共价结合到靶蛋白之上,也可以将NEDD8从靶蛋白上去除．NEDD化修饰对蛋白功能具有重要的调节作用,如改变蛋白质的空间构象、阻碍底物与其它蛋白质的相互作用和招募与NEDD8相互作用的蛋白等．最新研究表明,NEDD化与肿瘤的发生发展密切相关,但具体的机制还不清楚．本文将就NEDD化修饰在肿瘤发展过程中的作用机制做一综述．