K6非典型泛素化修饰研究进展

泛素化是一种存在于真核生物内的蛋白质翻译后修饰,介导了蛋白质的特异性降解与信号转导,参与了诸多生命过程的调控进而影响着机体方方面面的功能。泛素化网络的紊乱和失衡是导致人类严重疾病的重要原因。泛素分子可以形成8种不同拓扑结构的同质泛素链,其丰度和功能差别巨大。目前,丰度较高的K48及K63经典泛素链的修饰底物较多、功能研究相对充分,而其他非典型泛素链的含量低、研究相对较少,但是诸多证据表明非典型泛素链在细胞内发挥着重要的调节功能。K6泛素链是一种重要的非典型泛素链,与K48链相似,具有紧密的空间结构。目前研究发现K6泛素链在DNA损伤修复、线粒体质量控制等过程中发挥重要调节功能,在肿瘤发生、发展以及帕金森疾病的致病过程中有着重要的作用。目前,由于缺乏特异性的K6泛素链抗体和有效的富集手段,导致K6泛素链修饰的底物、调控机制研究相对较少,诸多调控过程和功能有待进一步深入研究。本文系统综述了K6非典型泛素链的结构特征、调控机制以及相关的生物学功能与疾病,为K6泛素链的功能研究提供参考。     

K27泛素化修饰研究进展

泛素化修饰作为最普遍存在的翻译后修饰形式之一,介导了生物体内蛋白质稳态调控等功能。泛素分子的7个赖氨酸和N端甲硫氨酸可以继续被泛素分子修饰,进而形成8种类型的泛素链。其中,K48和K63泛素链由于丰度高且功能研究相对清楚被称为经典泛素链,而其他6种泛素链被称为非经典泛素链。在非经典泛素链中,K27泛素链是在泛素分子的Lys27 (K27)位点上继续发生泛素化形成的,具有紧密的空间结构。近些年,K27泛素链在固有免疫、蛋白稳态和DNA损伤修复等方面的功能逐渐被报道,但K27泛素链的合成、修剪过程及其下游招募特定蛋白质的分子调控机制还所知甚少。文中结合实验室研究,综述了K27泛素链结构特征、结合方式和生物学功能,为未来K27泛素链结构和生物学功能的深入研究提供参考。     

线性泛素化修饰研究进展

蛋白质泛素化修饰过程在调节各种细胞生物学功能的过程中发挥了非常重要的作用,如细胞周期进程、DNA损伤修复、信号转导和各种蛋白质膜定位等。泛素化修饰可分为多聚泛素化修饰和单泛素化修饰。多聚泛素化修饰系统可以通过对底物连接不同类型的多泛素化链调节蛋白质的功能。多聚泛素化修饰中已知7种泛素链连接方式均为泛素内赖氨酸连接方式。近几年发现了第8种类型的泛素链连接形式即线性泛素化,其泛素链的连接方式是由泛素甲硫氨酸的氨基基团与另一泛素甘氨酸的羧基基团相连形成泛素链标记。目前研究表明线性泛素化修饰在先天性免疫和炎症反应等多个过程中发挥着非常重要的作用。募集线性泛素链的泛素连接酶E3被称为LUBAC复合体,其组成底物以及其活性调控机制和功能所知甚少。本文综述了募集线性泛素化链的泛素连接酶、去泛素化酶、底物等活性调控机制及其在先天性免疫等多个领域中的功能,分析了后续研究方向,以期为相关研究提供参考。     

泛素链水解酶的选择性和产生机制

底物蛋白的多聚泛素链修饰参与调节多种生命运动过程(包括蛋白质降解、自噬、DNA损伤修复、细胞周期、信号转导、基因表达、转录调节、炎症免疫等).去泛素化酶通过水解底物蛋白的单泛素和泛素链修饰,对泛素相关过程进行反向调节.人类基因组中约含90余种去泛素化酶,它们通过对自身酶活性和底物识别特异性的调节,实现了对细胞内复杂泛素过程的精密且层次性的调控.本文针对去泛素化酶对不同泛素链的识别选择性,综述目前已知泛素链水解酶的选择性和产生机制.     

泛素链的形成机理

泛素化是真核细胞中重要的蛋白质翻译后修饰过程,通过靶向蛋白质降解或其他信号途径参与多种细胞功能.底物蛋白的多聚泛素化修饰是一个持续的过程,其中不仅涉及复杂泛素系统相关酶的参与,而且存在更为复杂的结构上相互作用与泛素链组装机理.不同的泛素链修饰决定了底物蛋白下游的不同命运,泛素结合酶E2在泛素链形成中的重要作用受到越来越多的关注.对泛素链形成机理的深入研究与认识有利于发现与泛素系统相关的疾病靶点和利用泛素化调控方法进行治疗.本综述总结了E2和E3如何决定不同泛素链形成的机制和相关的结构信息,以及两种不同的泛素链组装机制.     

小鼠泛素结合酶UBE2W的抗体制备及组织表达谱分析

泛素结合酶(E2)是蛋白泛素化修饰所需的第二个连接酶, 在泛素转移和底物特异性识别过程中发挥着重要作用。UBE2W是一种新发现的E2酶, 其果蝇属同源蛋白可能在光转导或视网膜变性过程中发挥作用, 鼠和人同源蛋白功能未见报道。生物信息学分析UBE2W鼠源氨基酸序列, 发现UBE2W具有典型的UBC结构域并在多种物种高度保守。通过构建UBE2W原核表达质粒, 在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化了GST-UBE2W融合蛋白。以此纯化蛋白作为抗原免疫新西兰白兔制备抗UBE2W多抗血清, 并利用制备的UBE2W抗原柱亲和纯化UBE2W多抗。为了检测纯化抗体特异性, 在真核细胞中瞬时表达了myc-UBE2W融合蛋白, 分别用myc单抗和UBE2W多抗进行Western blotting分析, 结果表明获得了特异性的UBE2W抗体。利用此特异性抗体在小鼠脑、心脏、肾脏、肝脏、肺、肌肉、脾脏和睾丸等组织中均检测到了UBE2W的表达, 且在小鼠睾丸中成年期表达最高。     

小鼠泛素结合酶UBE2W的抗体制备及组织表达谱分析

泛素结合酶(E2)是蛋白泛素化修饰所需的第二个连接酶, 在泛素转移和底物特异性识别过程中发挥着重要作用。UBE2W是一种新发现的E2酶, 其果蝇属同源蛋白可能在光转导或视网膜变性过程中发挥作用, 鼠和人同源蛋白功能未见报道。生物信息学分析UBE2W鼠源氨基酸序列, 发现UBE2W具有典型的UBC结构域并在多种物种高度保守。通过构建UBE2W原核表达质粒, 在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化了GST-UBE2W融合蛋白。以此纯化蛋白作为抗原免疫新西兰白兔制备抗UBE2W多抗血清, 并利用制备的UBE2W抗原柱亲和纯化UBE2W多抗。为了检测纯化抗体特异性, 在真核细胞中瞬时表达了myc-UBE2W融合蛋白, 分别用myc单抗和UBE2W多抗进行Western blotting分析, 结果表明获得了特异性的UBE2W抗体。利用此特异性抗体在小鼠脑、心脏、肾脏、肝脏、肺、肌肉、脾脏和睾丸等组织中均检测到了UBE2W的表达, 且在小鼠睾丸中成年期表达最高。     

泛素链的体外制备、磷酸化修饰与标记方法

目的 为了制备不同链种类、不同链长及磷酸化修饰的泛素样品。方法 本文主要以生物酶法为手段对以上样品的制备路线进行阐述。制备的主要方法分为两种,一是采用逐次添加的方式达到泛素链延长的目的,二是通过一次酶反应制备混合的多聚泛素链,然后对不同链长的泛素链进行纯化分离。结果 以上两种策略都能达到制备多聚泛素链的目的。进一步,通过对泛素进行磷酸化修饰,制备了磷酸化的泛素样品。通过K11和K48的泛素酶制备了K11/K48分支链泛素。结论 基于以上泛素链的制备路线,可以进一步对不同链接形式的不同亚基进行磷酸化修饰等翻译后修饰,也可以通过在特定亚基进行同位素标记及在特定位点引入小分子探针,进而进行NMR和FRET的测定。综上所述,本方法将为从事泛素信号通路和泛素生化研究的科学家提供借鉴和帮助。     

抗CEA单链抗体与链亲和素融合基因的表达

克隆分泌CEA杂交瘤细胞重链可变区（V_H）和轻链可变区（V_L）,以Linker连接V_H及V_L构建抗CEA单链抗体.同时以Spacer连接单链抗体和链亲和素,构建成功单链抗体和链亲和素融合基因,克隆该融合基因至原核表达载体,pET21a(+),经IPTG诱导表达出该双特异性融合蛋白.活性鉴定表明该融合蛋白具有结合CEA及生物素的双特异性.该融合蛋白在生物领域中有较广阔的应用前景.     

甜菜夜蛾核多角体病毒泛素基因的克隆及原核表达

甜菜夜蛾核多角体病毒(Spotoptera exigua multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus,SeMNPV)泛素基因ubiquitin被克隆和序列分析,该基因编码区全长243bp,编码80个氨基酸残基,预计蛋白质分子量为9.4kDa.将这一ubiquitin基因克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a上,转化至BL21(DE3)中,用IPTG进行诱导表达,对表达的条件进行了优化.用异源的泛素单克隆抗体检测目的蛋白,Western blot实验证明所表达的蛋白是泛素蛋白.同时,我们制备了特异性的抗体,为以后的研究工作做了基础.通过计算机软件Gendoc对不同来源的泛素进行分析,结果显示,病毒中的泛素与真核细胞中的泛素相比较,泛素的氨基酸序列有较大的变化,杆状病毒的泛素基因在分子进化上可能有比较独特的途径.     

Ubiquitin chain editing revealed by polyubiquitin linkage-specific antibodies

Posttranslational modification of proteins with polyubiquitin occurs in diverse signaling pathways and is tightly regulated to ensure cellular homeostasis. Studies employing ubiquitin mutants suggest that the fate of polyubiquitinated proteins is determined by which lysine within ubiquitin is linked to the C terminus of an adjacent ubiquitin. We have developed linkage-specific antibodies that recognize polyubiquitin chains joined through lysine 63 (K63) or 48 (K48). A cocrystal structure of an anti-K63 linkage Fab bound to K63-linked diubiquitin provides insight into the molecular basis for specificity. We use these antibodies to demonstrate that RIP1, which is essential for tumor necrosis factor-induced NF-kappaB activation, and IRAK1, which participates in signaling by interleukin-1beta and Toll-like receptors, both undergo polyubiquitin editing in stimulated cells. Both kinase adaptors initially acquire K63-linked polyubiquitin, while at later times K48-linked polyubiquitin targets them for proteasomal degradation. Polyubiquitin editing may therefore be a general mechanism for attenuating innate immune signaling.     

NMR analysis of Lys63-linked polyubiquitin recognition by the tandem ubiquitin-interacting motifs of Rap80

Ubiquitin is a post-translational modifier that is involved in cellular functions through its covalent attachment to target proteins. Ubiquitin can also be conjugated to itself at seven lysine residues and at its amino terminus to form eight linkage-specific polyubiquitin chains for individual cellular processes. The Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chain is recognized by tandem ubiquitin-interacting motifs (tUIMs) of Rap80 for the regulation of DNA repair. To understand the recognition mechanism between the Lys63-linked diubiquitin (K63-Ub₂) and the tUIMs in solution, we determined the solution structure of the K63-Ub₂:tUIMs complex by using NOE restraints and RDC data derived from NMR spectroscopy. The structure showed that the tUIMs adopts a nearly straight and single continuous α-helix, and the two ubiquitin units of the K63-Ub₂ separately bind to each UIM motif. The interfaces are formed between Ile44-centered patches of the two ubiquitin units and the hydrophobic residues of the tUIMs. We also showed that the linker region between the two UIM motifs possesses a random-coil conformation in the free state, but undergoes the coil-to-helix transition upon complex formation, which simultaneously fixes the relative position of ubiquitin subunits. These data suggest that the relative position of ubiquitin subunits in the K63-Ub₂:tUIMs complex is essential for linkage-specific binding of Rap80 tUIMs.     

Why do cellular proteins linked to K63-polyubiquitin chains not associate with proteasomes?

Although cellular proteins conjugated to K48‐linked Ub chains are targeted to proteasomes, proteins conjugated to K63‐ubiquitin chains are directed to lysosomes. However, pure 26S proteasomes bind and degrade K48‐ and K63‐ubiquitinated substrates similarly. Therefore, we investigated why K63‐ubiquitinated proteins are not degraded by proteasomes. We show that mammalian cells contain soluble factors that selectively bind to K63 chains and inhibit or prevent their association with proteasomes. Using ubiquitinated proteins as affinity ligands, we found that the main cellular proteins that associate selectively with K63 chains and block their binding to proteasomes are ESCRT0 (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) and its components, STAM and Hrs. In vivo, knockdown of ESCRT0 confirmed that it is required to block binding of K63‐ubiquitinated molecules to the proteasome. In addition, the Rad23 proteins, especially hHR23B, were found to bind specifically to K48‐ubiquitinated proteins and to stimulate proteasome binding. The specificities of these proteins for K48‐ or K63‐ubiquitin chains determine whether a ubiquitinated protein is targeted for proteasomal degradation or delivered instead to the endosomal‐lysosomal pathway.     

The mechanism of linkage-specific ubiquitin chain elongation by a single-subunit E2

Ubiquitin chains of different topologies trigger distinct functional consequences, including protein degradation and reorganization of complexes. The assembly of most ubiquitin chains is promoted by E2s, yet how these enzymes achieve linkage specificity is poorly understood. We have discovered that the K11-specific Ube2S orients the donor ubiquitin through an essential noncovalent interaction that occurs in addition to the thioester bond at the E2 active site. The E2-donor ubiquitin complex transiently recognizes the acceptor ubiquitin, primarily through electrostatic interactions. The recognition of the acceptor ubiquitin surface around Lys11, but not around other lysines, generates a catalytically competent active site, which is composed of residues of both Ube2S and ubiquitin. Our studies suggest that monomeric E2s promote linkage-specific ubiquitin chain formation through substrate-assisted catalysis.     

Novel polyubiquitin imaging system,PolyUb-FC,reveals that K33-linked polyubiquitin is recruited by SQSTM1/p62

Ubiquitin chains are formed with 8 structurally and functionally distinct polymers. However, the functions of each polyubiquitin remain poorly understood. We developed a polyubiquitin-mediated fluorescence complementation (PolyUb-FC) assay using Kusabira Green (KG) as a split fluorescent protein. The PolyUb-FC assay has the advantage that monoubiquitination is nonfluorescent and chain-specific polyubiquitination can be directly visualized in living cells without using antibodies. We applied the PolyUb-FC assay to examine K33-linked polyubiquitin. We demonstrated that SQSTM1/p62 puncta colocalized with K33-linked polyubiquitin and this interaction was modulated by the ZRANB1/TRABID-K29 and -K33 linkage-specific deubiquitinase (DUB). We further showed that the colocalization of K33-linked polyubiquitin and MAP1LC3/LC3 (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3) puncta was impaired by SQSTM1/p62 deficiency. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into how atypical polyubiquitin is recruited by SQSTM1/p62. Finally, we developed an inducible-PolyUb-FC system for visualizing chain-specific polyubiquitin. The PolyUb-FC will be a useful tool for analyzing the dynamics of atypical polyubiquitin chain generation.