Solution structure of the ubiquitin-binding domain in Swa2p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The SWA2/AUX1 gene has been proposed to encode the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ortholog of mammalian auxilin. Swa2p is required for clathrin assembly/dissassembly in vivo, thereby implicating it in intracellular protein and lipid trafficking. While investigating the 287-residue N-terminal region of Swa2p, we found a single stably folded domain between residues 140 and 180. Using binding assays and structural analysis, we established this to be a ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain, unidentified by bioinformatics of the yeast genome. We determined the solution structure of this Swa2p domain and found a characteristic three-helix UBA fold. Comparisons of structures of known UBA folds reveal that the position of the third helix is quite variable. This helix in Swa2p UBA contains a bulkier tyrosine in place of smaller residues found in other UBAs and cannot pack as close to the second helix. The molecular surface of Swa2p UBA has a mostly negative potential, with a single hydrophobic surface patch found also in the UBA domains of human protein, HHR23A. The presence of a UBA domain implicates Swa2p in novel roles involving ubiquitin and ubiquitinated substrates. We propose that Swa2p is a multifunctional protein capable of recognizing several proteins through its protein-protein recognition domains.     

Specificity of the interaction between ubiquitin-associated domains and ubiquitin

Ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domains are found in a large number of proteins with diverse functions involved in ubiquitination, DNA repair, and signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that several UBA domain proteins interact with ubiquitin (Ub), specifically p62, the phosphotyrosine-independent ligand of the SH2 domain of p56(lck); HHR23A, a human nucleotide excision repair protein; and DDI1, another damage-inducible protein. NMR chemical shift mapping reveals that Ub binds specifically but weakly to a conserved hydrophobic epitope on HHR23A UBA(1) and UBA(2) and that the UBA domains bind on the hydrophobic patch on the surface of the five-stranded beta-sheet of Ub. Models of the UBA(1)-Ub and UBA(2)-Ub complexes obtained from de novo docking reveal different orientations of the UBA domains on the Ub surface compared with those obtained by homology modeling with the related CUE domains, which also bind Ub. Our results suggest that UBA domains may interact with Ub as well as other proteins in more than one way while utilizing the same binding surface.     

Domain analysis reveals that a deubiquitinating enzyme USP13 performs non-activating catalysis for Lys63-linked polyubiquitin

Deubiquitination is a reverse process of cellular ubiquitination important for many biological events. Ubiquitin (Ub)-specific protease 13 (USP13) is an ortholog of USP5 implicated in catalyzing hydrolysis of various Ub chains, but its enzymatic properties and catalytic regulation remain to be explored. Here we report studies of the roles of the Ub-binding domains of USP13 in regulatory catalysis by biochemical and NMR structural approaches. Our data demonstrate that USP13, distinct from USP5, exhibits a weak deubiquitinating activity preferring to Lys63-linked polyubiquitin (K63-polyUb) in a non-activation manner. The zinc finger (ZnF) domain of USP13 shares a similar fold with that of USP5, but it cannot bind with Ub, so that USP13 has lost its ability to be activated by free Ub. Substitution of the ZnF domain with that of USP5 confers USP13 the property of catalytic activation. The tandem Ub-associated (UBA) domains of USP13 can bind with different types of diUb but preferentially with K63-linked, providing a possible explanation for the weak activity preferring to K63-polyUb. USP13 can also regulate the protein level of CD3δ in cells, probably depending on its weak deubiquitinating activity and the Ub-binding properties of the UBA domains. Thus, the non-activating catalysis of USP13 for K63-polyUb chains implies that it may function differently from USP5 in cellular deubiquitination processes.     

A Ubiquitin Shuttle DC-UbP/UBTD2 Reconciles Protein Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination via Linking UbE1 and USP5 Enzymes

The ubiquitination levels of protein substrates in eukaryotic cells are delicately orchestrated by various protein cofactors and enzymes. Dendritic cell-derived ubiquitin (Ub)-like protein (DC-UbP), also named as Ub domain-containing protein 2 (UBTD2), is a potential Ub shuttle protein comprised of a Ub-like (UbL) domain and a Ub-binding domain (UBD), but its biological function remains largely unknown. We identified two Ub-related enzymes, the deubiquitinating enzyme USP5 and the Ub-activating enzyme UbE1, as interacting partners of DC-UbP from HEK 293T cells. Biochemical studies revealed that the tandem UBA domains of USP5 and the C-terminal Ub-fold domain (UFD) of UbE1 directly interacted with the C-terminal UbL domain of DC-UbP but on the distinct surfaces. Overexpression of DC-UbP in HEK 293T cells enhanced the association of these two enzymes and thus prompted cellular ubiquitination, whereas knockdown of the protein reduced the cellular ubiquitination level. Together, DC-UbP may integrate the functions of USP5 and UbE1 through interacting with them, and thus reconcile the cellular ubiquitination and deubiquitination processes.     

Structural and biochemical studies of the open state of Lys48-linked diubiquitin

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a small protein highly conserved among eukaryotes and involved in practically all aspects of eukaryotic cell biology. Polymeric chains assembled from covalently-linked Ub monomers function as molecular signals in the regulation of a host of cellular processes. Our previous studies have shown that the predominant state of Lys48-linked di- and tetra-Ub chains at near-physiological conditions is a closed conformation, in which the Ub-Ub interface is formed by the hydrophobic surface residues of the adjacent Ub units. Because these very residues are involved in (poly)Ub interactions with the majority of Ub-binding proteins, their sequestration at the Ub-Ub interface renders the closed conformation of polyUb binding incompetent. Thus the existence of open conformation(s) and the interdomain motions opening and closing the Ub-Ub interface is critical for the recognition of Lys48-linked polyUb by its receptors. Knowledge of the conformational properties of a polyUb signal is essential for our understanding of its specific recognition by various Ub-receptors. Despite their functional importance, open states of Lys48-linked chains are poorly characterized. Here we report a crystal structure of the open state of Lys48-linked di-Ub. Moreover, using NMR, we examined interactions of the open state of this chain (at pH4.5) with a Lys48-linkage-selective receptor, the UBA2 domain of a shuttle protein hHR23a. Our results show that di-Ub binds UBA2 in the same mode and with comparable affinity as the closed state. Our data suggest a mechanism for polyUb signal recognition, whereby Ub-binding proteins select specific conformations out of the available ensemble of polyUb chain conformations. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin Drug Discovery and Diagnostics.     

Binding surface mapping of intra- and interdomain interactions among hHR23B,ubiquitin, and polyubiquitin binding site 2 of S5a

hHR23B is the human homologue of the yeast protein RAD23 and is known to participate in DNA repair by stabilizing xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein. However, hHR23B and RAD23 also have many important functions related to general proteolysis. hHR23B consists of N-terminal ubiquitin-like (UbL), ubiquitin association 1 (UBA1), xeroderma pigmentosum group C binding, and UBA2 domains. The UBA domains interact with ubiquitin (Ub) and inhibit the assembly of polyubiquitin. On the other hand, the UbL domain interacts with the poly-Ub binding site 2 (PUbS2) domain of the S5a protein, which can carry polyubiquitinated substrates into the proteasome. We calculated the NMR structure of the UbL domain of hHR23B and determined binding surfaces of UbL and Ub to UBA1, UBA2, of hHR23B and PUbS2 of S5a by using chemical shift perturbation. Interestingly, the surfaces of UbL and Ub that bind to UBA1, UBA2, and PUbS2 are similar, consisting of five beta-strands and their connecting loops. This is the first report that an intramolecular interaction between UbL and UBA domains is possible, and this interaction could be important for the control of proteolysis by hHR23B. The binding specificities of UbL and Ub for PUbS1, PUbS2, and general ubiquitin-interacting motifs, which share the LALA motif, were evaluated. The UBA domains bind to the surface of Ub including Lys-48, which is required for multiubiquitin assembly, possibly explaining the observed inhibition of multiubiquitination by hHR23B. The UBA domains bind to UbL through electrostatic interactions supported by hydrophobic interactions and to Ub mainly through hydrophobic interactions supported by electrostatic interactions.     

Independent interactions of ubiquitin-binding domains in a ubiquitin-mediated ternary complex

Ubiquitin (Ub) modifications are transduced by receptor proteins that use Ub-binding domains (UBDs) to recognize distinct interaction faces on the Ub surface. We report the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solution structures of the A20-like zinc finger (A20 Znf) UBD of the Ub receptor ZNF216, and its complex with Ub, and show that the binding surface on Ub centered on Asp58 leaves the canonical hydrophobic Ile44 patch free to participate in additional interactions. We have modeled ternary complexes of the different families of UBDs and show that while many are expected to bind competitively to the same Ile44 surface or show steric incompatibility, other combinations (in particular, those involving the A20 Znf domain) are consistent with a single Ub moiety simultaneously participating in multiple interactions with different UBDs. We subsequently demonstrate by NMR that the A20 Znf domain of ZNF216 and the UBA domain of the p62 protein (an Ile44-binding UBD), which function in the same biological pathways, are able to form such a Ub-mediated ternary complex through independent interactions with a single Ub. This work supports an emerging concept of Ub acting as a scaffold to mediate multiprotein complex assembly.     

Dissection of Swa2p/auxilin domain requirements for cochaperoning Hsp70 clathrin-uncoating activity in vivo

The auxilin family of J-domain proteins load Hsp70 onto clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) to drive uncoating. In vitro, auxilin function requires its ability to bind clathrin and stimulate Hsp70 ATPase activity via its J-domain. To test these requirements in vivo, we performed a mutational analysis of Swa2p, the yeast auxilin ortholog. Swa2p is a modular protein with three N-terminal clathrin-binding (CB) motifs, a ubiquitin association (UBA) domain, a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain, and a C-terminal J-domain. In vitro, clathrin binding is mediated by multiple weak interactions, but a Swa2p truncation lacking two CB motifs and the UBA domain retains nearly full function in vivo. Deletion of all CB motifs strongly abrogates clathrin disassembly but does not eliminate Swa2p function in vivo. Surprisingly, mutation of the invariant HPD motif within the J-domain to AAA only partially affects Swa2p function. Similarly, a TPR point mutation (G388R) causes a modest phenotype. However, Swa2p function is abolished when these TPR and J mutations are combined. The TPR and J-domains are not functionally redundant because deletion of either domain renders Swa2p nonfunctional. These data suggest that the TPR and J-domains collaborate in a bipartite interaction with Hsp70 to regulate its activity in clathrin disassembly.     

Recruitment of Ubiquitin within an E2 Chain Elongation Complex

The ubiquitin (Ub) proteolysis pathway uses an E1, E2, and E3 enzyme cascade to label substrate proteins with ubiquitin and target them for degradation. The mechanisms of ubiquitin chain formation remain unclear and include a sequential addition model, in which polyubiquitin chains are built unit by unit on the substrate, or a preassembly model, in which polyubiquitin chains are preformed on the E2 or E3 enzyme and then transferred in one step to the substrate. The E2 conjugating enzyme UBE2K has a 150-residue catalytic core domain and a C-terminal ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain. Polyubiquitin chains anchored to the catalytic cysteine and free in solution are formed by UBE2K supporting a preassembly model. To study how UBE2K might assemble polyubiquitin chains, we synthesized UBE2K-Ub and UBE2K-Ub₂ covalent complexes and analyzed E2 interactions with the covalently attached Ub and Ub₂ moieties using NMR spectroscopy. The UBE2K-Ub complex exists in multiple conformations, including the catalytically competent closed state independent of the UBA domain. In contrast, the UBE2K-Ub₂ complex takes on a more extended conformation directed by interactions between the classic I44 hydrophobic face of the distal Ub and the conserved MGF hydrophobic patch of the UBA domain. Our results indicate there are distinct differences between the UBE2K-Ub and UBE2K-Ub₂ complexes and show how the UBA domain can alter the position of a polyubiquitin chain attached to the UBE2K active site. These observations provide structural insights into the unique Ub chain-building capacity for UBE2K.     

The Ubiquitin-associated (UBA) 1 Domain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rhp23 Is Essential for the Recognition of Ubiquitin-proteasome System Substrates Both in Vitro and in Vivo

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is essential for maintaining a functional cell. Not only does it remove incorrectly folded proteins, it also regulates protein levels to ensure their appropriate spatial and temporal distribution. Proteins marked for degradation by the addition of Lys⁴⁸-linked ubiquitin (Ub) chains are recognized by shuttle factors and transported to the 26 S proteasome. One of these shuttle factors, Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rhp23, has an unusual domain architecture. It comprises an N-terminal ubiquitin-like domain that can recognize the proteasome followed by two ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domains, termed UBA1 and UBA2, which can bind Ub. This architecture is conserved up to humans, suggesting that both domains are important for Rhp23 function. Such an extent of conservation raises the question as to why, in contrast to all other shuttle proteins, does Rhp23 require two UBA domains? We performed in vitro Ub binding assays using domain swap chimeric proteins and mutated domains in isolation as well as in the context of the full-length protein to reveal that the Ub binding properties of the UBA domains are context-dependent. In vivo, the internal Rhp23 UBA1 domain provides sufficient Ub recognition for the protein to function without UBA2.     

Identification of a novel ubiquitin binding site of STAM1 VHS domain by NMR spectroscopy

Interaction between the signal-transducing adapter molecule 1 (STAM1) Vps27/Hrs/Stam (VHS) domain and ubiquitin was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR evidence showed that the structure of STAM1 VHS domain resembles that of other VHS domains, especially the homologous domain of STAM2. We found that the VHS domain binds to ubiquitin via its hydrophobic patch consisting of N-terminus of helix 2 and C-terminus of helix 4 in which Trp26 on helix 2 plays a pivotal role in the binding. The binding between VHS and ubiquitin seems to be very similar to that between ubiquitin associated domain (UBA) and ubiquitin, however, the direction of α-helices involved in the ubiquitin binding is opposite. Here, we propose a novel ubiquitin binding site and the manner of ubiquitin recognition of the STAM1 VHS domain.

Structured summary

MINT-6804185:STAM1 (uniprotkb:Q92783) binds (MI:0407) to ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) by nuclear magnetic resonance (MI:0077)     

The E2-25K ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain aids in polyubiquitin chain synthesis and linkage specificity

E2-25K is an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme with the ability to synthesize Lys48-linked polyubiquitin chains. E2-25K and its homologs represent the only known E2 enzymes which contain a C-terminal ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain as well as the conserved catalytic ubiquitin-conjugating (UBC) domain. As an additional non-covalent binding surface for ubiquitin, the UBA domain must provide some functional specialization. We mapped the protein–protein interface involved in the E2-25K UBA/ubiquitin complex by solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and subsequently modeled the structure of the complex. Domain–domain interactions between the E2-25K catalytic UBC domain and the UBA domain do not induce significant structural changes in the UBA domain or alter the affinity of the UBA domain for ubiquitin. We determined that one of the roles of the C-terminal UBA domain, in the context of E2-25K, is to increase processivity in Lys48-linked polyubiquitin chain synthesis, possibly through increased binding to the ubiquitinated substrate. Additionally, we see evidence that the UBA domain directs specificity in polyubiquitin chain linkage.     

Structural insights into specificity and diversity in mechanisms of ubiquitin recognition by ubiquitin-binding domains

UBDs [Ub (ubiquitin)-binding domains], which are typically small protein motifs of <50 residues, are used by receptor proteins to transduce post-translational Ub modifications in a wide range of biological processes, including NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling and proteasomal degradation pathways. More than 20 families of UBDs have now been characterized in structural detail and, although many recognize the canonical Ile44/Val70-binding patch on Ub, a smaller number have alternative Ub-recognition sites. The A20 Znf (A20-like zinc finger) of the ZNF216 protein is one of the latter and binds with high affinity to a polar site on Ub centred around Asp58/Gln62. ZNF216 shares some biological function with p62, with both linked to NF-κB signal activation and as shuttle proteins in proteasomal degradation pathways. The UBA domain (Ub-associated domain) of p62, although binding to Ub through the Ile44/Val70 patch, is unique in forming a stable dimer that negatively regulates Ub recognition. We show that the A20 Znf and UBA domain are able to form a ternary complex through independent interactions with a single Ub molecule, supporting functional models for Ub as a 'hub' for mediating multi-protein complex assembly and for enhancing signalling specificity.     

Structural Basis for Ubiquitin Recognition by a Novel Domain from Human Phospholipase A2-activating Protein

Ubiquitin (Ub) is an essential modifier conserved in all eukaryotes from yeast to human. Phospholipase A₂-activating protein (PLAA), a mammalian homolog of yeast DOA1/UFD3, has been proposed to be able to bind with Ub, which plays important roles in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, vesicle formation, and DNA damage response. We have identified a core domain from the PLAA family ubiquitin-binding region of human PLAA (residues 386–465, namely PFUC) that can bind Ub and elucidated its solution structure and Ub-binding mode by NMR approaches. The PFUC domain possesses equal population of two conformers in solution by cis/trans-isomerization, whereas the two isomers exhibit almost equivalent Ub binding abilities. This domain structure takes a novel fold consisting of four β-strands and two α-helices, and the Ub-binding site on PFUC locates in the surface of α2-helix, which is to some extent analogous to those of UBA, CUE, and UIM domains. This study provides structural basis and biochemical information for Ub recognition of the novel PFU domain from a PLAA family protein that may connect ubiquitination and degradation in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation.The eukaryotic secreted proteins are translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum after synthesis in cytosol. Misfolded or abnormally assembled proteins should be targeted for degradation through the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD)³ pathway (1, 2). This pathway involves many molecular steps: unfolded protein response in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, retrotranslocation back into the cytosol, ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation, delivery of ubiquitinated proteins to proteasome, and degradation of the substrates by proteases (3, 4).A yeast protein DOA1/UFD3 has been shown to bind to CDC48 by both indirect and direct ways (5–7), suggesting that DOA1 may be involved in ERAD. Evidence indicates that DOA1 directly competes with UFD2 at the same docking site on CDC48, which determines whether a substrate is multiubiquitinated and routed to the proteasome for degradation or deubiquitinated and released for other purposes (8). The direct interaction between DOA1 and Ub was suggested by recent studies (7, 9). Moreover, DOA1 also plays roles in the monoubiquitination of histone H2B and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (10) and in sorting ubiquitinated membrane proteins into multivesicular bodies (11).The mammalian homolog of DOA1 is called phospholipase A₂-activating protein (PLAA), which can bind to P97/VCP (a CDC48 homolog) with its C-terminal domain PUL (7). Having high sequence similarity (31% identity) with DOA1, PLAA is proposed to possess similar function of DOA1. Like DOA1, PLAA has an N-terminal WD40 domain with yet unknown function. The central region of PLAA contains a putative PLAA family ubiquitin-binding (PFU) domain, which is supposed to bind with Ub as observed in yeast DOA1 (7). Although the mechanism underlying the function of PLAA remains unclear, Ub binding of PLAA might be the central role that connects ubiquitination and degradation in ERAD. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanism for specific binding of PLAA with Ub is prerequisite for understanding the function of PLAA as well as DOA1. To further understand the Ub-binding mechanism by which PLAA functions in ERAD pathway, we identified a small Ub-binding domain from human PLAA (12) and elucidated the domain structure and Ub-binding properties by NMR and mutagenesis approaches.     

Backbone and side chain 1H, 13C, and 15N assignments of the ubiquitin-like domain of human HOIL-1L, an essential component of linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex

HOIL-1L and its binding partner, HOIL-1L interacting protein (HOIP), are essential components of linear ubiquitin (Ub) chain assembly complex (LUBAC), a 600-kDa enzyme complex catalyzing elongation of a tandemly connected Ub chain, which serve as a regulator of NF-κB activation. Specific interaction between the N-terminal Ub-like domain (UBL) of HOIL-1L and the Ub-associated domain (UBA) located at the central region of HOIP is shown to be involved in the formation of LUBAC. For better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation of the linear Ub chains by LUBAC, it is necessary to characterize the UBL-UBA interaction on the basis of structural data, which, however, is not available to date. Here we report backbone and side chain NMR assignments of the UBL of human HOIL-1L. By inspection of chemical shift index, it was predicted that HOIL-1L-UBL assumes a Ub fold followed by an α-helical segment, offering the basis for determination its 3D structure and interaction with HOIP-UBA in solution.     

Differential ubiquitin binding of the UBA domains from human c-Cbl and Cbl-b: NMR structural and biochemical insights

The Cbl proteins, RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases, are responsible for ubiquitinating the activated tyrosine kinases and targeting them for degradation. Both c-Cbl and Cbl-b have a UBA (ubiquitin-associated) domain at their C-terminal ends, and these two UBA domains share a high sequence similarity (75%). However, only the UBA from Cbl-b, but not from c-Cbl, can bind ubiquitin (Ub). To understand the mechanism by which the UBA domains specifically interact with Ub with different affinities, we determined the solution NMR structures of these two UBA domains, cUBA from human c-Cbl and UBAb from Cbl-b. Their structures show that these two UBA domains share the same fold, a compact three-helix bundle, highly resembling the typical UBA fold. Chemical shift perturbation experiments reveal that the helix-1 and loop-1 of UBAb form a predominately hydrophobic surface for Ub binding. By comparing the Ub-interacting surface on UBAb and its counterpart on cUBA, we find that the hydrophobic patch on cUBA is interrupted by a negatively charged residue Glu12. Fluorescence titration data show that the Ala12Glu mutant of UBAb completely loses the ability to bind Ub, whereas the mutation disrupting the dimerization has no significant effect on Ub binding. This study provides structural and biochemical insights into the Ub binding specificities of the Cbl UBA domains, in which the hydrophobic surface distribution on the first helix plays crucial roles in their differential affinities for Ub binding. That is, the amino acid residue diversity in the helix-1 region, but not the dimerization, determines the abilities of various UBA domains binding with Ub.     

The yeast Epsin Ent1 is recruited to membranes through multiple independent interactions

In addition to its well known role in targeting proteins for proteasomal degradation, ubiquitin (Ub) is also involved in promoting internalization of cell surface proteins into the endocytic pathway. Moreover, putative Ub interaction motifs (UIMs) as well as Ub-associated (UBA) domains have been identified in key yeast endocytic proteins (the epsins Ent1 and Ent2, and the Eps15 homolog Ede1). In this study, we characterized the interaction of Ub with the Ede1 UBA domain and with the UIMs of Ent1. Our data suggest that the UIMs and the UBA are involved in binding these proteins to biological membranes. We also show that the Ent1 ENTH domain binds to phosphoinositides in vitro and that Ent1 NPF motifs interact with the EH domain-containing proteins Ede1 and Pan1. Our findings indicate that the ENTH domain interaction with membrane lipids cooperates with the binding of membrane-associated Ub moieties. These events may in turn favor the occurrence of other interactions, for instance EH-NPF recognition, thus stabilizing networks of low affinity binding partners at endocytic sites.