Mechanism of cullin3 e3 ubiquitin ligase dimerization

Cullin E3 ligases are the largest family of ubiquitin ligases with diverse cellular functions. One of seven cullin proteins serves as a scaffold protein for the assembly of the multisubunit ubiquitin ligase complex. Cullin binds the RING domain protein Rbx1/Rbx2 via its C-terminus and a cullin-specific substrate adaptor protein via its N-terminus. In the Cul3 ubiquitin ligase complex, Cul3 substrate receptors contain a BTB/POZ domain. Several studies have established that Cul3-based E3 ubiquitin ligases exist in a dimeric state which is required for binding of a number of substrates and has been suggested to promote ubiquitin transfer. In two different models, Cul3 has been proposed to dimerize either via BTB/POZ domain dependent substrate receptor homodimerization or via direct interaction between two Cul3 proteins that is mediated by Nedd8 modification of one of the dimerization partners. In this study, we show that the majority of the Cul3 proteins in cells exist as dimers or multimers and that Cul3 self-association is mediated via the Cul3 N-terminus while the Cul3 C-terminus is not required. Furthermore, we show that Cul3 self-association is independent of its modification with Nedd8. Our results provide evidence for BTB substrate receptor dependent Cul3 dimerization which is likely to play an important role in promoting substrate ubiquitination.     

Arabidopsis AtCUL3a and AtCUL3b form complexes with members of the BTB/POZ-MATH protein family

The ubiquitin proteasome pathway in plants has been shown to be important for many developmental processes. The E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases facilitate transfer of the ubiquitin moiety to substrate proteins. Many E3 ligases contain cullin proteins as core subunits. Here, we show that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AtCUL3 proteins interact in yeast two-hybrid and in vitro pull-down assays with proteins containing a BTB/POZ (broad complex, tramtrack, bric-a-brac/pox virus and zinc finger) motif. By changing specific amino acid residues within the proteins, critical parts of the cullin and BTB/POZ proteins are defined that are required for these kinds of interactions. In addition, we show that AtCUL3 proteins assemble with the RING-finger protein AtRBX1 and are targets for the RUB-conjugation pathway. The analysis of AtCUL3a and AtCUL3b expression as well as several BTB/POZ-MATH genes indicates that these genes are expressed in all parts of the plant. The results presented here provide strong evidence that AtCUL3a and AtCUL3b can assemble in Arabidopsis with BTB/POZ-MATH and AtRBX1 proteins to form functional E3 ligases.     

Functional analysis of Cullin 3 E3 ligases in tumorigenesis

Cullin 3-RING ligases (CRL3) play pivotal roles in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes, including neoplastic events. The substrate adaptors of CRL3 typically contain a BTB domain that mediates the interaction between Cullin 3 and target substrates to promote their ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. The biological implications of CRL3 adaptor proteins have been well described where they have been found to play a role as either an oncogene, tumor suppressor, or can mediate either of these effects in a context-dependent manner. Among the extensively studied CRL3-based E3 ligases, the role of the adaptor protein SPOP (speckle type BTB/POZ protein) in tumorigenesis appears to be tissue or cellular context dependent. Specifically, SPOP acts as a tumor suppressor via destabilizing downstream oncoproteins in many malignancies, especially in prostate cancer. However, SPOP has largely an oncogenic role in kidney cancer. Keap1, another well-characterized CRL3 adaptor protein, likely serves as a tumor suppressor within diverse malignancies, mainly due to its specific turnover of its downstream oncogenic substrate, NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2). In accordance with the physiological role the various CRL3 adaptors exhibit, several pharmacological agents have been developed to disrupt its E3 ligase activity, therefore blocking its potential oncogenic activity to mitigate tumorigenesis.     

AP2/ERF转录因子调控植物非生物胁迫响应研究进展

低温、干旱、高盐和缺氧等多种不良环境影响植物的生长发育, 植物通过长期进化形成复杂的调节机制来适应这些不利条件。AP2/ERF是植物特有的转录因子, 在各种胁迫响应过程中发挥关键调控作用。近年来, 越来越多的研究表明, 植物激素介导的信号级联通路与逆境胁迫响应关系密切, AP2/ERF转录因子可与激素信号转导协同形成交叉调控网络。许多AP2/ERF转录因子通过响应植物激素脱落酸和乙烯, 激活依赖或不依赖于脱落酸和乙烯的胁迫响应基因的表达。此外, AP2/ERF转录因子参与赤霉素、细胞分裂素和油菜素内酯介导的生长发育和胁迫应答。该文简要综述了AP2/ERF转录因子的结构特征、转录调控、翻译后修饰、结合位点、协同互作蛋白及其参与调控依赖或不依赖激素信号转导途径的非生物胁迫响应研究进展, 为解析不同AP2/ERF转录因子在调控激素和胁迫响应网络中的作用提供理论依据。     

A Novel Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal Guides BPM1 Protein to Nucleolus Suggesting Its Cullin3 Independent Function

BPM1 belongs to the MATH-BTB family of proteins, which act as substrate-binding adaptors for the Cullin3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. MATH-BTB proteins associate with Cullin3 via the BTB domain and with the substrate protein via the MATH domain. Few BPM1-interacting proteins with different functions are recognized, however, specific roles of BPM1, depending on its cellular localization have not been studied so far. Here, we found a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal at the C-terminus of the BPM1 protein, responsible for its nuclear and nucleolar localization and sufficient to drive the green fluorescent protein and cytoplasmic BPM4 protein into the nucleus. Co-localization analysis in live Nicotiana tabacum BY2 cells indicates a Cullin3 independent function since BPM1 localization is predominantly nucleolar and thus devoid of Cullin3. Treatment of BY2 cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocks BPM1 and Cullin3 degradation, suggesting turnover of both proteins through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Possible roles of BPM1 in relation to its in vivo localization are discussed.     

Conformational flexibility underlies ubiquitin ligation mediated by the WWP1 HECT domain E3 ligase

Ubiquitin ligases (E3) select proteins for ubiquitylation, a modification that directs altered subcellular trafficking and/or degradation of the target protein. HECT domain E3 ligases not only recognize, but also directly catalyze, ligation of ubiquitin to their protein substrates. The crystal structure of the HECT domain of the human ubiquitin ligase WWP1/AIP5 maintains a two-lobed structure like the HECT domain of the human ubiquitin ligase E6AP. While the individual N and C lobes of WWP1 possess very similar folds to those of E6AP, the organization of the two lobes relative to one another is different from E6AP due to a rotation about a polypeptide hinge linking the N and C lobes. Mutational analyses suggest that a range of conformations achieved by rotation about this hinge region is essential for catalytic activity.     

BTB/POZ domain proteins are putative substrate adaptors for cullin 3 ubiquitin ligases

Cullins (CULs) are subunits of a prominent class of RING ubiquitin ligases. Whereas the subunits and substrates of CUL1-associated SCF complexes and CUL2 ubiquitin ligases are well established, they are largely unknown for other cullin family members. We show here that S. pombe CUL3 (Pcu3p) forms a complex with the RING protein Pip1p and all three BTB/POZ domain proteins encoded in the fission yeast genome. The integrity of the BTB/POZ domain, which shows similarity to the cullin binding proteins SKP1 and elongin C, is required for this interaction. Whereas Btb1p and Btb2p are stable proteins, Btb3p is ubiquitylated and degraded in a Pcu3p-dependent manner. Btb3p degradation requires its binding to a conserved N-terminal region of Pcu3p that precisely maps to the equivalent SKP1/F box adaptor binding domain of CUL1. We propose that the BTB/POZ domain defines a recognition motif for the assembly of substrate-specific RING/cullin 3/BTB ubiquitin ligase complexes.     

植物AP2/ERF类转录因子研究进展

植物AP2/ERF是一个庞大的转录因子基因家族,含有由60~70个氨基酸组成的AP2/ERF结构域而得名,存在于所有的植物中。AP2/ERF转录因子参与多种生物学过程,包括植物生长、花发育、果实发育、种子发育、损伤、病菌防御、高盐、干旱等环境胁迫响应等。AP2/ERF类转录因子参与水杨酸、茉莉酸、乙烯、脱落酸等多种信号转导途径,而且是逆境信号交叉途径中的连接因子。文章对国内外近年来有关植物AP2/ERF类转录因子的分类、生物学功能、基因调控等方面的研究进行了综述。     

Coordinated activation of the nuclear ubiquitin ligase Cul3-SPOP by the generation of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate

Phosphoinositide signaling pathways regulate numerous processes in eukaryotic cells, including migration, proliferation, and survival. The regulatory lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate is synthesized by two distinct classes of phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs), the type I and II PIPKs. Although numerous physiological functions have been identified for type I PIPKs, little is known about the functions and regulation of type II PIPK. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified an interaction between the type IIbeta PIPK isoform (PIPKIIbeta) and SPOP (speckle-type POZ domain protein), a nuclear speckle-associated protein that recruits substrates to Cul3-based ubiquitin ligases. PIPKIIbeta and SPOP interact and co-localize at nuclear speckles in mammalian cells, and SPOP mediates the ubiquitylation of PIPKIIbeta by Cul3-based ubiquitin ligases. Additionally, stimulation of the p38 MAPK pathway enhances the ubiquitin ligase activity of Cul3-SPOP toward multiple substrate proteins. Finally, a kinase-dead PIPKIIbeta mutant enhanced ubiquitylation of Cul3-SPOP substrates. The kinase-dead PIPKIIbeta mutant increases the cellular content of its substrate lipid phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PI5P), suggesting that PI5P may stimulate Cul3-SPOP activity through a p38-dependent signaling pathway. Expression of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 4-phosphatases that generate PI5P dramatically stimulated Cul3-SPOP activity and was blocked by the p38 inhibitor SB203580. Taken together, these data define a novel mechanism whereby the phosphoinositide PI5P leads to stimulation of Cul3-SPOP ubiquitin ligase activity and also implicate PIPKIIbeta as a key regulator of this signaling pathway through its association with the Cul3-SPOP complex.     

The E3 ubiquitin ligase WVIP2 highlights the versatility of protein ubiquitination

Plant cells regulate many cellular processes controlling the half-life of critical proteins through ubiquitination. Previously, we characterized two interacting RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases of Triticum durum, TdRF1 and WVIP2. We revealed their role in tolerance to dehydration, and existing knowledge about their partners also indicated their involvement in the regulation of some aspects of plant development. Here we located WVIP2 in the regulation of the ABA signaling, based on sequence similarities. Further we acquired general evidence about the versatility of ubiquitination in plant cells. A protein can be target of different E3 ligases for a perfect tuning of its abundance as well as the same E3 ligase can ubiquitinate different and unrelated proteins, thus representing a cross-connections between different signaling pathways for a global coordination of cellular processes.     

油菜沪油15中AP2/ERF-B3亚族转录因子的克隆和生物信息学分析

AP2/ERF转录因子家族广泛存在于植物中,参与植物细胞周期、生长发育以及生物和非晌镄财认喙鼗虮泶锏骺?本文利用油菜UniGene数据库.以拟南芥AP2/ERF-B3亚族转录因子保守序列为信息探针,分离得到2个油菜AP2/ERF-B3亚族的转录因子BnaERFB3-1和BnaERFB3-2.通过PCR和RT-PCR方法分别从双低甘蓝型油菜沪油15的DNA和cDNA中克隆了上述基因.序列分析显示.克隆的BnaERFB3-1-Hv15和BnaERFB3-2-Hv15转录因子与电子克隆的基因序列差异很小,均只有1个氨基酸位点不同.且都没有内舍子.从氨基酸序列的相似性、组成成分、理化性质、疏水性/亲水性、序列比对、进化树、功能域、二级结构、三级结构、无序化特性等方面进行了预测和较为全面的分析.结果显示BnaERFB3-1-Hv15和BnaERFB3-2-Hv15是亲水性蛋白,在蛋白质的三级结构上与AtERF5相似,BnaERFB3-1-Hv15和BnaERFB3-2-Hv15蛋白无序化程度大于拟南芥AtERF5.通过分析EST丰度显示,BnaERFB3-1的表达集中在种子中,而BnaERFB3-2的表达则集中在根中.另外.将上述基因分别构建入酵母表达载体和植物双元表达载体,为深入研究该基因在油菜抗逆调控中的作用奠定了基础.     

Role of SKP1-CUL1-F-Box-Protein (SCF) E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Skin Cancer

Many biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death depend precisely on the timely synthesis anddegradation of key regulatory proteins. While protein synthesis can be regulated at multiple levels, protein degradation is mainlycontrolled by the ubiquitineproteasome system (UPS), which consists of two distinct steps: (1) ubiquitylation of targeted protein by E1ubiquitin-activating enzyme, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and E3 ubiquitin ligase, and (2) subsequent degradation by the 26Sproteasome. Among all E3 ubiquitin ligases, the SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein) E3 ligases are the largest family and are responsiblefor the turnover of many key regulatory proteins. Aberrant regulation of SCF E3 ligases is associated with various human diseases, such ascancers, including skin cancer. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of all currently published data to define a promotingrole of SCF E3 ligases in the development of skin cancer. The future directions in this area of research are also discussed with an ultimategoal to develop small molecule inhibitors of SCF E3 ligases as a novel approach for the treatment of human skin cancer. Furthermore,altered components or substrates of SCF E3 ligases may also be developed as the biomarkers for early diagnosis or predicting prognosis.     

Cullin-based ubiquitin ligases: Cul3-BTB complexes join the family

Cullin-based E3 ligases target substrates for ubiquitin-dependent degradation by the 26S proteasome. The SCF (Skp1-Cul1-F-box) and ECS (ElonginC-Cul2-SOCS box) complexes are so far the best-characterized cullin-based ligases. Their atomic structure has been solved recently, and several substrates have been described in different organisms. In addition to Cul1 and Cul2, higher eucaryotic genomes encode for three other cullins: Cul3, Cul4, and Cul5. Recent results have shed light on the molecular composition and function of Cul3-based E3 ligases. In these complexes, BTB-domain-containing proteins may bridge the cullin to the substrate in a single polypeptide, while Skp1/F-box or ElonginC/SOCS heterodimers fulfill this function in the SCF and ECS complexes. BTB-containing proteins are evolutionary conserved and involved in diverse biological processes, but their function has not previously been linked to ubiquitin-dependent degradation. In this review, we present these new findings and compare the composition of Cul3-based ligases to the well-defined SCF and ECS ligases.