De‐ubiquitinases on the move: an emerging field in plant biology

A balance between the synthesis and degradation of active proteins governs diverse cellular processes in plants, spanning from cell‐cycle progression and circadian rhythm to the outcome of several hormone signalling pathways. Ubiquitin‐mediated post‐translational modification determines the degradative fate of the target proteins, thereby altering the output of cellular processes. An equally important, and perhaps under‐appreciated, aspect of this pathway is the antagonistic process of de‐ubiquitination. De‐ubiquitinases (DUBs), a group of processing enzymes, play an important role in maintaining cellular ubiquitin homeostasis by hydrolyzing ubiquitin poly‐proteins and free poly‐ubiquitin chains into mono‐ubiquitin. Further, DUBs rescue the cellular proteins from 26S proteasome‐mediated degradation to their active form by cleaving the poly‐ubiquitin chain from the target protein. Any perturbation in DUB activity is likely to affect proteostasis and downstream cellular processes. This review illustrates recent findings on the biological significance and mechanisms of action of the DUBs in Arabidopsis thaliana, with an emphasis on ubiquitin‐specific proteases (UBPs), the largest family among the DUBs. We focus on the putative roles of various protein–protein interaction interfaces in DUBs and their generalized function in ubiquitin recycling, along with their pre‐eminent role in plant development.     

Mechanisms orchestrating the enzymatic activity and cellular functions of deubiquitinases

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are required for the reverse reaction of ubiquitination and act as major regulators of ubiquitin signaling processes. Emerging evidence suggests that these enzymes are regulated at multiple levels in order to ensure proper and timely substrate targeting and to prevent the adverse consequences of promiscuous deubiquitination. The importance of DUB regulation is highlighted by disease-associated mutations that inhibit or activate DUBs, deregulating their ability to coordinate cellular processes. Here, we describe the diverse mechanisms governing protein stability, enzymatic activity, and function of DUBs. In particular, we outline how DUBs are regulated by their protein domains and interacting partners. Intramolecular interactions can promote protein stability of DUBs, influence their subcellular localization, and/or modulate their enzymatic activity. Remarkably, these intramolecular interactions can induce self-deubiquitination to counteract DUB ubiquitination by cognate E3 ubiquitin ligases. In addition to intramolecular interactions, DUBs can also oligomerize and interact with a wide variety of cellular proteins, thereby forming obligate or facultative complexes that regulate their enzymatic activity and function. The importance of signaling and post-translational modifications in the integrated control of DUB function will also be discussed. While several DUBs are described with respect to the multiple layers of their regulation, the tumor suppressor BAP1 will be outlined as a model enzyme whose localization, stability, enzymatic activity, and substrate recognition are highly orchestrated by interacting partners and post-translational modifications.     

An atlas of altered expression of deubiquitinating enzymes in human cancer

Background

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are proteases that process ubiquitin (Ub) or ubiquitin-like gene products, remodel polyubiquitin(-like) chains on target proteins, and counteract protein ubiquitination exerted by E3 ubiquitin-ligases. A wealth of studies has established the relevance of DUBs to the control of physiological processes whose subversion is known to cause cellular transformation, including cell cycle progression, DNA repair, endocytosis and signal transduction. Altered expression of DUBs might, therefore, subvert both the proteolytic and signaling functions of the Ub system.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we report the first comprehensive screening of DUB dysregulation in human cancers by in situ hybridization on tissue microarrays (ISH-TMA). ISH-TMA has proven to be a reliable methodology to conduct this kind of study, particularly because it allows the precise identification of the cellular origin of the signals. Thus, signals associated with the tumor component can be distinguished from those associated with the tumor microenvironment. Specimens derived from various normal and malignant tumor tissues were analyzed, and the “normal” samples were derived, whenever possible, from the same patients from whom tumors were obtained. Of the ∼90 DUBs encoded by the human genome, 33 were found to be expressed in at least one of the analyzed tissues, of which 22 were altered in cancers. Selected DUBs were subjected to further validation, by analyzing their expression in large cohorts of tumor samples. This analysis unveiled significant correlations between DUB expression and relevant clinical and pathological parameters, which were in some cases indicative of aggressive disease.

Conclusions/Significance

The results presented here demonstrate that DUB dysregulation is a frequent event in cancer, and have implications for therapeutic approaches based on DUB inhibition.     

A Global Census of Fission Yeast Deubiquitinating Enzyme Localization and Interaction Networks Reveals Distinct Compartmentalization Profiles and Overlapping Functions in Endocytosis and Polarity

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination are reciprocal processes that tune protein stability, function, and/or localization. The removal of ubiquitin and remodeling of ubiquitin chains is catalyzed by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which are cysteine proteases or metalloproteases. Although ubiquitination has been extensively studied for decades, the complexity of cellular roles for deubiquitinating enzymes has only recently been explored, and there are still several gaps in our understanding of when, where, and how these enzymes function to modulate the fate of polypeptides. To address these questions we performed a systematic analysis of the 20 Schizosaccharomyces pombe DUBs using confocal microscopy, proteomics, and enzymatic activity assays. Our results reveal that S. pombe DUBs are present in almost all cell compartments, and the majority are part of stable protein complexes essential for their function. Interestingly, DUB partners identified by our study include the homolog of a putative tumor suppressor gene not previously linked to the ubiquitin pathway, and two conserved tryptophan-aspartate (WD) repeat proteins that regulate Ubp9, a DUB that we show participates in endocytosis, actin dynamics, and cell polarity. In order to understand how DUB activity affects these processes we constructed multiple DUB mutants and find that a quintuple deletion of ubp4 ubp5 ubp9 ubp15 sst2/amsh displays severe growth, polarity, and endocytosis defects. This mutant allowed the identification of two common substrates for five cytoplasmic DUBs. Through these studies, a common regulatory theme emerged in which DUB localization and/or activity is modulated by interacting partners. Despite apparently distinct cytoplasmic localization patterns, several DUBs cooperate in regulating endocytosis and cell polarity. These studies provide a framework for dissecting DUB signaling pathways in S. pombe and may shed light on DUB functions in metazoans.     

Ubiquitination Regulates the Neuroprotective Function of the Deubiquitinase Ataxin-3 in Vivo

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are proteases that regulate various cellular processes by controlling protein ubiquitination. Cell-based studies indicate that the regulation of the activity of DUBs is important for homeostasis and is achieved by multiple mechanisms, including through their own ubiquitination. However, the physiological significance of the ubiquitination of DUBs to their functions in vivo is unclear. Here, we report that ubiquitination of the DUB ataxin-3 at lysine residue 117, which markedly enhances its protease activity in vitro, is critical for its ability to suppress toxic protein-dependent degeneration in Drosophila melanogaster. Compared with ataxin-3 with only Lys-117 present, ataxin-3 that does not become ubiquitinated performs significantly less efficiently in suppressing or delaying the onset of toxic protein-dependent degeneration in flies. According to further studies, the C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates ataxin-3 in vitro, is dispensable for its ubiquitination in vivo and is not required for the neuroprotective function of this DUB in Drosophila. Our work also suggests that ataxin-3 suppresses degeneration by regulating toxic protein aggregation rather than stability.     

Antiviral Activity of a Small Molecule Deubiquitinase Inhibitor Occurs via Induction of the Unfolded Protein Response

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a vital regulatory component in various cellular processes, including cellular responses to viral infection. As obligate intracellular pathogens, viruses have the capacity to manipulate the ubiquitin (Ub) cycle to their advantage by encoding Ub-modifying proteins including deubiquitinases (DUBs). However, how cellular DUBs modulate specific viral infections, such as norovirus, is poorly understood. To examine the role of DUBs during norovirus infection, we used WP1130, a small molecule inhibitor of a subset of cellular DUBs. Replication of murine norovirus in murine macrophages and the human norovirus Norwalk virus in a replicon system were significantly inhibited by WP1130. Chemical proteomics identified the cellular DUB USP14 as a target of WP1130 in murine macrophages, and pharmacologic inhibition or siRNA-mediated knockdown of USP14 inhibited murine norovirus infection. USP14 is a proteasome-associated DUB that also binds to inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), a critical mediator of the unfolded protein response (UPR). WP1130 treatment of murine macrophages did not alter proteasome activity but activated the X-box binding protein-1 (XBP-1) through an IRE1-dependent mechanism. In addition, WP1130 treatment or induction of the UPR also reduced infection of other RNA viruses including encephalomyocarditis virus, Sindbis virus, and La Crosse virus but not vesicular stomatitis virus. Pharmacologic inhibition of the IRE1 endonuclease activity partially rescued the antiviral effect of WP1130. Taken together, our studies support a model whereby induction of the UPR through cellular DUB inhibition blocks specific viral infections, and suggest that cellular DUBs and the UPR represent novel targets for future development of broad spectrum antiviral therapies.     

Structural and functional characterization of ubiquitin variant inhibitors for the JAMM-family deubiquitinases STAMBP and STAMBPL1

Ubiquitination is a crucial posttranslational protein modification involved in a myriad of biological pathways. This modification is reversed by deubiquitinases (DUBs) that deconjugate the single ubiquitin (Ub) moiety or poly-Ub chains from substrates. In the past decade, tremendous efforts have been focused on targeting DUBs for drug discovery. However, most chemical compounds with inhibitory activity for DUBs suffer from mild potency and low selectivity. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a phage display-based protein engineering strategy for generating Ub variant (UbV) inhibitors, which was previously successfully applied to the Ub-specific protease (USP) family of cysteine proteases. In this work, we leveraged the UbV platform to selectively target STAMBP, a member of the JAB1/MPN/MOV34 (JAMM) metalloprotease family of DUB enzymes. We identified two UbVs (UbV^SP.1 and UbV^SP.3) that bind to STAMBP with high affinity but differ in their selectivity for the closely related paralog STAMBPL1. We determined the STAMBPL1-UbV^SP.1 complex structure by X-ray crystallography, revealing hotspots of the JAMM-UbV interaction. Finally, we show that UbV^SP.1 and UbV^SP.3 are potent inhibitors of STAMBP isopeptidase activity, far exceeding the reported small-molecule inhibitor BC-1471. This work demonstrates that UbV technology is suitable to develop molecules as tools to target metalloproteases, which can be used to further understand the cellular function of JAMM family DUBs.     

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs): Regulation,homeostasis, and oxidative stress response

Ubiquitin signaling is a conserved, widespread, and dynamic process in which protein substrates are rapidly modified by ubiquitin to impact protein activity, localization, or stability. To regulate this process, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) counter the signal induced by ubiquitin conjugases and ligases by removing ubiquitin from these substrates. Many DUBs selectively regulate physiological pathways employing conserved mechanisms of ubiquitin bond cleavage. DUB activity is highly regulated in dynamic environments through protein–protein interaction, posttranslational modification, and relocalization. The largest family of DUBs, cysteine proteases, are also sensitive to regulation by oxidative stress, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly modify the catalytic cysteine required for their enzymatic activity. Current research has implicated DUB activity in human diseases, including various cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Due to their selectivity and functional roles, DUBs have become important targets for therapeutic development to treat these conditions. This review will discuss the main classes of DUBs and their regulatory mechanisms with a particular focus on DUB redox regulation and its physiological impact during oxidative stress.     

Reversible monoubiquitination regulates the Parkinson disease-associated ubiquitin hydrolase UCH-L1

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are negative regulators of protein ubiquitination and play an important role in ubiquitin-dependent processes. Recent studies have found that diverse cellular mechanisms are employed to control the activity of DUBs. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) is a highly expressed neuronal DUB linked to Parkinson disease; however, little is known about its specific functions or modes of regulation. Here, we demonstrate that UCH-L1 is post-translationally modified by monoubiquitin in cells, at lysine residues near the active site. This modification restricts enzyme activity by preventing binding to ubiquitinated targets, and permanent monoubiquitination, as mimicked by a ubiquitin-UCH-L1 fusion, inhibits UCH-L1 in its capacity to increase free ubiquitin levels in cells. Interestingly, UCH-L1 catalyzes its own deubiquitination in an intramolecular manner, thereby regulating the lifetime of this modification. Our results illustrate monoubiquitination as a reversible regulatory mechanism for DUB activity involving auto-deubiquitination.     

Survey of the phosphorylation status of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) family

Ubiquitination plays a role in virtually every cellular signaling pathway ranging from cell cycle control to DNA damage response to endocytosis and gene regulation. The bulk of our knowledge of the ubiquitination system is centered on modification of specific substrate proteins and the enzymatic cascade of ubiquitination. Our understanding of the regulation of the reversal of these modifications (deubiquitination) lags significantly behind. We recently reported a multifaceted study of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe DUBs including characterization of their binding partners, in vitro enzymatic activity and subcellular localization. (1) Over half of the 20 fission yeast DUBs have a stable protein partner and some of those partners regulate the localization and/or activity of their cognate DUB. As a next step in understanding how DUBs might otherwise be regulated, we investigated the phosphostatus of the entire fission yeast DUB family using LC-MS/MS, and here we discuss the possible implications of phosphoregulation.     

Active site alanine mutations convert deubiquitinases into high‐affinity ubiquitin‐binding proteins

A common strategy for exploring the biological roles of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in different pathways is to study the effects of replacing the wild‐type DUB with a catalytically inactive mutant in cells. We report here that a commonly studied DUB mutation, in which the catalytic cysteine is replaced with alanine, can dramatically increase the affinity of some DUBs for ubiquitin. Overexpression of these tight‐binding mutants thus has the potential to sequester cellular pools of monoubiquitin and ubiquitin chains. As a result, cells expressing these mutants may display unpredictable dominant negative physiological effects that are not related to loss of DUB activity. The structure of the SAGA DUB module bound to free ubiquitin reveals the structural basis for the 30‐fold higher affinity of Ubp8^C146A for ubiquitin. We show that an alternative option, substituting the active site cysteine with arginine, can inactivate DUBs while also decreasing the affinity for ubiquitin.     

Systematic analysis of the physiological importance of deubiquitinating enzymes

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are proteases that control the post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin and in turn regulate diverse cellular pathways. Despite a growing understanding of DUB biology at the structural and molecular level, little is known about the physiological importance of most DUBs. Here, we systematically identify DUBs encoded by the genome of Drosophila melanogaster and examine their physiological importance in vivo. Through domain analyses we uncovered 41 Drosophila DUBs, most of which have human orthologues. Systematic knockdown of the vast majority of DUBs throughout the fly or in specific cell types had dramatic consequences for Drosophila development, adult motility or longevity. Specific DUB subclasses proved to be particularly necessary during development, while others were important in adults. Several DUBs were indispensable in neurons or glial cells during developmental stages; knockdown of others perturbed the homeostasis of ubiquitinated proteins in adult flies, or had adverse effects on wing positioning as a result of neuronal requirements. We demonstrate the physiological significance of the DUB family of enzymes in intact animals, find that there is little functional redundancy among members of this family of proteases, and provide insight for future investigations to understand DUB biology at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels.     

The WD40-Repeat Protein-Containing Deubiquitinase Complex: Catalysis, Regulation, and Potential for Therapeutic Intervention

Ubiquitination has emerged as an essential signaling mechanism in eukaryotes. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) counteract the activities of the ubiquitination machinery and provide another level of control in cellular ubiquitination. Not surprisingly, DUBs are subjected to stringent regulations. Besides regulation by the noncatalytic domains present in the DUB sequences, DUB-interacting proteins are increasingly realized as essential regulators for DUB activity and function. This review focuses on DUBs that are associated with WD40-repeat proteins. Many human ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) were found to interact with WD40-repeat proteins, but little is known as to how this interaction regulates the activity and function of USPs. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding a prototypical WD40-repeat protein-containing DUB complex that comprises USP1 and USP1-associated factor 1 (UAF1). It has been shown that UAF1 activates USP1 through a potential active-site modulation, and the complex formation between USP1 and UAF1 is regulated by serine phosphorylation. Recently, human USPs have been recognized as a promising target class for inhibitor discovery. Small molecule inhibitors targeting several human USPs have been reported. USP1 is involved in two major DNA damage response pathways, DNA translesion synthesis and the Fanconi anemia pathway. Inhibiting the USP1/UAF1 deubiquitinase complex represents a new strategy to potentiate cancer cells to DNA-crosslinking agents and to overcome resistance that has plagued clinical cancer chemotherapy. The progress in inhibitor discovery against USPs and the WD40-repeat protein-containing USP complex will be discussed.     

USP3 counteracts RNF168 via deubiquitinating H2A and γH2AX at lysine 13 and 15

Histone ubiquitination plays a vital role in DNA damage response (DDR), which is important for maintaining genomic integrity in eukaryotic cells. In DDR, ubiquitination of histone H2A and γH2AX by the concerted action of ubiquitin (Ub) ligases, RNF168 and RNF8, generates a cascade of ubiquitination signaling. However, little is known about deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that may catalyze the removal of Ub from these histones. This study demonstrated that USP3, an apparent DUB for mono-ubiquitinated H2A, is indeed the enzyme for deubiquitinating Ub conjugates of γH2AX and H2A from lysine sites, where the ubiquitination is initiated by RNF168. Here, we showed that ectopic expression of USP3 led to the deubiquitination of both H2A and γH2AX in response to UV-induced DNA damage. Moreover, ectopic USP3 expression abrogated FK2 antibody-reactive Ub-conjugate foci, which co-localize with damage-induced γH2AX foci. In addition, USP3 overexpression impaired the accumulation of downstream repair factors BRCA1 and 53BP1 at the damage sites in response to both UV and γ-irradiation. We further identified that the USP3 removes Ub at lysine 13 and 15 of H2A and γH2AX, as well as lysine 118 and 119 of H2AX in response to DNA damage. Taken together, the results suggested that USP3 is a negative regulator of ubiquitination signaling, counteracting RNF168- and RNF8-mediated ubiquitination.     

去泛素化酶与肿瘤

泛素化修饰(ubiquitination modification)广泛存在于真核生物,通过26S蛋白酶体降解途径或信号传递等,改变蛋白质稳定性、定位和活性等功能,参与细胞的周期、转录、炎症、肿瘤和免疫等各项功能,是一类复杂的动态调控系统.泛素化调节是一个可逆过程,被泛素连接酶(ubiquitin ligase,E3)...     

Regulation of proteolysis by human deubiquitinating enzymes

The post-translational attachment of one or several ubiquitin molecules to a protein generates a variety of targeting signals that are used in many different ways in the cell. Ubiquitination can alter the activity, localization, protein–protein interactions or stability of the targeted protein. Further, a very large number of proteins are subject to regulation by ubiquitin-dependent processes, meaning that virtually all cellular functions are impacted by these pathways. Nearly a hundred enzymes from five different gene families (the deubiquitinating enzymes or DUBs), reverse this modification by hydrolyzing the (iso)peptide bond tethering ubiquitin to itself or the target protein. Four of these families are thiol proteases and one is a metalloprotease. DUBs of the Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase (UCH) family act on small molecule adducts of ubiquitin, process the ubiquitin proprotein, and trim ubiquitin from the distal end of a polyubiquitin chain. Ubiquitin Specific Proteases (USPs) tend to recognize and encounter their substrates by interaction of the variable regions of their sequence with the substrate protein directly, or with scaffolds or substrate adapters in multiprotein complexes. Ovarian Tumor (OTU) domain DUBs show remarkable specificity for different Ub chain linkages and may have evolved to recognize substrates on the basis of those linkages. The Josephin family of DUBs may specialize in distinguishing between polyubiquitin chains of different lengths. Finally, the JAB1/MPN +/MOV34 (JAMM) domain metalloproteases cleave the isopeptide bond near the attachment point of polyubiquitin and substrate, as well as being highly specific for the K63 poly-Ub linkage. These DUBs regulate proteolysis by: directly interacting with and co-regulating E3 ligases; altering the level of substrate ubiquitination; hydrolyzing or remodeling ubiquitinated and poly-ubiquitinated substrates; acting in specific locations in the cell and altering the localization of the target protein; and acting on proteasome bound substrates to facilitate or inhibit proteolysis. Thus, the scope and regulation of the ubiquitin pathway is very similar to that of phosphorylation, with the DUBs serving the same functions as the phosphatase. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin–Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.     

Ube2w and ataxin-3 coordinately regulate the ubiquitin ligase CHIP

The mechanisms by which ubiquitin ligases are regulated remain poorly understood. Here we describe a series of molecular events that coordinately regulate CHIP, a neuroprotective E3 implicated in protein quality control. Through their opposing activities, the initiator E2, Ube2w, and the specialized deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB), ataxin-3, participate in initiating, regulating, and terminating the CHIP ubiquitination cycle. Monoubiquitination of CHIP by Ube2w stabilizes the interaction between CHIP and ataxin-3, which through its DUB activity limits the length of chains attached to CHIP substrates. Upon completion of substrate ubiquitination, ataxin-3 deubiquitinates CHIP, effectively terminating the reaction. Our results suggest that functional pairing of E3s with ataxin-3 or?similar DUBs represents an important point of regulation in ubiquitin-dependent protein quality control. In?addition, the results shed light on disease pathogenesis in SCA3, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by polyglutamine expansion in ataxin-3.     

Small ubiquitin-like modifying protein isopeptidase assay based on poliovirus RNA polymerase activity

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is the major nonlysosomal proteolytic system in eukaryotic cells responsible for regulating the level of many key regulatory molecules within the cells. Modification of cellular proteins by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins, such as small ubiquitin-like modifying protein (SUMO), plays an essential role in a number of biological schemes, and ubiquitin pathway enzymes have become important therapeutic targets. Ubiquitination is a dynamic reversible process; a multitude of ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) are responsible for the wide-ranging influence of this pathway as well as its selectivity. The DUB enzymes serve to maintain adequate pools of free ubiquitin and regulate the ubiquitination status of cellular proteins. Using SUMO fusions, a novel assay system, based on poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, is described here. The method simplifies the isopeptidase assay and facilitates high-throughput analysis of these enzymes. The principle of the assay is the dependence of the viral polymerase on a free N terminus for activity; accordingly, the polymerase is inactive when fused at its N terminus to SUMO or any other ubiquitin-like protein. The assay is sensitive, reproducible, and adaptable to a high-throughput format for use in screens for inhibitors/activators of clinically relevant SUMO proteases and deubiquitinases.     

Structures of proteases for ubiqutin and ubiquitin-like modifiers

Post-translational modifiers can alter the function of proteins in many different ways. The conjugation of ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiqutin-like modifiers (Ubls) to proteins has been shown to be especially crucial in regulating a variety of cellular processes including the cell cycle, growth control, quality control, localization and many more. It is a highly dynamic process and involves a number of enzymes called E1, E2 and E3. Ub and Ubls are removed from the target proteins by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) or Ubl-specific proteases (ULPs), thereby deconjugation can act as an additional level of control over the ubiquitin-conjugation system. In addition, DUBs and ULPs are responsible for activating Ub and Ubls from their inactive corresponding precursor forms. Here we review recent progress in molecular details of these deconjugating enzymes of Ubls.