BTBD1 and BTBD2 colocalize to cytoplasmic bodies with the RBCC/tripartite motif protein,TRIM5delta

We previously identified BTBD1 and BTBD2 as novel topoisomerase I-interacting proteins that share 80% amino acid identity. Here we report the characterization of their subcellular localization. In a number of mouse and human cells, BTBD1 and BTBD2 (BTBD1/2) colocalized to punctate or elongated cytoplasmic bodies (< 5 microm long and several per cell) that were larger and more elongated in cancer cell lines than in fibroblasts and myoblasts. A search for potential colocalizing proteins identified TRIM family members that localize to morphologically similar cytoplasmic bodies, which were then tested for colocalization with BTBD1/2. TRIM5delta, expressed as a GFP fusion, colocalized with BTBD1/2 immunostaining and appeared to serve as a scaffold for the assembly of endogenous BTBD1/2 proteins. TRIM family members contain a RING domain, B-box(es), and coiled-coil regions, which have a characteristic order and spacing (RBCC domain). RING-dependent ubiquitin ligase activity and multimerization via the coiled-coil region may be defining properties of the RBCC/TRIM protein family. We found that TRIM5delta with a deleted coiled-coil region or a mutated RING domain failed to colocalize with BTBD1/2. Additionally, TRIM5delta ubiquitylated itself in a RING finger- and UbcH5B-dependent manner. BTBD1/2 each contain a PHR-similarity region, repeated twice on the putative ubiquitin ligases PAM, highwire and RPM-1, which also contain a RING and B-box. Thus, four protein modules found on each of these putative ubiquitin ligases, a RING, a B-box and two PHR repeats, are present on BTBD1/2 and TRIM5delta that are colocalized to cytoplasmic bodies.