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Purification, properties, and N-terminal amino acid sequence of homogeneous Escherichia coli 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase, a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme.

Starting with 100 g (wet weight) of a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 forced to grow on L-threonine as sole carbon source, we developed a 6-step procedure that provides 30-40 mg of homogeneous 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase (also called aminoacetone synthetase or synthase). This ligase, which catalyzes the cleavage/condensation reaction between 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate (the presumed product of the L-threonine dehydrogenase-catalyzed reaction) and glycine + acetyl-CoA, has an apparent molecular weight approximately equal to 85,000 and consists of two identical (or nearly identical) subunits with Mr = 42,000. Computer analysis of amino acid composition data, which gives the best fit nearest integer ratio for each residue, indicates a total of 387 amino acids/subunit with a calculated Mr = 42,093. Stepwise Edman degradation provided the N-terminal sequence of the first 21 amino acids. It is a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme since (a) several carbonyl reagents caused greater than 90% loss of activity, (b) dialysis against buffer containing hydroxylamine resulted in 89% loss of activity coincident with an 86% decrease in absorptivity at 428 nm, (c) incubation of the apoenzyme with 20 microM pyridoxal phosphate showed a parallel recovery (greater than 90%) of activity and 428-nm absorptivity, and (d) reduction of the holoenzyme with NaBH4 resulted in complete inactivation, disappearance of a new absorption maximum at 333 nm. Strict specificity for glycine is shown but acetyl-CoA (100%), n-propionyl-CoA (127%), or n-butyryl-CoA (16%) is utilized in the condensation reaction. Apparent Km values for acetyl-CoA, n-propionyl-CoA, and glycine are 59 microM, 80 microM, and 12 mM, respectively; the pH optimum = 7.5. Added divalent metal ions or sulfhydryl compounds inhibited catalysis of the condensation reaction.

Acetone↗

The yeast Npi1/Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase lacking its N-terminal C2 domain is competent for ubiquitination but not for subsequent endocytosis of the gap1 permease.

The yeast ubiquitin ligase Npi1/Rsp5 and its mammalian homologue Nedd4 are involved in ubiquitination of various cell surface proteins, these being subsequently internalized by endocytosis and degraded in the vacuole/lysosome. Both enzymes consist of an N-terminal C2 domain, three to four successive WW(P) domains, and a C-terminal catalytic domain (HECT) containing a highly conserved cysteine residue involved in ubiquitin thioester formation. In this study, we show that the conserved cysteine of the HECT domain is required for yeast cell viability and for ubiquitination and subsequent endocytosis of the Gap1 permease. In contrast, the C2 domain of Npi1/Rsp5 is not essential to cell viability. Its deletion impairs internalization of Gap1, without detectably affecting ubiquitination of the permease. This suggests that Npi1/Rsp5 participates, via its C2 domain, in endocytosis of ubiquitinated permeases.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Ubiquitination and endocytosis of plasma membrane proteins: role of Nedd4/Rsp5p family of ubiquitin-protein ligases.

In addition to its well-known role in recognition by the proteasome, ubiquitin-conjugation is also involved in downregulation of membrane receptors, transporters and channels. In most cases, ubiquitination of these plasma membrane proteins leads to their internalization followed by targeting to the lysosome/vacuole for degradation. A crucial role in ubiquitination of many plasma membrane proteins appears to be played by ubiquitin-protein ligases of the Nedd4/Rsp5p family. All family members carry an N-terminal Ca2+-dependent lipid/protein binding (C2) domain, two to four WW domains and a C-terminal catalytic Hect-domain. Nedd4 is involved in downregulation of the epithelial Na+ channel, by binding of its WW domains to specific PY motifs of the channel. Rsp5p, the unique family member in S. cerevisiae, is involved in ubiquitin-dependent endocytosis of a great number of yeast plasma membrane proteins. These proteins lack apparent PY motifs, but carry acidic sequences, and/or phosphorylated-based sequences that might be important, directly or indirectly, for their recognition by Rsp5p. In contrast to polyubiquitination leading to proteasomal recognition, a number of Rsp5p targets carry few ubiquitins per protein, and moreover with a different ubiquitin linkage. Accumulating evidence suggests that, at least in yeast, ubiquitin itself may constitute an internalization signal, recognized by a hypothetical receptor. Recent data also suggest that Nedd4/Rsp5p might play a role in the endocytic process possibly involving its C2 domain, in addition to its role in ubiquitinating endocytosed proteins.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of the human orthologue of the RSP5-encoded ubiquitin protein ligase, hNedd4, in yeast.

hNedd4 and Rsp5p are orthologous ubiquitin ligases that contain a catalytic Hect domain, a C2 domain and multiple WW domains that mediate interactions with proteins. hNedd4 associates with the epithelial sodium channel and mutations disrupting this interaction lead to Liddle's syndrome, a heritable hypertension. Yeast Rsp5p ubiquitinates plasma membrane receptors and transporters and regulates their endocytosis. To determine whether the human enzyme has activity in yeast, hNEDD4 was expressed in yeast from the RSP5 or GAL1/10 promoters. Ectopic hNedd4 improved the growth and partially suppressed the endocytosis defect of rsp5 mutant cells, although it did not restore the viability of the rsp5-delta strain. Wild-type cells harboring hNedd4 grew better at elevated temperature and on media containing cycloheximide. In contrast, hNedd4 WW domain mutants inhibited the growth of yeast when expressed at high levels. Our results show that hNedd4 affects cell growth, endocytosis and cycloheximide tolerance of yeast cells.

Antifungal Agents↗

Regulation of the cell cycle by SCF-type ubiquitin ligases.

Regulation of the cell cycle is dependent on protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Two major ubiquitin ligases, the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) and SCF complex, are responsible for the periodic proteolysis of many regulators of the cell cycle. The receptor component of the SCF complex is one of many F-box proteins, three of which--Skp2, Fbw7, and beta-TrCP--are well characterized and implicated in cell cycle regulation. We have generated mice deficient in Skp2, Fbw7, or beta-TrCP1 and have identified the roles of these proteins in both cell cycle regulation and mouse development. Clinical evidence also suggests that dysregulation of these F-box proteins contributes to human cancers.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

Regulation of the cardiac voltage-gated Na+ channel (H1) by the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4.

The cardiac voltage-gated Na+ channel H1, involved in the generation of cardiac action potential, contains a C-terminal PY motif (xPPxY). Since PY motifs are known ligands to WW domains, we investigated their role for H1 regulation and the possible involvement of the WW domain containing ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4, taking advantage of the Xenopus oocyte system. Mutation of the PY motif leads to higher peak currents when compared to wild-type channel. Moreover, co-expression of Nedd4 reduced the peak currents, whereas an enzymatically inactive Nedd4 mutant increased them, likely by competing with endogenous Nedd4. The effect of Nedd4 was not observed in the PY motif mutated channel or in the skeletal muscle voltage-gated Na+ channel, which lacks a PY motif. We conclude that H1 may be regulated by Nedd4 depending on WW-PY interaction, and on an active ubiquitination site.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Ubiquitin and the SCF(Grr1) ubiquitin ligase complex are involved in the signalling pathway activated by external amino acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In response to external amino acids, the permease-like sensor Ssy1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates a pathway leading to transcriptional induction of several permease genes including AGP1 and PTR2. We previously reported that AGP1 induction requires Grr1, the F-box protein part of the SCF(Grr1) ubiquitin-ligase complex. We show here that ubiquitin, other components of SCF(Grr1) and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34 are essential for AGP1 and PTR2 induction. This suggests that transduction to these genes of the amino acid signal generated by Ssy1 involves an SCF(Grr1)-catalysed ubiquitination step.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗

Induction of MafBx and Murf ubiquitin ligase mRNAs in rat skeletal muscle after LPS injection.

MafBx and Murf are two new rat E3 ubiquitin ligases induced in muscle atrophy. Our goal was to investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, a model of muscle catabolism, is associated with increased expression of MafBx and Murf. LPS (750 microg/100 g body weight) induces MafBx and Murf mRNA (respectively, 23-fold and 33-fold after 12 h; P<0.001). A transient induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA (21-fold; P<0.001 at 3 h) and a decrease of insulin like growth factor-I mRNA (50%; P<0.001 at 6 h), two potential regulators of the ubiquitin-proteasome system were also demonstrated. In summary, MafBx and Murf mRNA are up-regulated in response to LPS and might play a role in the muscle proteolysis observed.

Animals↗

F-box proteins are receptors that recruit phosphorylated substrates to the SCF ubiquitin-ligase complex.

We have reconstituted the ubiquitination pathway for the Cdk inhibitor Sic1 using recombinant proteins. Skp1, Cdc53, and the F-box protein Cdc4 form a complex, SCFCdc4, which functions as a Sic1 ubiquitin-ligase (E3) in combination with the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2) Cdc34 and E1. Cdc4 assembled with Skp1 functions as the receptor that selectively binds phosphorylated Sic1. Grr1, an F-box protein involved in Cln destruction, forms complexes with Skp1 and Cdc53 and binds phosphorylated Cln1 and Cln2, but not Sic1. Because the constituents of the SCF complex are members of protein families, SCFCdc4 is likely to serve as the prototype for a large class of E3s formed by combinatorial interactions of related family members. SCF complexes couple protein kinase signaling pathways to the control of protein abundance.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

Foxo transcription factors induce the atrophy-related ubiquitin ligase atrogin-1 and cause skeletal muscle atrophy.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a debilitating response to fasting, disuse, cancer, and other systemic diseases. In atrophying muscles, the ubiquitin ligase, atrogin-1 (MAFbx), is dramatically induced, and this response is necessary for rapid atrophy. Here, we show that in cultured myotubes undergoing atrophy, the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway decreases, leading to activation of Foxo transcription factors and atrogin-1 induction. IGF-1 treatment or AKT overexpression inhibits Foxo and atrogin-1 expression. Moreover, constitutively active Foxo3 acts on the atrogin-1 promoter to cause atrogin-1 transcription and dramatic atrophy of myotubes and muscle fibers. When Foxo activation is blocked by a dominant-negative construct in myotubes or by RNAi in mouse muscles in vivo, atrogin-1 induction during starvation and atrophy of myotubes induced by glucocorticoids are prevented. Thus, forkhead factor(s) play a critical role in the development of muscle atrophy, and inhibition of Foxo factors is an attractive approach to combat muscle wasting.

Adenoviridae↗

Drosophila Nedd4, a ubiquitin ligase, is recruited by Commissureless to control cell surface levels of the roundabout receptor.

Crossing the midline produces changes in axons such that they are no longer attracted to the midline. In Drosophila, Roundabout reaches high levels on axons once they have crossed the midline, and this prohibits recrossing. Roundabout protein levels are regulated by Commissureless. We show that Commissureless binds to and is regulated by the ubiquitin ligase DNedd4. We further show that the ability of Commissureless to regulate Roundabout protein levels requires an intact DNedd4 binding site and ubiquitin acceptor sites within the Commissureless protein. The ability of Commissureless to regulate Robo in the embryo also requires a Commissureless/DNedd4 interaction. Our results show that changes in axonal sensitivity to external cues during pathfinding across the midline makes use of ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms to regulate transmembrane protein levels.

Animals↗

PTEN regulates the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the CDK inhibitor p27(KIP1) through the ubiquitin E3 ligase SCF(SKP2).

The PTEN tumor suppressor acts as a phosphatase for phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) [1, 2]. We have shown previously that PTEN negatively controls the G1/S cell cycle transition and regulates the levels of p27(KIP1), a CDK inhibitor [3, 4]. Recently, we and others have identified an ubiquitin E3 ligase, the SCF(SKP2) complex, that mediates p27 ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis [5-7]. Here we report that PTEN and the PI 3-kinase pathway regulate p27 protein stability. PTEN-deficiency in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells causes a decrease of p27 levels with concomitant increase of SKP2, a key component of the SCF(SKP2) complex. Conversely, in human glioblastoma cells, ectopic PTEN expression leads to p27 accumulation, which is accompanied by a reduction of SKP2. We found that ectopic expression of SKP2 alone is sufficient to reverse PTEN-induced p27 accumulation, restore the kinase activity of cyclin E/CDK2, and partially overcome the PTEN-induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Consistently, recombinant SCF(SKP2) complex or SKP2 protein alone can rescue the defect in p27 ubiquitination in extracts prepared from cells treated with a PI 3-kinase inhibitor. Our findings suggest that SKP2 functions as a critical component in the PTEN/PI 3-kinase pathway for the regulation of p27(KIP1) and cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Ubiquitination and degradation of the substrate recognition subunits of SCF ubiquitin-protein ligases.

The S. cerevisiae SCFCdc4p ubiquitin-protein ligase complex promotes cell cycle transitions through degradation of cell cycle regulators. To investigate SCFCdc4p regulation in vivo, we examined the stability of individual SCFCdc4p components. Whereas Cdc53p and Skp1p were stable, Cdc4p, the F box-containing component responsible for substrate recognition, was short lived and subject to SCF-mediated ubiquitination. Grr1p, another F box component of SCF complexes, was also ubiquitinated. A stable truncated Cdc4pF-beta-gal hybrid protein capable of binding Skp1p and entering into an SCF complex interfered with proteolysis of SCF targets and inhibited cell proliferation. The finding that the F box-containing SCF components are unstable suggests a mechanism of regulating SCF function through ubiquitination and proteolysis of F box components.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

First glance at the plant APC/C, a highly conserved ubiquitin-protein ligase.

The anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) is a cell-cycle-regulated ubiquitin-protein ligase that has been extensively studied in both fungal and animal cells. Many APC/C protein targets have been identified, and their sequential degradation during the cell cycle is essential for chromatid separation and mitotic exit. APC/C-dependent ubiquitylation of proteins not involved in cell-cycle progression has also been documented in animal cells. By contrast, the plant APC/C's structure and functions remained unexplored until recently. Here, we discuss recent developments in this field and explore the Arabidopsis genome sequence to identify plant APC/C components. Details of the APC/C ubiquitylation pathway in Arabidopsis are also available on a website that will be regularly updated.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

Insights into SCF ubiquitin ligases from the structure of the Skp1-Skp2 complex.

F-box proteins are members of a large family that regulates the cell cycle, the immune response, signalling cascades and developmental programmes by targeting proteins, such as cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, IkappaBalpha and beta-catenin, for ubiquitination (reviewed in refs 1-3). F-box proteins are the substrate-recognition components of SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F-box protein) ubiquitin-protein ligases. They bind the SCF constant catalytic core by means of the F-box motif interacting with Skp1, and they bind substrates through their variable protein-protein interaction domains. The large number of F-box proteins is thought to allow ubiquitination of numerous, diverse substrates. Most organisms have several Skp1 family members, but the function of these Skp1 homologues and the rules of recognition between different F-box and Skp1 proteins remain unknown. Here we describe the crystal structure of the human F-box protein Skp2 bound to Skp1. Skp1 recruits the F-box protein through a bipartite interface involving both the F-box and the substrate-recognition domain. The structure raises the possibility that different Skp1 family members evolved to function with different subsets of F-box proteins, and suggests that the F-box protein may not only recruit substrate, but may also position it optimally for the ubiquitination reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the Cul1-Rbx1-Skp1-F boxSkp2 SCF ubiquitin ligase complex.

SCF complexes are the largest family of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases and mediate the ubiquitination of diverse regulatory and signalling proteins. Here we present the crystal structure of the Cul1-Rbx1-Skp1-F boxSkp2 SCF complex, which shows that Cul1 is an elongated protein that consists of a long stalk and a globular domain. The globular domain binds the RING finger protein Rbx1 through an intermolecular beta-sheet, forming a two-subunit catalytic core that recruits the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme. The long stalk, which consists of three repeats of a novel five-helix motif, binds the Skp1-F boxSkp2 protein substrate-recognition complex at its tip. Cul1 serves as a rigid scaffold that organizes the Skp1-F boxSkp2 and Rbx1 subunits, holding them over 100 A apart. The structure suggests that Cul1 may contribute to catalysis through the positioning of the substrate and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, and this model is supported by Cul1 mutations designed to eliminate the rigidity of the scaffold.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

The pVHL-associated SCF ubiquitin ligase complex: molecular genetic analysis of elongin B and C, Rbx1 and HIF-1alpha in renal cell carcinoma.

The VHL gene product (pVHL) forms a multimeric complex with the elongin B and C, Cul2 and Rbx1 proteins (VCBCR complex), which is homologous to the SCF family of ubiquitin ligase complexes. The VCBCR complex binds HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha, transcription factors critically involved in cellular responses to hypoxia, and targets them for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Germline mutations in the VHL gene cause susceptibility to haemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), phaeochromocytoma and other tumours. In addition somatic inactivation of the VHL gene occurs in most sporadic clear cell RCC (CC-RCC). However, the absence of somatic VHL inactivation in 30-40% of CC-RCC implies the involvement of other gatekeeper genes in CC-RCC development. We reasoned that in CC-RCC without VHL inactivation, other pVHL-interacting proteins might be defective. To assess the role of elongin B/C, Rbx1 and HIF-1alpha in RCC tumorigenesis we (a) mapped the genes to chromosomes 8q(cen) (elongin C), 16p13.3 (elongin B) and 22q11.2 (Rbx1) by FISH, monochromosomal somatic cell hybrid panel screening and in silico GenBank homology searching; (b) determined the genomic organisation of elongin C (by direct sequencing of PAC clones), Rbx1 and elongin B (by GenBank homology searching); and (c) performed mutation analysis of exons comprising the coding regions of elongins B, C and Rbx1 and the oxygen-dependent degradation domain of HIF-1alpha by SSCP screening and direct sequencing in 35 sporadic clear cell RCC samples without VHL gene inactivation and in 13 individuals with familial non-VHL clear cell RCC. No coding region sequence variations were detected for the elongin B, elongin C or Rbx1 genes. Two amino acid substitutions (Pro582Ser and Ala588Thr) were identified in the oxygen-dependent degradation/pVHL binding domain of HIF-1alpha, however neither substitution was observed exclusively in tumour samples. Association analysis in panels of CC-RCC and non-neoplastic samples using the RFLPs generated by each variant did not reveal allelic frequency differences between RCC patients and controls (P>0.32 by chi-squared analysis). Nevertheless, the significance of these variations and their potential for modulation of HIF-1alpha function merits further investigation in both other tumour types and in non-neoplastic disease. Taken together with our previous Cul2 mutation analysis these data suggest that development of sporadic and familial RCC is not commonly contributed to by genetic events altering the destruction domain of HIF-1alpha, or components of the HIF-alpha destruction complex other than VHL itself. Although (a) activation of HIF could occur through mutation of another region of HIF-a, and (b) epigenetic silencing of elongin B/C, Cul2 or Rbx1 cannot be excluded, these findings suggest that pVHL may represent the sole mutational target through which the VCBR complex is disrupted in CC-RCC. HIF response is activated in CC-RCC tumorigenesis.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

A single WW domain is the predominant mediator of the interaction between the human ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4 and the human epithelial sodium channel.

The activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is required for the maintenance of salt and water balance in the body. Channel activity is regulated by the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4 ['neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated (gene 4)'] that interacts with the channel via its WW domains. Mutations in channel subunits that disrupt this interaction cause Liddle's syndrome, a severe inherited form of hypertension. In previous studies we showed that WW domains 2, 3 and 4 of human Nedd4 bound to the human ENaC (hENaC) subunits, whereas WW domain 1 did not. Here we extend this observation to determine the binding affinities of the human Nedd4 WW domains for hENaC C-terminal peptides. We show that WW domains 2, 3 and 4 bind with differing affinities to Na(+) channel subunit peptides. WW domain 3 has the highest affinity and we predict that WW domain 3 contributes most of the binding because a construct containing the three WW domains bound no better than WW domain 3 alone. Further, a single amino acid change (Arg(165)-->Thr) in WW domain 1 enables binding to the alpha subunit of the channel to occur, with an affinity comparable with that of WW domain 4. Differential binding propensities between the various WW domains and Na(+) channel subunit peptides are explained on the basis of quantitative structural modelling of the complexes and their isolated components.

Amino Acid Sequence↗