Protected by dimerization

Abstract

Structural Biology Ubiquitination is critical for mitotic exit and requires the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2S, which can autoubiquitinate and promote its own turnover. Liess et al. found that dimerization of UBE2S prevented its autoubiquitination and kept this protein in an inactive state (see the Focus by Bremm). Human cells that expressed wild-type UBE2S were able to exit from drug-induced mitotic arrest, unlike those expressing the dimerization-defective form of UBE2S. Thus, UBE2S may dimerize to prevent its turnover in noncycling cells and ensure its availability for future mitotic cycles. Sci. Signal. 13 , eaba8208, eabd9892 (2020).