Ubiquitin Ligase Activity Of Mdm2 Research Articles

Direct and indirect roles of GRWD1 in the inactivation of p53 in cancer.

Glutamate-rich WD40 repeat containing 1 (GRWD1), also known as WDR28, interacts with various proteins through its WD domain and is involved in transcription, translation, cell cycle progression, ubiquitin-mediated degradation and DNA replication and repair. Ribosomal protein L11 (RPL11), which directly interacts with MDM2, inhibits MDM2 ubiquitin ligase activity, thus promoting p53 stabilization. Binding of GRWD1 to RPL11 disrupts the interaction between RPL11 and MDM2 and promotes p53 ubiquitination by MDM2. In addition, a recent report by Fujiyama et al. found that GRWD1 also directly interacts with wild-type p53 and suppresses its transcriptional activity. They propose that GRWD1 is a novel tumor-promoting molecule that negatively regulates wild-type p53 via both indirect and direct mechanisms.

SPIN1 promotes tumorigenesis by blocking the uL18 (universal large ribosomal subunit protein 18)-MDM2-p53 pathway in human cancer.

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) play important roles in modulating the MDM2-p53 pathway. However, less is known about the upstream regulators of the RPs. Here, we identify SPIN1 (Spindlin 1) as a novel binding partner of human RPL5/uL18 that is important for this pathway. SPIN1 ablation activates p53, suppresses cell growth, reduces clonogenic ability, and induces apoptosis of human cancer cells. Mechanistically, SPIN1 sequesters uL18 in the nucleolus, preventing it from interacting with MDM2, and thereby alleviating uL18-mediated inhibition of MDM2 ubiquitin ligase activity toward p53. SPIN1 deficiency increases ribosome-free uL18 and uL5 (human RPL11), which are required for SPIN1 depletion-induced p53 activation. Analysis of cancer genomic databases suggests that SPIN1 is highly expressed in several human cancers, and its overexpression is positively correlated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Altogether, our findings reveal that the oncogenic property of SPIN1 may be attributed to its negative regulation of uL18, leading to p53 inactivation.

GRWD1 negatively regulates p53 via the RPL11-MDM2 pathway and promotes tumorigenesis.

The ribosomal protein L11 (RPL11) binds and inhibits the MDM2 ubiquitin ligase, thereby promoting p53 stability. Thus, RPL11 acts as a tumor suppressor. Here, we show that GRWD1 (glutamate-rich WD40 repeat containing 1) physically and functionally interacts with RPL11. GRWD1 is localized to nucleoli and is released into the nucleoplasm upon nucleolar stress. Silencing of GRWD1 increases p53 induction by nucleolar stress, whereas overexpression of GRWD1 reduces p53 induction. Furthermore, GRWD1 overexpression competitively inhibits the RPL11-MDM2 interaction and alleviates RPL11-mediated suppression of MDM2 ubiquitin ligase activity toward p53. These effects are mediated by the N-terminal region of GRWD1, including the acidic domain. Finally, we show that GRWD1 overexpression in combination with HPV16 E7 and activated KRAS confers anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenic capacity on normal human fibroblasts. Consistent with this, GRWD1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Taken together, our results suggest that GRWD1 is a novel negative regulator of p53 and a potential oncogene.

Characterization of cancer-associated missense mutations in MDM2

ABSTRACTMDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that binds the N-terminus of p53 and promotes its ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Elevated levels of MDM2 due to overexpression or gene amplification can contribute to tumor development by suppressing p53 activity. Since MDM2 is an oncogene, we explored the possibility that other genetic lesions, namely missense mutations, might alter its activities. We selected mutations in MDM2 that reside in one of the 4 key regions of the protein: p53 binding domain, acidic domain, zinc finger domain, and the RING domain. Unexpectedly, we observed that individual mutations in several of these domains compromised the ability of MDM2 to degrade p53. Mutations in the N-terminal p53 binding domain prevented the formation of a p53–MDM2 complex, thereby protecting p53 from degradation. Additionally, as would be predicted, several cancer-associated mutations in the RING finger domain disrupted the ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2 and prevented p53 degradation. Interestingly, we observed that amino acid substitutions at the same codon differentially affected MDM2 activity. Our data reveal that mutations in this oncogene can have the paradoxical effect of suppressing its activity. Further understanding of how these mutations perturb MDM2 function may yield novel approaches to inhibiting its activity.

MAGE-A Cancer/Testis Antigens Inhibit MDM2 Ubiquitylation Function and Promote Increased Levels of MDM4.

Melanoma antigen A (MAGE-A) proteins comprise a structurally and biochemically similar sub-family of Cancer/Testis antigens that are expressed in many cancer types and are thought to contribute actively to malignancy. MAGE-A proteins are established regulators of certain cancer-associated transcription factors, including p53, and are activators of several RING finger-dependent ubiquitin E3 ligases. Here, we show that MAGE-A2 associates with MDM2, a ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates ubiquitylation of more than 20 substrates including mainly p53, MDM2 itself, and MDM4, a potent p53 inhibitor and MDM2 partner that is structurally related to MDM2. We find that MAGE-A2 interacts with MDM2 via the N-terminal p53-binding pocket and the RING finger domain of MDM2 that is required for homo/hetero-dimerization and for E2 ligase interaction. Consistent with these data, we show that MAGE-A2 is a potent inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, yet it does not have any significant effect on p53 turnover mediated by MDM2. Strikingly, however, increased MAGE-A2 expression leads to reduced ubiquitylation and increased levels of MDM4. Similarly, silencing of endogenous MAGE-A expression diminishes MDM4 levels in a manner that can be rescued by the proteasomal inhibitor, bortezomid, and permits increased MDM2/MDM4 association. These data suggest that MAGE-A proteins can: (i) uncouple the ubiquitin ligase and degradation functions of MDM2; (ii) act as potent inhibitors of E3 ligase function; and (iii) regulate the turnover of MDM4. We also find an association between the presence of MAGE-A and increased MDM4 levels in primary breast cancer, suggesting that MAGE-A-dependent control of MDM4 levels has relevance to cancer clinically.

MDM2-mediated degradation of p14ARF: a novel mechanism to control ARF levels in cancer cells.

We here show a new relationship between the human p14ARF oncosuppressor and the MDM2 oncoprotein. MDM2 overexpression in various cancer cell lines causes p14ARF reduction inducing its degradation through the proteasome. The effect does not require the ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2 and preferentially occurs in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, treatment with inhibitors of the PKC (Protein Kinase C) pathway and use of p14ARF phosphorylation mutants indicate that ARF phosphorylation could play a role in MDM2 mediated ARF degradation reinforcing our previous observations that ARF phosphorylation influences its stability and biological activity. Our study uncovers a new potentially important mechanism through which ARF and MDM2 can counterbalance each other during the tumorigenic process.

Ribosomal Proteins RPL37, RPS15 and RPS20 Regulate the Mdm2-p53-MdmX Network

Changes to the nucleolus, the site of ribosome production, have long been linked to cancer, and mutations in several ribosomal proteins (RPs) have been associated with an increased risk for cancer in human diseases. Relevantly, a number of RPs have been shown to bind to MDM2 and inhibit MDM2 E3 ligase activity, leading to p53 stabilization and cell cycle arrest, thus revealing a RP-Mdm2-p53 signaling pathway that is critical for ribosome biogenesis surveillance. Here, we have identified RPL37, RPS15, and RPS20 as RPs that can also bind Mdm2 and activate p53. We found that each of the aforementioned RPs, when ectopically expressed, can stabilize both co-expressed Flag-tagged Mdm2 and HA-tagged p53 in p53-null cells as well as endogenous p53 in a p53-containing cell line. For each RP, the mechanism of Mdm2 and p53 stabilization appears to be through inhibiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of Mdm2. Interestingly, although they are each capable of inducing cell death and cell cycle arrest, these RPs differ in the p53 target genes that are regulated upon their respective introduction into cells. Furthermore, each RP can downregulate MdmX levels but in distinct ways. Thus, RPL37, RPS15 and RPS20 regulate the Mdm2-p53-MdmX network but employ different mechanisms to do so.

Phosphorylation of Daxx by ATM Contributes to DNA Damage-Induced p53 Activation

p53 plays a central role in tumor suppression. It does so by inducing anti-proliferative processes as a response to various tumor-promoting stresses. p53 is regulated by the ubiquitin ligase Mdm2. The optimal function of Mdm2 requires Daxx, which stabilizes Mdm2 through the deubiquitinase Hausp/USP7 and also directly promotes Mdm2’s ubiquitin ligase activity towards p53. The Daxx-Mdm2 interaction is disrupted upon DNA damage. However, both the mechanisms and the consequence of the Daxx-Mdm2 dissociation are not understood. Here we show that upon DNA damage Daxx is phosphorylated in a manner that is dependent on ATM, a member of the PI 3-kinase family that orchestrates the DNA damage response. The main phosphorylation site of Daxx is identified to be Ser564, which is a direct target of ATM. Phosphorylation of endogenous Daxx at Ser564 occurs rapidly during the DNA damage response and precedes p53 activation. Blockage of this phosphorylation event prevents the separation of Daxx from Mdm2, stabilizes Mdm2, and inhibits DNA damage-induced p53 activation. These results suggest that phosphorylation of Daxx by ATM upon DNA damage disrupts the Daxx-Mdm2 interaction and facilitates p53 activation.

Cross-Regulation of Protein Stability by p53 and Nuclear Receptor SHP

We report here a novel interplay between tumor suppressor p53 and nuclear receptor SHP that controls p53 and SHP stability. Overexpression of p53 causes rapid SHP protein degradation, which does not require the presence of Mdm2 and is mediated by the proteosome pathway. Overexpressing SHP alone does not affect p53 stability. However, SHP destabilizes p53 by augmentation of Mdm2 ubiquitin ligase activity toward p53. The single amino acid substitution in the SHP protein SHPK170R increases SHP binding to p53 relative to SHP wild-type, whereas SHPG171A variant shows a diminished p53 binding. As a result of the cross-regulation, the tumor suppressor function of p53 and SHP in inhibition of colon cancer growth is compromised. Our findings reveal a unique scenario for a cross-inhibition between two tumor suppressors to keep their expression and function in check.

An autoregulatory feedback loop between nuclear receptor SHP and Mdm2 that controls Mdm2, SHP and p53 protein stability

MethodsImmunoprecipitation, Western blots, in vitro ubiquitination assays, luciferase reporter assays, qPCR, ChIP assays, and apoptosis assays etc.ResultsMdm2 attenuates SHP expression by promoting SHP protein ubiquitination and downregulating SHP mRNA, and SHP in turn stabilizes Mdm2 protein by abrogating Mdm2 selfubiquitination. p53 reduces SHP protein through proteasome, but not phosphorylation and acetylation, mediated SHP degradation by Mdm2, and inhibits SHP mRNA by transcriptional repression. SHP destabilizes p53 by augmentation of Mdm2 ubiquitin ligase activity toward p53. Such cross‐regulation critically depends on the physical interaction of SHP with Mdm2 through the SHPK170 residue. Consequently, SHP antagonizes p53 dependent induction of apoptosis and inhibition of tumor growth by AHPN and 3‐Cl‐AHPC in colon cancer cells.ConclusionsThe Mdm2‐SHP‐p53 interplay represents a novel component of Mdm2/p53 crosstalk that dictates p53 activity and function.This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (DK080440) to L.W.

The Regulation of Multiple p53 Stress Responses is Mediated through MDM2

The MDM2 oncogene is a key negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. MDM2 and p53 form an autoregulatory feedback loop to tightly control the proper cellular responses to various stress signals in order to prevent mutations and tumor formation. The levels and function of the MDM2 protein, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, are regulated by a wide variety of extracellular and intracellular stress signals through distinct signaling pathways and mechanisms. These signals regulate the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, the ability of MDM2 to interact with p53 and a number of other proteins, and the cellular localization of MDM2, which in turn impact significantly upon p53 function. This review provides an overview of the regulation of MDM2 activities by the signals and factors that regulate the MDM2 protein, including genotoxic stress signals, oncogenic activation, cell cycle transition, ribosomal stress, chronic stress, neurohormones, and microRNAs. Disruption of the proper regulation of the MDM2-p53 negative feedback loop impacts significantly upon the frequency of tumorigenesis in a host. A better understanding of the complex regulation of MDM2 and its impact upon p53 function in cells under different conditions will help to develop novel and more effective strategies for cancer therapy and prevention.

Functional analysis and consequences of Mdm2 E3 ligase inhibition in human tumor cells

Mdm2 is the major negative regulator of p53 tumor suppressor activity. This oncoprotein is overexpressed in many human tumors that retain the wild type p53 allele. As such, targeted inhibition of Mdm2 is being considered as a therapeutic anticancer strategy. The N-terminal hydrophobic pocket of Mdm2 binds to p53 and thereby inhibits the transcription of p53 target genes. Additionally, the C-terminus of Mdm2 contains a RING domain with intrinsic ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. By recruiting E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme(s), Mdm2 acts as a molecular scaffold to facilitate p53 ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. Mdmx (Mdm4), an Mdm2 homolog, also has a RING domain and hetero-oligomerizes with Mdm2 to stimulate its E3 ligase activity. Recent studies have shown that C-terminal residues adjacent to the RING domain of both Mdm2 and Mdmx contribute to Mdm2 E3 ligase activity. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating this process remain unclear, and the biological consequences of inhibiting Mdm2/Mdmx co-operation or blocking Mdm2 ligase function are relatively unexplored. This study presents biochemical and cell biological data that further elucidate the mechanisms by which Mdm2 and Mdmx co-operate to regulate p53 level and activity. We use chemical and genetic approaches to demonstrate that functional inhibition of Mdm2 ubiquitin ligase activity is insufficient for p53 activation. This unexpected result suggests that concomitant treatment with Mdm2/Mdmx antagonists may be needed to achieve therapeutic benefit.

P53 and aging: A fresh look at an old paradigm

Apoptosis and cellular senescence, two key tumor suppression mechanisms, are thought to be antagonistically pleiotropic. Antagonistic pleiotropy holds that functions that are advantageous for a young and reproductively fit organism (eg. cancer protection and proper development) can be deleterious when that same organism becomes old (eg. loss of stem cell proliferation and tissue degeneration leading to diseases associated with age) [1]. This theory predicts that in an older animal (or human), the activity of tumor suppressors would be associated with enhanced aging phenotypes. However, confirmation of a direct connection between apoptosis, senescence and aging remains elusive [2]. In fact, at least in the case of p53 there is mounting data challenging the antagonistic pleiotropy model. Multiple lines of evidence from animal models suggest that a functional p53 pathway favors prolonged survival. Aging mice show a decrease in p53 activity correlated with increased tumor incidence as well as an overall reduction in longevity [3]. On the other hand, mice with an extra gene dosage of Arf and p53 show significant tumor protection, decreased oxidative damage and delayed aging [4]. Animals expressing the p53S18A mutation present with accelerated aging, and cells from these mice undergo early senescence [5]. As phosphorylation of p53 at Ser18 (Ser15 in humans) is associated with activation, these results highlight a requirement for intact p53 signaling in longevity [6]. In the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, mutations that lead to longevity preferentially antagonize tumor growth, likely due to an increase in DAF-16/p53-dependentapoptosis [7]. The mTOR pathway is intimately connected with organismal aging. In fact inhibition of mTOR either by treatment with rapamycin or by the inhibition of upstream signaling molecules, extends lifespan in yeast, worms and flies suggesting that this pathway may be one of the main mechanisms that decrease lifespan [8]. p53 is able to regulate activity of mTOR following DNA damage or oncogenic stress by activation of PTEN, AMP kinase and TSC-2, each of which signals to diminish the activity of mTOR (Figure ​(Figure1)1) [9,10]. p53 may also function downstream of mTOR by activating antioxidant genes and thus protecting cells against increased ROS levels in cells, one of the consequences of heightened mTOR activity [11-13]. Figure 1. Signaling circuitry connecting Mdm2 with the regulation of longevity and metabolism. As the ability of p53 to increase longevity becomes more evident, we should consider the role of its negative regulator, Mdm2, if not in the process of aging directly, at least in its effects on the activity of mTOR. Growth factor and oncogene signaling activate PI-3 kinase and its downstream effector AKT, a protein kinase that activates mTOR via inhibition of TSC-1 protein. AKT also phosphorylates Mdm2 leading to enhanced Mdm2 ubiquitin ligase activity and more rapid degradation of p53 (Figure ​(Figure1)1) [8,14]. Additionally, AKT stimulates FOXO phosphorylation, which results in FOXO nuclear exportation and ubiquitin dependent proteasomal degradation [15]. FOXO proteins have conserved abilities to increase longevity in worms and flies [16]. Indeed, Mdm2 was reported to function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase to promote FOXO degradation, following activation of AKT, thus forging an additional link between Mdm2 and changes in longevity [17]. Additionally, mTOR is able to positively regulate Mdm2 through an increase in translation of Mdm2 mRNA. Consistently, an increase in p53 dependent apoptosis in the liver of mouse embryos treated with Rapamycin in utero is attributed mTOR's ability to control translation of Mdm2 [18]. However, because the interplay between apoptosis and aging is likely to be highly context specific, it is important to note that mice expressing only ~30% of the wild type Mdm2 levels do not have an aging phenotype, while exhibiting clear enhancement in tumor protection [19]. It would be of interest to look at the effects of nutrient deprivation on the mice carrying an Mdm2 hypomorphic allele. In conclusion, as our notion of p53 function in aging and senescence changes, it is very tempting to imagine that just a slight inhibition of Mdm2 function in cells could both prolong full tumor surveillance mechanisms of p53, and in some circumstances increase longevity. Numerous molecular inhibitors of Mdm2 are in various stages of development with the goal of reactivating p53 activity in cancer [20]. The idea that controlled pharmacological modulation of Mdm2 function might also have positive consequences in extension of human lifespan could be an unexpected benefit and an additional incentive for design of new compounds targeting Mdm2.

Ubiquitin and Cancer: New Discussions for a New Journal

Ubiquitin and Cancer: New Discussions for a New Journal

Regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2 by an N-terminal pseudo-substrate motif

The tumor suppressor p53 has evolved a MDM2-dependent feedback loop that promotes p53 protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. MDM2 is an E3-RING containing ubiquitin ligase that catalyzes p53 ubiquitination by a dual-site mechanism requiring ligand occupation of its N-terminal hydrophobic pocket, which then stabilizes MDM2 binding to the ubiquitination signal in the DNA-binding domain of p53. A unique pseudo-substrate motif or "lid" in MDM2 is adjacent to its N-terminal hydrophobic pocket, and we have evaluated the effects of the flexible lid on the dual-site ubiquitination reaction mechanism catalyzed by MDM2. Deletion of this pseudo-substrate motif promotes MDM2 protein thermoinstability, indicating that the site can function as a positive regulatory element. Phospho-mimetic mutation in the pseudo-substrate motif at codon 17 (MDM2(S17D)) stabilizes the binding of MDM2 towards two distinct peptide docking sites within the p53 tetramer and enhances p53 ubiquitination. Molecular modeling orientates the phospho-mimetic pseudo-substrate motif in equilibrium over a charged surface patch on the MDM2 at Arg(97)/Lys(98), and mutation of these residues to the MDM4 equivalent reverses the activating effect of the phospho-mimetic mutation on MDM2 function. These data highlight the ability of the pseudo-substrate motif to regulate the allosteric interaction between the N-terminal hydrophobic pocket of MDM2 and its central acidic domain, which stimulates the E3 ubiquitin ligase function of MDM2. This model of MDM2 regulation implicates an as yet undefined lid-kinase as a component of pro-oncogenic pathways that stimulate the E3 ubiquitin ligase function of MDM2 in cells.

P53 and MDM2: Antagonists or Partners in Crime?

Therapeutics that disrupt the p53-MDM2 interaction show promise for cancer treatment but surprisingly have different biological outcomes. A study by Enge et al. in this issue of Cancer Cell shows that the ability of MDM2 to target hnRNP K for degradation contributes to the decision to induce apoptosis rather than cell-cycle arrest.

Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 3C Augments Mdm2-Mediated p53 Ubiquitination and Degradation by Deubiquitinating Mdm2

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) is one of the essential latent antigens for primary B-cell transformation. Previous studies established that EBNA3C facilitates degradation of several vital cell cycle regulators, including the retinoblastoma (pRb) and p27(KIP) proteins, by recruitment of the SCF(Skp2) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. EBNA3C was also shown to be ubiquitinated at its N-terminal residues. Furthermore, EBNA3C can bind to and be degraded in vitro by purified 20S proteasomes. Surprisingly, in lymphoblastoid cell lines, EBNA3C is extremely stable, and the mechanism for this stability is unknown. In this report we show that EBNA3C can function as a deubiquitination enzyme capable of deubiquitinating itself in vitro as well as in vivo. Functional mapping using deletion and point mutational analysis showed that both the N- and C-terminal domains of EBNA3C contribute to the deubiquitination activity. We also show that EBNA3C efficiently deubiquitinates Mdm2, an important cellular proto-oncogene, which is known to be overexpressed in several human cancers. The data presented here further demonstrate that the N-terminal domain of EBNA3C can bind to the acidic domain of Mdm2. Additionally, the N-terminal domain of EBNA3C strongly stabilizes Mdm2. Importantly, EBNA3C simultaneously binds to both Mdm2 and p53 and can form a stable ternary complex; however, in the presence of p53 the binding affinity of Mdm2 toward EBNA3C was significantly reduced, suggesting that p53 and Mdm2 might share a common overlapping domain of EBNA3C. We also showed that EBNA3C enhances the intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity of Mdm2 toward p53, which in turn facilitated p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Thus, manipulation of the oncoprotein Mdm2 by EBNA3C potentially provides a favorable environment for transformation and proliferation of EBV-infected cells.

Mdm2 Promotes Genetic Instability and Transformation Independent of p53

Mdm2, a regulator of the tumor suppressor p53, is frequently overexpressed in human malignancies. Mdm2 also has unresolved, p53-independent functions that contribute to tumorigenesis. Here, we show that increased Mdm2 expression induced chromosome/chromatid breaks and delayed DNA double-strand break repair in cells lacking p53 but not in cells with a mutant form of Nbs1, a component of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 DNA repair complex. A 31-amino-acid region of Mdm2 was necessary for binding to Nbs1. Mutation of conserved amino acids in the Nbs1 binding domain of Mdm2 inhibited Mdm2-Nbs1 association and prevented Mdm2 from delaying phosphorylation of H2AX and ATM-S/TQ sites, repair of DNA breaks, and resolution of DNA damage foci. Similarly, the mutation of eight amino acids in the Mdm2 binding domain of Nbs1 inhibited Mdm2-Nbs1 interaction and blocked the ability of Mdm2 to delay DNA break repair. Both Nbs1 and ATM, but not the ubiquitin ligase activity of Mdm2, were necessary to inhibit DNA break repair. Only Mdm2 with an intact Nbs1 binding domain was able to increase the frequency of chromosome/chromatid breaks and the transformation efficiency of cells lacking p53. Therefore, the interaction of Mdm2 with Nbs1 inhibited DNA break repair, leading to chromosome instability and subsequent transformation that was independent of p53.

Identification of Inhibitors for MDM2 Ubiquitin Ligase Activity from Natural Product Extracts by a Novel High-Throughput Electrochemiluminescent Screen

High-throughput screening technologies have revolutionized the manner in which potential therapeutics are identified. Although they are the source of lead compounds for ~65% of anticancer and antimicrobial drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration between 1981 and 2002, natural products have largely been excluded from modern screening programs. This is due, at least in part, to the inherent difficulties in testing complex extract mixtures, which often contain nuisance compounds, in modern bioassay systems. In this article, the authors present a novel electrochemiluminescent assay system for inhibition of MDM2 activity that is suitable for testing natural product extracts in high-throughput screening systems. The assay was used to screen more than 144,000 natural product extracts. The authors identified 1 natural product, sempervirine, that inhibited MDM2 auto-ubiquitination, MDM2-mediated p53 degradation, and led to accumulation of p53 in cells. Sempervirine preferentially induced apoptosis in transformed cells expressing wild-type p53, suggesting that it could be a potential lead for anticancer therapeutics.

Hetero-oligomerization with MdmX Rescues the Ubiquitin/Nedd8 Ligase Activity of RING Finger Mutants of Mdm2

Mdm2 is a member of the RING finger family of ubiquitin ligases and is best known for its role in targeting the tumor suppressor p53 for ubiquitination and degradation. Mdm2 can bind to itself and to the structurally related protein MdmX, and these interactions involve the RING finger domain of Mdm2 and MdmX, respectively. In this study, we performed a mutational analysis of the RING finger domain of Mdm2, and we identified several amino acid residues that are important for Mdm2 to exert its ubiquitin ligase function. Mutation of some of these residues interfered with the Mdm2-Mdm2 interaction indicating that a homomeric complex represents the active form of Mdm2. Mutation of other residues did not detectably affect the ability of Mdm2 to interact with itself but reduced the ability of Mdm2 to interact with UbcH5. Remarkably, MdmX efficiently rescued the ubiquitin ligase activity of the latter Mdm2 mutants in vitro and within cells. Because the interaction of Mdm2 with MdmX is more stable than the Mdm2-Mdm2 interaction, this suggests that Mdm2-MdmX complexes play a prominent role in p53 ubiquitination in vivo. Furthermore, we show that, similar to Mdm2, the Mdm2-MdmX complex has Nedd8 ligase activity and that all mutations that affect the ubiquitin ligase activity of Mdm2 also affect its Nedd8 ligase activity. From a mechanistic perspective, this suggests that the actual function of Mdm2 and Mdm2-MdmX, respectively, in p53 ubiquitination and in p53 neddylation is similar for both processes.