Ubl Conjugation Research Articles

An improved workflow for identifying ubiquitin/ubiquitin-like protein conjugation sites from tandem mass spectra

The identification of ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-like protein (Ubl) conjugation sites is important in understanding their roles in biological pathway regulations. However, unambiguously and sensitively identifying Ub/Ubl conjugation sites through high-throughput MS remains challenging. We introduce an improved workflow for identifying Ub/Ubl conjugation sites based on the ChopNSpice and X!Tandem software. ChopNSpice is modified to generate Ub/Ubl conjugation peptides in the form of a cross-link. A combinatorial FASTA database can be acquired using the modified ChopNSpice (MchopNSpice). The modified X!Tandem (UblSearch) introduces a new fragmentation model for the Ub/Ubl conjugation peptides to match unambiguously the MS/MS spectra with linear peptides or Ub/Ubl conjugation peptides using the combinatorial FASTA database. The novel workflow exhibited better performance in analyzing an Ub and Ubl spectral library and a large-scale Trypanosoma cruzi small Ub-related modifier dataset compared with the original ChopNSpice method. The proposed workflow is more suitable for processing large-scale MS datasets of Ub/Ubl modification. MchopNSpice and UblSearch are freely available under the GNU General Public License v3.0 at http://sourceforge.net/projects/maublsearch.

Absolute Quantification of E1, Ubiquitin-Like Proteins and Nedd8–MLN4924 Adduct by Mass Spectrometry

Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) proteins regulate a variety of important cellular processes by forming covalent conjugates with target proteins or lipids. Ubl conjugation is catalyzed by a cascade of proteins including activating enzymes (E1), conjugating enzymes (E2), and in many cases ligation enzymes (E3). The discovery of MLN4924 (Brownell et al., Mol Cell 37: 102-111, 1), an investigational small molecule that is a mechanism-based inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), reveals a promising strategy of targeting E1/Ubl pathway for therapeutic purposes. In order to better understand, the biochemical dynamics of Ubl conjugation in cells and tissues, we have developed a mass spectrometry-based method to quantify E1 and Ubls using isotope-labeled proteins as internal standards. Furthermore, we have used the described method to quantify levels of the covalent Nedd8-inhibitor adduct formed in MLN4924 treated cells and tissues. The Nedd8-MLN4924 adduct is a tight-binding inhibitor of NAE, and its cellular concentration represents an indirect pharmacodynamic readout of NAE/Nedd8 pathway inhibition.

An Atg10-like E2 enzyme is essential for cell cycle progression but not autophagy in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Many proteins involved in autophagy have been identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For example, Atg3 and Atg10 are two E2 enzymes that facilitate the conjugation of the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) Atg8 and Atg12, respectively. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of the predicted Atg10 homolog (SpAtg10) of the evolutionarily distant Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Unexpectedly, SpAtg10 is not essential for autophagy. Instead, we find that SpAtg10 is essential for normal cell cycle progression, and for responses to various stress conditions that perturb the cell cycle, independently of Atg12 conjugation. Taken together, our data indicate that autophagic Ubl conjugation pathways differ between eukaryotes and, furthermore, that enzymes such as Atg10 may have additional functions in controlling key cellular processes such as cell cycle progression. Atg10-related proteins are found from yeast to humans, and, thus, this study has implications for understanding the functions of this protein family in Ubl conjugation in eukaryotes.

Ubiquitin-like protein conjugation and the ubiquitin–proteasome system as drug targets

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) conjugation pathways are integral to cellular protein homeostasis. The growing recognition of the fundamental importance of these pathways to normal cell function and in disease has prompted an in-depth search for small-molecule inhibitors that selectively block the function of these pathways. However, our limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of UBL conjugation is a significant hurdle to identifying drug-like inhibitors of enzyme targets within these pathways. Here, we highlight recent advances in understanding the role of some of these enzymes and how these new insights may be the key to developing novel therapeutics for diseases including immuno-inflammatory disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.

Substrate-Assisted Inhibition of Ubiquitin-like Protein-Activating Enzymes: The NEDD8 E1 Inhibitor MLN4924 Forms a NEDD8-AMP Mimetic In Situ

The NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) initiates a protein homeostatic pathway essential for cancer cell growth and survival. MLN4924 is a selective inhibitor of NAE currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Here, we show that MLN4924 is a mechanism-based inhibitor of NAE and creates a covalent NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct catalyzed by the enzyme. The NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct resembles NEDD8 adenylate, the first intermediate in the NAE reaction cycle, but cannot be further utilized in subsequent intraenzyme reactions. The stability of the NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct within the NAE active site blocks enzyme activity, thereby accounting for the potent inhibition of the NEDD8 pathway by MLN4924. Importantly, we have determined that compounds resembling MLN4924 demonstrate the ability to form analogous adducts with other ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) catalyzed by their cognate-activating enzymes. These findings reveal insights into the mechanism of E1s and suggest a general strategy for selective inhibition of UBL conjugation pathways.

An improved SUMmOn-based methodology for the identification of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like protein conjugation sites identifies novel ubiquitin-like protein chain linkages

Ubiquitin (Ub) and the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) comprise a remarkable assortment of polypeptides that are covalently conjugated to target proteins (or other biomolecules) to modulate their intracellular localization, half-life, and/or activity. Identification of Ub/Ubl conjugation sites on a protein of interest can thus be extremely important for understanding how it is regulated. While MS has become a powerful tool for the study of many classes of PTMs, the identification of Ub/Ubl conjugation sites presents a number of unique challenges. Here, we present an improved Ub/Ubl conjugation site identification strategy, utilizing SUMmOn analysis and an additional protease (lysyl endopeptidase C), as a complement to standard approaches. As compared with standard trypsin proteolysis-database search protocols alone, the addition of SUMmOn analysis can (i) identify Ubl conjugation sites that are not detected by standard database searching methods, (ii) better preserve Ub/Ubl conjugate identity, and (iii) increase the number of identifications of Ub/Ubl modifications in lysine-rich protein regions. Using this methodology, we characterize for the first time a number of novel Ubl linkages and conjugation sites, including alternative yeast (K54) and mammalian small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) chain (SUMO-2 K42, SUMO-3 K41) assemblies, as well as previously unreported NEDD8 chain (K27, K33, and K54) topologies.

Using mass spectrometry to identify ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐like protein conjugation sites

Ubiquitin (Ub) and the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) are polypeptides that are covalently conjugated to proteins and other biomolecules to modulate their turnover rate, localization, and/or function. The full range of Ubl functions is only beginning to be understood, and the wide variety of Ubl conjugates is only beginning to be identified. Moreover, how Ubl conjugation is regulated, and how Ubl conjugate populations change, e.g., throughout the cell cycle, in response to hormones, nutrients, or stress, or in various disease states, remains largely enigmatic. MS represents a powerful tool for the characterization of PTMs. However, standard sample preparation and data search methods are not amenable to the identification of many types of Ubl conjugates. Here, we describe the challenges of identifying Ub/Ubl conjugates, and propose an improved workflow for identification of Ub/Ubl conjugation sites. Considering the importance of Ubls in normal cellular physiology, and their roles in disease etiology and progression, it will be critical to develop improved high-throughput MS methods capable of efficiently identifying proteins and other biomolecules modified by these very interesting and important PTMs.

Natural history of the E1‐like superfamily: Implication for adenylation, sulfur transfer, and ubiquitin conjugation

The E1-like superfamily is central to ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation, biosynthesis of cysteine, thiamine, and MoCo, and several secondary metabolites. Yet, its functional diversity and evolutionary history is not well understood. We develop a natural classification of this superfamily and use it to decipher the major adaptive trends occurring in the evolution of the E1-like superfamily. Within the Rossmann fold, E1-like proteins are closest to NAD(P)/FAD-dependent dehydrogenases and S-AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases. Hence, their phosphotransfer activity is an independent catalytic "invention" with respect to such activities seen in other Rossmannoid folds. Sequence and structure analysis reveals a striking diversity of residues and structures involved in adenylation, sulfotransfer, and substrate binding between different E1-like families, allowing us to predict previously uncharacterized functional adaptations. E1-like proteins are fused to several previously undetected domains, such as a predicted sulfur transfer domain containing a novel superfamily of the TATA-binding protein fold, different types of catalytic domains, a novel winged helix-turn-helix domain and potential adaptor domains related to Ub conjugation. On the basis of these fusions, we develop a generalized model for the linking of E1 catalyzed adenylation/thiolation with further downstream reactions. This is likely to involve a dynamic interplay between the E1 active sites and diverse fused C-terminal domains. We also predict participation of E1-like domains in previously uncharacterized bacterial secondary metabolism pathways, new cysteine biosynthesis systems, such as those associated with archaeal O-phosphoseryl tRNA, metal-sulfur cluster assembly (e.g., in nitrogen fixation) and Ub-conjugation. Evolutionary reconstructions suggest that the last universal common ancestor contained a single E1-like domain possessing both phosphotransfer and thiolating activities and participating in multiple sulfotransfer reactions. The E1-like superfamily subsequently expanded to include 26 families clustering into three major radiations. These are broadly involved in Ub activation, cofactor and cysteine biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In light of this, we present evidence that in eukaryotes other E1-like enzymes such as Urm1 were independently recruited for Ubl conjugation, probably functioning without conventional E2-like enzymes.

Identification of conjugation specificity determinants unmasks vestigial preference for ubiquitin within the NEDD8 E2

Ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) modify targets via related E1-E2-E3 cascades. How is UBL conjugation fidelity established? Here we report the basis for UBL selection by UBL conjugating enzyme 12 (Ubc12), which is specific for the neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated protein 8 (NEDD8), and does not form a thioester-linked conjugate with ubiquitin. We systematically identified Ubc12 surfaces impeding Ubc12 approximately ubiquitin conjugate formation and found that several structurally dispersed E1 binding elements, rather than UBL-interacting surfaces, determine E2 approximately UBL specificity. In addition to roles for conserved E1 and E2 domains, unique structures contribute UBL specificity to the NEDD8 and ubiquitin pathways. By removing surface elements, without substituting corresponding sequences from ubiquitin E2s, we unmasked Ubc12's vestigial preference for ubiquitin over NEDD8 by approximately 10(10)-fold. This has implications for the evolution of specific functions among ubiquitin E2s. We also find that Ubc12 sequences dictating UBL selection map to the E3 binding site, thus providing a molecular mechanism preventing inappropriate modification of targets.

How covalent and noncovalent interaction with SUMO can regulate the Ubl conjugation process

How covalent and noncovalent interaction with SUMO can regulate the Ubl conjugation process

Chemoenzymatic Ubiquitination of Artificial Substrates

Probing an alternative route. Ubiquitin and Ub-like proteins (Ubl) are attached to cellular proteins through a conserved conjugation pathway. We demonstrate here that Ub and Ubl thioesters, the key intermediates of this pathway, can be readily transferred onto cysteine-containing artificial substrates. This finding provides new insight into the chemistry of Ub (Ubl) conjugation and can be used for creating different protein probes and microarrays.

A unique E1-E2 interaction required for optimal conjugation of the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8.

Ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) such as NEDD8 are transferred to their targets by distinct, parallel, multienzyme cascades that involve the sequential action of E1, E2 and E3 enzymes. How do enzymes within a particular UBL conjugation cascade interact with each other? We report here that the unique N-terminal sequence of NEDD8's E2, Ubc12, selectively recruits NEDD8's E1 to promote thioester formation between Ubc12 and NEDD8. A peptide corresponding to Ubc12's N terminus (Ubc12N26) specifically binds and inhibits NEDD8's E1, the heterodimeric APPBP1-UBA3 complex. The structure of APPBP1-UBA3- Ubc12N26 reveals conserved Ubc12 residues docking in a groove generated by loops conserved in UBA3s but not other E1s. These data explain why the Ubc12-UBA3 interaction is unique to the NEDD8 pathway. These studies define a novel mechanism for E1-E2 interaction and show how enzymes within a particular UBL conjugation cascade can be tethered together by unique protein-protein interactions emanating from their common structural scaffolds.

The UbcH8 ubiquitin E2 enzyme is also the E2 enzyme for ISG15, an IFN-alpha/beta-induced ubiquitin-like protein.

Ubiquitin-(Ub) like proteins (Ubls) are conjugated to their targets by an enzymatic cascade involving an E1 activating enzyme, an E2 conjugating enzyme, and in some cases an E3 ligase. ISG15 is a Ubl that is conjugated to cellular proteins after IFN-alpha/beta stimulation. Although the E1 enzyme for ISG15 (Ube1L/E1(ISG15)) has been identified, the identities of the downstream components of the ISG15 conjugation cascade have remained elusive. Here we report the purification of an E2 enzyme for ISG15 and demonstrate that it is UbcH8, an E2 that also functions in Ub conjugation. In vitro assays with purified Ub E2 enzymes and in vivo RNA interference assays indicate that UbcH8 is a major E2 enzyme for ISG15 conjugation. These results indicate that the ISG15 conjugation pathway overlaps or converges with the Ub conjugation pathway at the level of a specific E2 enzyme. Furthermore, these results raise the possibility that the ISG15 conjugation pathway might use UbcH8-competent Ub ligases in vivo. As an initial test of this hypothesis, we have shown that a UbcH8-competent Ub ligase conjugates ISG15 to a specific target in vitro. These results challenge the concept that Ub and Ubl conjugation pathways are strictly parallel and nonoverlapping and have important implications for understanding the regulation and function of ISG15 conjugation in the IFN-alpha/beta response.

Ubiquitin-like protein activation.

Post-translational covalent attachment of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins (ubls) has emerged as a predominant cellular regulatory mechanism, with important roles in controlling cell division, signal transduction, embryonic development, endocytic trafficking and the immune response. Ubls function by remodeling the surface of their target proteins, changing their target's half-life, enzymatic activity, protein-protein interactions, subcellular localization or other properties. At least 10 different ubiquitin-like modifications exist in mammals, and attachment of different ubls to a target leads to different biological consequences. Ubl-conjugation cascades are initiated by activating enzymes, which also coordinate the ubls with their downstream pathways. A number of biochemical and structural studies have provided insights into the mechanism of ubl-activating enzymes and their roles in ubl conjugation cascades.