1
|
Barz S, Hofmann K, Reggiori F, Kraft C. Beyond the C-terminal Glycine of ATG8 Proteins - The Story of Some Neglected Amino Acids. J Mol Biol 2024:168588. [PMID: 38663545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
ATG8 proteins form a family of small ubiquitin-like modifiers, well-known for their importance in both macroautophagy and autophagy-independent processes. A unique feature of this protein family is their conjugation to membrane lipids through the covalent attachment of a glycine residue at the C-terminus of ATG8 proteins. Notably, most ATG8 proteins are expressed with additional amino acids at their C-terminus, shielding the key glycine residue. Consequently, lipidation requires the activation of the ATG8 precursors through proteolytic cleavage, known as priming. ATG4 proteases catalyze this priming process, and under physiological conditions, unprimed forms of ATG8 are not detected. This raises the question about the purpose of the C-terminal extension of ATG8 proteins. While the roles of lipidated and free, primed ATG8 proteins have been extensively studied, the potential function of their precursor form or the priming process itself remains largely unexplored. Here, we summarize information from existing literature and our own experiments to contribute to the understanding of these neglected amino acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Barz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kay Hofmann
- Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Fulvio Reggiori
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Claudine Kraft
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Foster BM, Wang Z, Schmidt CK. DoUBLing up: ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteases in genome stability. Biochem J 2024; 481:515-545. [PMID: 38572758 PMCID: PMC11088880 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Maintaining stability of the genome requires dedicated DNA repair and signalling processes that are essential for the faithful duplication and propagation of chromosomes. These DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms counteract the potentially mutagenic impact of daily genotoxic stresses from both exogenous and endogenous sources. Inherent to these DNA repair pathways is the activity of protein factors that instigate repair processes in response to DNA lesions. The regulation, coordination, and orchestration of these DDR factors is carried out, in a large part, by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and modification with ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs). The importance of ubiquitylation and UBLylation with SUMO in DNA repair is well established, with the modified targets and downstream signalling consequences relatively well characterised. However, the role of dedicated erasers for ubiquitin and UBLs, known as deubiquitylases (DUBs) and ubiquitin-like proteases (ULPs) respectively, in genome stability is less well established, particularly for emerging UBLs such as ISG15 and UFM1. In this review, we provide an overview of the known regulatory roles and mechanisms of DUBs and ULPs involved in genome stability pathways. Expanding our understanding of the molecular agents and mechanisms underlying the removal of ubiquitin and UBL modifications will be fundamental for progressing our knowledge of the DDR and likely provide new therapeutic avenues for relevant human diseases, such as cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Foster
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| | - Zijuan Wang
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| | - Christine K. Schmidt
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moghadasi SA, Moraes SN, Harris RS. Cellular Assays for Dynamic Quantification of Deubiquitinase Activity and Inhibition. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168316. [PMID: 37858708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are proteolytic enzymes that catalyze the removal of ubiquitin from protein substrates. The critical role of DUBs in regulating protein ubiquitination makes them attractive drug targets in oncology, neurodegenerative disease, and antiviral development. Biochemical assays for quantifying DUB activity have enabled characterization of substrate preferences and discovery of small molecule inhibitors. However, assessing the efficacy of these inhibitors in cellular contexts to support clinical drug development has been limited by a lack of tractable cell-based assays. To address this gap, we developed a two-color flow cytometry-based assay that allows for sensitive quantification of DUB activity and inhibition in living cells. The utility of this system was demonstrated by quantifying the potency of GRL0617 against the viral DUB SARS-CoV-2 PLpro, identifying potential GRL0617 resistance mutations, and performing structure-function analysis of the vOTU domain from the recently emerged Yezo virus. In addition, the system was optimized for cellular DUBs by modifying a GFP-targeting nanobody to recruit USP7 and USP28 to benchmark a panel of reported inhibitors and assess inhibition kinetics. Together, these results demonstrate the utility of these assays for studying DUB biology in a cellular context with potential to aid in inhibitor discovery and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Arad Moghadasi
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sofia N Moraes
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Reuben S Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
O'Dea R, Kazi N, Hoffmann-Benito A, Zhao Z, Recknagel S, Wendrich K, Janning P, Gersch M. Molecular basis for ubiquitin/Fubi cross-reactivity in USP16 and USP36. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1394-1405. [PMID: 37443395 PMCID: PMC10611586 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins typically use distinct machineries to facilitate diverse functions. The immunosuppressive ubiquitin-like protein Fubi is synthesized as an N-terminal fusion to a ribosomal protein (Fubi-S30). Its proteolytic maturation by the nucleolar deubiquitinase USP36 is strictly required for translationally competent ribosomes. What endows USP36 with this activity, how Fubi is recognized and whether other Fubi proteases exist are unclear. Here, we report a chemical tool kit that facilitated the discovery of dual ubiquitin/Fubi cleavage activity in USP16 in addition to USP36 by chemoproteomics. Crystal structures of USP36 complexed with Fubi and ubiquitin uncover its substrate recognition mechanism and explain how other deubiquitinases are restricted from Fubi. Furthermore, we introduce Fubi C-terminal hydrolase measurements and reveal a synergistic role of USP16 in Fubi-S30 maturation. Our data highlight how ubiquitin/Fubi specificity is achieved in a subset of human deubiquitinases and open the door to a systematic investigation of the Fubi system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel O'Dea
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nafizul Kazi
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Alicia Hoffmann-Benito
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Zhou Zhao
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sarah Recknagel
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kim Wendrich
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Petra Janning
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Malte Gersch
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Millrine D, Peter JJ, Kulathu Y. A guide to UFMylation, an emerging posttranslational modification. FEBS J 2023; 290:5040-5056. [PMID: 36680403 PMCID: PMC10952357 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin Fold Modifier-1 (UFM1) is a ubiquitin-like modifier (UBL) that is posttranslationally attached to lysine residues on substrates via a dedicated system of enzymes conserved in most eukaryotes. Despite the structural similarity between UFM1 and ubiquitin, the UFMylation machinery employs unique mechanisms that ensure fidelity. While physiological triggers and consequences of UFMylation are not entirely clear, its biological importance is epitomized by mutations in the UFMylation pathway in human pathophysiology including musculoskeletal and neurodevelopmental diseases. Some of these diseases can be explained by the increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and disrupted translational homeostasis observed upon loss of UFMylation. The roles of UFM1 in these processes likely stem from its function at the ER where ribosomes are UFMylated in response to translational stalling. In addition, UFMylation has been implicated in other cellular processes including DNA damage response and telomere maintenance. Hence, the study of UFM1 pathway mechanics and its biological function will reveal insights into fundamental cell biology and is likely to afford new therapeutic opportunities for the benefit of human health. To this end, we herein provide a comprehensive guide to the current state of knowledge of UFM1 biogenesis, conjugation, and function with an emphasis on the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Millrine
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC‐PPU), School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeUK
| | - Joshua J. Peter
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC‐PPU), School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeUK
| | - Yogesh Kulathu
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC‐PPU), School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeUK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shi Y, Liu H, Ma K, Luo ZQ, Qiu J. Legionella longbeachae Regulates the Association of Polyubiquitinated Proteins on Bacterial Phagosome with Multiple Deubiquitinases. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0417922. [PMID: 36790208 PMCID: PMC10100730 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04179-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Legionella spp. are the causative agents of a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. Upon being engulfed by host cells, these environmental bacteria replicate intracellularly in a plasma membrane-derived niche termed Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) in a way that requires the defective in organelle trafficking/intracellular multiplication (Dot/Icm) protein transporter. Our understanding of interactions between Legionella and its hosts was mostly based on studies of Legionella pneumophila. In this study, we found that the LCVs created by virulent Legionella longbeachae are similarly decorated by polyubiquitinated proteins to those formed by L. pneumophila and that the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is required for optimal intracellular growth of L. longbeachae. Furthermore, we utilized bioinformatics methods and the ubiquitin-vinylmethyl ester probe to obtain potential deubiquitinases (DUBs) encoded by L. longbeachae. These efforts led to the identification of 9 L. longbeachae DUBs that displayed distinct specificity toward ubiquitin chain types. Among these, LLO_1014 and LLO_2238 are associated with the LCVs and impact the accumulation of polyubiquitinated species on the bacterial phagosome. Moreover, LLO_1014 and LLO_2238 could fully restore the phenotypes associated with Δceg23 (lotB) and Δlem27 (lotC) mutants of L. pneumophila, indicating that these DUBs have similar functions. Together, these results reveal that L. longbeachae uses multiple DUBs to construct an intracellular niche for its replication. IMPORTANCE Legionella spp. are opportunistic intracellular bacterial pathogens that cause Legionnaires' disease. Legionella utilizes the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to deliver effector protein into host cells to modulate various cellular functions. At least 26 L. pneumophila effectors are known to hijack the host ubiquitin system via diverse mechanisms. L. longbeachae is the second leading cause of Legionnaires' disease worldwide. However, our knowledge about the interactions between L. longbeachae and its hosts is very limited. Here, we found that, similar to L. pneumophila infection, the host ubiquitin proteasome system is also important for the intracellular replication of L. longbeachae. In addition, the bacterial phagosomes harboring L. longbeachae are enriched with polyubiquitinated proteins in a Dot/Icm system-dependent manner. We further identified 9 L. longbeachae proteins that function as DUBs with distinct ubiquitin chain specificity. Of note, several of the phagosome-associated L. longbeachae DUBs regulate the recruitment of polyubiquitinated proteins to the LCV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjia Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kelong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhao-Qing Luo
- Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease and Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jiazhang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pruneda JN, Nguyen JV, Nagai H, Kubori T. Bacterial usurpation of the OTU deubiquitinase fold. FEBS J 2023:10.1111/febs.16725. [PMID: 36636866 PMCID: PMC10338644 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The extensive cellular signalling events controlled by posttranslational ubiquitination are tightly regulated through the action of specialized proteases termed deubiquitinases. Among them, the OTU family of deubiquitinases can play very specialized roles in the regulation of discrete subtypes of ubiquitin signals that control specific cellular functions. To exert control over host cellular functions, some pathogenic bacteria have usurped the OTU deubiquitinase fold as a secreted virulence factor that interferes with ubiquitination inside infected cells. Herein, we provide a review of the function of bacterial OTU deubiquitinases during infection, the structural basis for their deubiquitinase activities and the bioinformatic approaches leading to their identification. Understanding bacterial OTU deubiquitinases holds the potential for discoveries not only in bacterial pathogenesis but in eukaryotic biology as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N. Pruneda
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Justine V. Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Hiroki Nagai
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kubori
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
In memoriam: Huib Ovaa, the brain behind the formula (18/12/1973-19/05/2020). Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 132:1-4. [PMID: 35753908 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|