Ubiquitin metabolism in cycling Xenopus egg extracts

Regulation of β-Catenin Signaling and Maintenance of Chondrocyte Differentiation by Ubiquitin-independent Proteasomal Degradation of α-Catenin

Accumulation of beta-catenin and subsequent stimulation of beta-catenin-T cell-factor (Tcf)/lymphoid-enhancerfactor (Lef) transcriptional activity causes dedifferentiation of articular chondrocytes, which is characterized by decreased type II collagen expression and initiation of type I collagen expression. This study examined the mechanisms of alpha-catenin degradation, the role of alpha-catenin in beta-catenin signaling, and the physiological significance of alpha-catenin regulation of beta-catenin signaling in articular chondrocytes. We found that both alpha- and beta-catenin accumulated during dedifferentiation of chondrocytes by escaping from proteasomal degradation. Beta-catenin degradation was ubiquitination-dependent, whereas alpha-catenin was proteasomally degraded in a ubiquitination-independent fashion. The accumulated alpha- and beta-catenin existed as complexes in the cytosol and nucleus. The complex formation between alpha- and beta-catenin blocked proteasomal degradation of alpha-catenin and also inhibited beta-catenin-Tcf/Lef transcriptional activity and the suppression of type II collagen expression associated with ectopic expression of beta-catenin, the inhibition of proteasome, or Wnt signaling. Collectively, our results indicate that ubiquitin-independent degradation of alpha-catenin regulates beta-catenin signaling and maintenance of the differentiated phenotype of articular chondrocytes.

Non-proteolytic inactivation of geminin requires CDK-dependent ubiquitination

In late mitosis and G1, a complex of the essential initiation proteins Mcm2-7 are assembled onto replication origins to 'license' them for initiation. At other times licensing is inhibited by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and geminin, thus ensuring that origins fire only once per cell cycle. Here we show that, paradoxically, CDKs are also required to inactivate geminin and activate the licensing system. On exit from metaphase in Xenopus laevis egg extracts, CDK-dependent activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) results in the transient polyubiquitination of geminin. This ubiquitination triggers geminin inactivation without requiring ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, and is essential for replication origins to become licensed. This reveals an unexpected role for CDKs and ubiquitination in activating chromosomal DNA replication.

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibition of proteasomal activity: a potential mechanism of growth arrest

Although the proteasome plays a critical role in the controlled degradation of proteins involved in cell cycle control, the direct modulation of proteasomal function by growth regulatory signaling has not yet been demonstrated. We assessed the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, a potent inhibitor of cell growth, on proteasomal function. TGF-beta selectively decreased hydrolysis of the proteasomal substrate Cbz-Leu-Leu-Leu-7-amido-4-methyl-coumarin (z-LLL-AMC) in a concentration-dependent manner but did not inhibit hydrolysis of other substrates Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-AMC (suc-LLVY-AMC) or Cbz-Leu-Leu-Glu-AMC (z-LLE-AMC). An increase in intracellular oxidative injury occurred during incubation with TGF-beta. Furthermore, in vitro hydrolysis of z-LLL-AMC, but not suc-LLVY-AMC, was decreased by hydrogen peroxide. TGF-beta did not increase cellular expression of heat shock protein (HSP)90, a potent inhibitor of z-LLL-AMC hydrolysis in vitro. The physiological relevance of TGF-beta inhibition of proteasomal activity was studied by assessing the role of z-LLL-AMC hydrolysis on cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor expression and cell growth. TGF-beta increased expression of p27KIP1 but did not alter expression of p21WAF1 or p16INK4A. The peptide aldehyde Cbz-Leu-Leu-leucinal (LLL-CHO or MG132) potently inhibited z-LLL-AMC hydrolysis in cell extracts as well as increasing p27KIP1 and decreasing cell proliferation. Thus growth inhibition by TGF-beta decreases a specific proteasomal activity via an HSP90-independent mechanism that may involve oxidative inactivation or modulation of proteasomal subunit composition and results in altered cellular expression of key cell cycle regulatory proteins such as p27KIP1.

Effects of proteasome inhibitor (lactacystin) and cysteine protease inhibitor (E-64-d) on processes of mitosis in Xenopus embryonic cells

At least two different protease pathways have been implicated in the degradation that is required to control the eukaryotic cell cycle; these two pathways center on the activities of ubiquitin/proteasome and cysteine protease. The proteasome inhibitors, lactacystin and AcLLnL and the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64-d were tested for their ability to inhibit the cell cycles of Xenopus embryos. Lactacystin, AcLLnL and E-64-d all caused the complete arrest of the cell cycle. To define the specific cell cycle processes that were affected by the two inhibitors, we performed a cytological analysis. Inhibition of the cell cycle by lactacystin and E-64-d occurred during prophase and metaphase. The number of cells that arrested in prophase was 1.4-times higher in the E-64-d-treated group than in the control group and the number of arrested cells in the lactacystin-treated group was 1.4-times higher than in the E-64-d-treated group. The number of cells that arrested in metaphase was 3-to-4-times higher in the E-64-d and lactacystin groups than in the control group. These results indicate that both cysteine protease(s) and proteasomes are involved in the prophase and metaphase stages of cell division.

A nonproteolytic function of the proteasome is required for the dissociation of Cdc2 and cyclin B at the end of M phase

Inactivation of cyclin B-Cdc2 kinase at the exit from M phase depends on the specific proteolysis of the cyclin B subunit, whereas the Cdc2 subunit remains present at nearly constant levels throughout the cell cycle. It is unknown how Cdc2 escapes degradation when cyclin B is destroyed. In Xenopus egg extracts that reproduce the exit from M phase in vitro, we have found that dissociation of the cyclin B-Cdc2 complex occurred under conditions where cyclin B was tethered to the 26S proteasome but not yet degraded. The dephosphorylation of Thr 161 on Cdc2 was unlikely to be necessary for the dissociation of the two subunits. However, the dissociation was dependent on the presence of a functional destruction box in cyclin B. Cyclin B ubiquitination was also, by itself, not sufficient for separation of Cdc2 and cyclin B. The 26S proteasome, but not the 20S proteasome, was capable of dissociating the two subunits. These results indicate that the cyclin B and Cdc2 subunits are separated by the proteasome through a mechanism that precedes proteolysis of cyclin B and is independent of proteolysis. As a result, cyclin B levels decrease on exit from M phase but Cdc2 levels remain constant.

The KEN box: an APC recognition signal distinct from the D box targeted by Cdh1

The ordered progression through the cell cycle depends on regulating the abundance of several proteins through ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Degradation is precisely timed and specific. One key component of the degradation system, the anaphase promoting complex (APC), is a ubiquitin protein ligase. It is activated both during mitosis and late in mitosis/G1, by the WD repeat proteins Cdc20 and Cdh1, respectively. These activators target distinct sets of substrates. Cdc20–APC requires a well-defined destruction box (D box), whereas Cdh1–APC confers a different and as yet unidentified specificity. We have determined the sequence specificity for Cdh1–APC using two assays, ubiquitination in a completely defined and purified system and degradation promoted by Cdh1–APC in Xenopus extracts. Cdc20 is itself a Cdh1–APC substrate. Vertebrate Cdc20 lacks a D box and therefore is recognized by Cdh1–APC through a different sequence. By analysis of Cdc20 as a substrate, we have identified a new recognition signal. This signal, composed of K-E-N, serves as a general targeting signal for Cdh1–APC. Like the D box, it is transposable to other proteins. Using the KEN box as a template, we have identified cell cycle genes Nek2 and B99 as additional Cdh1–APC substrates. Mutation in the KEN box stabilizes all three proteins against ubiquitination and degradation.

c-Kit triggers dual phosphorylations, which couple activation and degradation of the essential melanocyte factor Mi

Microphthalmia (Mi) is a bHLHZip transcription factor that is essential for melanocyte development and postnatal function. It is thought to regulate both differentiated features of melanocytes such as pigmentation as well as proliferation/survival, based on phenotypes of mutant mouse alleles. Mi activity is controlled by at least two signaling pathways. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) promotes transcription of the Mi gene through cAMP elevation, resulting in sustained Mi up-regulation over many hours. c-Kit signaling up-regulates Mi function through MAP kinase phosphorylation of Mi, thereby recruiting the p300 transcriptional coactivator. The current study reveals that c-Kit signaling triggers two phosphorylation events on Mi, which up-regulate transactivation potential yet simultaneously target Mi for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. The specific activation/degradation signals derive from MAPK/ERK targeting of serine 73, whereas serine 409 serves as a substrate for p90 Rsk-1. An unphosphorylatable double mutant at these two residues is at once profoundly stable and transcriptionally inert. These c-Kit-induced phosphorylations couple transactivation to proteasome-mediated degradation. c-Kit signaling thus triggers short-lived Mi activation and net Mi degradation, in contrast to the profoundly increased Mi expression after MSH signaling, potentially explaining the functional diversity of this transcription factor in regulating proliferation, survival, and differentiation in melanocytes.

Gene expression of the proteasome in rat lens development

To study the involvement of the proteasome in ocular lens cell proliferation and differentiation, a partial cDNA encoding rat S7, a subunit of the ATPase complex that regulates the 20S proteasome (multicatalytic proteinase complex), and RC3, a subunit of the 20S proteasome moiety, were cloned and used to compare relative levels of S7 and RC3 mRNAs. mRNA was measured, using a competitive RT-PCR assay, in isolated lens cells or explant cultures induced to differentiate or proliferate. During differentiation, S7 mRNA levels increased (1.7 fold) and RC3 mRNA levels remained the same compared to mRNA in quiescent cells. During proliferation, RC3 mRNA levels were elevated (2 fold) and S7 mRNA levels remained the same. This demonstrated that representative proteasome and ATPase complex mRNA levels are regulated differentially during differentiation and proliferation. The maintenance of proteasome subunit mRNA and increase in ATPase complex subunit mRNA observed in differentiating lens cells is in contrast to the patterns of expression that have been reported for other differentiating cells, which down-regulate the 20S and/or 26S proteasome. This suggests that the role of the proteasome in cell development is cell specific.

Specificities of cell permeant peptidyl inhibitors for the proteinase activities of mu-calpain and the 20 S proteasome

Cell-permeant peptidyl aldehydes and diazomethylketones are frequently utilized as inhibitors of regulatory intracellular proteases. In the present study the specificities of several peptidyl inhibitors for purified human mu-calpain and 20 S proteasome were investigated. Acetyl-LLnL aldehyde, acetyl-LLM aldehyde, carbobenzyloxy-LLnV aldehyde (ZLLnVal), and carbobenzyloxy-LLY-diazomethyl ketone produced half-maximum inhibition of the caseinolytic activity of mu-calpain at concentrations of 1-5 x 10(-7) M. In contrast, only ZLLnVal was a reasonably potent inhibitor of the caseinolytic activity of 20 S proteasome, producing 50% inhibition at 10(-5) M. The other inhibitors were at least 10-fold less potent, producing substantial inhibition only at near saturating concentrations in the assay buffer. Further studies with ZLLnVal demonstrated that its inhibition of the proteasome was independent of casein concentration over a 25-fold range. Proteolysis of calpastatin or lysozyme by the proteasome was half-maximally inhibited by 4 and 22 microM ZLLnVal, respectively. Thus, while other studies have shown that ZLLnVal is a potent inhibitor of the hydrophobic peptidase activity of the proteasome, it appears to be a much weaker inhibitor of its proteinase activity. The ability of the cell permeant peptidyl inhibitors to inhibit growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied because this organism expresses proteasome but not calpains. Concentrations of ZLLnVal as high as 200 microM had no detectable effect on growth rates of overnight cultures. However, yeast cell lysates prepared from these cultures contained 2 microM ZLLnVal, an amount which should have been sufficient to fully inhibit hydrophobic peptidase activity of yeast proteasome. Degradation of ubiquitinylated proteins in yeast extracts by endogenous proteasome was likewise sensitive only to high concentrations of ZLLnVal. The higher sensitivity of the proteinase activity of calpains to inhibition by the cell permeant inhibitors suggests that calpain-like activities may be targets of these inhibitors in animal cells.

MAD2 associates with the cyclosome/anaphase-promoting complex and inhibits its activity

Cell cycle progression is monitored by checkpoint mechanisms that ensure faithful duplication and accurate segregation of the genome. Defects in spindle assembly or spindle-kinetochore attachment activate the mitotic checkpoint. Once activated, this checkpoint arrests cells prior to the metaphase-anaphase transition with unsegregated chromosomes, stable cyclin B, and elevated M phase promoting factor activity. However, the mechanisms underlying this process remain obscure. Here we report that upon activation of the mitotic checkpoint, MAD2, an essential component of the mitotic checkpoint, associates with the cyclin B-ubiquitin ligase, known as the cyclosome or anaphase-promoting complex. Moreover, purified MAD2 causes a metaphase arrest in cycling Xenopus laevis egg extracts and prevents cyclin B proteolysis by blocking its ubiquitination, indicating that MAD2 functions as an inhibitor of the cyclosome. Thus, MAD2 links the mitotic checkpoint pathway to the cyclin B destruction machinery which is critical in controlling the metaphase-anaphase transition.

Characterization of recombinant REGalpha, REGbeta, and REGgamma proteasome activators

Full-length cDNAs for three human proteasome activator subunits, called REGalpha, REGbeta, and REGgamma, have been expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant proteins have been characterized. Recombinant alpha or gamma subunits form heptameric species; recombinant beta subunits are found largely as monomers or small multimers. Each recombinant REG stimulates cleavage of fluorogenic peptides by human red cell proteasomes. The pattern of activated peptide hydrolysis is virtually identical for REGalpha and REGbeta. These two subunits, alone or in combination, stimulate cleavage after basic, acidic, and most hydrophobic residues in many peptides. Recombinant alpha and beta subunits bind each other with high affinity, and the REGalpha/beta heteromeric complex activates hydrolysis of LLVY-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (LLVY-MCA) and LLE-beta-nitroanilide (LLE-betaNA) more than REGalpha or REGbeta alone. Using filter binding and gel filtration assays, recombinant REGgamma subunits were shown to bind themselves but not alpha or beta subunits. REGgamma differs from REGalpha and REGbeta in that it markedly stimulates hydrolysis of peptides with basic residues in the P1 position but only modestly activates cleavage of LLVY-MCA or LLE-betaNA by the proteasome. REGgamma binds the proteasome with higher affinity than REGalpha or REGbeta yet with lower affinity than complexes containing both REGalpha and REGbeta. In summary, each of the three REG homologs is a proteasome activator with unique biochemical properties.

The ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 is phosphorylated and localized to the nucleus in a cell cycle-dependent manner

The ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 exists as two isoforms, E1a (117 kDa) and E1b (110 kDa). E1a is phosphorylated, whereas E1b is not. In the present study we have demonstrated the cell cycle dependence of E1a phosphorylation: a 2-fold increase in the specific phosphorylation of E1a in G2 compared with the basal level of phosphorylation in the other stages of the cell cycle. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis resolved E1 into the two isoforms E1a and E1b; E1a resolved further as three phosphorylated forms and one nonphosphorylated form, while E1b resolved as one nonphosphorylated form. E1a is found predominantly in the phosphorylated forms. However, the distribution of E1a among these different phosphorylated forms was not cell cycle-dependent. We next evaluated the enzymatic activity of E1 as well as its subcellular localization throughout the cell cycle. 32P-Pyrophosphate exchange activity of E1 did not vary along the cell cycle; however, the amount of ubiquitin-protein conjugates decreased by 50% in G2. Nuclear and cytosolic fractionation of cells revealed the nuclear to cytosolic ratio of phosphorylated E1a was 3-fold greater in G2 compared with the other stages of the cell cycle. Finally, purified nuclear extracts supported E1-dependent ubiquitin conjugation of exogenous substrates as did purified cytosol. However, in nuclear extracts but not in cytosol the amount of E1 activity was rate-limiting. Thus we establish nuclear E1-dependent protein ubiquitination and propose that an increase in phosphorylation of E1a in G2 functions to increase the import and/or retention of E1a in the nucleus and may modulate nuclear protein ubiquitination.

Regulatory features of multicatalytic and 26S proteases

It should be clear from the foregoing accounts that our understanding of MCP and 26S regulation is still rudimentary. Moreover, we have only recently identified about a dozen natural substrates of these two proteases. Those outside the field may view the situation with some dismay. Those who study the MCP and 26S enzymes are provided with rich opportunities to address fundamental questions of protein catabolism and metabolic regulation.

Ubiquitin and the enigma of intracellular protein degradation

Contrary to widespread belief, the regulation and mechanism of degradation for the mass of intracellular proteins (i.e. differential, selective protein turnover) in vertebrate tissues is still a major biological enigma. There is no evidence for the conclusion that ubiquitin plays any role in these processes. The primary function of the ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation pathway appears to lie in the removal of abnormal, misfolded, denatured or foreign proteins in some eukaryotic cells. ATP/ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis probably also plays a role in the degradation of some so-called 'short-lived' proteins. Evidence obtained from the covalent modification of such natural substrates as calmodulin, histones (H2A, H2B) and some cell membrane receptors with ubiquitin indicates that the reversible interconversion of proteins with ubiquitin followed by concomitant functional changes may be of prime importance.

Ubiquitination of full-length cyclin

Mitotic cyclins are key cell-cycle regulators that are relatively stable through most of the cell-cycle then rapidly degraded at mitosis. We have detected ubiquitin conjugates of full-length Xenopus cyclin B2 strongly suggesting that ubiquitination rather than a proteolytic cleavage is the initiating event in cyclin destruction. The highest levels of ubiquitin conjugates correlate with the phase of rapid proteolysis. This result supports previous findings that implicate the ubiquitin system in cyclin proteolysis. However, we also observe cyclin-ubiquitin conjugates in both cytostatic factor arrested and interphase extracts where cyclin is more stable. The physiologic role of ubiquitinated cyclin under these conditions is unclear.