Identification of a novel isopeptidase with dual specificity for ubiquitin- and NEDD8-conjugated proteins

Discovery of novel small molecules targeting the USP21/JAK2/STAT3 axis for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

The deficiency in available targeted agents and frequency of chemoresistance are primary challenges in clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The aberrant expression of USP21 and JAK2 represents a characterized mechanism of TNBC progression and resistance to paclitaxel (PTX). Despite its clear that high expression of USP21-mediated de-ubiquitination leads to increased levels of JAK2 protein, we lack regulator molecules to dissect the mechanisms that the interaction between USP21 and JAK2 contributes to the phenotype and resistance of TNBC. Here, we report a USP21/JAK2/STAT3 axis-targeting regulator 13c featuring a N-anthraniloyl tryptamine scaffold that showed excellent anti-TNBC potency and promising safety profile. Importantly, the therapeutic potential of using 13c in combination with PTX in PTX-resistant TNBC was demonstrated. This study showcases N-anthraniloyl tryptamine derivatives as a novel anti-TNBC chemotype with a pharmacological mode of action targeting the USP21/JAK2/STAT3 axis and provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of TNBC.

The emerging role of deubiquitylating enzyme USP21 as a potential therapeutic target in cancer

Although certain members of the Ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs) have been recognized as promising therapeutic targets for various diseases, research progress regarding USP21 has been relatively sluggish in its early stages. USP21 is a crucial member of the USPs subfamily, involved in diverse cellular processes such as apoptosis, DNA repair, and signal transduction. Research findings from the past decade demonstrate that USP21 mediates the deubiquitination of multiple well-known target proteins associated with critical cellular processes relevant to both disease and homeostasis, particularly in various cancers.This reviewcomprehensively summarizes the structure and biological functions of USP21 with an emphasis on its role in tumorigenesis, and elucidates the advances on the discovery of tens of small-molecule inhibitors targeting USP21, which suggests that targeting USP21 may represent a potential strategy for cancer therapy.

Protein neddylation and its role in health and diseases

NEDD8 (Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8) is an ubiquitin-like protein that is covalently attached to a lysine residue of a protein substrate through a process known as neddylation, catalyzed by the enzyme cascade, namely NEDD8 activating enzyme (E1), NEDD8 conjugating enzyme (E2), and NEDD8 ligase (E3). The substrates of neddylation are categorized into cullins and non-cullin proteins. Neddylation of cullins activates CRLs (cullin RING ligases), the largest family of E3 ligases, whereas neddylation of non-cullin substrates alters their stability and activity, as well as subcellular localization. Significantly, the neddylation pathway and/or many neddylation substrates are abnormally activated or over-expressed in various human diseases, such as metabolic disorders, liver dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers, among others. Thus, targeting neddylation becomes an attractive strategy for the treatment of these diseases. In this review, we first provide a general introduction on the neddylation cascade, its biochemical process and regulation, and the crystal structures of neddylation enzymes in complex with cullin substrates; then discuss how neddylation governs various key biological processes via the modification of cullins and non-cullin substrates. We further review the literature data on dysregulated neddylation in several human diseases, particularly cancer, followed by an outline of current efforts in the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of neddylation as a promising therapeutic approach. Finally, few perspectives were proposed for extensive future investigations.

Discovery of neddylation E2s inhibitors with therapeutic activity

Neddylation is the writing of monomers or polymers of neural precursor cells expressed developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8) to substrate. For neddylation to occur, three enzymes are required: activators (E1), conjugators (E2), and ligators (E3). However, the central role is played by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes E2M (UBE2M) and E2F (UBE2F), which are part of the E2 enzyme family. Recent understanding of the structure and mechanism of these two proteins provides insight into their physiological effects on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and genome stability. To treat cancer, it is therefore appealing to develop novel inhibitors against UBE2M or UBE2F interactions with either E1 or E3. In this evaluation, we summarized the existing understanding of E2 interaction with E1 and E3 and reviewed the prospective of using neddylation E2 as a pharmacological target for evolving new anti-cancer remedies.

Ubiquitin-proteasome system as a target for anticancer treatment-an update

As the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) regulates almost every biological process, the dysregulation or aberrant expression of the UPS components causes many pathological disorders, including cancers. To find a novel target for anticancer therapy, the UPS has been an active area of research since the FDA's first approval of a proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in 2003 for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we summarize newly described UPS components, including E3 ubiquitin ligases, deubiquitinases (DUBs), and immunoproteasome, whose malfunction leads to tumorigenesis and whose inhibitors have been investigated in clinical trials as anticancer therapy since 2020. We explain the mechanism and effects of several inhibitors in depth to better comprehend the advantages of targeting UPS components for cancer treatment. In addition, we describe attempts to overcome resistance and limited efficacy of some launched proteasome inhibitors, as well as an emerging PROTAC-based tool targeting UPS components for anticancer therapy.

Histone H2A deubiquitinases in the transcriptional programs of development and hematopoiesis: a consolidated analysis

Monoubiquitinated lysine 119 of histone H2A (H2AK119ub) is a highly abundant epigenetic mark, associated with gene repression and deposited on chromatin by the polycomb repressor complex 1 (PRC1), which is an essential regulator of diverse transcriptional programs in mammalian development and tissue homeostasis. While multiple deubiquitinases (DUBs) with catalytic activity for H2AK119ub (H2A-DUBs) have been identified, we lack systematic analyses of their roles and cross-talk in transcriptional regulation. Here, we address H2A-DUB functions in epigenetic regulation of mammalian development and tissue maintenance by conducting a meta-analysis of 248 genomics datasets from 32 independent studies, focusing on the mouse model and covering embryonic stem cells (ESCs), hematopoietic, and immune cell lineages. This covers all the publicly available datasets that map genomic H2A-DUB binding and H2AK119ub distributions (ChIP-Seq), and all datasets assessing dysregulation in gene expression in the relevant H2A-DUB knockout models (RNA-Seq). Many accessory datasets for PRC1-2 and DUB-interacting proteins are also analyzed and interpreted, as well as further data assessing chromatin accessibility (ATAC-Seq) and transcriptional activity (RNA-seq). We report co-localization in the binding of H2A-DUBs BAP1, USP16, and to a lesser extent others that is conserved across different cell-types, and also the enrichment of antagonistic PRC1-2 protein complexes at the same genomic locations. Such conserved sites enriched for the H2A-DUBs and PRC1-2 are proximal to transcriptionally active genes that engage in housekeeping cellular functions. Nevertheless, they exhibit H2AK119ub levels significantly above the genomic average that can undergo further increase with H2A-DUB knockout. This indicates a cooperation between H2A-DUBs and PRC1-2 in the modulation of housekeeping transcriptional programs, conserved across many cell types, likely operating through their antagonistic effects on H2AK119ub and the regulation of local H2AK119ub turnover. Our study further highlights existing knowledge gaps and discusses important directions for future work.

Deneddylating enzyme SENP8 regulates neuronal development

Neddylation is a cellular process in which the neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8) is conjugated to the lysine residue of target proteins via serial enzymatic cascades. Recently, it has been demonstrated that neddylation is required for synaptic clustering of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and the inhibition of neddylation impairs neurite outgrowth and excitatory synaptic maturation. Similar to the balanced role of deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) in the ubiquitination process, we hypothesized that deneddylating enzymes can regulate neuronal development by counteracting the process of neddylation. We find that the SUMO peptidase family member, NEDD8 specific (SENP8) acts as a key neuronal deneddylase targeting the global neuronal substrates in primary rat cultured neurons. We demonstrate that SENP8 expression levels are developmentally regulated, peaking around the first postnatal week and gradually diminishing in mature brain and neurons. We find that SENP8 negatively regulates neurite outgrowth through multiple pathways, including actin dynamics, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and autophagic processes. Alterations in neurite outgrowth by SENP8 subsequently result in the impairment of excitatory synapse maturation. Our data indicate that SENP8 plays an essential role in neuronal development and is a promising therapeutic target for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Installation of electrophiles onto the C-terminus of recombinant ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins

Ubiquitin and related ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) influence a variety of cellular pathways including protein degradation and response to viral infections. The chemical interrogation of these complex enzymatic cascades relies on the use of tailored activity-based probes (ABPs). Herein, we report the preparation of ABPs for ubiquitin, NEDD8, SUMO2 and ISG15 by selective acyl hydrazide modification. Acyl hydrazides of Ubls are readily accessible by direct hydrazinolysis of Ubl-intein fusions. The suppressed pK _a and superior nucleophilicity of the acyl hydrazides enables their selective modification at acidic pH with carboxylic acid anhydrides. The modification proceeds rapidly and efficiently, and does not require chromatographic purification or refolding of the probes. We modified Ubl-NHNH₂ with various thiol-reactive electrophiles that couple selectively with E2s and DUBs. The ease of modification enables the rapid generation and screening of ubiquitin probes with various C-terminal truncations and warheads for the selection of the most suitable combination for a given E2 or DUB.

Mixed in chains: NEDD8 polymers in the Protein Quality Control system

Post-translational modification of proteins with the Ubiquitin-like molecule NEDD8 is a critical regulatory mechanism for several biological processes and a potential target for therapeutic intervention. The role of NEDD8 has been mainly characterised through its modification as single moiety on the cullin family of proteins and control of Cullin-Ring-Ligases, but also on non-cullin substrates. In addition to monoNEDDylation, recent studies have now revealed that NEDD8 can also generate diverse polymers. This is either through modification of the 9 available lysines in NEDD8 and the formation of polyNEDD8 chains, or NEDDylation of Ubiquitin and SUMO-2 for the generation of hybrid NEDD8 chains. Here, we review recent findings that characterise the formation of NEDD8 polymers under distinct modes of protein NEDDylation (canonical/atypical) and their potential role as regulatory signals of the proteotoxic stress response and the Protein Quality Control system.

Insights Into the Properties, Biological Functions, and Regulation of USP21

Deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) antagonize ubiquitination by removing ubiquitin from their substrates. The role of DUBs in controlling various physiological and pathological processes has been extensively studied, and some members of DUBs have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in diseases ranging from tumors to neurodegeneration. Ubiquitin-specific protease 21 (USP21) is a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family, the largest subfamily of DUBs. Although USP21 was discovered late and early research progress was slow, numerous studies in the last decade have gradually revealed the importance of USP21 in a wide variety of biological processes. In particular, the pro-carcinogenic effect of USP21 has been well elucidated in the last 2 years. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on USP21, including its properties, biological functions, pathophysiological roles, and cellular regulation. Limited pharmacological interventions for USP21 have also been introduced, highlighting the importance of developing novel and specific inhibitors targeting USP21.

H2A mono-ubiquitination differentiates FACT's functions in nucleosome assembly and disassembly

The histone chaperone FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) plays an essential role in transcription and DNA replication by its dual functions on nucleosome assembly to maintain chromatin integrity and nucleosome disassembly to destabilize nucleosome and facilitate its accessibility simultaneously. Mono-ubiquitination at Lysine 119 of H2A (ubH2A) has been suggested to repress transcription by preventing the recruitment of FACT at early elongation process. However, up to date, how ubH2A directly affects FACT on nucleosome assembly and disassembly remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that the dual functions of FACT are differently regulated by ubH2A. The H2A ubiquitination does not affect FACT’s chaperone function in nucleosome assembly and FACT can deposit ubH2A–H2B dimer on tetrasome to form intact nucleosome. However, ubH2A greatly restricts FACT binding on nucleosome and inhibits its activity of nucleosome disassembly. Interestingly, deubiquitination of ubH2A rescues the nucleosome disassembly function of FACT to activate gene transcription. Our findings provide mechanistic insights of how H2A ubiquitination affects FACT in breaking nucleosome and maintaining its integrity, which sheds light on the biological function of ubH2A and various FACT’s activity under different chromatin states.

Regulation of TLR4 signaling through the TRAF6/sNASP axis by reversible phosphorylation mediated by CK2 and PP4

Recognition of invading pathogens by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activates innate immunity through signaling pathways that involved multiple protein kinases and phosphatases. We previously demonstrated that somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) binds to TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in the resting state. Upon TLR4 activation, a signaling complex consisting of TRAF6, sNASP, interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase 4, and casein kinase 2 (CK2) is formed. CK2 then phosphorylates sNASP to release phospho-sNASP (p-sNASP) from TRAF6, initiating downstream signaling pathways. Here, we showed that protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) is the specific sNASP phosphatase that negatively regulates TLR4-induced TRAF6 activation and its downstream signaling pathway. Mechanistically, PP4 is directly recruited by phosphorylated sNASP to dephosphorylate p-sNASP to terminate TRAF6 activation. Ectopic expression of PP4 specifically inhibited sNASP-dependent proinflammatory cytokine production and downstream signaling following bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, whereas silencing PP4 had the opposite effect. Primary macrophages and mice infected with recombinant adenovirus carrying a gene encoding PP4 (Ad-PP4) showed significant reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α production. Survival of Ad-PP4-infected mice was markedly increased due to a better ability to clear bacteria in a sepsis model. These results indicate that the serine/threonine phosphatase PP4 functions as a negative regulator of innate immunity by regulating the binding of sNASP to TRAF6.

Self-stabilizing regulation of deubiquitinating enzymes in an enzymatic activity-dependent manner

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) play important roles in many physiological and pathological processes by modulating the ubiquitination of their substrates. DUBs undergo post-translational modifications including ubiquitination. However, whether DUBs can reverse their own ubiquitination and regulate their own protein stability requires further investigation. To answer this question, we screened an expression library of DUBs and their enzymatic activity mutants and found that some DUBs regulated their own protein stability in an enzymatic activity- and homomeric interaction-dependent manner. Taking Ubiquitin-specific-processing protease 29 (USP29) as an example, we found that USP29 deubiquitinates itself and protects itself from proteasomal degradation. We also revealed that the N-terminal region of USP29 is critical for its protein stability. Taken together, our work demonstrates that at least some DUBs regulate their own ubiquitination and protein stability. Our findings provide novel molecular insight into the diverse regulation of DUBs.

Regulation of Treg Functions by the Ubiquitin Pathway

Regulatory T (Tregs) cells, required to maintain immune homeostasis, have significant power in disease outcomes. Treg dysfunction, predominantly characterized by the loss of the master transcription factor FoxP3 and the acquisition of T_eff-like phenotypes, can promote autoimmunity as well as enhance anti-tumor immunity. As FoxP3 expression and stability are pinnacle for Treg suppressive functions, understanding the pathways that regulate FoxP3 is crucial to ascertain Treg-mediated therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Mechanisms controlling FoxP3 expression and stability range from transcriptional to posttranslational, revealing multiple therapeutic opportunities. While many of the transcriptional pathways have been explored in detail, a recent surge in interest on the posttranslational mechanisms regulating FoxP3 has arisen. Particularly, the role of ubiquitination on Tregs both directly and indirectly involving FoxP3 has gained interest. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on ubiquitin-dependent, FoxP3-mediated control of Treg function as it pertains to human diseases.

The Role of Cullin-RING Ligases in Striated Muscle Development, Function, and Disease

The well-orchestrated turnover of proteins in cross-striated muscles is one of the fundamental processes required for muscle cell function and survival. Dysfunction of the intricate protein degradation machinery is often associated with development of cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathies. Most muscle proteins are degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The UPS involves a number of enzymes, including E3-ligases, which tightly control which protein substrates are marked for degradation by the proteasome. Recent data reveal that E3-ligases of the cullin family play more diverse and crucial roles in cross striated muscles than previously anticipated. This review highlights some of the findings on the multifaceted functions of cullin-RING E3-ligases, their substrate adapters, muscle protein substrates, and regulatory proteins, such as the Cop9 signalosome, for the development of cross striated muscles, and their roles in the etiology of myopathies.

DUBbing Down Translation: The Functional Interaction of Deubiquitinases with the Translational Machinery

Cancer cells revamp the regulatory processes that control translation to induce tumor-specific translational programs that can adapt to a hostile microenvironment as well as withstand anticancer therapeutics. Translational initiation has been established as a common downstream effector of numerous deregulated signaling pathways that together culminate in prooncogenic expression. Other mechanisms, including ribosomal stalling and stress granule assembly, also appear to be rewired in the malignant phenotype. Therefore, better understanding of the underlying perturbations driving oncogenic translation in the transformed state will provide innovative therapeutic opportunities. This review highlights deubiquitinating enzymes that are activated/dysregulated in hematologic malignancies, thereby altering the translational output and contributing to tumorigenesis.

Global site-specific neddylation profiling reveals that NEDDylated cofilin regulates actin dynamics

Neddylation is the post-translational protein modification most closely related to ubiquitination. Whereas the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 is well studied for its role in activating cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases, little is known about other substrates. We developed serial NEDD8-ubiquitin substrate profiling (sNUSP), a method that employs NEDD8 R74K knock-in HEK293 cells, allowing discrimination of endogenous NEDD8- and ubiquitin-modification sites by MS after Lys-C digestion and K-εGG-peptide enrichment. Using sNUSP, we identified 607 neddylation sites dynamically regulated by the neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 and the de-neddylating enzyme NEDP1, implying that many non-cullin proteins are neddylated. Among the candidates, we characterized lysine 112 of the actin regulator cofilin as a novel neddylation event. Global inhibition of neddylation in developing neurons leads to cytoskeletal defects, altered actin dynamics and neurite growth impairments, whereas site-specific neddylation of cofilin at K112 regulates neurite outgrowth, suggesting that cofilin neddylation contributes to the regulation of neuronal actin organization.

Nedd8 hydrolysis by UCH proteases in Plasmodium parasites

Plasmodium parasites are the causative agents of malaria, a disease with wide public health repercussions. Increasing drug resistance and the absence of a vaccine make finding new chemotherapeutic strategies imperative. Components of the ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like pathways have garnered increased attention as novel targets given their necessity to parasite survival. Understanding how these pathways are regulated in Plasmodium and identifying differences to the host is paramount to selectively interfering with parasites. Here, we focus on Nedd8 modification in Plasmodium falciparum, given its central role to cell division and DNA repair, processes critical to Plasmodium parasites given their unusual cell cycle and requirement for refined repair mechanisms. By applying a functional chemical approach, we show that deNeddylation is controlled by a different set of enzymes in the parasite versus the human host. We elucidate the molecular determinants of the unusual dual ubiquitin/Nedd8 recognition by the essential PfUCH37 enzyme and, through parasite transgenics and drug assays, determine that only its ubiquitin activity is critical to parasite survival. Our experiments reveal interesting evolutionary differences in how neddylation is controlled in higher versus lower eukaryotes, and highlight the Nedd8 pathway as worthy of further exploration for therapeutic targeting in antimalarial drug design.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like post-translational modifications are evolutionarily conserved and involved in fundamental cellular processes essential to all eukaryotes. As such, enzymatic components of these pathways present attractive targets for therapeutic intervention for both chronic and communicable diseases. Nedd8 modification of cullin ubiquitin E3 ligases is critical to the viability of eukaryotic organisms and mediates cell cycle progression and DNA damage repair. Given the complex lifecycle and unusual replication mechanisms of the malaria parasite, one would expect neddylation to be of central importance to its survival, yet little is known about this pathway in Plasmodium. Here we present our findings on how Nedd8 removal is controlled in Plasmodium falciparum and how this pathway differs to that of its human host.

USP21 modulates Goosecoid function through deubiquitination

The homeobox gene Goosecoid (GSC), which is known to regulate craniofacial development, is activated by mono-ubiquitination; however, the deubiquitylase responsible for GSC deubiquitination and inhibition has yet to be identified. In the present study, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pFlag-CMV-2-GSC and the SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 6 (Sox6) reporter gene system to identify deubiquitylases that regulate GSC expression. We demonstrate that the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 21 (USP21) regulates the deubiquitination of GSC negatively, as demonstrated by its inhibition of Sox6 reporter gene transcription. USP21 interacted with GSC to promote GSC deubiquitination while having no effect on GSC protein stability. Cell viability, migration, and function in ATDC5 cells were probably influenced by USP21 through GSC. These findings suggest that USP21 modulates GSC function through deubiquitination.

sNASP inhibits TLR signaling to regulate immune response in sepsis

Many Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signal through TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) to activate innate immune responses. Here, we show that somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) binds to TRAF6 to prevent TRAF6 autoubiquitination in unstimulated macrophages. Following LPS stimulation, a complex consisting of sNASP, TRAF6, IRAK4, and casein kinase 2 (CK2) is formed. CK2 phosphorylates sNASP at serine 158, allowing sNASP to dissociate from TRAF6. Free TRAF6 is then autoubiquitinated, followed by activation of downstream signaling pathways. In sNasp S158A knockin (S158A-KI) mice, LPS-treated macrophages could not phosphorylate sNASP, which remained bound to TRAF6. S158A-KI mice were more susceptible to sepsis due to a marked reduction in IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ production accompanied by an inability to clear bacteria and recruit leukocytes. Furthermore, phosphorylation-regulated release of sNASP from TRAF6 is observed following activation of TLR-1, -2, -4, -5, and -6. Thus, sNASP is a negative regulator of TLR signaling to modulate the innate immune response.

Deubiquitylating Nanog: novel role of USP21 in embryonic stem cell maintenance

Recently, three groups independently identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 21 (USP21) as an efficient deubiquitylase that reverses Nanog polyubiquitylation and stabilizes Nanog protein. In this preview, I have summarized the work of these three groups.

The molecular determinants for distinguishing between ubiquitin and NEDD8 by USP2

Ubiquitin (Ub) shares the highest sequence identity with neuronal-precursor-cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein-8 (NEDD8) in the Ub-like protein family. However, different enzyme systems are precisely employed for targeting Ub and NEDD8 to specific substrates. The molecular determinants for distinguishing between Ub and NEDD8 by Ub-specific peptidases (USPs) remain poorly characterized. By replacing the non-conserved residues of Ub with their NEDD8 equivalents by mutagenesis, and vice versa, we observed that the Ub^4K, Ub^12E, and Ub^14E mutants partially and the Ub^{4K/12E/14E/72A} mutant completely prevented their hydrolysis by USP2. The NEDD8^4F and NEDD8^14T mutants were slightly hydrolyzed by USP2; however, the NEDD8^12T/14T/72R and NEDD8^{4F/12T/14T/72R} mutants were accessible for hydrolysis by USP2, suggesting that Ub and NEDD8 residues 4, 12, 14, and 72 serve as the molecular determinants for specific recognition by USP2. We also demonstrated that the level of inhibition caused by Ub mutants with multiple mutation sites was not purely additive when compared with the single mutation results. Furthermore, USP2 was determined to bind to the N-terminus of Ub to form a stable interaction, after which it binds with the C-terminus of Ub to ensure substrate specificity. The same results were also discovered when Ub, Ub^{4K/12E/14E/72A}, NEDD8, and NEDD8^{4F/12T/14T/72R} were incubated with USP21.

USP21 deubiquitylates Nanog to regulate protein stability and stem cell pluripotency

The homeobox transcription factor Nanog has a vital role in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Stabilization of Nanog proteins is essential for ESCs. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway mediated by E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitylases is one of the key ways to regulate protein levels and functions. Although ubiquitylation of Nanog catalyzed by the ligase FBXW8 has been demonstrated, the deubiquitylase that maintains the protein levels of Nanog in ESCs yet to be defined. In this study, we identify the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 21 (USP21) as a deubiquitylase for Nanog, but not for Oct4 or Sox2. USP21 interacts with Nanog protein in ESCs in vivo and in vitro. The C-terminal USP domain of USP21 and the C-domain of Nanog are responsible for this interaction. USP21 deubiquitylates the K48-type linkage of the ubiquitin chain of Nanog, stabilizing Nanog. USP21-mediated Nanog stabilization is enhanced in mouse ESCs and this stabilization is required to maintain the pluripotential state of the ESCs. Depletion of USP21 in mouse ESCs leads to Nanog degradation and ESC differentiation. Overall, our results demonstrate that USP21 maintains the stemness of mouse ESCs through deubiquitylating and stabilizing Nanog.

Progressive Hearing Loss in Mice Carrying a Mutation in Usp53

Disordered protein ubiquitination has been linked to neurodegenerative disease, yet its role in inner ear homeostasis and hearing loss is essentially unknown. Here we show that progressive hearing loss in the ethylnitrosourea-generated mambo mouse line is caused by a mutation in Usp53, a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family. USP53 contains a catalytically inactive ubiquitin-specific protease domain and is expressed in cochlear hair cells and a subset of supporting cells. Although hair cell differentiation is unaffected in mambo mice, outer hair cells degenerate rapidly after the first postnatal week. USP53 colocalizes and interacts with the tight junction scaffolding proteins TJP1 and TJP2 in polarized epithelial cells, suggesting that USP53 is part of the tight junction complex. The barrier properties of tight junctions of the stria vascularis appeared intact in a biotin tracer assay, but the endocochlear potential is reduced in adult mambo mice. Hair cell degeneration in mambo mice precedes endocochlear potential decline and is rescued in cochlear organotypic cultures in low potassium milieu, indicating that hair cell loss is triggered by extracellular factors. Remarkably, heterozygous mambo mice show increased susceptibility to noise injury at high frequencies. We conclude that USP53 is a novel tight junction-associated protein that is essential for the survival of auditory hair cells and normal hearing in mice, possibly by modulating the barrier properties and mechanical stability of tight junctions.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Hereditary hearing loss is extremely prevalent in the human population, but many genes linked to hearing loss remain to be discovered. Forward genetics screens in mice have facilitated the identification of genes involved in sensory perception and provided valuable animal models for hearing loss in humans. This involves introducing random mutations in mice, screening the mice for hearing defects, and mapping the causative mutation. Here, we have identified a mutation in the Usp53 gene that causes progressive hearing loss in the mambo mouse line. We demonstrate that USP53 is a catalytically inactive deubiquitinating enzyme and a novel component of tight junctions that is necessary for sensory hair cell survival and inner ear homeostasis.

Optimising methods for the preservation, capture and identification of ubiquitin chains and ubiquitylated proteins by immunoblotting

Immunoblotting is a powerful technique for the semi-quantitative analysis of ubiquitylation events, and remains the most commonly used method to study this process due to its high specificity, speed, sensitivity and relatively low cost. However, the ubiquitylation of proteins is complex and, when the analysis is performed in an inappropriate manner, it can lead to the misinterpretation of results and to erroneous conclusions being reached. Here we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the methods currently in use to analyse ubiquitin chains and protein ubiquitylation, and describe the procedures that we have found to be most useful for optimising the quality and reliability of the data that we have generated. We also highlight commonly encountered problems and the pitfalls inherent in some of these methods. Finally, we introduce a set of recommendations to help researchers obtain high quality data, especially those new to the field of ubiquitin signalling. The specific topics addressed in this article include sample preparation, the separation, detection and identification of particular ubiquitin chains by immunoblotting, and the analysis of ubiquitin chain topology through the combined use of ubiquitin-binding proteins and ubiquitin linkage-specific deubiquitylases.

Ubiquitin specific protease 21 is dispensable for normal development, hematopoiesis and lymphocyte differentiation

USP21 is a ubiquitin specific protease that catalyzes protein deubiquitination, however the identification of its physiological substrates remains challenging. USP21 is known to deubiquitinate transcription factor GATA3 and death-domain kinase RIPK1 in vitro, however the in vivo settings where this regulation plays a biologically significant role remain unknown. In order to determine whether USP21 is an essential and non-redundant regulator of GATA3 or RIPK1 activity in vivo, we characterized Usp21-deficient mice, focusing on mouse viability and development, hematopoietic stem cell function, and lymphocyte differentiation. The Usp21-knockout mice were found to be viable and fertile, with no significant dysmorphology, in contrast to the GATA3 and RIPK1 knockout lines that exhibit embryonic or perinatal lethality. Loss of USP21 also had no effect on hematopoietic stem cell function, lymphocyte development, or the responses of antigen presenting cells to TLR and TNFR stimulation. GATA3 levels in hematopoietic stem cells or T lymphocytes remained unchanged. We observed that aged Usp21-knockout mice exhibited spontaneous T cell activation, however this was not linked to altered GATA3 levels in the affected cells. The contrast in the phenotype of the Usp21-knockout line with the previously characterized GATA3 and RIPK1 knockout mice strongly indicates that USP21 is redundant for the regulation of GATA3 and RIPK1 activity during mouse development, in hematopoietic stem cells, and in lymphocyte differentiation. The Usp21-deficient mouse line characterized in this study may serve as a useful tool for the future characterization of USP21 physiological functions.

Regulation of cancer-related pathways by protein NEDDylation and strategies for the use of NEDD8 inhibitors in the clinic

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) controls a vast if not every biological process in the cell. It is not surprising that deregulation in ubiquitin and UBL signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases and that these pathways are considered as major targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the role of the UBL neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated-8 (NEDD8) in cancer-related processes and potential strategies for the use of NEDD8 inhibitors as chemotherapeutics.

USP30 and parkin homeostatically regulate atypical ubiquitin chains on mitochondria

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction is central to Parkinson's disease. Here we investigate the mechanism by which parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and USP30, a mitochondrion-localized deubiquitylase, regulate mitophagy. We find that mitochondrial damage stimulates parkin to assemble Lys 6, Lys 11 and Lys 63 chains on mitochondria, and that USP30 is a ubiquitin-specific deubiquitylase with a strong preference for cleaving Lys 6- and Lys 11-linked multimers. Using mass spectrometry, we show that recombinant USP30 preferentially removes these linkage types from intact ubiquitylated mitochondria and counteracts parkin-mediated ubiquitin chain formation in cells. These results, combined with a series of chimaera and localization studies, afford insights into the mechanism by which a balance of ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation regulates mitochondrial homeostasis, and suggest a general mechanism for organelle autophagy.

Protein deubiquitination during oocyte maturation influences sperm function during fertilisation, antipolyspermy defense and embryo development

Ubiquitination is a covalent post-translational modification of proteins by the chaperone protein ubiquitin. Upon docking to the 26S proteasome, ubiquitin is released from the substrate protein by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). We hypothesised that specific inhibitors of two closely related oocyte DUBs, namely inhibitors of the ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCH) UCHL1 (L1 inhibitor) and UCHL3 (L3 inhibitor), would alter porcine oocyte maturation and influence sperm function and embryo development. Aberrant cortical granule (CG) migration and meiotic spindle defects were observed in oocytes matured with the L1 or L3 inhibitor. Embryo development was delayed or blocked in oocytes matured with the general DUB inhibitor PR-619. Aggresomes, the cellular stress-inducible aggregates of ubiquitinated proteins, formed in oocytes matured with L1 inhibitor or PR-619, a likely consequence of impaired protein turnover. Proteomic analysis identified the major vault protein (MVP) as the most prominent protein accumulated in oocytes matured with PR-619, suggesting that the inhibition of deubiquitination altered the turnover of MVP. The mitophagy/autophagy of sperm-contributed mitochondria inside the fertilised oocytes was hindered by DUB inhibitors. It is concluded that DUB inhibitors alter porcine oocyte maturation, fertilisation and preimplantation embryo development. By regulating the turnover of oocyte proteins and mono-ubiquitin regeneration, the DUBs may promote the acquisition of developmental competence during oocyte maturation.

Targeting Neddylation pathways to inactivate cullin-RING ligases for anticancer therapy

SIGNIFICANCE

Protein neddylation is catalyzed by an E1 NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), an E2 NEDD8-conjugating enzyme, and an E3 NEDD8 ligase. Known physiological substrates of neddylation are cullin family members. Cullin neddylation leads to activation of cullin-RING ligases (CRLs), the largest family of E3 ubiquitin ligases responsible for ubiquitylation and degradation of many key signaling/regulatory proteins. Thus, through modulating CRLs, neddylation regulates many biological processes, including cell cycle progression, signal transduction, and tumorigenesis. Given that NEDD8 is overexpressed and CRLs are abnormally activated in many human cancers, targeting protein neddylation, in general, and cullin neddylation, in particular, appears to be an attractive anticancer approach.

RECENT ADVANCES

MLN4924, a small molecule inhibitor of NAE, was discovered that inactivates CRLs and causes accumulation of CRL substrates to suppress tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Promising preclinical results advanced MLN4924 to several clinical trials for anticancer therapy.

CRITICAL ISSUES

In preclinical settings, MLN4924 effectively suppresses tumor cell growth by inducing apoptosis, senescence, and autophagy, and causes sensitization to chemoradiation therapies in a cellular context-dependent manner. Signal molecules that determine the cell fate upon MLN4924 treatment, however, remain elusive. Cancer cells develop MLN4924 resistance by selecting target mutations.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

In the clinical side, several Phase 1b trials are under way to determine the safety and efficacy of MLN4924, acting alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, against human solid tumors. In the preclinical side, the efforts are being made to develop additional neddylation inhibitors by targeting NEDD8 E2s and E3s.

An ultrasensitive system for measuring the USPs and OTULIN activity using Nanoluc as a reporter

The deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are a family of isopeptidases responsible for removing the ubiquitin from the ubiquitinated proteins. Identification of inhibitors for DUBs is emerging as an efficient way for discovering potential medicines for disease treatment. However, the high throughput screening (HTS) assay is still not available for all USPs, especially OTULIN. Here, we described a novel steadily quantifiable DUBs assay platform using Nanoluc (Nluc) as reporter. We further demonstrated that the Ub-Nluc assay could be used for HTS of DUBs inhibitors. Moreover, we generated a sensitive system for OTULIN inhibitors screening using Nluc as a reporter. In summary, our data indicate that Ub-Nluc and the improved Ub-Ub-GS-Nluc assay are efficient systems for measuring activities and screening inhibitors of USPs and OTULIN.

H2A-DUBbing the mammalian epigenome: expanding frontiers for histone H2A deubiquitinating enzymes in cell biology and physiology

Posttranslational modifications of histone H2A through the attachment of ubiquitin or poly-ubiquitin conjugates are common in mammalian genomes and play an important role in the regulation of chromatin structure, gene expression, and DNA repair. Histone H2A deubiquitinases (H2A-DUBs) are a group of structurally diverse enzymes that catalyze the removal ubiquitin from histone H2A. In this review we provide a concise summary of the mechanisms that mediate histone H2A ubiquitination in mammalian cells, and review our current knowledge of mammalian H2A-DUBs, their biochemical activities, and recent developments in our understanding of their functions in mammalian physiology.

Expression of neddylation-related proteins in melanoma cell lines and the effect of neddylation on melanoma proliferation

Neddylation promotes the process of ubiquitination, which plays a critical role in the degradation of numerous proteins, including cell cycle and apoptosis regulators. In our previous study, an increase in neddylation was identified in melanoma cell lines. In the present study, the upregulation of neddylation was detected in melanoma tissues which confirmed the results of our previous study on melanoma cell lines. To explore the mechanism by which the process of neddylation was increased, the enzymes that regulate the process were investigated. These neddylation-related regulatory enzymes are potential targets for melanoma therapy. Downregulation of UBA3, a subunit of the E1 enzyme, by RNA interference caused cell cycle arrest at G0^/G1 in the M14 cell line. In addition, cyclin D expression declined, whereas p27, p21 and bax expression increased. These findings suggest that interfering with the neddylation pathway may decrease the proliferation of melanoma through the modulation of cell cycle regulators and apoptosis promoters.

Caspase-1 promotes Epstein-Barr virus replication by targeting the large tegument protein deneddylase to the nucleus of productively infected cells

The large tegument proteins of herpesviruses contain N-terminal cysteine proteases with potent ubiquitin and NEDD8-specific deconjugase activities, but the function of the enzymes during virus replication remains largely unknown. Using as model BPLF1, the homologue encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we found that induction of the productive virus cycle does not affect the total level of ubiquitin-conjugation but is accompanied by a BPLF1-dependent decrease of NEDD8-adducts and accumulation of free NEDD8. Expression of BPLF1 promotes cullin degradation and the stabilization of cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) substrates in the nucleus, while cytoplasmic CRLs and their substrates are not affected. The inactivation of nuclear CRLs is reversed by the N-terminus of CAND1, which inhibits the binding of BPLF1 to cullins and prevents efficient viral DNA replication. Targeting of the deneddylase activity to the nucleus is dependent on processing of the catalytic N-terminus by caspase-1. Inhibition of caspase-1 severely impairs viral DNA synthesis and the release of infectious virus, pointing a previously unrecognized role of the cellular response to danger signals triggered by EBV reactivation in promoting virus replication.

NEDD8 ultimate buster-1 long (NUB1L) protein promotes transfer of NEDD8 to proteasome for degradation through the P97UFD1/NPL4 complex

The NEDD8 protein and neddylation levels in cells are modulated by NUB1L or NUB1 through proteasomal degradation, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we report that NUB1L down-regulated the protein levels of NEDD8 and neddylation through specifically recognizing NEDD8 and P97/VCP. NUB1L directly interacted with NEDD8, but not with ubiquitin, on the key residue Asn-51 of NEDD8 and with P97/VCP on its positively charged VCP binding motif. In coordination with the P97-UFD1-NPL4 complex (P97(UFD1/NPL4)), NUB1L promotes transfer of NEDD8 to proteasome for degradation. This mechanism is also exemplified by the canonical neddylation of cullin 1 for SCF (SKP1-cullin1-F-box) ubiquitin E3 ligases that is exquisitely regulated by the turnover of NEDD8.

Systematic survey of deubiquitinase localization identifies USP21 as a regulator of centrosome- and microtubule-associated functions

Ubiquitination is a reversible modification that influences a broad range of physiological processes. There are approximately 90 deubiquitinases (DUBs) encoded in the human genome, of which 79 are predicted to have catalytic activity. We tagged 66 DUBs with green fluorescent protein and systematically surveyed their subcellular distribution, identifying enzymes specific to the nucleus, plasma membrane, and secretory and endocytic pathways. USP21 is unique in showing clear association with both centrosomes and microtubules. Using an in vitro assay, we show that microtubule binding is direct and identify a novel microtubule-binding motif encompassed within amino acids 59-75 of the N-terminus of USP21. Our functional studies indicate a key role for USP21 in the governance of microtubule- and centrosome-associated physiological processes: Depletion of USP21 in A549 cells compromises the reestablishment of a radial array of microtubules during recovery from cold-induced depolymerization and also reduces the probability of primary cilium formation, whereas USP21 knockdown in PC12 cells inhibits nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth.

Inhibition of NEDD8-conjugation pathway by novel molecules: potential approaches to anticancer therapy

Cancer cells can survive through the upregulation of cell cycle and the escape from apoptosis induced by numerous cellular stresses. In the normal cells, these biological cascades depend on scheduled proteolytic degradation of regulatory proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Therefore, interruption of regulated proteolytic pathways leads to abnormal cell-proliferation. Ubiquitin ligases called SCF complex (consisting of Skp-1, cullin, and F-box protein) or CRL (cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase) are predominant in a family of E3 ubiquitin ligases that control a final step in ubiquitination of diverse substrates. To a great extent, the ubiquitin ligase activity of the SCF complex requires the conjugation of NEDD8 to cullins, i.e. scaffold proteins. This review is anticipated to review the downregulation system of NEDD8 conjugation by several factors including a chemical compound such as MLN4924 and protein molecules (e.g. COP9 signalosome, inactive mutant of Ubc12, and NUB1/NUB1L). Since the downregulation of NEDD8 conjugation affects cell-cycle progression by inhibiting the ligase activity of SCF complexes, such knowledge in the NEDD8-conjugation pathway will contribute to the more magnificent therapies that selectively suppress tumorigenesis.

The molecular determinants of NEDD8 specific recognition by human SENP8

Although neuronal-precursor-cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein-8 (NEDD8) and ubiquitin share the highest level of sequence identity and structural similarity among several known ubiquitin-like proteins, their conjugation to a protein leads to distinct biological consequences. In the study, we first identified the NEDD8 protein of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrNEDD8) and discovered that CrNEDD8 is fused at the C-terminus of a ubiquitin moiety (CrUb) in a head-to-tail arrangement. This CrUb-CrNEDD8 protein was termed CrRUB1 (related to ubiquitin 1) by analogy with a similar protein in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtRUB1). Since there is high sequence identity in comparison to the corresponding human proteins (97% for ubiquitin and 84% for NEDD8), a His-CrRUB1-glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion construct was adopted as the alternative substrate to characterize the specificity of NEDD8-specific peptidase SENP8 for CrNEDD8. The data showed that SENP8 only cleaved the peptide bond beyond the di-glycine motif of CrNEDD8 and His-RUB1 was subsequently generated, confirming that SENP8 has exquisite specificity for CrNEDD8 but not CrUb. To further determine the basis of this specificity, site-directed mutagenesis at earlier reported putative molecular determinants of NEDD8 specific recognition by SENP8 was performed. We found that a single N51E mutation of CrNEDD8 completely inhibited its hydrolysis by SENP8. Conversely, a single E51N mutation of CrUb enabled this ubiquitin mutant to undergo hydrolysis by SENP8, revealing that a single residue difference at the position 51 contributes substantially to the substrate selectivity of SENP8. Moreover, the E51N/R72A double mutant of the CrUb subdomain can further increase the efficiency of cleavage by SENP8, indicating that the residue at position 72 is also important in substrate recognition. The E51N or R72A mutation of CrUb also inhibited the hydrolysis of CrUb by ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP2. However, USP2 cannot cleave the N51E/A72R double mutant of the CrNEDD8 subdomain, suggesting that USP2 requires additional recognition sites.

Polyubiquitin binding and cross-reactivity in the USP domain deubiquitinase USP21

Modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-like (Ubl) modifiers regulates a variety of cellular functions. The ability of Ub to form chains of eight structurally and functionally distinct types adds further complexity to the system. Ub-specific proteases (USPs) hydrolyse polyUb chains, and some have been suggested to be cross-reactive with Ubl modifiers, such as neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8) and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15). Here, we report that USP21 cleaves Ub polymers, and with reduced activity also targets ISG15, but is inactive against NEDD8. A crystal structure of USP21 in complex with linear diUb aldehyde shows how USP21 interacts with polyUb through a previously unidentified second Ub- and ISG15-binding surface on the USP domain core. We also rationalize the inability of USP21 to target NEDD8 and identify differences that allow USPs to distinguish between structurally related modifications.

The role of deubiquitinating enzymes in apoptosis

It has become apparent that ubiquitination plays a critical role in cell survival and cell death. In addition, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been determined to be highly important regulators of these processes. Cells can be subjected to various stresses and respond in a variety of different ways ranging from activation of survival pathways to the promotion of cell death, which eventually eliminates damaged cells. The regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis depend on the balanced action between ubiquitination and deubiquitination systems. There is a growing recognition that DUBs play essential roles in regulating several binding partners to modulate the process of apoptosis. Thus, the interplay between the timing of DUB activity and the specificity of ubiquitin attachment and removal from its substrates during apoptosis is important to ensure cellular homeostasis. This review discusses the role of a few ubiquitin-specific DUBs that are involved in either promoting or suppressing the process of apoptosis.

Tbata modulates thymic stromal cell proliferation and thymus function

Niche availability provided by stromal cells is critical to thymus function. Thymi with diminished function contain fewer stromal cells, whereas thymi with robust function contain proliferating stromal cell populations. Here, we show that the thymus, brain, and testes-associated gene (Tbata; also known as SPATIAL) regulates thymic epithelial cell (TEC) proliferation and thymus size. Tbata is expressed in thymic stromal cells and interacts with the enzyme Uba3, thereby inhibiting the Nedd8 pathway and cell proliferation. Thymi from aged Tbata-deficient mice are larger and contain more dividing TECs than wild-type littermate controls. In addition, thymic reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation occurred more rapidly in Rag2(-/-)Tbata(-/-) mice than in Rag2(-/-)Tbata(+/+) littermate controls. These findings suggest that Tbata modulates thymus function by regulating stromal cell proliferation via the Nedd8 pathway.

Control of Deneddylation by the COP9 Signalosome

The interplay between ubiquitin (Ub) family modifiers creates a regulatory network of Ub family proteins which is essential for cell growth and differentiation. One of the best studied crosstalks between Ub family modifiers is the stimulation of ubiquitination by Nedd8 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down regulated 8) modification. The neddylation-deneddylation pathway controls the selective ubiquitination of important cellular regulators targeted for proteolysis by the Ub proteasome system (UPS). In this process the cullin scaffolds of cullin-RING Ub ligases (CRLs) are neddylated, which allosterically activates the transfer of Ub to substrates of the CRLs. A major reaction of the regulatory network is the removal of Nedd8 by the COP9 signalosome (CSN), which converts CRLs into an inactive state. The CSN is a conserved protein complex that interacts with CRLs and possesses an intrinsic metalloprotease with a Jab1/Pad1/MPN+ (JAMM) motif responsible for deneddylation.In the present chapter we focus on the CSN-mediated deneddylation and its biological significance. We summarize latest developments on the mechanism of the CSN and its association with supercomplexes. In addition, data on the regulation of CSN-mediated deneddylation are described. Moreover, dysfunctions of the CSN and their implication in the pathogenesis of diseases are discussed.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 21 inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced nuclear factor kappaB activation via binding to and deubiquitinating receptor-interacting protein 1

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) play an important role in the positive and negative regulation of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. Using a combination of functional genomic and proteomic approaches, we have identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 21 (USP21) as a deubiquitinase for RIP1. USP21 is constitutively associated with RIP1 and deubiquitinates RIP1 in vitro and in vivo. Notably, knockdown of USP21 in HeLa cells enhances TNFalpha-induced RIP1 ubiquitination, IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta), and NF-kappaB phosphorylation, inhibitor of NF-kappaB alpha (IkappaB alpha) phosphorylation and ubiquitination, as well as NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression. Therefore, our results demonstrate that USP21 plays an important role in the down-regulation of TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation through deubiquitinating RIP1.

Breaking the chains: structure and function of the deubiquitinases

Ubiquitylation is a reversible protein modification that is implicated in many cellular functions. Recently, much progress has been made in the characterization of a superfamily of isopeptidases that remove ubiquitin: the deubiquitinases (DUBs; also known as deubiquitylating or deubiquitinating enzymes). Far from being uniform in structure and function, these enzymes display a myriad of distinct mechanistic features. The small number (<100) of DUBs might at first suggest a low degree of selectivity; however, DUBs are subject to multiple layers of regulation that modulate both their activity and their specificity. Due to their wide-ranging involvement in key regulatory processes, these enzymes might provide new therapeutic targets.

Structural basis and specificity of human otubain 1-mediated deubiquitination

OTUB (otubain) 1 is a human deubiquitinating enzyme that is implicated in mediating lymphocyte antigen responsiveness, but whose molecular function is generally not well defined. A structural analysis of OTUB1 shows differences in accessibility to the active site and in surface properties of the substrate-binding regions when compared with its close homologue, OTUB2, suggesting variations in regulatory mechanisms and substrate specificity. Biochemical analysis reveals that OTUB1 has a preference for cleaving Lys(48)-linked polyubiquitin chains over Lys(63)-linked polyubiquitin chains, and it is capable of cleaving NEDD8 (neural-precursor-cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 8), but not SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) 1/2/3 and ISG15 (interferon-stimulated gene 15) conjugates. A functional comparison of OTUB1 and OTUB2 indicated a differential reactivity towards ubiquitin-based active-site probes carrying a vinyl methyl ester, a 2-chloroethyl or a 2-bromoethyl group at the C-terminus. Mutational analysis suggested that a narrow P1' site, as observed in OTUB1, correlates with its ability to preferentially cleave Lys(48)-linked ubiquitin chains. Analysis of cellular interaction partners of OTUB1 by co-immunoprecipitation and MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry) experiments demonstrated that FUS [fusion involved in t(12;6) in malignant liposarcoma; also known as TLS (translocation in liposarcoma) or CHOP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein)] and RACK1 [receptor for activated kinase 1; also known as GNB2L1 (guanine-nucleotide-binding protein beta polypeptide 2-like 1)] are part of OTUB1-containing complexes, pointing towards a molecular function of this deubiquitinating enzyme in RNA processing and cell adhesion/morphology.

Function and regulation of protein neddylation. 'Protein modifications: beyond the usual suspects' review series

Neddylation is the post-translational protein modification that is most closely related to ubiquitination. However, ubiquitination is known to regulate a myriad of processes in eukaryotic cells, whereas only a limited number of neddylation substrates have been described to date. Here, we review the principles of protein neddylation and highlight the mechanisms that ensure the specificity of neddylation over ubiquitination. As numerous neddylation substrates probably remain to be discovered, we propose some criteria that could be used as guidelines for the characterization of neddylated proteins.

Deubiquitylation of histone H2A activates transcriptional initiation via trans-histone cross-talk with H3K4 di- and trimethylation

Transcriptional initiation is a key step in the control of mRNA synthesis and is intimately related to chromatin structure and histone modification. Here, we show that the ubiquitylation of H2A (ubH2A) correlates with silent chromatin and regulates transcriptional initiation. The levels of ubH2A vary during hepatocyte regeneration, and based on microarray expression data from regenerating liver, we identified USP21, a ubiquitin-specific protease that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ubH2A. When chromatin is assembled in vitro, ubH2A, but not H2A, specifically represses the di- and trimethylation of H3K4. USP21 relieves this ubH2A-specific repression. In addition, in vitro transcription analysis revealed that ubH2A represses transcriptional initiation, but not transcriptional elongation, by inhibiting H3K4 methylation. Notably, ubH2A-mediated repression was not observed when H3 Lys 4 was changed to arginine. Furthermore, overexpression of USP21 in the liver up-regulates a gene that is normally down-regulated during hepatocyte regeneration. Our studies revealed a novel mode of trans-histone cross-talk, in which H2A ubiquitylation controls the di- and trimethylation of H3K4, resulting in regulation of transcriptional initiation.

Ubiquitination of E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM5 alpha and its potential role

HIV-1 efficiently infects susceptible cells and causes AIDS in humans. Although HIV can also enter the cells of Old World monkeys, it encounters a block before reverse transcription. Data have shown that this species-specific restriction is mediated by tripartite motif (TRIM)5alpha, whose molecular function is still undefined. Here, we show that TRIM5alpha functions as a RING-finger-type E3 ubiquitin ligase both in vitro and in vivo and ubiquitinates itself in cooperation with the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5B. In addition to the self-ubiquitination, we show that TRIM5alpha is ubiquitinated by another E3 ubiquitin ligase, Ro52, and deubiquitinated by YopJ, one of the pathogenic proteins derived from Yersinia species. Thus, the ubiquitination of TRIM5alpha is catalyzed by itself and Ro52 and downregulated by YopJ. Unexpectedly, although TRIM5alpha is ubiquitinated, our results have revealed that the proteasome inhibitors MG115 and MG132 do not stabilize it in HeLa cells, suggesting that the ubiquitination of TRIM5alpha does not lead to proteasomal degradation. Importantly, TRIM5alpha is clearly conjugated by a single ubiquitin molecule (monoubiquitination). Our monoubiquitin-fusion assay suggests that monoubiquitination is a signal for TRIM5alpha to translocate from cytoplasmic bodies to the cytoplasm.

Selectivity in ISG15 and ubiquitin recognition by the SARS coronavirus papain-like protease

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus papain-like protease (SARS-CoV PLpro) carries out N-terminal processing of the viral replicase polyprotein, and also exhibits Lys48-linked polyubiquitin chain debranching and ISG15 precursor processing activities in vitro. Here, we used SDS-PAGE and fluorescence-based assays to demonstrate that ISG15 derivatives are the preferred substrates for the deubiquitinating activity of the PLpro. With k(cat)/K(M) of 602,000 M(-1)s(-1), PLpro hydrolyzes ISG15-AMC 30- and 60-fold more efficiently than Ub-AMC and Nedd8-AMC, respectively. Data obtained with truncated ISG15 and hybrid Ub/ISG15 substrates indicate that both the N- and C-terminal Ub-like domains of ISG15 contribute to this preference. The enzyme also displays a preference for debranching Lys48- over Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains. Our results demonstrate that SARS-CoV PLpro can differentiate between ubiquitin-like modifiers sharing a common C-terminal sequence, and that the debranching activity of the PLpro is linkage type selective. The potential structural basis for the demonstrated specificity of SARS-CoV PLpro is discussed.