Proximity-induced activation of human Cdc34 through heterologous dimerization

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Oct 18;102(42):15053-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0507646102. Epub 2005 Oct 6.

Abstract

Cdc34 is an E2-conjugating enzyme required for catalyzing the polyubiquitination reaction mediated by the Skp1.CUL1.F-box (SCF) protein E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase. Here, we show that the activity of human Cdc34 in the Ub-Ub ligation reaction was enhanced dramatically by SCF's core Ub ligase module, composed of a heterodimeric complex formed by the ROC1 RING finger protein and the CUL1 C terminus that contains a Nedd8 moiety covalently conjugated at K720. Unexpectedly, we found that N-terminal fusion of a GST moiety to human Cdc34 generated dimeric GST-Cdc34 that was constitutively active in supporting the assembly of K48-linked polyUb chains independently of SCF. Furthermore, fusion of a FK506-binding protein (FKBP) to the N terminus of human Cdc34 yielded FKBP-Cdc34 that was induced to form a dimer upon treatment with the chemical inducer AP20187. The AP20187-induced dimeric form of FKBP-Cdc34 was substantially more active than the monomer in catalyzing Ub-Ub ligation. Thus, juxtaposition of human Cdc34 activates its catalytic capability, suggesting that the SCF-mediated polyubiquitination reaction may require the conversion of Cdc34 from an inactive monomer to a highly active dimeric form.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cullin Proteins / metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Polyubiquitin / biosynthesis
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus / analogs & derivatives
  • Tacrolimus / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes / chemistry*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • AP20187
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cullin 1
  • Cullin Proteins
  • RBX1 protein, human
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Polyubiquitin
  • CDC34 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes
  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
  • Tacrolimus