-
The EMBO Journal Jun 2024The nucleoside analogue decitabine (or 5-aza-dC) is used to treat several haematological cancers. Upon its triphosphorylation and incorporation into DNA, 5-aza-dC...
The nucleoside analogue decitabine (or 5-aza-dC) is used to treat several haematological cancers. Upon its triphosphorylation and incorporation into DNA, 5-aza-dC induces covalent DNA methyltransferase 1 DNA-protein crosslinks (DNMT1-DPCs), leading to DNA hypomethylation. However, 5-aza-dC's clinical outcomes vary, and relapse is common. Using genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screens, we map factors determining 5-aza-dC sensitivity. Unexpectedly, we find that loss of the dCMP deaminase DCTD causes 5-aza-dC resistance, suggesting that 5-aza-dUMP generation is cytotoxic. Combining results from a subsequent genetic screen in DCTD-deficient cells with the identification of the DNMT1-DPC-proximal proteome, we uncover the ubiquitin and SUMO1 E3 ligase, TOPORS, as a new DPC repair factor. TOPORS is recruited to SUMOylated DNMT1-DPCs and promotes their degradation. Our study suggests that 5-aza-dC-induced DPCs cause cytotoxicity when DPC repair is compromised, while cytotoxicity in wild-type cells arises from perturbed nucleotide metabolism, potentially laying the foundations for future identification of predictive biomarkers for decitabine treatment.
Topics: Decitabine; Humans; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; DNA Methylation; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Animals; Sumoylation
PubMed: 38760575
DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00108-2 -
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) Mar 2024Ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 2 (UHRF2) regulates the cell cycle and epigenetics as a multi-domain protein sharing homology with UHRF1. UHRF1 functions...
Ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 2 (UHRF2) regulates the cell cycle and epigenetics as a multi-domain protein sharing homology with UHRF1. UHRF1 functions with DNMT1 to coordinate daughter strand methylation during DNA replication, but UHRF2 can't perform this function, and its roles during cell cycle progression are not well defined. UHRF2 role as an oncogene vs. tumor suppressor differs in distinct cell types. UHRF2 interacts with E2F1 to control Cyclin E1 () transcription. UHRF2 also functions in a reciprocal loop with Cyclin E/CDK2 during G, first as a direct target of CDK2 phosphorylation, but also as an E3-ligase with direct activity toward both Cyclin E and Cyclin D. In this study, we demonstrate that UHRF2 is expressed in early G following either serum stimulation out of quiescence or in cells transiting directly out of M-phase, where UHRF2 protein is lost. Further, UHRF2 depletion in G2/M is reversed with a CDK1 specific inhibitor. UHRF2 controls expression levels of cyclins and CDK inhibitors and controls its own transcription in a negative-feedback loop. Deletion of using CRISPR/Cas9 caused a delay in passage through each cell cycle phase. UHRF2 loss culminated in elevated levels of cyclins but also the CDK inhibitor p27, which regulates G passage, to reduce retinoblastoma phosphorylation and increase the amount of time required to reach G/S passage. Our data indicate that UHRF2 is a central regulator of cell-cycle pacing through its complex regulation of cell cycle gene expression and protein stability.
Topics: Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Humans; G1 Phase; Mitosis; Cyclin E; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Cell Cycle; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; Phosphorylation; Oncogene Proteins
PubMed: 38752903
DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2353553 -
Nature Communications May 2024Stress granules (SGs) are induced by various environmental stressors, resulting in their compositional and functional heterogeneity. SGs play a crucial role in the...
Stress granules (SGs) are induced by various environmental stressors, resulting in their compositional and functional heterogeneity. SGs play a crucial role in the antiviral process, owing to their potent translational repressive effects and ability to trigger signal transduction; however, it is poorly understood how these antiviral SGs differ from SGs induced by other environmental stressors. Here we identify that TRIM25, a known driver of the ubiquitination-dependent antiviral innate immune response, is a potent and critical marker of the antiviral SGs. TRIM25 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and co-condenses with the SG core protein G3BP1 in a dsRNA-dependent manner. The co-condensation of TRIM25 and G3BP1 results in a significant enhancement of TRIM25's ubiquitination activity towards multiple antiviral proteins, which are mainly located in SGs. This co-condensation is critical in activating the RIG-I signaling pathway, thus restraining RNA virus infection. Our studies provide a conceptual framework for better understanding the heterogeneity of stress granule components and their response to distinct environmental stressors.
Topics: Humans; Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins; Tripartite Motif Proteins; RNA Recognition Motif Proteins; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Stress Granules; RNA Helicases; Ubiquitination; DNA Helicases; Signal Transduction; DEAD Box Protein 58; Transcription Factors; Immunity, Innate; RNA, Double-Stranded; HEK293 Cells; HeLa Cells; Cytoplasmic Granules; RNA Virus Infections; Receptors, Immunologic
PubMed: 38750080
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48596-4 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Aug 2024Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are critical to regulating cellular activities, such as the response to DNA damage and cell death. PARPs catalyze a reversible...
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are critical to regulating cellular activities, such as the response to DNA damage and cell death. PARPs catalyze a reversible post-translational modification (PTM) in the form of mono- or poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. This type of modification is known to form a ubiquitin-ADP-ribose (Ub-ADPR) conjugate that depends on the actions of Deltex family of E3 ubiquitin ligases (DTXs). In particular, DTXs add ubiquitin to the 3'-OH of adenosine ribose' in ADP-ribose, which effectively sequesters ubiquitin and impedes ubiquitin-dependent signaling. Previous work demonstrates DTX function for ubiquitination of protein-free ADPR, mono-ADP-ribosylated peptides, and ADP-ribosylated nucleic acids. However, the dynamics of DTX-mediated ubiquitination of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation remains to be defined. Here we show that the ADPR ubiquitination function is not found in other PAR-binding E3 ligases and is conserved across DTX family members. Importantly, DTXs specifically target poly(ADP-ribose) chains for ubiquitination that can be cleaved by PARG, the primary eraser of poly(ADP-ribose), leaving the adenosine-terminal ADPR unit conjugated to ubiquitin. Our collective results demonstrate the DTXs' specific ubiquitination of the adenosine terminus of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and suggest the unique Ub-ADPR conjugation process as a basis for PARP-DTX control of cellular activities.
Topics: Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Ubiquitination; Humans; Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; Poly ADP Ribosylation; Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Ubiquitin; ADP-Ribosylation; HEK293 Cells
PubMed: 38749191
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150101 -
Cell Reports May 2024Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication mechanism mediated by small diffusible signaling molecules. Previous studies showed that RpfR controls Burkholderia...
Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication mechanism mediated by small diffusible signaling molecules. Previous studies showed that RpfR controls Burkholderia cenocepacia virulence as a cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) QS signal receptor. Here, we report that the fatty acyl-CoA ligase DsfR (BCAM2136), which efficiently catalyzes in vitro synthesis of lauryl-CoA and oleoyl-CoA from lauric acid and oleic acid, respectively, acts as a global transcriptional regulator to control B. cenocepacia virulence by sensing BDSF. We show that BDSF binds to DsfR with high affinity and enhances the binding of DsfR to the promoter DNA regions of target genes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the homolog of DsfR in B. lata, RS02960, binds to the target gene promoter, and perception of BDSF enhances the binding activity of RS02960. Together, these results provide insights into the evolved unusual functions of DsfR that control bacterial virulence as a response regulator of QS signal.
Topics: Quorum Sensing; Burkholderia cenocepacia; Virulence; Bacterial Proteins; Coenzyme A Ligases; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Animals; Signal Transduction; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Mice; Protein Binding; Lauric Acids
PubMed: 38748879
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114223 -
Cell Death & Disease May 2024Pirh2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase known to regulate the DNA damage responses through ubiquitylation of various participating signaling factors. DNA damage is a key...
Pirh2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase known to regulate the DNA damage responses through ubiquitylation of various participating signaling factors. DNA damage is a key pathological contributor to Alzheimer's disease (AD), therefore, the role of Pirh2 was investigated in streptozotocin and oligomer Aβ induced rodent experimental model of AD. Pirh2 protein abundance increased during AD conditions, and transient silencing of Pirh2 inhibited the disease-specific pathological markers like level of p-Tau, βamyloid, acetylcholinesterase activity, and neuronal death. Biochemically, Pirh2 silencing significantly attenuated the oxidative stress, depleted mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c translocation from mitochondria to cytosol, and depleted mitochondrial complex-I activity, and ATP level. Pirh2 silencing also inhibited the altered level of VDAC1, hsp75, hexokinase1, t-Bid, caspase-9, and altered level of apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bax). MALDI-TOF/TOF, co-immunoprecipitation, and UbcH13-linked ubiquitylation assay confirmed the interaction of Pirh2 with cytochrome c and the role of Pirh2 in ubiquitylation of cytochrome c, along with Pirh2-dependent altered proteasome activity. Additionally, Pirh2 silencing further inhibited the translocation of mitochondrion-specific endonuclease G and apoptosis-inducing factors to the nucleus and DNA damage. In conclusion, findings suggested the significant implication of Pirh2 in disease pathogenesis, particularly through impaired mitochondrial function, including biochemical alterations, translocation of cytochrome c, endonuclease G and apoptosis-inducing factor, DNA damage, and neuronal apoptosis.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Cytochromes c; Mitochondria; Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Male; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Ubiquitination; Humans; Apoptosis; Cell Death; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Disease Models, Animal; Endodeoxyribonucleases
PubMed: 38740775
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06662-1 -
Mutagenesis May 2024DNA ligase (LIG) I and IIIα finalize base excision repair (BER) by sealing a nick product after nucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase (pol) β at the downstream steps....
DNA ligase (LIG) I and IIIα finalize base excision repair (BER) by sealing a nick product after nucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase (pol) β at the downstream steps. We previously demonstrated that a functional interplay between polβ and BER ligases is critical for efficient repair, and polβ mismatch or oxidized nucleotide insertions confound final ligation step. Yet, how targeting downstream enzymes with small molecule inhibitors could affect this coordination remains unknown. Here, we report that DNA ligase inhibitors, L67 and L82-G17, slightly enhance hypersensitivity to oxidative stress-inducing agent, KBrO3, in polβ+/+ cells more than polβ-/- null cells. We showed less efficient ligation after polβ nucleotide insertions in the presence of the DNA ligase inhibitors. Furthermore, the mutations at the ligase inhibitor binding sites (G448, R451, A455) of LIG1 significantly affect nick DNA binding affinity and nick sealing efficiency. Finally, our results demonstrated that the BER ligases seal a gap repair intermediate by the effect of polβ inhibitor that diminishes gap filling activity. Overall, our results contribute to understand how the BER inhibitors against downstream enzymes, polβ, LIG1, and LIGIIIα, could impact the efficiency of gap filling and subsequent nick sealing at the final steps leading to the formation of deleterious repair intermediates.
PubMed: 38736258
DOI: 10.1093/mutage/geae013 -
NPJ Breast Cancer May 2024BRCA1 plays a suppressive role in breast tumorigenesis. Ubiquitin-dependent degradation is a common mechanism that regulates BRCA1 protein stability, and several...
BRCA1 plays a suppressive role in breast tumorigenesis. Ubiquitin-dependent degradation is a common mechanism that regulates BRCA1 protein stability, and several ubiquitin ligases involved have been identified. However, the deubiquitinating enzyme for BRCA1 remains less defined. Here, we report that the deubiquitinase USP4 interacts with, deubiquitinates and stabilizes BRCA1, maintaining the protein level of BRCA1. USP4 knockdown results in a decreased BRCA1 protein level, impairment in homologous recombination mediated double-stranded break repair, and increased genome instability, and confers resistance to DNA damage-inducing agents and PARP inhibitors. Ectopic expression of USP4 stabilizes BRCA1 and reverse the effects caused by USP4 knockdown. Moreover, USP4 is low expressed in human breast cancer tissues and its low expression correlates with poorer survival of patients. Furthermore, we identified several loss-of-function mutations of USP4 in human gynecological cancers, the catalytic activity of which or their interaction with BRCA1 is disrupted. Together, we reveal that USP4 is a deubiquitinase for BRCA1. USP4 positively regulates the stability and function of BRCA1 through de-ubiquitination, and plays important role in the suppression of breast cancer.
PubMed: 38734703
DOI: 10.1038/s41523-024-00641-7 -
Biochemistry May 2024The DNA damage binding protein 1 (DDB1) is an essential component of protein complexes involved in DNA damage repair and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) for...
The DNA damage binding protein 1 (DDB1) is an essential component of protein complexes involved in DNA damage repair and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) for protein degradation. As an adaptor protein specific to Cullin-RING E3 ligases, DDB1 binds different receptors that poise protein substrates for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the 26S proteasome. Examples of DDB1-binding protein receptors are Cereblon (CRBN) and the WD-repeat containing DB1- and UL4-ssociated actors (DCAFs). Cognate substrates of CRBN and DCAFs are involved in cancer-related cellular processes or are mimicked by viruses to reprogram E3 ligases for the ubiquitination of antiviral host factors. Thus, disrupting interactions of DDB1 with receptor proteins might be an effective strategy for anticancer and antiviral drug discovery. Here, we developed fluorescence polarization (FP)-based peptide displacement assays that utilize full-length DDB1 and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled peptide probes derived from the specific binding motifs of DDB1 interactors. A general FP-based assay condition applicable to diverse peptide probes was determined and optimized. Mutagenesis and biophysical analyses were then employed to identify the most suitable peptide probe. The FITC-DCAF15 L49A peptide binds DDB1 with a dissociation constant of 68 nM and can be displaced competitively by unlabeled peptides at sub-μM to low nM concentrations. These peptide displacement assays can be used to screen small molecule libraries to identify novel modulators that could specifically antagonize DDB1 interactions toward development of antiviral and cancer therapeutics.
Topics: Humans; DNA-Binding Proteins; Peptides; Fluorescence Polarization; Protein Binding; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 38729622
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00044 -
Epigenetics & Chromatin May 2024UHRF1 as a member of RING-finger type E3 ubiquitin ligases family, is an epigenetic regulator with five structural domains. It has been involved in the regulation of a... (Review)
Review
UHRF1 as a member of RING-finger type E3 ubiquitin ligases family, is an epigenetic regulator with five structural domains. It has been involved in the regulation of a series of biological functions, such as DNA replication, DNA methylation, and DNA damage repair. Additionally, aberrant overexpression of UHRF1 has been observed in over ten cancer types, indicating that UHRF1 is a typical oncogene. The overexpression of UHRF1 repressed the transcription of such tumor-suppressor genes as CDKN2A, BRCA1, and CDH1 through DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation. In addition to the upstream transcription factors regulating gene transcription, post-translational modifications (PTMs) also contribute to abnormal overexpression of UHRF1 in cancerous tissues. The types of PTM include phosphorylation, acetylation, methylationand ubiquitination, which regulate protein stability, histone methyltransferase activity, intracellular localization and the interaction with binding partners. Recently, several novel PTM types of UHRF1 have been reported, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. This comprehensive review summarized the types of UHRF1 PTMs, as well as their biological functions. A deep understanding of these crucial mechanisms of UHRF1 is pivotal for the development of novel UHRF1-targeted anti-cancer therapeutic strategies in the future.
Topics: Humans; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Neoplasms; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; DNA Methylation; Animals; Ubiquitination; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
PubMed: 38725075
DOI: 10.1186/s13072-024-00540-y