Covalent attachment of ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) such as ubiquitin (Ub), NEDD8, and SUMO is a predominant form of eukaryotic protein regulation. UBLs modify a vast number of proteins, altering their functions in a variety of ways. UBL modifications can affect the target's half-life, subcellular localization, enzymatic activity, or ability to interact with protein or DNA partners. As a result, UBLs regulate numerous biological processes, such as the cell cycle, signal transduction, apoptosis, the immune response, autophagy, and development. Defects in UBL pathways are widely associated with diseases, including cancers, developmental disorders, high blood pressure, neurodegenerative disorders, and cachexia. We propose to extend our expertise on UBL conjugation to the two largest E3 families: RING (Really Interesting New Gene - 570 predicted in humans) and HECT (Homologous to E6AP C-Terminus - 28 predicted in humans). Among the RING E3s, the largest class consists of the modular, multisubunit Cullin-RING (CRL) family. CRLs function sequentially with distinct E2s to modify distinct targets: first the RING domain binds a NEDD8 E2, and the cullin subunit is activated by self-modification with NEDD8. Then a CRL binds a Ub-loaded E2, which is the source of Ub to be transferred to a target. HECT E3s utilize a distinct mechanism, in which a HECT domain catalytic Cys participates directly via a thioester-linked intermediate. First, the HECT domain binds a thioester-linked E2~Ub complex, and Ub is transferred from the E2 Cys to the HECT domain catalytic Cys. Ultimately Ub is transferred from the HECT E3 Cys to a target or Ub Lys. We propose a research plan focused on structural biology and biochemistry to understand mechanisms underlying functions of CRL E3s (Aim 1) and HECT E3s (Aim 2).
Ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) conjugation regulates many biological processes, including cell division, the immune response, development and signal transduction, and defects in UBL pathways have been widely associated with cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, developmental disorders, heart diseases (e.g., high blood pressure), and viral and retroviral infections. The recent approval of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (VelcadeTM) for treatment of multiple myeloma underscores the therapeutic potential for targeting enzymes in the ubiquitin, and UBL, pathways, and highlights the importance of understanding the detailed mechanisms and specificities of these enzymes. Thus, we anticipate that knowledge of the mechanisms by which enzymes transfer UBLs as revealed by the proposed studies will be of broad significance to many human diseases, much like studies of protein kinases have influenced our knowledge of signaling pathways and their roles in diseases.
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