Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs, also known as deconjugating enzymes) are important regulatory proteases that process the primary gene products of the ubiquitin gene family, reverse the conjugation of ubiquitin to cellular proteins, and disassemble the polyubiquitin chains that target proteins for degradation by the proteasome. As such, they regulate proteolysis and thereby progression through the cell cycle, signal transduction pathways, the stress response, antigen presentation, chromatin structure, receptor internalization and endocytosis. It has only recently been appreciated that modification of proteins by other ubiquitin-like (Ubl) proteins exerts a similar targeting function. The underlying assumption of this grant is that regulation of the Ubl pathways by deconjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins is likely to be equally important, with roles in cancer, the regulation of growth and apoptosis. The enzymes that reverse the conjugation of UbI proteins (Ubiquitin-like protein proteases, ULP) are attractive targets for further study since the reversal of these modifications is expected to interfere with functions. As they are proteases, a large body of work suggests approaches to effective pharmacological intervention. Additionally, it is easier (conceptually and practically) to interfere with these pathways by overexpressing a deconjugating enzyme than it is to prevent attachment of the UbI domain; an approach that requires gene knock-out or dominant negative approaches. Understanding the role of these deconjugating enzymes requires that we know more about this class of enzymes, their substrates and their regulation. A series of inhibitors and substrates for ULPs will be synthesized and used to test three specific hypotheses. First, Dr. Wilkinson will test the hypothesis that an integral subunit of the mammalian COP9-signalosome is able to reverse the Nedd8 modification of cullins. He also will test the hypothesis that modification of proteins by ISG15 are an integral part of the interferon response by identifying, and interfering with the function of, enzymes which reverse this modification. He will determine if conjugation of the proapoptotic Ubl FAT10 is reversible. Finally, he will test the hypothesis that HAUSP and/or SENPI are the Ubl that removes SUMO-1 from the Promyelocytic leukemia protein, triggering the disassembly of PML.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM066355-02
Application #
6637077
Study Section
Biochemistry Study Section (BIO)
Program Officer
Jones, Warren
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$304,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
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Kolli, Nagamalleswari; Mikolajczyk, Jowita; Drag, Marcin et al. (2010) Distribution and paralogue specificity of mammalian deSUMOylating enzymes. Biochem J 430:335-44
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Shanks, John; Burtnick, Mary N; Brett, Paul J et al. (2009) Burkholderia mallei tssM encodes a putative deubiquitinase that is secreted and expressed inside infected RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Infect Immun 77:1636-48
Wang, Yonggang; Mukhopadhyay, Debaditya; Mathew, Smita et al. (2009) Identification and developmental expression of Xenopus laevis SUMO proteases. PLoS One 4:e8462
Griffiths, Lyra M; Swartzlander, Dan; Meadows, Kellen L et al. (2009) Dynamic compartmentalization of base excision repair proteins in response to nuclear and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Mol Cell Biol 29:794-807
Wilkinson, Keith D (2009) DUBs at a glance. J Cell Sci 122:2325-9
Drag, Marcin; Mikolajczyk, Jowita; Bekes, Miklos et al. (2008) Positional-scanning fluorigenic substrate libraries reveal unexpected specificity determinants of DUBs (deubiquitinating enzymes). Biochem J 415:367-75
Yun, Chawon; Wang, Yonggang; Mukhopadhyay, Debaditya et al. (2008) Nucleolar protein B23/nucleophosmin regulates the vertebrate SUMO pathway through SENP3 and SENP5 proteases. J Cell Biol 183:589-95

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