Activation of a Primed Ring E3-E2-Ubiquitin Complex by Non-Covalent Ubiquitin.
Buetow, L., Gabrielsen, M., Anthony, N.G., Dou, H., Patel, A., Aitkenhead, H., Sibbet, G.J., Smith, B.O., Huang, D.T.(2015) Mol Cell 58: 297
- PubMed: 25801170 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2015.02.017
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
4V3K, 4V3L - PubMed Abstract: 
RING ubiquitin ligases (E3) recruit ubiquitin-conjugate enzymes (E2) charged with ubiquitin (Ub) to catalyze ubiquitination. Non-covalent Ub binding to the backside of certain E2s promotes processive polyUb formation, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that backside bound Ub (Ub(B)) enhances both RING-independent and RING-dependent UbcH5B-catalyzed donor Ub (Ub(D)) transfer, but with a more prominent effect in RING-dependent transfer. Ub(B) enhances RING E3s' affinities for UbcH5B-Ub, and RING E3-UbcH5B-Ub complex improves Ub(B)'s affinity for UbcH5B. A comparison of the crystal structures of a RING E3, RNF38, bound to UbcH5B-Ub in the absence and presence of Ub(B), together with molecular dynamics simulation and biochemical analyses, suggests Ub(B) restricts the flexibility of UbcH5B's ¦Á1 and ¦Á1¦Â1 loop. Ub(B) supports E3 function by stabilizing the RING E3-UbcH5B-Ub complex, thereby improving the catalytic efficiency of Ub transfer. Thus, Ub(B) serves as an allosteric activator of RING E3-mediated Ub transfer.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.