3BP2 has been previously described as the protein mutated in the osteoporotic disorder, Cherubism. The gain of function mutation that characterizes Cherubism is the result of an uncoupling of its interaction with Tankyrase 2, which has been reported to stimulate 3BP2 ubiquitination. Here we describe an attempt at identifying the E3 ligase responsible for mediating this ubiquitination using four candidate members from the Nedd4 family. Based on their respective abilities to bind and ubiquitinate 3BP2, as well as their sensitivity to the presence of Tankyrase 2 and to 3BP2 mutations (including Cherubism mutations and mutations within the 3BP2 PPxY motif thought to confer binding to the Nedd4 proteins), we have determined that Smurf1 best fits our model. Further supporting these findings, we have seen an elevation in 3BP2 protein levels in macrophages derived from Smurf1-/-/Smurf2+/- mice. This work supports a role for the Nedd4 family member, Smurf1, in mediating 3BP2 ubiquitination.

3BP2 has been previously described as the protein mutated in the osteoporotic disorder, Cherubism. The gain of function mutation that characterizes Cherubism is the result of an uncoupling of its interaction with Tankyrase 2, which has been reported to stimulate 3BP2 ubiquitination. Here we describe an attempt at identifying the E3 ligase responsible for mediating this ubiquitination using four candidate members from the Nedd4 family. Based on their respective abilities to bind and ubiquitinate 3BP2, as well as their sensitivity to the presence of Tankyrase 2 and to 3BP2 mutations (including Cherubism mutations and mutations within the 3BP2 PPxY motif thought to confer binding to the Nedd4 proteins), we have determined that Smurf1 best fits our model. Further supporting these findings, we have seen an elevation in 3BP2 protein levels in macrophages derived from Smurf1-/-/Smurf2+/- mice. This work supports a role for the Nedd4 family member, Smurf1, in mediating 3BP2 ubiquitination.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2009. / Open access. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-112). Print copy also available.

Thesis (Ph. D.) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-113).

Ubiquitin proteasome pathway is an important cellular pathway that affects the fate of almost all intracellular proteins. Misregulation of this pathway has been found to be associated with a broad range of human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as viral infections. Ubiquitin recognition by the proteasome is of central importance to this pathway. So far, two proteasome subunits, Rpn10 and Rpn13, have been identified as ubiquitin receptors. An alternative pathway is mediated by shuttling factors. In yeast, three shuttling factors, known as UBL-UBA proteins, have been found. A UBL receptor activity of the proteasome has been attributed to Rpn1. However, yeast cell mutated all five proteasomal ubiquitin receptors is still viable. To identify the additional proteasomal ubiquitin receptor in cells, I first obtained and characterized a new Rpn13 mutant allele. This Rpn13 mutant completely abolished its ubiquitin binding activity, and functionally resembles a null allele. Rpn13 substrate pool has also been sought in this mutant cells. In the second part of this dissertation, I reported a novel ubiquitin binding site on proteasomal subunit Rpn1. With the help of NMR analysis, Rpn1's ubiquitin and UBL binding surfaces were resolved at high resolution and found to substantially overlap. A specific Rpn1 mutation that disrupts both ubiquitin and UBL binding while not compromising the folding of Rpn1 was obtained. This mutant allele shows a pleiotropic proteasomal defect in vivo. Moreover, I found that the dual ubiquitin/UBL binding activity is not unique in Rpn1, but a common feature in all three proteasomal ubiquitin receptors. In summary, the proteasome adopts a multilayer ubiquitin/UBL binding surface to ensure flexible substrate recognition.

Much of what is known about the role of the ERBB family in cellular biology and in cancer has to do with canonical downstream signaling cascades and modifications associated with their trafficking and degradation. The focus on canonical activity, while important, ignores a rapidly expanding number of separate, arguably equally important functions for which there is emerging knowledge. These include the translocation of ERBB family members to non-canonical sub-cellular locations including the nucleus and mitochondria. Of current interest is the elucidation of fate determination mechanisms for these proteins. How is one ERBB receptor designated to traffic to the nucleus or mitochondria, versus degradative lysosomes? A portion of the work presented here addresses the potential role of ubiquitin in EGFR nuclear translocation, a role which ubiquitin has been shown to play in the context of other proteins. This work demonstrates that while ubiquitinated EGFR can be translocated from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in response to ligand, efficient ubiquitination is not essential for this process. This work also broadens the potential roles for ubiquitin to include those involving EGFR nuclear biology. Additional work described aimed to exploit what was already known regarding the diverse roles played by the EGFR juxtamembrane domain in the non-canonical activities of EGFR and the ERBBs. This work involves the creation and evaluation of an EGFR juxtamembrane domain derived peptide designed to competitively interact with endogenous ERBB domains and inhibit their function in cancer cells. Termed EJ1, treatment induces cell death and promotes the formation of inactive ERBB dimers and reduces ERBB activation. While inactivating CaMKII signaling, myosin light chain dependent cell blebbing occurs, coincident with the induction of cell death. EJ1 also directly translocates to mitochondria, potentially contributing to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and production of reactive oxygen species. Finally, treatment of mouse models of breast cancer with EJ1 results in the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis, without observable side-effects/toxicities. These data demonstrate that a portion of the ERBB juxtamembrane domain, used as an intracellular decoy, can affect tumor growth and metastasis through ERBB-dependent and ERBB-independent mechanisms, representing a novel anti-cancer therapeutic.

No description available.

Integral membrane proteins are targeted to discrete compartments through the action of a number of transport pathways. The post-translational modification of cargo with ubiquitin is a key regulator of protein sorting. Ubiquitinated cargo are bound by specific cargo sorting machinery and directed towards the appropriate destination. Therefore, the identification and characterization of the proteins involved in cargo ubiquitination is critical to understanding the regulation of protein sorting. In the work presented here, we characterize the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, RNF126 and Rabring7, in two distinct membrane trafficking pathways. First, we show that RNF126 and Rabring7 are involved in the ligand induced downregulation of cell surface receptors. RNF126 and Rabring7 associate with the EGFR, amongst other RTKs, and promotes its ubiquitination. RNF126 and Rabring7 are required for the efficient sorting of the EGFR through the late endocytic compartment. We also show that the depletion of Rabring7 attenuates the degradation of MET and that both RNF126 and Rabring7 regulate the sorting of CXCR4 from an early endocytic compartment. In addition, the depletion of RNF126 or Rabring7 destabilizes ESCRT-II and reduces the number of multivesicular bodies formed after EGF stimulation. Second, we found that RNF126 regulates the sorting of the CI-MPR. In cells transiently depleted of RNF126, the CI-MPR is dispersed into a transferrin receptor positive endocytic compartment. This effect is specific to the CI-MPR as other cargos that are sorted between the endosome at the Golgi remain unaffected. We found that RNF126 physically associates with the clathrin adaptor GGA3 and promotes its ubiquitination, suggesting that RNF126 regulates GGA3 mediated CI-MPR sorting. Together, this work furthers our understanding regarding the role of ubiquitin in membrane traffic.

The significance of poxvirus manipulation of the host ubiquitin proteasome system has become increasingly apparent. Ubiquitin is post-translationally added to target proteins by a highly conserved enzymatic cascade, typically resulting in protein degradation via the 26S proteasome. The highly conserved poxvirus protein, p28, is a functional ubiquitin ligase and a critical virulence factor. Here, we investigate the relationship between p28 and ubiquitination. We observed that the KilA-N DNA binding domain in p28 targeted p28 to viral factories, where p28 co-localized with conjugated ubiquitin. Furthermore, we determined that p28 is highly regulated by ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Disruption of p28 ubiquitin ligase activity revealed that p28 is regulated through auto-ubiquitination and ubiquitination by an additional unknown ubiquitin ligase. Moreover, we observed Lysine-48 ubiquitin linkages, Lysine-63 ubiquitin linkages and a proteasomal subunit co-localizing with p28 at the viral factory, suggesting an intricate relationship between p28 and proteasomal degradation. / Virology

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.