Tetrameric Assembly of Monoubiquitin Accurately Mimics the Lys11 Polyubiquitin Chain Structure

Olga Levin-Kravets, Noa Shohat, Gali Prag*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Specific lysine residues on the ubiquitin surface were selected during the course of evolution to form different polyubiquitin chain structures that signal diverse cellular processes. A vast number of ubiquitin receptors specifically recognize and decode the signals conferred by these polyubiquitin chains. The mechanisms of formation and the structure of Lys11-linked ubiquitin, which signals for cell-cycle and innate immune control, have been elucidated. Here, we present a new crystal structure of monomeric ubiquitin that accurately mimics one of the structures of Lys11-linked ubiquitin. Analysis of the ubiquitin:ubiquitin interface demonstrates structural fitness and specificity. The interaction is exclusively hydrophilic, leaving the Ile44 hydrophobic patch, a major recognition site for ubiquitin receptors, exposed. These noncovalent ubiquitin:ubiquitin interactions are nearly identical to those reported for Lys11-linked ubiquitin and seem to play a significant role in stabilizing the crystal structure without the isopeptide bond. In vitro cross-linking analysis with wild-type ubiquitin or its mutants partially mimics the interactions in the crystal. We suggest that these interactions may play a biological role in transmitting Lys11-linked ubiquitin chain-type cellular signals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4704-4710
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemistry
Volume54
Issue number30
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Aug 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israel Science Foundation464/11

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