title: Activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch through a phosphorylation-induced conformational change.
abstract: The E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase Itch is a critical regulator of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production through its ability to induce Ub-dependent JunB degradation. After T cell receptor engagement, Itch undergoes JNK1-mediated phosphorylation that greatly enhances its enzymatic activity. To investigate how phosphorylation activates an E3 Ub ligase we have identified the JNK1 phosphorylation sites within Itch as S199, S232, and T222, which are located within a Pro-rich region. Phosphorylation of these sites is necessary and sufficient for disrupting an inhibitory interaction between the WW domain of Itch and its catalytic HECT (Homologous to E6-AP C Terminus) domain and induces a conformational change that greatly enhances the catalytic activity of Itch, a HECT E3 ligase found to be directly activated upon its phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0723, USA.
authors.forename: Ewen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yun-Cai
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karin
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D048055:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D048055:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8