title: SUMO chain-induced dimerization activates RNF4.
abstract: Dimeric RING E3 ligases interact with protein substrates and conformationally restrain the ubiquitin-E2-conjugating enzyme thioester complex such that it is primed for catalysis. RNF4 is an E3 ligase containing an N-terminal domain that binds its polySUMO substrates and a C-terminal RING domain responsible for dimerization. To investigate how RNF4 activity is controlled, we increased polySUMO substrate concentration by ablating expression of SUMO protease SENP6. Accumulation of SUMO chains in vivo leads to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of RNF4. In vitro we demonstrate that at concentrations equivalent to those found in vivo RNF4 is predominantly monomeric and inactive as an ubiquitin E3 ligase. However, in the presence of SUMO chains, RNF4 is activated by dimerization, leading to both substrate ubiquitylation and autoubiquitylation, responsible for degradation of RNF4. Thus the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of RNF4 is directly linked to the availability of its polySUMO substrates.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK; Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plechanovová
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hattersley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Ellis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jaffray
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tatham
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK; Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK. Electronic address: r.t.hay@dundee.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ronald T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Hay
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D059748:Proteolysis; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025841:Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054875:Ubiquitination
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C114070:RNF4 protein, human; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein; C495501:SUMO1 protein, human; C117909:SUMO2 protein, human; D025841:Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C408873:SENP6 protein, human