Structure of an E1-E2-ubiquitin thioester mimeticStructure of an E1-E2-ubiquitin thioester mimetic

Structural highlights

7k5j is a 24 chain structure with sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C and Triticum aestivum. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA. For a guided tour on the structure components use FirstGlance.
Method:X-ray diffraction, Resolution 3.42Å
Ligands:
Resources:FirstGlance, OCA, PDBe, RCSB, PDBsum, ProSAT

Function

UBIQ_WHEAT Ubiquitin exists either covalently attached to another protein, or free (unanchored). When covalently bound, it is conjugated to target proteins via an isopeptide bond either as a monomer (monoubiquitin), a polymer linked via different Lys residues of the ubiquitin (polyubiquitin chains) or a linear polymer linked via the initiator Met of the ubiquitin (linear polyubiquitin chains). Polyubiquitin chains, when attached to a target protein, have different functions depending on the Lys residue of the ubiquitin that is linked: Lys-48-linked is involved in protein degradation via the proteasome. Linear polymer chains formed via attachment by the initiator Met lead to cell signaling. Ubiquitin is usually conjugated to Lys residues of target proteins, however, in rare cases, conjugation to Cys or Ser residues has been observed. When polyubiquitin is free (unanchored-polyubiquitin), it also has distinct roles, such as in activation of protein kinases, and in signaling (By similarity).

Publication Abstract from PubMed

E1 enzymes function as gatekeepers of ubiquitin (Ub) signaling by catalyzing activation and transfer of Ub to tens of cognate E2 conjugating enzymes in a process called E1-E2 transthioesterification. The molecular mechanisms of transthioesterification and the overall architecture of the E1-E2-Ub complex during catalysis are unknown. Here, we determine the structure of a covalently trapped E1-E2-ubiquitin thioester mimetic. Two distinct architectures of the complex are observed, one in which the Ub thioester (Ub(t)) contacts E1 in an open conformation and another in which Ub(t) instead contacts E2 in a drastically different, closed conformation. Altogether our structural and biochemical data suggest that these two conformational states represent snapshots of the E1-E2-Ub complex pre- and post-thioester transfer, and are consistent with a model in which catalysis is enhanced by a Ub(t)-mediated affinity switch that drives the reaction forward by promoting productive complex formation or product release depending on the conformational state.

Crystal structures of an E1-E2-ubiquitin thioester mimetic reveal molecular mechanisms of transthioesterification.,Yuan L, Lv Z, Adams MJ, Olsen SK Nat Commun. 2021 Apr 22;12(1):2370. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22598-y. PMID:33888705[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

See Also

References

  1. Yuan L, Lv Z, Adams MJ, Olsen SK. Crystal structures of an E1-E2-ubiquitin thioester mimetic reveal molecular mechanisms of transthioesterification. Nat Commun. 2021 Apr 22;12(1):2370. PMID:33888705 doi:10.1038/s41467-021-22598-y

7k5j, resolution 3.42Å

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