XOTU deubiquitinases reveal mechanisms of linkage specificity and enable ubiquitin chain restriction analysis

Tycho E.T. Mevissen, Manuela K. Hospenthal, Paul P. Geurink, Paul R. Elliott, Masato Akutsu, Nadia Arnaudo, Reggy Ekkebus, Yogesh Kulathu, Tobias Wauer, Farid El Oualid, Stefan M.V. Freund, Huib Ovaa, David Komander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

380 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sixteen ovarian tumor (OTU) family deubiquitinases (DUBs) exist in humans, and most members regulate cell-signaling cascades. Several OTU DUBs were reported to be ubiquitin (Ub) chain linkage specific, but comprehensive analyses are missing, and the underlying mechanisms of linkage specificity are unclear. Using Ub chains of all eight linkage types, we reveal that most human OTU enzymes are linkage specific, preferring one, two, or a defined subset of linkage types, including unstudied atypical Ub chains. Biochemical analysis and five crystal structures of OTU DUBs with or without Ub substrates reveal four mechanisms of linkage specificity. Additional Ub-binding domains, the ubiquitinated sequence in the substrate, and defined S1' and S2 Ub-binding sites on the OTU domain enable OTU DUBs to distinguish linkage types. We introduce Ub chain restriction analysis, in which OTU DUBs are used as restriction enzymes to reveal linkage type and the relative abundance of Ub chains on substrates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169
Number of pages1
JournalCell
Volume154
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Jul 3
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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