Crystal structures of an E1–E2–ubiquitin thioester mimetic reveal molecular mechanisms of transthioesterification

Yuan, Lingmin; Lv, Zongyang; Adams, Melanie J.; Olsen, Shaun K.

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-22598-y

Crystal structures of an E1–E2–ubiquitin thioester mimetic reveal molecular mechanisms of transthioesterification

Journal Article · Thu Apr 22 04:00:00 EDT 2021 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22598-y· OSTI ID:1781789

Yuan, Lingmin ^[1]; Lv, Zongyang ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[1]

Medical Univ. of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (United States); University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX (United States)
Medical Univ. of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (United States)

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.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1781789

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 12; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: ENGLISH

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