Conserved α-helix-3 is crucial for structure and functions of Rad6 E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes

Abstract

Rad6, an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme conserved from yeast to humans, functions in transcription, genome maintenance and proteostasis. The contributions of many conserved secondary structures of Rad6 and its human homologs UBE2A and UBE2B to their biological functions are not understood. A mutant RAD6 allele with a missense substitution at alanine-126 (A126) of α-helix-3 that causes defects in telomeric gene silencing, DNA repair and protein degradation was reported over two decades ago. Here, using a combination of genetics, biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches, we discovered that α-helix-3 A126 mutations compromise the ability of Rad6 to ubiquitinate target proteins without disrupting interactions with partner E3 ubiquitin-ligases that are required for their various biological functions in vivo. Explaining the defective in vitro or in vivo ubiquitination activities, molecular dynamics simulations and NMR showed that α-helix-3 A126 mutations cause local disorder of the catalytic pocket of Rad6, and also disorganize the global structure of the protein to decrease its stability in vivo. We further demonstrate that α-helix-3 A126 mutations deform the structures of UBE2A and UBE2B, the human Rad6 homologs, and compromise the in vitro ubiquitination activity and folding of UBE2B. Molecular dynamics simulations and circular dichroism spectroscopy along with functional studies further revealed that cancer-associated mutations in α-helix-3 of UBE2A or UBE2B alter both structure and activity, providing an explanation for their pathogenicity. Overall, our studies reveal that the conserved α-helix-3 is a crucial structural constituent that controls the organization of catalytic pockets and biological functions of the Rad6-family E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes. Highlights Contributions of the conserved α-helix-3 to the functions of E2 enzymes is not known. Mutations in alanine-126 of α-helix-3 impair in vitro enzymatic activity and in vivo biological functions of Rad6. Mutations in alanine-126 of α-helix-3 disorganize local or global protein structure, compromise folding or stability, and impair the catalytic activities of yeast Rad6 and its human homologs UBE2A and UBE2B. Cancer-associated mutations in α-helix-3 of human UBE2A or UBE2B alter protein flexibility, structure, and activity. α-helix-3 is a key structural component of yeast and human Rad6 E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes.