Mechanism of phospho-ubiquitin-induced PARKIN activation

DOI: 10.1038/nature14879
PMID: 26161729

Authors: Tobias Wauer (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) , Michal Simicek (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) , Alexander Schubert (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) , David Komander (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature , VOL 524 (7565) , PAGES 370 - 374

State: Published (Approved)
Published: August 2015

Abstract: The E3 ubiquitin ligase PARKIN (encoded by PARK2) and the protein kinase PINK1 (encoded by PARK6) are mutated in autosomal-recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP) and work together in the disposal of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy1, 2, 3. PINK1 is stabilized on the outside of depolarized mitochondria and phosphorylates polyubiquitin4, 5, 6, 7, 8 as well as the PARKIN ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain9, 10. These phosphorylation events lead to PARKIN recruitment to mitochondria, and activation by an unknown allosteric mechanism4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Here we present the crystal structure of Pediculus humanus PARKIN in complex with Ser65-phosphorylated ubiquitin (phosphoUb), revealing the molecular basis for PARKIN recruitment and activation. The phosphoUb binding site on PARKIN comprises a conserved phosphate pocket and harbours residues mutated in patients with AR-JP. PhosphoUb binding leads to straightening of a helix in the RING1 domain, and the resulting conformational changes release the Ubl domain from the PARKIN core; this activates PARKIN. Moreover, phosphoUb-mediated Ubl release enhances Ubl phosphorylation by PINK1, leading to conformational changes within the Ubl domain and stabilization of an open, active conformation of PARKIN. We redefine the role of the Ubl domain not only as an inhibitory13 but also as an activating element that is restrained in inactive PARKIN and released by phosphoUb. Our work opens up new avenues to identify small-molecule PARKIN activators.

Journal Keywords: X-ray crystallography; Enzyme mechanisms; Ubiquitylation

Diamond Keywords: Parkinson’s Disease

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Medicine


Instruments: I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength) , I04-Macromolecular Crystallography

Added On: 18/11/2015 14:12

Discipline Tags:

Neurodegenerative Diseases Non-Communicable Diseases Health & Wellbeing Neurology Structural biology Drug Discovery Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Diffraction Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)