Although the functional interaction between ubiquitin conjugating enzymes (E2s) and ubiquitin ligases (E3s) is essential in ubiquitin (Ub) signaling, the criteria that define an active E2–E3 pair are not well-established. The human E2 UbcH7 (Ube2L3) shows broad specificity for HECT-type E3s1, but often fails to function with RING E3s in vitro despite forming specific complexes2–4. Structural comparisons of inactive UbcH7/RING complexes with active UbcH5/RING complexes reveal no defining differences3,4, highlighting a gap in our understanding of Ub transfer. We show that, unlike many E2s that transfer Ub with RINGs, UbcH7 lacks intrinsic, E3-independent reactivity with lysine, explaining its preference for HECTs. Despite lacking lysine reactivity, UbcH7 exhibits activity with the RING-In Between-RING (RBR) family of E3s that includes Parkin and human homologue of ariadne (HHARI)5,6. Found in all eukaryotes7, RBRs regulate processes such as translation8 and immune signaling9. RBRs contain a canonical C3HC4-type RING, followed by two conserved Cys/His-rich Zn2+-binding domains, In-Between-RING (IBR) and RING2 domains, which together define this E3 family7. Here we show that RBRs function like RING/HECT hybrids: they bind E2s via a RING domain, but transfer Ub through an obligate thioester-linked Ub (denoted ‘~Ub’), requiring a conserved cysteine residue in RING2. Our results define the functional cadre of E3s for UbcH7, an E2 involved in cell proliferation10 and immune function11, and suggest a novel mechanism for an entire class of E3s.

Protein ubiquitination is a powerful regulatory modification that influences nearly every aspect of eukaryotic cell biology. The general pathway for ubiquitin (Ub) modification requires the sequential activities of a Ub-activating enzyme (E1), a Ub transfer enzyme (E2), and a Ub ligase (E3). The E2 must recognize both the E1 and a cognate E3 in addition to carrying activated Ub. These central functions are performed by a topologically conserved alpha/beta-fold core domain of approximately 150 residues shared by all E2s. However, as presented herein, the UbcH5 family of E2s can also bind Ub noncovalently on a surface well removed from the E2 active site. We present the solution structure of the UbcH5c/Ub noncovalent complex and demonstrate that this noncovalent interaction permits self-assembly of activated UbcH5c approximately Ub molecules. Self-assembly has profound consequences for the processive formation of polyubiquitin (poly-Ub) chains in ubiquitination reactions directed by the breast and ovarian cancer tumor susceptibility protein BRCA1.

A circular permutein of sperm whale myoglobin in which the G helix is C-terminal, the H helix is N-terminal, and 16 amino acids link the H helix to the A helix has been expressed in Escherichia coli. The permutein sequence begins with Gly121 (using the numbering scheme for the wild-type protein) and terminates with Pro120. The ligand binding function of the permutein was assayed using stopped-flow methods and shown to be essentially identical to that of the wild-type protein. In addition, one- and two-dimensional NMR studies of the cyanomet isoform of the permutein show a nativelike structure with a heme binding pocket very similar to that of the wild-type myoglobin. Although the structure and function of the permutein resemble those of the wild-type myoglobin, the permutein is less stable to chemical denaturation by 5.2 kcal/mol.