Cheng Q, Song T, Chen L, Chen J

The RING domain ubiquitin E3 ligase MDM2 is a key regulator of p53 degradation and a mediator of signals that stabilize p53. Current understanding of the mechanisms by which MDM2 post-translational modifications and protein binding cause p53 stabilization remains incomplete. Here we present evidence that the MDM2 central acidic region ...

Read More

is critical for activating the RING domain E3 ligase activity. A 30 amino acid minimal region of the acidic domain binds to the RING domain through intra-molecular interaction, and stimulates the catalytic function of the RING domain in promoting ubiquitin release from charged E2. The minimal activation sequence is also the binding site for the ARF tumor suppressor that inhibits ubiquitination of p53. The acidic domain-RING domain intra-molecular interaction is modulated by ATM-mediated phosphorylation near the RING domain, or by binding of ARF. These results suggest that MDM2 phosphorylation and association with protein regulators share a common mechanism in inhibiting the E3 ligase function and stabilizing p53, and suggest that targeting the MDM2 auto-activation mechanism may be useful for therapeutic modulation of p53 level.

Date: May. 19, 2014

View in: Pubmed Google Scholar

164622