Two RING finger proteins mediate cooperation between ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in DNA repair

EMBO J. 2000 Jul 3;19(13):3388-97. doi: 10.1093/emboj/19.13.3388.

Abstract

Two ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, RAD6 and the heteromeric UBC13-MMS2 complex, have been implicated in post-replicative DNA damage repair in yeast. Here we provide a mechanistic basis for cooperation between the two enzymes. We show that two chromatin-associated RING finger proteins, RAD18 and RAD5, play a central role in mediating physical contacts between the members of the RAD6 pathway. RAD5 recruits the UBC13-MMS2 complex to DNA by means of its RING finger domain. Moreover, RAD5 association with RAD18 brings UBC13-MMS2 into contact with the RAD6-RAD18 complex. Interaction between the two RING finger proteins thus promotes the formation of a heteromeric complex in which the two distinct ubiquitin-conjugating activities of RAD6 and UBC13-MMS2 can be closely coordinated. Surprisingly, UBC13 and MMS2 are largely cytosolic proteins, but DNA damage triggers their redistribution to the nucleus. These findings suggest a mechanism by which the activity of this DNA repair pathway could be regulated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases*
  • Biopolymers
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Helicases
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ligases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • MMS2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RAD18 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • RAD6 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • RAD5 protein, S cerevisiae
  • DNA Helicases
  • Ligases