Summary In eukaryotic cells, ubiquitination of proteins leads to their degradation by the 26S proteasome. We tested if the ubiquitin (Ub) chain also regulates the proteasome’s capacity for proteolysis. After incubation with polyubiquitinated proteins, 26S proteasomes hydrolyzed peptides and proteins 2–7 fold faster. Ub conjugates enhanced peptide hydrolysis by stimulating gate opening in the 20S proteasome, since this stimulation was seen when this gate was closed or transiently open, but not maximally open. Gate opening requires conjugate association with Usp14/Ubp6, since it is also mediated by occupancy of the Ubp6 active site with Ub aldehyde. No stimulation was observed with 26S from Ubp6Δ mutants, but was restored by addition of Usp14/Ubp6 or an inactive Ubp6 mutant. The stimulation of gate-opening by Ub conjugates through Usp14/Ubp6 requires nucleotide binding to the gate-regulatory ATPases. This activation enhances the selectivity of the 26S proteasome for ubiquitinated proteins and links their deubiquitination to their degradation.

Eukaryotic cells target proteins for degradation by the 26S proteasome by attaching a ubiquitin chain. Using a rapid assay, we analyzed the initial binding of ubiquitinated proteins to purified 26S particles as an isolated process at 4°C. Subunits Rpn10 and Rpn13 contribute equally to the high affinity binding of ubiquitin chains, but in their absence ubiquitin conjugates bind to another site with 4-fold lower affinity. Conjugate binding is stimulated 2-4 fold by binding of ATP or the nonhydrolyzable analog, ATPγS (but not ADP) to the 19S ATPases. Following this initial, reversible association, ubiquitin conjugates at 37°C become more tightly bound through a step that requires ATP hydrolysis and a loosely folded domain on the protein, but appears independent of ubiquitin. Unfolded or loosely folded polypeptides can inhibit this tighter binding. This commitment step precedes substrate deubiquitination and allows for selection of ubiquitinated proteins capable of being unfolded and efficiently degraded.

Degradation rates of most proteins in eukaryotic cells are determined by their rates of ubiquitination. However, possible regulation of the proteasome's capacity to degrade ubiquitinated proteins has received little attention, although proteasome inhibitors are widely used in research and cancer treatment. We show here that mammalian 26S proteasomes have five associated ubiquitin ligases and that multiple proteasome subunits are ubiquitinated in cells, especially the ubiquitin receptor subunit, Rpn13. When proteolysis is even partially inhibited in cells or purified 26S proteasomes with various inhibitors, Rpn13 becomes extensively and selectively polyubiquitinated by the proteasome-associated ubiquitin ligase, Ube3c/Hul5. This modification also occurs in cells during heat-shock or arsenite treatment, when poly-ubiquitinated proteins accumulate. Rpn13 ubiquitination strongly decreases the proteasome's ability to bind and degrade ubiquitin-conjugated proteins, but not its activity against peptide substrates. This autoinhibitory mechanism presumably evolved to prevent binding of ubiquitin conjugates to defective or stalled proteasomes, but this modification may also be useful as a biomarker indicating the presence of proteotoxic stress and reduced proteasomal capacity in cells or patients.

Background:The 26 S proteasome requires ATP hydrolysis to degrade ubiquitinated proteins. Results: Ubiquitin conjugates activate ATP hydrolysis, provided they contain loosely folded domains and their ubiquitin chains bind to the 26 S-associated DUBs. Conclusion: By stimulating ATP hydrolysis, ubiquitinated proteins induce their own degradation. Significance: Regulation of ATPase activity by Usp14 and Uch37 links proteolysis and deubiquitination and enhances the specificity of the proteasome for ubiquitin conjugates.

Background: Multiple steps in the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins by the 26 S proteasome require ATP. Results: The six ATPase subunits of the proteasome function in a cyclic manner. Rates of degradation of ubiquitinated proteins are directly proportional to rates of ATP hydrolysis. Conclusion: A specific number of ATPs are consumed in degrading a ubiquitinated substrate. Significance: Polypeptide structure determines the time required and ATP consumed in degrading ubiquitin conjugates.

Background: The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a conserved protein complex in eukaryotic cells consisting of eight subunits (CSN1 to CSN8). Recent data demonstrate that the CSN is a regulator of the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS). It controls substrate ubiquitination by cullin-RING Ub ligases (CRLs), a process that determines substrate specificity of the UPS. The intrinsic deneddylating activity localized to CSN5 as well as the associated kinases and deubiquitinating activity are involved in the regulatory function of CSN. The exact mechanisms are unclear. In this study we knocked down CSN1 (siCSN1), CSN3 (siCSN3) and CSN5 (siCSN5) by specific siRNA oligos permanently expressed in HeLa cells. The analysis and comparison of siRNA cells revealed differential impact of individual subunits on CSN structure and function.

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Assembly of complex structures such as the eukaryotic 26S proteasome requires intricate mechanisms that ensure precise subunit arrangements. Recent studies have shed light on the pathway for ordered assembly of the base of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome by identifying new precursor complexes and four dedicated chaperones involved in its assembly.