Molecular mechanism of Reaper-Grim-Hid-mediated suppression of DIAP1-dependent Dronc ubiquitination

Jijie Chai, Nieng Yan, Jun R. Huh, Jia Wei Wu, Wenyu Li, Bruce A. Hay, Yigong Shi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

The inhibitor of apoptosis protein DIAP1 inhibits Dronc-dependent cell death by ubiquitinating Dronc. The pro-death proteins Reaper, Hid and Grim (RHG) promote apoptosis by antagonizing DIAP1 function. Here we report the structural basis of Dronc recognition by DIAP1 as well as a novel mechanism by which the RHG proteins remove DIAP1-mediated downregulation of Dronc. Biochemical and structural analyses revealed that the second BIR (BIR2) domain of DIAP1 recognizes a 12-residue sequence in Dronc. This recognition is essential for DIAP1 binding to Dronc, and for targeting Dronc for ubiquitination. Notably, the Dronc-binding surface on BIR2 coincides with that required for binding to the N termini of the RHG proteins, which competitively eliminate DIAP1-mediated ubiquitination of Dronc. These observations reveal the molecular mechanisms of how DIAP1 recognizes Dronc, and more importantly, how the RHG proteins remove DIAP1-mediated ubiquitination of Dronc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)892-898
Number of pages7
JournalNature Structural Biology
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular mechanism of Reaper-Grim-Hid-mediated suppression of DIAP1-dependent Dronc ubiquitination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this