Allosteric regulation of E2:E3 interactions promote a processive ubiquitination machine

RING finger proteins constitute the large majority of ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and function by interacting with ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) charged with ubiquitin. How low-affinity RING-E2 interactions result in highly processive substrate ubiquitination is largely unknown. The RING E3, gp78, represents an excellent model to study this process. gp78 includes a high-affinity secondary binding region for its cognate E2, Ube2g2, the G2BR. The G2BR allosterically enhances RING: Ube2g2 binding and ubiquitination. Structural analysis of the RING: Ube2g2:G2BR complex reveals that a G2BR-induced conformational effect at the RING: Ube2g2 interface is necessary for enhanced binding of RING to Ube2g2 or Ube2g2 conjugated to Ub. This conformational effect and a key ternary interaction with conjugated ubiquitin are required for ubiquitin transfer. Moreover, RING: Ube2g2 binding induces a second allosteric effect, disrupting Ube2g2: G2BR contacts, decreasing affinity and facilitating E2 exchange. Thus, gp78 is a ubiquitination machine where multiple E2-binding sites coordinately facilitate processive ubiquitination.