The E3 ubiquitin ligase atrophin interacting protein 4 binds directly to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 via a novel WW domain-mediated interaction

Mol Biol Cell. 2009 Mar;20(5):1324-39. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e08-03-0308. Epub 2008 Dec 30.

Abstract

The E3 ubiquitin ligase atrophin interacting protein 4 (AIP4) mediates ubiquitination and down-regulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. AIP4 belongs to the Nedd4-like homologous to E6-AP carboxy terminus domain family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, which typically bind proline-rich motifs within target proteins via the WW domains. The intracellular domains of CXCR4 lack canonical WW domain binding motifs; thus, whether AIP4 is targeted to CXCR4 directly or indirectly via an adaptor protein remains unknown. Here, we show that AIP4 can interact directly with CXCR4 via a novel noncanonical WW domain-mediated interaction involving serine residues 324 and 325 within the carboxy-terminal tail of CXCR4. These serine residues are critical for mediating agonist-promoted binding of AIP4 and subsequent ubiquitination and degradation of CXCR4. These residues are phosphorylated upon agonist activation and phosphomimetic mutants show enhanced binding to AIP4, suggesting a mechanism whereby phosphorylation mediates the interaction between CXCR4 and AIP4. Our data reveal a novel noncanonical WW domain-mediated interaction involving phosphorylated serine residues in the absence of any proline residues and suggest a novel mechanism whereby an E3 ubiquitin ligase is targeted directly to an activated G protein-coupled receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / chemistry
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / analysis
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / analysis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • CXCR4 protein, human
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Repressor Proteins
  • ITCH protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases