PCNA Monoubiquitination Is Regulated by Diffusion of Rad6/Rad18 Complexes along RPA Filaments

Biochemistry. 2020 Dec 15;59(49):4694-4702. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00849. Epub 2020 Nov 27.

Abstract

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) enables DNA replication through damaging modifications to template DNA and requires monoubiquitination of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) sliding clamp by the Rad6/Rad18 complex. This posttranslational modification is critical to cell survival following exposure to DNA-damaging agents and is tightly regulated to restrict TLS to damaged DNA. Replication protein A (RPA), the major single-strand DNA (ssDNA) binding protein complex, forms filaments on ssDNA exposed at TLS sites and plays critical yet undefined roles in regulating PCNA monoubiquitination. Here, we utilize kinetic assays and single-molecule FRET microscopy to monitor PCNA monoubiquitination and Rad6/Rad18 complex dynamics on RPA filaments, respectively. Results reveal that a Rad6/Rad18 complex is recruited to an RPA filament via Rad18·RPA interactions and randomly translocates along the filament. These translocations promote productive interactions between the Rad6/Rad18 complex and the resident PCNA, significantly enhancing monoubiquitination. These results illuminate critical roles of RPA in the specificity and efficiency of PCNA monoubiquitination and represent, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of ATP-independent translocation of a protein complex along a protein filament.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / chemistry*
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / genetics
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Replication Protein A / chemistry*
  • Replication Protein A / genetics
  • Replication Protein A / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • PCNA protein, human
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • RAD18 protein, human
  • RPA1 protein, human
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Replication Protein A
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases