Substrate recognition and ubiquitination of SCFSkp2/Cks1 ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase

Abstract

p27, an important cell cycle regulator, blocks the G1/S transition in cells by binding and inhibiting Cdk2/cyclin A and Cdk2/cyclin E complexes (Cdk2/E). Ubiquitination and subsequent degradation play a critical role in regulating the levels of p27 during cell cycle progression. Here we provide evidence suggesting that both Cdk2/E and phosphorylation of Thr 187 on p27 are essential for the recognition of p27 by the SCF Skp2/Cks1 complex, the ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3). Cdk2/E provides a high affinity binding site, whereas the phosphorylated Thr187 provides a low affinity binding site for the Skp2/Cks1 complex. Furthermore, binding of phosphorylated p27/Cdk2/E to the E3 complex showed positive cooperativity. Consistently, p27 is also ubiquitinated in a similarly cooperative manner. In the absence of p27, Cdk2/E and Cks1 increase Skp2 phosphorylation. This phosphorylation enhances Skp2 auto-ubiquitination, whereas p27 inhibits both phosphorylation and auto-ubiquitination of Skp2. © 2007 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.