Generation of the short TRIM32 isoform is regulated by Lys 247 acetylation and a PEST sequence

PLoS One. 2021 May 17;16(5):e0251279. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251279. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

TRIM32 is an E3 ligase implicated in diverse biological pathways and pathologies such as muscular dystrophy and cancer. TRIM32 are expressed both as full-length proteins, and as a truncated protein. The mechanisms for regulating these isoforms are poorly understood. Here we identify a PEST sequence in TRIM32 located in the unstructured region between the RING-BBox-CoiledCoil domains and the NHL repeats. The PEST sequence directs cleavage of TRIM32, generating a truncated protein similarly to the short isoform. We map three lysine residues that regulate PEST mediated cleavage and auto-ubiquitylation activity of TRIM32. Mimicking acetylation of lysine K247 completely inhibits TRIM32 cleavage, while the lysines K50 and K401 are implicated in auto-ubiquitylation activity. We show that the short isoform of TRIM32 is catalytic inactive, suggesting a dominant negative role. These findings uncover that TRIM32 is regulated by post-translational modifications of three lysine residues, and a conserved PEST sequence.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Cell Line
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lysine / genetics*
  • Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle / genetics
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*
  • Ubiquitination / genetics

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • TRIM32 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Lysine

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.