The Molecular Basis of Crl4(Ddb2/Csa) Ubiquitin Ligase Architecture, Targeting, and Activation
Scrima, A., Fischer, E.S., Iwai, S., Gut, H., Thoma, N.H.(2011) Cell 147: 1024
- PubMed: 22118460 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.035
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
4A08, 4A09, 4A0A, 4A0B, 4A0C, 4A0K, 4A0L, 4A11 - PubMed Abstract: 
The DDB1-CUL4-RBX1 (CRL4) ubiquitin ligase family regulates a diverse set of cellular pathways through dedicated substrate receptors (DCAFs). The DCAF DDB2 detects UV-induced pyrimidine dimers in the genome and facilitates nucleotide excision repair. We provide the molecular basis for DDB2 receptor-mediated cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer recognition in chromatin. The structures of the fully assembled DDB1-DDB2-CUL4A/B-RBX1 (CRL4(DDB2)) ligases reveal that the mobility of the ligase arm creates a defined ubiquitination zone around the damage, which precludes direct ligase activation by DNA lesions. Instead, the COP9 signalosome (CSN) mediates the CRL4(DDB2) inhibition in a CSN5 independent, nonenzymatic, fashion. In turn, CSN inhibition is relieved upon DNA damage binding to the DDB2 module within CSN-CRL4(DDB2). The Cockayne syndrome A DCAF complex crystal structure shows that CRL4(DCAF(WD40)) ligases share common architectural features. Our data support a general mechanism of ligase activation, which is induced by CSN displacement from CRL4(DCAF) on substrate binding to the DCAF.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.