Phosphorylation-Dependent Ubiquitination of Cyclin E by the SCFFbw7 Ubiquitin Ligase

DM Koepp, LK Schaefer, X Ye, K Keyomarsi, C Chu… - Science, 2001 - science.org
DM Koepp, LK Schaefer, X Ye, K Keyomarsi, C Chu, JW Harper, SJ Elledge
Science, 2001science.org
Cyclin E binds and activates the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk2 and catalyzes the transition
from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. The amount of cyclin E protein present in
the cell is tightly controlled by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Here we identify the ubiquitin
ligase responsible for cyclin E ubiquitination as SCFFbw7 and demonstrate that it is
functionally conserved in yeast, flies, and mammals. Fbw7 associates specifically with
phosphorylated cyclin E, and SCFFbw7catalyzes cyclin E ubiquitination in vitro. Depletion of …
Cyclin E binds and activates the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk2 and catalyzes the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. The amount of cyclin E protein present in the cell is tightly controlled by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Here we identify the ubiquitin ligase responsible for cyclin E ubiquitination as SCFFbw7 and demonstrate that it is functionally conserved in yeast, flies, and mammals. Fbw7 associates specifically with phosphorylated cyclin E, and SCFFbw7catalyzes cyclin E ubiquitination in vitro. Depletion of Fbw7 leads to accumulation and stabilization of cyclin E in vivo in human andDrosophila melanogaster cells. Multiple F-box proteins contribute to cyclin E stability in yeast, suggesting an overlap in SCF E3 ligase specificity that allows combinatorial control of cyclin E degradation.
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