The E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch controls the protein stability of p63

M Rossi, RI Aqeilan, M Neale… - Proceedings of the …, 2006 - National Acad Sciences
M Rossi, RI Aqeilan, M Neale, E Candi, P Salomoni, RA Knight, CM Croce, G Melino
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006National Acad Sciences
p63, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors, plays an important role in epithelial
development, regulating both cell cycle and apoptosis. Even though p63 activity is regulated
mainly at the posttranslational level, the control of p63 protein stability is far from being fully
understood. Here, we show that the Hect (homologous to the E6-associated protein C
terminus)-containing Nedd4-like ubiquitin protein ligase Itch binds, ubiquitylates, and
promotes the degradation of p63. The physical interaction occurs at the border between the …
p63, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors, plays an important role in epithelial development, regulating both cell cycle and apoptosis. Even though p63 activity is regulated mainly at the posttranslational level, the control of p63 protein stability is far from being fully understood. Here, we show that the Hect (homologous to the E6-associated protein C terminus)-containing Nedd4-like ubiquitin protein ligase Itch binds, ubiquitylates, and promotes the degradation of p63. The physical interaction occurs at the border between the PY and the SAM (sterile α motif) domains; a single Y504F mutation significantly affects p63 degradation. Itch and p63 are coexpressed in the epidermis and in primary keratinocytes where Itch controls the p63 protein steady-state level. Accordingly, p63 protein levels are significantly increased in Itch knockout keratinocytes. These data suggest that Itch has a fundamental role in the mechanism that controls endogenous p63 protein levels and therefore contributes to regulation of p63 in physiological conditions.
National Acad Sciences