USP7 counteracts SCFbetaTrCP- but not APCCdh1-mediated proteolysis of Claspin

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Claspin is an adaptor protein that facilitates the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)-mediated phosphorylation and activation of Chk1, a key effector kinase in the DNA damage response. Efficient termination of Chk1 signaling in mitosis and during checkpoint recovery requires SCF(betaTrCP)-dependent destruction of Claspin. Here, we identify the deubiquitylating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) as a novel regulator of Claspin stability. Claspin and USP7 interact in vivo, and USP7 is required to maintain steady-state levels of Claspin. Furthermore, USP7-mediated deubiquitylation markedly prolongs the half-life of Claspin, which in turn increases the magnitude and duration of Chk1 phosphorylation in response to genotoxic stress. Finally, we find that in addition to the M phase-specific, SCF(betaTrCP)-mediated degradation, Claspin is destabilized by the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and thus remains unstable in G1. Importantly, we demonstrate that USP7 specifically opposes the SCF(betaTrCP)- but not APC(Cdh1)-mediated degradation of Claspin. Thus, Claspin turnover is controlled by multiple ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation activities, which together provide a flexible means to regulate the ATR-Chk1 pathway.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume184
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)13-9
Number of pages6
ISSN0021-9525
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Cell Line; DNA Damage; G1 Phase; Humans; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases; Substrate Specificity; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes; Ubiquitination

ID: 18698031