Prof. Zhou Qiang : The Ubiquitin Ligase Siah1 Controls ELL2 Stability and Formation of Super Elongation Complexes to Modulate Gene Transcription

ProfessorZhou Qiang published a paper entitled: “The Ubiquitin Ligase Siah1 Controls ELL2 Stability and Formation of Super Elongation Complexes to Modulate Gene Transcription” on Molecular Cell

Author：Liu Min,Hsu Joanne, Chan Caleb, Li Zichong , Zhou Qiang

Abstract:

Super elongation complexes (SECs) contain two different transcription elongation factors, P-TEFb and ELL1/2, linked by the scaffolding protein AFF4 or AFF1. They stimulate the expression of both normal and disease-related genes, especially those of HIV or those involved in leukemogenesis. Among all SEC subunits, ELL2 is stoichiometrically limiting and uniquely regulated at the level of protein stability. Here we identify the RING domain protein Siah1, but not thehomologous Siah2, as the E3 ubiquitin ligase for ELL2 polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Siah1 cannot access and ubiquitinate ELL2 bound toAFF4, although, at high concentrations, it also degrades AFF4/1 to destroy SECs. Prostratin and HMBA, two well-studied activators of HIV transcription and latency, enhance ELL2 accumulation and SECs formation largely through decreasing Siah1 expression and ELL2 polyubiquitination. Given its importance information of SECs, the Siah1 ubiquitination pathway provides a fresh avenue for developing strategies to control disease-related transcription.

DOI:10.1016/j.molcel.2012.03.007