Auranofin targets UBA1 and enhances UBA1 activity by facilitating ubiquitin trans-thioesterification to E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes

Wenjing Yan, Yongwang Zhong, Xin Hu, Tuan Xu, Yinghua Zhang, Stephen Kales, Yanyan Qu, Daniel C. Talley, Bolormaa Baljinnyam, Christopher A. LeClair, Anton Simeonov, Brian M. Polster, Ruili Huang, Yihong Ye, Ganesha Rai, Mark J. Henderson, Dingyin Tao () and Shengyun Fang ()
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Wenjing Yan: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Yongwang Zhong: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Xin Hu: National Institutes of Health
Tuan Xu: National Institutes of Health
Yinghua Zhang: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Stephen Kales: National Institutes of Health
Yanyan Qu: National Institutes of Health
Daniel C. Talley: National Institutes of Health
Bolormaa Baljinnyam: National Institutes of Health
Christopher A. LeClair: National Institutes of Health
Anton Simeonov: National Institutes of Health
Brian M. Polster: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Ruili Huang: National Institutes of Health
Yihong Ye: National Institutes of Health
Ganesha Rai: National Institutes of Health
Mark J. Henderson: National Institutes of Health
Dingyin Tao: National Institutes of Health
Shengyun Fang: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract UBA1 is the primary E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme responsible for generation of activated ubiquitin required for ubiquitination, a process that regulates stability and function of numerous proteins. Decreased or insufficient ubiquitination can cause or drive aging and many diseases. Therefore, a small-molecule enhancing UBA1 activity could have broad therapeutic potential. Here we report that auranofin, a drug approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is a potent UBA1 activity enhancer. Auranofin binds to the UBA1’s ubiquitin fold domain and conjugates to Cys1039 residue. The binding enhances UBA1 interactions with at least 20 different E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, facilitating ubiquitin charging to E2 and increasing the activities of seven representative E3s in vitro. Auranofin promotes ubiquitination and degradation of misfolded ER proteins during ER-associated degradation in cells at low nanomolar concentrations. It also facilitates outer mitochondrial membrane-associated degradation. These findings suggest that auranofin can serve as a much-needed tool for UBA1 research and therapeutic exploration.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40537-x

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