CRL1-FBXO11 promotes Cdt2 ubiquitylation and degradation and regulates Pr-Set7/Set8-mediated cellular migration

Abstract

The Cul4-Cdt2 (CRL4(Cdt2)) E3 ubiquitin ligase is a master regulator of cell-cycle progression and genome stability. Despite its central role in the degradation of many cell-cycle regulators, e.g., Cdt1, p21, and Pr-Set7/Set8, little is known about the regulation of its activity. We report that Cdt2 is autoubiquitylated by the CRL4A E3 ubiquitin ligase. Cdt2 is additionally polyubiquitylated and degraded by Cul1-FBXO11 (CRL1(FBXO11)). CRL1(FBXO11)-mediated degradation of Cdt2 stabilizes p21 and Set8, and this is important during the response to TGF-β, with the Set8 induction being important for turning off the activation of Smad2. The migration of epithelial cells is also stimulated by CRL1(FBXO11)-mediated downregulation of Cdt2 and the consequent stabilization of Set8. This is an interesting example of cross-regulation between specific Cullin 4 and Cullin 1 E3 ubiquitin ligases and highlights the role of ubiquitylation in regulating cellular responses to TGF-β and the migration of epithelial cells.