RING finger, H2 subclass, found in protein E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase Praja-1, Praja-2, and similar proteins
This family includes two highly similar E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases, Praja-1 and Praja-2. Praja-1, also known as RING finger protein 70, is a RING-H2 finger ubiquitin ligase encoded by gene PJA1, a novel human X chromosome gene abundantly expressed in the brain. It has been implicated in bone and liver development, as well as memory formation and X-linked mental retardation (MRX). Praja-1 interacts with and activates the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5B, and shows E2-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. It is a 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep)-induced ubiquitin ligase that directly ubiquitinates individual polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) subunits in a cell free system, which leads to their proteasomal degradation. It also plays an important role in neuronal plasticity, which is the basis for learning and memory. Moreover, Praja-1 ubiquitinates embryonic liver fodrin (ELF) and Smad3, but not Smad4, in a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-dependent manner. It controls ELF abundance through ubiquitin-mediated degradation, and further regulates TGF-beta signaling, which plays a key role in the suppression of gastric carcinoma. Praja-1 also regulates the transcription function of the homeodomain protein Dlx5 by controlling the stability of Dlxin-1, via a ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway. Praja-2, also known as RING finger protein 131, NEURODAP1, or KIAA0438, is an E2-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase that interacts with and activates the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5B. It functions as an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)-like E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a critical role in controlling cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent PKA activity and pro-survival signaling, and further promotes cell proliferation and growth. Praja-2 is also involved in protein sorting at the postsynaptic density region of axosomatic synapses and possibly plays a role in synaptic communication and plasticity. Together with the AMPK-related kinase SIK2 and the CDK5 activator CDK5R1/p35, it forms a SIK2-p35-PJA2 complex that plays an essential role for glucose homeostasis in pancreatic beta cell functional compensation. Praja-2 ubiquitylates and degrades Mob, a core component of NDR/LATS kinase and a positive regulator of the tumor-suppressor Hippo signaling. Both Praja-1 and Praja-2 contain a potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a C-terminal C3H2C3-type RING-H2 motif.
Structure:2L0B; Homo sapiens Praja-1 binds two Zn2+ ions through its RING-H2 finger. - View structure with Cn3D
Comment:C3H2C3-type RING-H2 finger consensus motif: C-X2-C-X(9-39)-C-X(1-3)-H-X(2-3)-H-X2-C-X(4-48)-C-X2-C, where X is any amino acid and the number of X residues varies in different fingers
Comment:A RING finger typically binds two zinc atoms, with its Cys and/or His side chains in a unique "cross-brace" arrangement.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",