MARCH-XI, a novel transmembrane ubiquitin ligase implicated in ubiquitin-dependent protein sorting in developing spermatids

J Biol Chem. 2007 Aug 24;282(34):24806-15. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M700414200. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

Abstract

A mechanism by which ubiquitinated cargo proteins are sorted into multivesicular bodies (MVBs) from plasma and trans-Golgi network (TGN) membranes is well established in yeast and mammalian somatic cells. However, the ubiquitin-dependent sorting pathway has not been clearly defined in germ cells. In this study we identified a novel member of the transmembrane RING-finger family of proteins, termed membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH)-XI, that is expressed predominantly in developing spermatids and weakly in brain and pituitary. MARCH-XI possesses an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that targets CD4 for ubiquitination. Immunoelectron microscopy of rat round spermatids showed that MARCH-XI is localized to TGN-derived vesicles and MVBs. Fluorescence staining of rat round spermatids and immunoprecipitation of rat testis demonstrated that MARCH-XI forms complexes with the adaptor protein complex-1 and with fucose-containing glycoproteins including ubiquitinated forms. Furthermore, the C-terminal region of MARCH-XI mediates its interaction with mu1-adaptin and Veli through a tyrosine-based motif and a PDZ binding motif, respectively. Our data suggest that MARCH-XI acts as a ubiquitin ligase with a role in ubiquitin-mediated protein sorting in the TGN-MVB transport pathway, which may be involved in mammalian spermiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Spermatids / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / physiology

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • Marchf11 protein, rat
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB048841
  • GENBANK/AB048842