OTUB1 non-catalytically regulates the stability of the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2E1

OTUB1 is a deubiquitinating enzyme that cleaves K48-linked polyubiquitin chains and also regulates ubiquitin signaling through a unique, non-catalytic mechanism. OTUB1 binds to a subset of E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes and inhibits their activity by trapping the E2~ubiquitin thioester and preventing ubiquitin transfer. The same set of E2s stimulate the deubiquitinating activity of OTUB1 when the E2 is not charged with ubiquitin. Previous studies have shown that, in cells, OTUB1 binds to members of the UBE2D (UBCH5) and UBE2E families, as well as to UBC13 (UBE2N). Cellular roles have been identified for the interaction of OTUB1 with UBC13 and members of the UBE2D family, but not for UBE2E E2 enzymes. We report here a novel role for OTUB1-E2 interactions in modulating E2 protein ubiquitination. We find that depletion of OTUB1 dramatically destabilizes the E2 conjugating enzyme UBE2E1 (UBE2E1) in cells and that this effect is independent of the catalytic activity of OTUB1 but depends on the ability of OTUB1 to bind to UBE2E1. We show that OTUB1 suppresses UBE2E1 autoubiquitination in vitro and in cells, thereby preventing UBE2E1 from being targeted to the proteasome for degradation. Taken together, we have found a new role for OTUB1 in rescuing specific E2s from degradation in vivo.