Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RNF213, which encodes a 591kDa protein with AAA+ ATPase and RING E3 domains, are associated with a rare, autosomal dominant cerebrovascular disorder, Moyamoya disease (MMD). MMD-associated SNPs primarily localize to the C-terminal region of RNF213, and some affect conserved residues in the RING domain. Although the autosomal dominant inheritance of MMD could most easily be explained by RNF213 gain-of-function, the type of ubiquitylation catalyzed by RNF213 and the effects of MMD-associated SNPs on its E3-ligase activity have remained unclear. We found that the RING domain of RNF213 uses the E2-conjugating enzyme UBE2D2 to catalyze predominantly K6-dependent poly-ubiquitination events comprising a mixture of typical and atypical ubiquitin linkages. MMD-associated SNPs encode proteins with decreased E3-ligase activity and the most frequent MMD allele, RNF213R4810K, is a dominant negative mutant that decreases ubiquitylation globally. By contrast, MMD-associated RNF213 SNPs do not affect ATPase activity. We propose that decreased RNF213 E3-ligase activity is central to MMD pathogenesis.
Competing Interest Statement
B.G.N. is a co-founder, has equity in, and receives consulting revenue from Northern Biologics and Navire Pharmaceuticals. He is a member of the SAB, holds equity in, and receives consulting fees from Arvinas, Inc. He is an expert witness for Johnson and Johnson in the ovarian cancer talc litigation in US Federal Court. His spouse holds equity in Arvinas, Inc, Amgen, Gilead, and Regeneron. None of these interests is directly relevant to the work herein.
