PMID: 32632011 , Related PDB id: 6WCW
Authors:
Bhargava HK, Tabata K, Byck JM, Hamasaki M, Farrell DP, Anishchenko I, DiMaio F, Im YJ, Yoshimori T, Hurley JH
Title:
Structural basis for autophagy inhibition by the human Rubicon-Rab7 complex.
Journal:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Jul 6. pii: 2008030117. doi:, 10.1073/pnas.2008030117.
Abstract:
Rubicon is a potent negative regulator of autophagy and a potential target for autophagy-inducing therapeutics. Rubicon-mediated inhibition of autophagy requires the interaction of the C-terminal Rubicon homology (RH) domain of Rubicon with Rab7-GTP. Here we report the 2.8-A crystal structure of the Rubicon RH domain in complex with Rab7-GTP. Our structure reveals a fold for the RH domain built around four zinc clusters. The switch regions of Rab7 insert into pockets on the surface of the RH domain in a mode that is distinct from those of other Rab-effector complexes. Rubicon residues at the dimer interface are required for Rubicon and Rab7 to colocalize in living cells. Mutation of Rubicon RH residues in the Rab7-binding site restores efficient autophagic flux in the presence of overexpressed Rubicon, validating the Rubicon RH domain as a promising therapeutic target.