Activation of Nedd4L Ubiquitin Ligase by FCHO2-generated Membrane Curvature

Abstract

The C2-WW-HECT domain ubiquitin ligase Nedd4L regulates sorting in endocytosis by mediating ubiquitination of cargo molecules, such as the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Defects in ENaC ubiquitination cause Liddle syndrome, a hereditary hypertension. Nedd4L is catalytically autoinhibited by an intramolecular interaction between the C2 and HECT domains, but the activation mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we show that Nedd4L is activated by membranes sculpted by FCHO2, a Bin-Amphiphysin-Rsv (BAR) domain protein that regulates endocytosis. We found that FCHO2 was required for Nedd4L-mediated ubiquitination and endocytosis of ENaC. Nedd4L co-localized with FCHO2 at clathrin-coated pits where it likely became activated. Nedd4L was specifically recruited to and activated by the FCHO2 BAR domain exogenously expressed in cells. Furthermore, we reconstituted in vitro FCHO2-induced recruitment and activation of Nedd4L. Both the recruitment and activation were mediated by membrane curvature rather than protein-protein interactions. The Nedd4L C2 domain recognized a specific degree of membrane curvature that was generated by the FCHO2 BAR domain. Consequently, this curvature activated Nedd4L by relieving autoinhibition. Thus, we show for the first time a specific functionality (i.e., recruitment and activation of an enzyme regulating cargo sorting) of membrane curvature by a BAR domain protein.