The Need4-binding partner 1 (N4BP1) protein is an inhibitor of the E3 ligase Itch

Nedd4-binding partner-1 (N4BP1) has been identified as a protein interactor and a substrate of the homologous to E6AP C terminus [HECT) domain-containing E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (E3), Nedd4. Here, we describe a previously unrecognized functional interaction between N4BIP1 and Itch, a Nedd4 structurally related E3, which contains four WW domains, conferring substrate-binding activity. We show that N4BP1 association with the second WW domain (WW2) of Itch interferes with E3 binding to its substrates. In particular, we found that N4BP1 and p73a, a target of Itchmediated ubiquitin/proteasome proteolysis, share the same bindling site. By competing with p73a for binding to the WW2 domain, N4BP1 reduces the ability of Itch to recruit and ubiquitylate p73a and inhibits Itch autoubiquitylation activity both in in vitro and in vivo ubiquitylation assays. Similarly, both c-Jun and p63 polyubiquitylation by Itch are inhibited by N4BlP1. As a consequence, genetic and RNAi knockdown of N4lBP1 diminish the steady-state protein levels and significantly impair the transcriptional activity of Itch substrates. Notably, stress-induced induction of c-Jun was impaired in N4BP1-1- cells. These results demonstrate that N41BP1 functions as a negative regulator of Itch. In addition, because inhibition of Itch by N4BP1 results in the stabilization of crucial cell death regulators such as p73a and c-Jun, it is conceivable that N4lBP1 may have a role in regulating tumor progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.