The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth

Post-translational modification of spastin enables precise spatiotemporal control of its microtubule severing activity. However, the detailed mechanism by which spastin turnover is regulated in the context of neurite outgrowth remains unknown. Here, we found that spastin interacted with ubiquitin an...

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Main Authors: Zhenbin Cai, Hui Wu, Tao Jiang, Ao Ma, Zhichao Meng, Jiehao Zhu, Hongsheng Lin, Yaozhong Liang, Guowei Zhang, Minghui Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2026-04-01
Series:Neural Regeneration Research
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00037
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author Zhenbin Cai
Hui Wu
Tao Jiang
Ao Ma
Zhichao Meng
Jiehao Zhu
Hongsheng Lin
Yaozhong Liang
Guowei Zhang
Minghui Tan
author_facet Zhenbin Cai
Hui Wu
Tao Jiang
Ao Ma
Zhichao Meng
Jiehao Zhu
Hongsheng Lin
Yaozhong Liang
Guowei Zhang
Minghui Tan
author_sort Zhenbin Cai
collection DOAJ
description Post-translational modification of spastin enables precise spatiotemporal control of its microtubule severing activity. However, the detailed mechanism by which spastin turnover is regulated in the context of neurite outgrowth remains unknown. Here, we found that spastin interacted with ubiquitin and was significantly degraded by K48-mediated poly-ubiquitination. Cullin3 facilitated spastin degradation and ubiquitination. RING-box protein 1, but not RING-box protein 2, acted synergistically with Cullin3 protein to regulate spastin degradation. Overexpression of Culin3 or BRX1 markedly suppressed spastin expression, and inhibited spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth. Moreover, USP14 interacted directly with spastin to mediate its de-ubiquitination. USP14 overexpression significantly increased spastin expression and suppressed its ubiquitination and degradation. Although co-expression of spastin and USP14 did not enhance microtubule severing, it did increase neurite length in hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these findings elucidate the intricate regulatory mechanisms of spastin turnover, highlighting the roles of the Cullin-3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 in orchestrating its ubiquitination and degradation. The dynamic interplay between these factors governs spastin stability and function, ultimately influencing microtubule dynamics and neuronal morphology. These insights shed light on potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders associated with spastin defects.
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language English
publishDate 2026-04-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-5f985a66dd9b4e9386812183ec4eeb4b2025-08-20T03:31:40ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNeural Regeneration Research1673-53741876-79582026-04-012141641165110.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00037The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowthZhenbin CaiHui WuTao JiangAo MaZhichao MengJiehao ZhuHongsheng LinYaozhong LiangGuowei ZhangMinghui TanPost-translational modification of spastin enables precise spatiotemporal control of its microtubule severing activity. However, the detailed mechanism by which spastin turnover is regulated in the context of neurite outgrowth remains unknown. Here, we found that spastin interacted with ubiquitin and was significantly degraded by K48-mediated poly-ubiquitination. Cullin3 facilitated spastin degradation and ubiquitination. RING-box protein 1, but not RING-box protein 2, acted synergistically with Cullin3 protein to regulate spastin degradation. Overexpression of Culin3 or BRX1 markedly suppressed spastin expression, and inhibited spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth. Moreover, USP14 interacted directly with spastin to mediate its de-ubiquitination. USP14 overexpression significantly increased spastin expression and suppressed its ubiquitination and degradation. Although co-expression of spastin and USP14 did not enhance microtubule severing, it did increase neurite length in hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these findings elucidate the intricate regulatory mechanisms of spastin turnover, highlighting the roles of the Cullin-3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 in orchestrating its ubiquitination and degradation. The dynamic interplay between these factors governs spastin stability and function, ultimately influencing microtubule dynamics and neuronal morphology. These insights shed light on potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders associated with spastin defects.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00037cullin3microtubule severingneurite outgrowthprotein degradationspastinubiquitinationusp14
spellingShingle Zhenbin Cai
Hui Wu
Tao Jiang
Ao Ma
Zhichao Meng
Jiehao Zhu
Hongsheng Lin
Yaozhong Liang
Guowei Zhang
Minghui Tan
The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
Neural Regeneration Research
cullin3
microtubule severing
neurite outgrowth
protein degradation
spastin
ubiquitination
usp14
title The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
title_full The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
title_fullStr The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
title_full_unstemmed The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
title_short The Cullin3–Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and USP14 regulate spastin-mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
title_sort cullin3 ring e3 ubiquitin ligase complex and usp14 regulate spastin mediated microtubule severing and promotion of neurite outgrowth
topic cullin3
microtubule severing
neurite outgrowth
protein degradation
spastin
ubiquitination
usp14
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00037
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