Updated project metadata. RING-Between-RING (RBR) E3 ligases mediate ubiquitin transfer through an obligate E3- ubiquitin thioester intermediately prior to substrate ubiquitination. While RBRs share a conserved catalytic module, substrate recruitment mechanisms remain enigmatic and the relevant domains have yet to be identified for any member of the class. Here we characterize the interaction between the auto-inhibited RBR, HHARI (AriH1), and its target protein, 4EHP, using a combination of XL-MS, HDX-MS, NMR, and biochemical studies. The results show that 1) a di-aromatic surface on the catalytic HHARI Rcat domain forms a binding platform for substrates and 2) a phospho-mimetic mutation on the auto-inhibitory Ariadne domain of HHARI promotes release and reorientation of Rcat for transthiolation and substrate modification. The findings represent the first identification of a direct binding interaction between a RING-Between-RING ligase and its substrate.