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14 pages, 4823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Potential of Circulating Ube2h mRNA as an E2 Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme for Diagnosis or Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

by Key-Hwan Lim and Jae-Yeol Joo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(9), 3398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093398 - 11 May 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4779

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders are caused by neuronal cell death, miscommunications between synapse, and abnormal accumulations of proteins in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the age-related disorders, which are the most common degenerative disorders today, and strongly affects memory consolidation and cognitive [...] Read more.

Neurodegenerative disorders are caused by neuronal cell death, miscommunications between synapse, and abnormal accumulations of proteins in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the age-related disorders, which are the most common degenerative disorders today, and strongly affects memory consolidation and cognitive function in the brain. Amyloid-β and tau proteins are triggers for AD pathogenesis, and usually used as AD candidate biomarkers in the clinical research. Especially, clinical exam, brain imaging and molecular biological methods are being used to diagnosis for AD. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a new biomedical method, and its use contributes to understanding many human diseases, including brain diseases. Here, we identified ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 (Ube2) gene expression in neurons through GWAS. The subfamilies of Ube2’s genetic expression and inborn errors affect the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), leading to protein degradation in the brain. We found that only Ube2h mRNA transcription was significantly increased in the blood from AD, however we did not find any change of Ube2 subfamily genes’ expression in the blood and brain tissue. These data may provide information for diagnosis or clinical approach, and suggest that cell-free circulating Ube2h mRNA is a novel potential biomarker for AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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17 pages, 3384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP20 Regulates the TNFα-Induced NF-κB Signaling Pathway through Stabilization of p62

by Jihoon Ha, Minbeom Kim, Dongyeob Seo, Jin Seok Park, Jaewon Lee, Jinjoo Lee and Seok Hee Park

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(9), 3116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21093116 - 28 Apr 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4711

Abstract

p62/sequestosome-1 is a scaffolding protein involved in diverse cellular processes such as autophagy, oxidative stress, cell survival and death. It has been identified to interact with atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKCs), linking these kinases to NF-κB activation by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). [...] Read more.

p62/sequestosome-1 is a scaffolding protein involved in diverse cellular processes such as autophagy, oxidative stress, cell survival and death. It has been identified to interact with atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKCs), linking these kinases to NF-κB activation by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). The diverse functions of p62 are regulated through post-translational modifications of several domains within p62. Among the enzymes that mediate these post-translational modifications, little is known about the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that remove ubiquitin chains from p62, compared to the E3 ligases involved in p62 ubiquitination. In this study, we first demonstrate a role of ubiquitin-specific protease USP20 in regulating p62 stability in TNFα-mediated NF-κB activation. USP20 specifically binds to p62 and acts as a positive regulator for NF-κB activation by TNFα through deubiquitinating lysine 48 (K48)-linked polyubiquitination, eventually contributing to cell survival. Furthermore, depletion of USP20 disrupts formation of the atypical PKCζ-RIPK1-p62 complex required for TNFα-mediated NF-κB activation and significantly increases the apoptosis induced by TNFα plus cycloheximide or TNFα plus TAK1 inhibitor. These findings strongly suggest that the USP20-p62 axis plays an essential role in NF-κB-mediated cell survival induced by the TNFα-atypical PKCζ signaling pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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12 pages, 2073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Expression of DUB Genes in Ovarian Cells Treated with Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate

by Da-Hye Lee, Jun-Hyeok Park, Jihye Choi, Kyung-Ju Lee, Bo-Seong Yun and Kwang-Hyun Baek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(5), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21051755 - 4 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3241

Abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as loss of ovarian function in women less than 40 years of age. The causes of POF are diverse and include environmental factors. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one factor that may cause POF. The ubiquitin-proteasome system maintains [...] Read more.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as loss of ovarian function in women less than 40 years of age. The causes of POF are diverse and include environmental factors. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one factor that may cause POF. The ubiquitin-proteasome system maintains intracellular balance by promoting or inhibiting protein degradation. To investigate the differential expressions of deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) genes in patients with POF, we developed two in vitro POF models by treating A2780 or OVCAR5 with DEHP. Using these models, a multiplex RT-PCR system for DUB genes was applied to identify biomarkers by comparing expression patterns and DUB mRNA levels; multiplex RT-PCR results were validated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting analyses. Observed differential expression levels of several DUB genes including USP12, COPS5, ATXN3L, USP49, and USP34 in A2780 and OVCAR5 cells at the mRNA and protein levels suggest that they should be investigated as potential biomarkers of POF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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Review

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16 pages, 939 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assay Systems for Profiling Deubiquitinating Activity

by Jinhong Cho, Jinyoung Park, Eunice EunKyeong Kim and Eun Joo Song

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(16), 5638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21165638 - 6 Aug 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5790

Abstract

Deubiquitinating enzymes regulate various cellular processes, particularly protein degradation, localization, and protein–protein interactions. The dysregulation of deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) activity has been linked to several diseases; however, the function of many DUBs has not been identified. Therefore, the development of methods to assess [...] Read more.

Deubiquitinating enzymes regulate various cellular processes, particularly protein degradation, localization, and protein–protein interactions. The dysregulation of deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) activity has been linked to several diseases; however, the function of many DUBs has not been identified. Therefore, the development of methods to assess DUB activity is important to identify novel DUBs, characterize DUB selectivity, and profile dynamic DUB substrates. Here, we review various methods of evaluating DUB activity using cell lysates or purified DUBs, as well as the types of probes used in these methods. In addition, we introduce some techniques that can deliver DUB probes into the cells and cell-permeable activity-based probes to directly visualize and quantify DUB activity in live cells. This review could contribute to the development of DUB inhibitors by providing important information on the characteristics and applications of various probes used to evaluate and detect DUB activity in vitro and in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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16 pages, 3680 KiB

Open AccessReview

Deubiquitination Reactions on the Proteasome for Proteasome Versatility

by Ji Yeong Shin, Srinivasan Muniyappan, Non-Nuoc Tran, Hyeonjeong Park, Sung Bae Lee and Byung-Hoon Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(15), 5312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155312 - 27 Jul 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5363

Abstract

The 26S proteasome, a master player in proteolysis, is the most complex and meticulously contextured protease in eukaryotic cells. While capable of hosting thousands of discrete substrates due to the selective recognition of ubiquitin tags, this protease complex is also dynamically checked through [...] Read more.

The 26S proteasome, a master player in proteolysis, is the most complex and meticulously contextured protease in eukaryotic cells. While capable of hosting thousands of discrete substrates due to the selective recognition of ubiquitin tags, this protease complex is also dynamically checked through diverse regulatory mechanisms. The proteasome’s versatility ensures precise control over active proteolysis, yet prevents runaway or futile degradation of many essential cellular proteins. Among the multi-layered processes regulating the proteasome’s proteolysis, deubiquitination reactions are prominent because they not only recycle ubiquitins, but also impose a critical checkpoint for substrate degradation on the proteasome. Of note, three distinct classes of deubiquitinating enzymes—USP14, RPN11, and UCH37—are associated with the 19S subunits of the human proteasome. Recent biochemical and structural studies suggest that these enzymes exert dynamic influence over proteasome output with limited redundancy, and at times act in opposition. Such distinct activities occur spatially on the proteasome, temporally through substrate processing, and differentially for ubiquitin topology. Therefore, deubiquitinating enzymes on the proteasome may fine-tune the degradation depending on various cellular contexts and for dynamic proteolysis outcomes. Given that the proteasome is among the most important drug targets, the biology of proteasome-associated deubiquitination should be further elucidated for its potential targeting in human diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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20 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

by Tiao Li and Chunbin Zou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(14), 4842; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21144842 - 8 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5329

Abstract

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) are characterized by an inflammatory response, alveolar edema, and hypoxemia. ARDS occurs most often in the settings of pneumonia, sepsis, aspiration of gastric contents, or severe trauma. The prevalence of ARDS is approximately 10% [...] Read more.

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) are characterized by an inflammatory response, alveolar edema, and hypoxemia. ARDS occurs most often in the settings of pneumonia, sepsis, aspiration of gastric contents, or severe trauma. The prevalence of ARDS is approximately 10% in patients of intensive care. There is no effective remedy with mortality high at 30–40%. Most functional proteins are dynamic and stringently governed by ubiquitin proteasomal degradation. Protein ubiquitination is reversible, the covalently attached monoubiquitin or polyubiquitin moieties within the targeted protein can be removed by a group of enzymes called deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Deubiquitination plays an important role in the pathobiology of ALI/ARDS as it regulates proteins critical in engagement of the alveolo-capillary barrier and in the inflammatory response. In this review, we provide an overview of how DUBs emerge in pathogen-induced pulmonary inflammation and related aspects in ALI/ARDS. Better understanding of deubiquitination-relatedsignaling may lead to novel therapeutic approaches by targeting specific elements of the deubiquitination pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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34 pages, 1466 KiB

Open AccessReview

How Do Post-Translational Modifications Influence the Pathomechanistic Landscape of Huntington’s Disease? A Comprehensive Review

by Beata Lontay, Andrea Kiss, László Virág and Krisztina Tar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(12), 4282; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21124282 - 16 Jun 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4804

Abstract

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor control and cognitive ability, which eventually leads to death. The mutant huntingtin protein (HTT) exhibits an expansion of a polyglutamine repeat. The mechanism of pathogenesis is still [...] Read more.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor control and cognitive ability, which eventually leads to death. The mutant huntingtin protein (HTT) exhibits an expansion of a polyglutamine repeat. The mechanism of pathogenesis is still not fully characterized; however, evidence suggests that post-translational modifications (PTMs) of HTT and upstream and downstream proteins of neuronal signaling pathways are involved. The determination and characterization of PTMs are essential to understand the mechanisms at work in HD, to define possible therapeutic targets better, and to challenge the scientific community to develop new approaches and methods. The discovery and characterization of a panoply of PTMs in HTT aggregation and cellular events in HD will bring us closer to understanding how the expression of mutant polyglutamine-containing HTT affects cellular homeostasis that leads to the perturbation of cell functions, neurotoxicity, and finally, cell death. Hence, here we review the current knowledge on recently identified PTMs of HD-related proteins and their pathophysiological relevance in the formation of abnormal protein aggregates, proteolytic dysfunction, and alterations of mitochondrial and metabolic pathways, neuroinflammatory regulation, excitotoxicity, and abnormal regulation of gene expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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16 pages, 4511 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in the Various Forms of Autophagy

by Tamás Csizmadia and Péter Lőw

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(12), 4196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21124196 - 12 Jun 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4387

Abstract

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have an essential role in several cell biological processes via removing the various ubiquitin patterns as posttranslational modification forms from the target proteins. These enzymes also contribute to the normal cytoplasmic ubiquitin pool during the recycling of this molecule. Autophagy, [...] Read more.

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have an essential role in several cell biological processes via removing the various ubiquitin patterns as posttranslational modification forms from the target proteins. These enzymes also contribute to the normal cytoplasmic ubiquitin pool during the recycling of this molecule. Autophagy, a summary name of the lysosome dependent self-degradative processes, is necessary for maintaining normal cellular homeostatic equilibrium. Numerous forms of autophagy are known depending on how the cellular self-material is delivered into the lysosomal lumen. In this review we focus on the colorful role of DUBs in autophagic processes and discuss the mechanistic contribution of these molecules to normal cellular homeostasis via the possible regulation forms of autophagic mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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18 pages, 2233 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regulation of Deubiquitinating Enzymes by Post-Translational Modifications

by Tanuza Das, Sang Chul Shin, Eun Joo Song and Eunice EunKyeong Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 4028; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21114028 - 4 Jun 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4909

Abstract

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination play a critical role in all aspects of cellular processes, and the enzymes involved are tightly regulated by multiple factors including posttranslational modifications like most other proteins. Dysfunction or misregulation of these enzymes could have dramatic physiological consequences, sometimes leading [...] Read more.

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination play a critical role in all aspects of cellular processes, and the enzymes involved are tightly regulated by multiple factors including posttranslational modifications like most other proteins. Dysfunction or misregulation of these enzymes could have dramatic physiological consequences, sometimes leading to diseases. Therefore, it is important to have a clear understanding of these regulatory processes. Here, we have reviewed the posttranslational modifications of deubiquitinating enzymes and their consequences on the catalytic activity, stability, abundance, localization, and interaction with the partner proteins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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28 pages, 2403 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regulation of Wnt Signaling through Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination in Cancers

by Hong-Beom Park, Ju-Won Kim and Kwang-Hyun Baek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 3904; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21113904 - 30 May 2020

Cited by 93 | Viewed by 11187

Abstract

The Wnt signaling pathway plays important roles in embryonic development, homeostatic processes, cell differentiation, cell polarity, cell proliferation, and cell migration via the β-catenin binding of Wnt target genes. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is associated with various diseases such as cancer, aging, Alzheimer’s [...] Read more.

The Wnt signaling pathway plays important roles in embryonic development, homeostatic processes, cell differentiation, cell polarity, cell proliferation, and cell migration via the β-catenin binding of Wnt target genes. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is associated with various diseases such as cancer, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic disease, and pigmentation disorders. Numerous studies entailing the Wnt signaling pathway have been conducted for various cancers. Diverse signaling factors mediate the up- or down-regulation of Wnt signaling through post-translational modifications (PTMs), and aberrant regulation is associated with several different malignancies in humans. Of the numerous PTMs involved, most Wnt signaling factors are regulated by ubiquitination and deubiquitination. Ubiquitination by E3 ligase attaches ubiquitins to target proteins and usually induces proteasomal degradation of Wnt signaling factors such as β-catenin, Axin, GSK3, and Dvl. Conversely, deubiquitination induced by the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) detaches the ubiquitins and modulates the stability of signaling factors. In this review, we discuss the effects of ubiquitination and deubiquitination on the Wnt signaling pathway, and the inhibitors of DUBs that can be applied for cancer therapeutic strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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17 pages, 950 KiB

Open AccessReview

Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Coronaviruses and Possible Therapeutic Opportunities for COVID-19

by Valentino Clemente, Padraig D’Arcy and Martina Bazzaro

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(10), 3492; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21103492 - 15 May 2020

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7146

Abstract

Following the outbreak of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)2, the majority of nations are struggling with countermeasures to fight infection, prevent spread and improve patient survival. Considering that the pandemic is a recent event, no large clinical trials have been possible [...] Read more.

Following the outbreak of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)2, the majority of nations are struggling with countermeasures to fight infection, prevent spread and improve patient survival. Considering that the pandemic is a recent event, no large clinical trials have been possible and since coronavirus specific drug are not yet available, there is no strong consensus on how to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated viral pneumonia. Coronaviruses code for an important multifunctional enzyme named papain-like protease (PLP), that has many roles in pathogenesis. First, PLP is one of the two viral cysteine proteases, along with 3-chymotripsin-like protease, that is responsible for the production of the replicase proteins required for viral replication. Second, its intrinsic deubiquitinating and deISGylating activities serve to antagonize the host’s immune response that would otherwise hinder infection. Both deubiquitinating and deISGylating functions involve the removal of the small regulatory polypeptides, ubiquitin and ISG15, respectively, from target proteins. Ubiquitin modifications can regulate the innate immune response by affecting regulatory proteins, either by altering their stability via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway or by directly regulating their activity. ISG15 is a ubiquitin-like modifier with pleiotropic effects, typically expressed during the host cell immune response. PLP inhibitors have been evaluated during past coronavirus epidemics, and have showed promising results as an antiviral therapy in vitro. In this review, we recapitulate the roles of PLPs in coronavirus infections, report a list of PLP inhibitors and suggest possible therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 treatment, using both clinical and preclinical drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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15 pages, 976 KiB

Open AccessReview

Deubiquitinating Enzymes: A Critical Regulator of Mitosis

by Jinyoung Park, Jinhong Cho, Eunice EunKyeong Kim and Eun Joo Song

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(23), 5997; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20235997 - 28 Nov 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4584

Abstract

Mitosis is a complex and dynamic process that is tightly regulated by a large number of mitotic proteins. Dysregulation of these proteins can generate daughter cells that exhibit genomic instability and aneuploidy, and such cells can transform into tumorigenic cells. Thus, it is [...] Read more.

Mitosis is a complex and dynamic process that is tightly regulated by a large number of mitotic proteins. Dysregulation of these proteins can generate daughter cells that exhibit genomic instability and aneuploidy, and such cells can transform into tumorigenic cells. Thus, it is important for faithful mitotic progression to regulate mitotic proteins at specific locations in the cells at a given time in each phase of mitosis. Ubiquitin-dependent modifications play critical roles in this process by regulating the degradation, translocation, or signal transduction of mitotic proteins. Here, we review how ubiquitination and deubiquitination regulate the progression of mitosis. In addition, we summarize the substrates and roles of some deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) crucial for mitosis and describe how they contribute error correction during mitosis and control the transition between the mitotic phases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteolytic Control of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Health and Disease)

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