title: Ubiquitin in chains.
abstract: The ubiquitin-proteasome system fulfills an essential function in eukaryotes by controlling the levels of crucial intracellular regulatory proteins. In this system, a specific type of polyubiquitin chain acts as the proximal signal for targeting substrates to 26S proteasomes for degradation. Recent results have revealed important determinants of polyubiquitin-chain recognition by proteasomes, helping to explain the biological rationale behind this novel signaling mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. cpickart@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pickart
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000378:metabolism; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D025821:Polyubiquitin; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D014452:Ubiquitins; D025821:Polyubiquitin; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex