title: Viral OTU deubiquitinases: a structural and functional comparison.
abstract: Recent studies have revealed that proteases encoded by three very diverse RNA virus groups share structural similarity with enzymes of the Ovarian Tumor (OTU) superfamily of deubiquitinases (DUBs). The publication of the latest of these reports in quick succession prevented proper recognition and discussion of the shared features of these viral enzymes. Here we provide a brief structural and functional comparison of these virus-encoded OTU DUBs. Interestingly, although their shared structural features and substrate specificity tentatively place them within the same protease superfamily, they also show interesting differences that trigger speculation as to their origins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Ben A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bailey-Elkin
authors.affiliation: Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Puck B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: van Kasteren
authors.affiliation: Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Snijder
authors.affiliation: Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kikkert
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Mark
mesh_terms: D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000201:enzymology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D064570:Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D064570:Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases