title: New Insights Into the Role of Ubiquitylation of Proteins.
abstract: Posttranslational modification of proteins by the addition of ubiquitin and related modifiers has an essential role in cellular processes such as protein degradation and subcellular localization. This impacts on the study of cell and developmental biology in diseases such as cancer, and on the study of protein folding and stability in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of protein aggregation and misfolding. Recently, there have been many additions to the ubiquitylation literature that have challenged, revised, and expanded our understanding and future directions of this process. Here we present a comprehensive overview of the classical textbook description of protein ubiquitylation and then review the recent literature that has challenged and revised the canonical models of protein ubiquitylation. We discuss the roles of noncanonical ubiquitylation at sites other than lysine residues, unconventional ubiquitylation of mixed and branched polyubiquitin chains, and highlight the role of other structural and posttranslational modifications in ubiquitylation that have been identified in the recent literature. By highlighting the assumptions that have been challenged and revised in the field of protein ubiquitylation, we hope to stimulate further study and questions about this ubiquitous protein modification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States. Electronic address: garymcdow@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, MRC/Hutchison Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philpott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism; D054875:Ubiquitination
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin
keywords: mass spectrometry; posttranslational modification; protein degradation; ubiquitin-like modifications; ubiquitination; ubiquitylation