Ubiquitin Proteasome System

The human ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is comprised of nearly 1000 proteins. Although originally identified as a mechanism of protein destruction, the UPS has numerous additional functions and mediates central signaling events in myriad processes involved in both cellular and organismal health and homeostasis. Numerous pathways within the UPS are implicated in disease, ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. The goal of this book is to deliver a collection of synopses of current areas of UPS research that highlights the importance of understanding the biology of the UPS to identify disease-relevant pathways, and the need to elucidate the molecular machinations within the UPS to develop methods for therapeutic modulation of these pathways.

A collection of cutting-edge techniques for studying ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation via the proteasome. The topics covered range broadly from basic biochemistry to cellular assays to discovery techniques using mass spectrometric analysis. These biochemical and cellular methods are necessary to explore the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent functions. State-of-the-art and user-friendly, Ubiquitin-Proteasome Protocols offers novice and experienced bench scientists alike a thorough compendium of readily reproducible techniques that will accelerate discovery, enhance productivity, and permit manipulation of the system for varied research purposes.

Over the last decade, major advancements in our understanding of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) have occurred. This book focuses on recent trends in the UPS. The UPS is possibly the most complex of all intracellular pathways as close to 7% of all genes in the human genome make up part of the UPS. This complex system serves as an essential role in intracellular protein degradation, and because of its critical function, improper functioning of the UPS is associated with nearly all know diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases. The proteolytic component of the UPS is the proteasome, a multicatalytic complex found in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Another form of the proteasome, the immunoproteasome, is less abundant than the constitutive proteasome, but is important in immune response and degradation of oxidized proteins, and recent research suggests that it may be important in longevity. The articles in this book discuss recent findings which indicate that mutations in proteins involved with the UPS are associated with genetic diseases such as familial dilated cardiomyopathy, Nakajo syndrome, and spinal muscular atrophy (X-linked). Some chapters also discuss recent results which suggest that the UPS is heavily regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation. The UPS is also heavily regulated by ubiquitination itself. This book contains a research article using PubMed bibliometric data to present current research trends in the UPS. Articles are written so that no one tissue is emphasized to allow readers from any discipline to benefit from this information.

The third of four volumes discusses the role of ubiquitin-mediated protein breakdown in cellular regulation and physiology. Required reading for molecular biologists, cell biologists and physiologists with an interest in the topic.

The second volume in a new series dedicated to protein degradation, this book discusses the mechanism and cellular functions of targeted protein breakdown via the ubiquitin pathway. Drawing on the combined knowledge of the world's leading protein degradation experts, this handy reference compiles information on the proteasome-mediated degradation steps of the ubiquitin pathway. In addition to proteasomal function and regulation, it also presents the latest results on novel members of the ubiquitin superfamily and their role in cellular regulation. Further volumes in the series cover the function of ubiquitin-protein ligases, and the roles of the ubiquitin pathway in regulating key cellular processes, as well as its pathophysiological disease states. Required reading for molecular biologists, cell biologists and physiologists with an interest in protein degradation.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway consists of ubiquitin, substrate proteins, E1 enzymes, E2 enzymes, E3 enzymes, and proteasome, which acts in a series of enzymatic reaction chains to ubiquitinate substrate proteins such as surplus and misfolded proteins for degradation by the proteasome to maintain the balance between protein synthesis and degradation in a cell and tissue. Moreover, deubiquitinating enzymes can remove the attached ubiquitin chain, which results in a reverse ubiquitination-deubiquitination process involved in multiple biological processes in a cell and tissue. The changes of components in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway are associated with multiple pathophysiological processes, such as cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. This book presents the new advances in concepts, analytical methodology, and application of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for clarification of molecular mechanisms and discovery of new therapeutic targets and drugs in different diseases.

This final volume in the series focuses on malfunctions of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and their role in human disease. The editors and authors represent unmatched expertise, comprising virtually all the top scientists in the field, including the pioneers of protein degradation research. From the contents: * Ubiquitin and cancer * Ubiquitin and liver cancer * Muscle atrophy * Aggresomes and human disease * Parkin and neurodegeneration * Chronic neurodegenerative diseases * Parkinson's disease * Ubiquitin and viruses * Druggability of the ubiquitin-proteasome system Required reading for molecular and cell biologists, as well as physiologists with an interest in the topic.