Nedd4-like proteins: an emerging family of ubiquitin-protein ligases implicated in diverse cellular functions

The members of an emerging family of proteins similar to Nedd4 have a unique modular structure consisting of a Ca2+/lipid-binding domain, multiple protein-protein interaction modules and a ubiquitin-protein ligase domain. Although little is known about the physiological roles of these proteins, studies in both mammals and yeast are providing evidence that members of this family might be involved in diverse cellular functions, such as regulation of membrane channels and permeases, the cell cycle and transcription. This article attempts to bring together what is currently known about these evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-protein ligases.