Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
Published on: December 19, 2018
OTU Domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde-binding protein 1 (OTUB1) deubiquitinates estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and
Vladimir Stanišić1, Anna Malovannaya1, Jun Qin1
1From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Abstract:
Estrogen receptor (ER) alpha is an essential component in human physiology and is a key factor involved in the development of breast and endometrial cancers. ERalpha protein levels and transcriptional activity are tightly controlled by the ubiquitin proteasome system. Deubiquitinating enzymes, a class of proteases capable of removing ubiquitin from proteins, are increasingly being seen as key modulators of the ubiquitin proteasome system, regulating protein stability and other functions by countering the actions of ubiquitin ligases. Using mass spectrometry analysis of an ERalpha protein complex, we identified OTU domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde-binding protein 1 (OTUB1) as a novel ERalpha-interacting protein capable of deubiquitinating ERalpha in cells and in vitro. We show that OTUB1 negatively regulates transcription mediated by ERalpha in transient reporter gene assays and transcription mediated by endogenous ERalpha in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. We also show that OTUB1 regulates the availability and functional activity of ERalpha in Ishikawa cells by affecting the transcription of the ERalpha gene and by stabilizing the ERalpha protein in the chromatin.
Related Concept Videos
The Unfolded Protein Response
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER

