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Updated: Feb 1, 2026

In Vitro Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Function
Published on: May 14, 2021
The transcription of pafA, encoding the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein ligase, is regulated by PafBC
Maayan Korman1, Yifat Elharar1, Itzhak Fishov1
1Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
Aim:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses an intracellular tagging and degradation system, which has emerged as a target for development of anti-tuberculosis agents. In this system, PafA is the ligase that marks proteins for degradation by their covalent modification with a protein modifier. Here, we studied pafA transcriptional regulation, which remained elusive despite its importance for M. tuberculosis virulence.
Materials & Methods:
Working with Mycobacterium smegmatis, a mycobacterial model organism, we examined the involvement of the global regulators PafB and PafC in pafA regulation.
Results:
PafBC activated pafA transcription following DNA damage, resulting in efficient cellular recovery.
Conclusion:
The results unraveled the involvement of PafBC in pafA transcription, and revealed the importance of proper PafA regulation in mycobacterial physiology.
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