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In Vitro Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Function
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HECT-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer

Francesca Bernassola1, Giovanni Chillemi2, Gerry Melino3

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome 00133, Italy.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|October 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Ubiquitination is vital for cell health. This review explores how HECT-type E3 ligases (E3s) impact cancer development when their function is altered.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Ubiquitination is a key post-translational modification regulating protein homeostasis.
  • E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) are crucial enzymes that confer specificity to ubiquitination.
  • Dysregulation of E3s is implicated in various human diseases, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging roles of HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligases in tumorigenesis.
  • To highlight the contribution of HECT-type E3 perturbations to cancer pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on HECT-type E3 ligases and their involvement in cancer.
  • Analysis of existing research on the mechanisms linking E3 dysfunction to cancer development.

Main Results:

  • HECT-type E3s play significant roles in regulating proteins involved in cell cycle, DNA repair, and signaling pathways critical for cancer.
  • Altered expression or mutations in HECT-type E3s can lead to the destabilization of tumor suppressors or stabilization of oncoproteins.
  • Specific HECT-type E3s have been identified as potential drivers or suppressors in various cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • HECT-type E3 ligases are critical regulators in cancer pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the specific roles of HECT-type E3s in tumorigenesis offers potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligasescancerprotein degradationubiquitinubiquitination

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