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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

In Vitro Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Function
Published on: May 14, 2021
HERC Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer
Joan Sala-Gaston1, Arturo Martinez-Martinez1, Leonardo Pedrazza1
1Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d'Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
HERC proteins are ubiquitin E3 ligases of the HECT family. The HERC subfamily is composed of six members classified by size into large (HERC1 and HERC2) and small (HERC3-HERC6). HERC family ubiquitin ligases regulate important cellular processes, such as neurodevelopment, DNA damage response, cell proliferation, cell migration, and immune responses. Accumulating evidence also shows that this family plays critical roles in cancer. In this review, we provide an integrated view of the role of these ligases in cancer, highlighting their bivalent functions as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on the tumor type. We include a discussion of both the molecular mechanisms involved and the potential therapeutic strategies.
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