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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
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Functional Characterization of RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases In Vitro and In Planta
Published on: December 5, 2019
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Multifaceted roles of U-box E3 ligases in plant development
H N Karthik1, Sourabh Parmar1, Nilesh D Gawande1
1Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat 382355, India.
Plant & Cell Physiology
|May 30, 2025
Summary
Plant U-box (PUB) proteins, a type of E3 ubiquitin ligase, are vital for plant development and stress responses. This review details PUB functions, classification, and expression, enhancing understanding of their role in integrating signals for plant growth.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential for plant metabolic flexibility and signaling.
- Ubiquitination, a key PTM, is regulated by E3 ubiquitin ligases, notably the plant U-box (PUB) protein family.
- PUBs are involved in critical plant processes including development, reproduction, and stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional diversity of PUB proteins in plants.
- To explore the classification, mechanisms of action, and tissue-specific expression of PUBs.
- To synthesize current knowledge on how PUBs mediate plant growth and reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on PUB proteins.
- Analysis of PUB protein domains for classification.
- Examination of published data on PUB expression patterns.
Main Results:
- PUB proteins exhibit significant functional diversity across various plant species.
- PUBs can be classified based on conserved domains, revealing evolutionary relationships.
- Tissue-specific expression patterns highlight the specialized roles of different PUBs.
Conclusions:
- PUBs are crucial regulators integrating environmental cues and internal pathways.
- Understanding PUBs' roles is key to improving plant adaptation and productivity.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of PUBs for future research.
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