Max Planck Institute Deciphers 'Ubiquitin Code' to Control Cell Health and Disease
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry have created UbiREAD, a tool that deciphers the 'ubiquitin code'. This code, made up of tiny protein tags called ubiquitins, plays a crucial role in controlling cell health and disease. Ubiquitins can attach to other proteins in various combinations and chains, marking them for degradation. Researchers found that even chains with just three ubiquitins can effectively trigger this process. However, the exact context and arrangement of these tags greatly influence their impact. The study, led by Jin Wang and Xuebiao Yao, revealed which ubiquitin codes prompt protein degradation and which do not. UbiREAD, their innovative technology, labels fluorescent proteins with specific ubiquitin combinations and tracks their degradation within cells. This enables a deeper understanding of how cells dispose of damaged, misfolded, or unwanted proteins, which are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer. For instance, proteins tagged with K48 ubiquitin chains are swiftly degraded, while those with K63 chains are not. The ubiquitin code can range from a single tag to multiple ubiquitins connected in eight different ways, forming chains of varying lengths and types. UbiREAD, developed by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, offers a powerful new way to study how cells manage their protein waste. By deciphering the ubiquitin code, scientists can better understand and potentially treat diseases caused by protein misregulation.
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