Deubiquitinase

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are enzymes that remove ubiquitin molecules from proteins, a process critical for regulating protein degradation, localization, activity, and function in cells. Ubiquitination is a reversible post-translational modification that typically marks proteins for degradation by the proteasome, but it can also influence other cellular processes. DUBs serve to edit or trim ubiquitin chains, thus controlling the fate and function of proteins within the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Given their role in maintaining protein homeostasis and regulating key signaling pathways, DUBs are emerging as important therapeutic targets, especially in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases where protein misregulation is a hallmark. Inhibiting specific DUBs can potentially correct these protein regulation abnormalities.