Variety, complexity, specificity… infinitively seductive ubiquitin

Abstract

Irecently returned from the 2013 EMBO Conference on ‘Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin‐like proteins: from structure to function’, where I once again marveled at the rapid pace of discovery. From one year to the next, many people have completely new stories to tell and the spirit of the field is one of openness and collegiality. The late Cecile Pickart, a pioneer in ubiquitin research, once referred to ubiquitin as infinitively seductive. I have to agree, in more ways than one. Not only is ubiquitin involved in virtually all aspects of cell biology, but the community goes about its business in a very positive and welcoming manner; an approach not always seen in other areas of the biomedical sciences. Given the rate at which new knowledge is acquired, and seeing the wealth of primary research published, we were inspired last year to put together a Review Series on ‘Ubiquitylation: mechanism and functions’. Some aspects of the latest research were not included—such as the role of ubiquitin in DNA repair, and the roles and regulation of deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs)—as excellent …