Description
Tissue regeneration is a complex process mediated by key molecular pathways and is not entirely understood. Regulation of biochemical functions must be kept strictly in check in biological systems to facilitate intricate processes such as regeneration. Post-translational regulation involves biochemical modification of target proteins, which can drive different cellular processes. The ubiquitin pathway is a well-characterized system that plays a role in post-translational modification of proteins. It involves a cascade of events that results in protein ubiquitination and is known for playing diverse roles in cells including proteasomemediated protein degradation. Central to the ubiquitin pathway are E3 ubiquitin ligases, which are enzyme complexes responsible for mediating protein ubiquitination. Cullin-3 is a member of the Cullin E3 family and plays important functions in processes including cell-cycle progression, neural development and other developmental roles. Specifically, Cullin-3 protein interacts with its substrates through the BTB (Brick-a-Brac, Tramtrack, Broadcomplex) substrate-recognition proteins that selectively bind targets destined for ubiquitination. In humans, its dysfunction is associated with different disorders including metabolic disease, dystrophies, and cancer. Mutations in some btb genes are also associated with several human conditions, including progressive neurodegenerative diseases. cullin-3 requires further study because it plays important roles in cellular regulation and is relevant to human disease.
