Fine-Tuning Proteostasis: Insights into Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination Pathways
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 100
Special Issue Editor
Interests: deubiquitinating enzyme; cell proliferation; apoptosis; ubiquitin-specific protease; signal transduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis through the dynamic regulation of protein turnover, signaling pathways, and stress responses. Among the core mechanisms within this system, ubiquitination and deubiquitination represent critical post-translational modifications that orchestrate protein fate decisions—including degradation, localization, and activity modulation. Dysregulation of these processes is increasingly being identified as a causative in various human diseases, such as cancers, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and so on. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms in signaling pathways will provide new insights into the development of more specific therapeutic approaches.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of ubiquitination and deubiquitination processes. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore how these reversible modifications regulate fundamental aspects of cellular physiology, including but not limited to, the following:
- Protein quality control and proteostasis;
- Signal transduction pathways;
- Cell cycle and apoptosis;
- DNA damage response;
- Immune and inflammatory responses;
- Stress adaptation and autophagy.
Furthermore, this Special Issue encourages submissions that address novel regulatory components, crosstalk with other post-translational modifications, and emerging techniques (e.g., proteomics, CRISPR-based screening, PROTAC/DUBTAC approaches) that elucidate the dynamic nature of ubiquitin signaling networks.
By gathering insights from diverse biological systems and model organisms, this Issue aims to deepen our understanding of how fine-tuning ubiquitination and deubiquitination contributes to cellular homeostasis and may uncover therapeutic opportunities for diseases associated with proteostasis imbalance.
Prof. Dr. Kwang-Hyun Baek
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- deubiquitination
- homeostasis
- posttranslational modification
- proteasomal degradation
- protein quality control
- proteolysis
- proteostasis
- signaling pathway
- small molecule
- ubiquitin-proteasome system
- ubiquitination
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