Ubiquitin, SUMO, and NEDD8: Key Targets of Bacterial Pathogens

Trends Cell Biol. 2018 Nov;28(11):926-940. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Aug 11.

Abstract

Manipulation of host protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) is used by various pathogens to interfere with host cell functions. Among these modifications, ubiquitin (UBI) and ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) constitute key targets because they are regulators of pathways essential for the host cell. In particular, these PTM modifiers control pathways that have been described as crucial for infection such as pathogen entry, replication, propagation, or detection by the host. Although bacterial pathogens lack eucaryotic-like UBI or UBL systems, many of them produce proteins that specifically interfere with these host PTMs during infection. In this review we discuss the different mechanisms used by bacteria to interfere with host UBI and the two UBLs, SUMO and NEDD8.

Keywords: ISG15; NEDD8; SUMO; host–pathogen interactions; ubiquitin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • NEDD8 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NEDD8 Protein / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ubiquitins / metabolism

Substances

  • NEDD8 Protein
  • NEDD8 protein, human
  • Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins
  • Ubiquitins