Small molecules targeting ubiquitination to control inflammatory diseases

Drug Discov Today. 2021 Oct;26(10):2414-2422. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.04.029. Epub 2021 May 14.

Abstract

The ubiquitination and deubiquitination of proteins govern signal transduction in every aspect of physiology and pathology, especially in cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Rapid progress has been made in obtaining an in-depth understanding of the ubiquitination system since its first discovery during the 1970s. Manipulation of ubiquitination by small molecules is considered a novel therapeutic avenue. In this review, we summarize key applications of small molecules targeting ubiquitination enzymes and currently available technologies applied to the discovery of small molecules that control ubiquitination.

Keywords: Inflammatory diseases; Small molecule modulator; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitination system.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Drug Discovery / methods
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Ubiquitination / drug effects*

Substances

  • Proteins