Publications by authors named "Bart Kus"

Background: Small molecules as shown by VX809 can rescue the mislocalization of F508del-CFTR. The aim of this study was to identify correctors with a clinical history and their targets of action.

Methods: CFTR correctors were screened using two F508del-CFTR expressing cell based HTS assays.

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a cAMP-activated anion channel expressed in epithelial cells. The most common mutation Delta Phe508 leads to protein misfolding, retention by the endoplasmic reticulum, and degradation. One promising therapeutic approach is to identify drugs that have been developed for other indications but that also correct the CFTR trafficking defect, thereby exploiting their known safety and bioavailability in humans and reducing the time required for clinical development.

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Ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) are responsible for target recognition and regulate stability, localization or function of their substrates. However, the substrates of most E3 enzymes remain unknown. Here, we describe the development of a novel proteomic in vitro ubiquitination screen using a protein microarray platform that can be utilized for the discovery of substrates for E3 ligases on a global scale.

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Ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) are implicated in various human disorders and are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Although most cellular proteins are ubiquitinated, ubiquitination cannot be linked directly to a specific E3 for a large fraction of these proteins, and the substrates of most E3 enzymes are unknown. We have developed a luminescent assay to detect ubiquitination in vitro, which is more quantitative, effective, and sensitive than conventional ubiquitination assays.

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Ubiquitin conjugation and in particular two distinct HECT ubiquitin ligases, Rsp5p and Tom1p, have been shown to participate in the regulation of mRNA export in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The identification of the ubiquitin ligase substrates represents a major challenge in understanding how this modification may modulate mRNA export. Here, we identified Hpr1p, a member of the THO/TREX (transcription/export) complex that couples mRNA transcription to nuclear export as a target of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

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Article Synopsis
  • SCF complexes are multi-subunit proteins that work with E1 and E2 enzymes to add ubiquitin to specific target proteins, playing a key role in regulating protein degradation.
  • So far, only three yeast SCFs have been fully studied, but our research successfully reconstituted and purified one known and twelve new SCF complexes and tested them with five different E2 enzymes.
  • We discovered that two specific E2 enzymes, Cdc34 and Ubc4, are responsible for the ubiquitination of Sic1 by the SCF(Cdc4) complex, and at least eight SCF complexes were able to ubiquitinate their F-box proteins, indicating a mechanism for F-box proteins to regulate their own degradation.
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Currently, there is a major effort to map protein-protein interactions on a genome-wide scale. The utility of the resulting interaction networks will depend on the reliability of the experimental methods and the coverage of the approaches. Known macromolecular complexes provide a defined and objective set of protein interactions with which to compare biochemical and genetic data for validation.

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Currently, there is a major effort to map protein-protein interactions on a genome-wide scale. The utility of the resulting interaction networks will depend on the reliability of the experimental methods and the coverage of the approaches. Known macromolecular complexes provide a defined and objective set of protein interactions with which to compare biochemical and genetic data for validation.

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