Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that proteases encoded by three very diverse RNA virus groups share structural similarity with enzymes of the Ovarian Tumor (OTU) superfamily of deubiquitinases (DUBs). The publication of the latest of these reports in quick succession prevented proper recognition and discussion of the shared features of these viral enzymes. Here we provide a brief structural and functional comparison of these virus-encoded OTU DUBs. Interestingly, although their shared structural features and substrate specificity tentatively place them within the same protease superfamily, they also show interesting differences that trigger speculation as to their origins.
Publication types
-
Comparative Study
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Protein Structure, Quaternary
-
RNA Viruses / enzymology*
-
Structure-Activity Relationship
-
Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / chemistry
-
Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / metabolism*
-
Viral Proteins / chemistry
-
Viral Proteins / metabolism*
Substances
-
Viral Proteins
-
Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases
Grants and funding
This work was supported in part by NSERC Grant 311775-2010 to BLM and by the Division of Chemical Sciences of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO-CW) through ECHO Grant 700.59.008 (to MK and EJS). BLM holds a Manitoba Research Chair award. BABE holds a Manitoba Health Research Council studentship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.