ISG15: a ubiquitin-like enigma

摘要: ISG15 is a 17 kDa protein encoded by an interferon stimulated gene. Described in 1979, it was the first ubiquitin-like modifier to be identified, and its discovery followed reports of ubiquitin only four years. While many important functions for have been reported, conjugation are still largely unknown. Evidence suggests that modification system play roles innate immune response, regulation signaling, pregnancy, several cancers. Modification proteins occurs manner similar other modifiers. The enzymes which help perform activation recently identified. enzyme identified revealed also involved conjugation. Identification specific protease has reported. Knockout this mice decreases lifespan these makes them hypersensitive treatment with or lipopolysaccharide. study may yield set potentially useful therapeutic targets thus, there increasing awareness interest modifier. This review will highlight history discovery, describe more recent observations about modification, summarize new findings implications signal transduction immunology. point out questions remain answered identify major roadblocks currently obstruct understanding biologic functions.