Which types of proteins are good candidates for therapeutic targeting through ubiquitination?

Oncogenes are often implicated in the promotion of cancer when they undergo mutations that lead to their constitutive activation. These proteins typically drive cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, and promote metastatic behavior in tumors. Therapeutic targeting through ubiquitination can be effective for oncogenes because the ubiquitin-proteasome system can be harnessed to tag these overactive proteins for degradation. By enhancing the degradation of oncogenic proteins, it is possible to reduce their activity and, therefore, their contribution to tumor progression.

In the context of therapy, modulating the ubiquitination pathway can selectively target the hyperactive forms of these oncogenes, effectively reducing their abundance in the cell and mitigating their effects. This approach not only holds therapeutic promise but also allows for a targeted strategy with potentially fewer side effects compared to more generalized treatments. It represents a nuanced understanding of protein regulation in the context of malignancy, where the degradation of specific overactive proteins can lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.