Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (UbL) modifications are critical regulators of multiple cellular processes in eukaryotes. These modifications are dynamically controlled by proteases that balance conjugation and deconjugation. In eukaryotes, these proteases include deubiquitinases (DUBs), mostly belonging to the CA-clan of cysteine proteases, and ubiquitin-like proteases (ULPs), belonging to the CE-clan proteases. Intriguingly, infectious bacteria exploit the CE-clan protease fold to generate deubiquitinating activities to disarm the immune system and degradation defenses of the host during infection. In this review, we explore the substrate preferences encoded within the CE-clan proteases and the structural determinants in the protease fold behind its selectivity, in particular those from infectious bacteria and viruses. Understanding this protease family provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying infection and transmission of pathogenic organisms.
While the central dogma of molecular biology describes how genetic information flows, gene expression is also affected by epigenetic and epitranscriptomic processes. A recent report by Rajan et al. demonstrates how pseudouridylation of a Leishmania ribosomal rRNA affects the expression of particular proteins: an example of epitranslatomic control.
Migrasomes, newly identified organelles, play crucial roles in intercellular communication, contributing to organ development and angiogenesis. These vesicles, forming on retraction fibers of migrating cells, showcase a sophisticated architecture. Recent research reveals that migrasome biogenesis is a complicated and highly regulated process. This review summarizes the mechanisms governing migrasome formation, proposing a model in which biogenesis is understood through the lens of membrane microdomain assembly. It underscores the critical interplay between biochemistry and biophysics. The biogenesis unfolds in three distinct stages: nucleation, maturation, and expansion, each characterized by unique morphological, biochemical, and biophysical features. We also explore the broader implications of migrasome research in membrane biology and outline key unanswered questions that represent important directions for future investigation.