Ubiquitin and plant viruses, let's play together!

Over the last few decades, posttranslational modification of proteins by the addition of ubiquitin (Ub) and degradation by the Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has emerged as a critical regulatory process in virtually all aspects of cell biology, including host /pathogen interactions. Recent findings point to the importance of Ub-related pathways during viral infection in plants. Some viruses have been shown to hijack the UPS system, most likely for their own benefit. In other cases, viral proteins are themselves the targets of the UPS. The exquisite versatility of Ub conjugation, combined with the amazing abilities of viruses to manipulate regulatory pathways, hold promises for exciting discoveries in the future. Plant Physiology Preview. Published on July 16, 2012, as DOI:10.1104/pp.112.201905 Copyright 2012 by the American Society of Plant Biologists www.plantphysiol.org on October 23, 2017 Published by Downloaded from Copyright © 2012 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.