The ubiquitin family, the COP9 signalosome & fungal development

Ubiquitin-like (Ubl) proteins as Nedd8 or SUMO are covalently linked to target proteins and are required for the development of A. nidulans. The COP9 signalosome and DenA are part of the Ubl network and reverse the linkage reaction by removing Nedd8 from proteins. These ´deneddylases´ are conserved to human and plants and represent key players in fungal development. We are analysing Nedd8 and SUMO target proteins, the Ubl regulatory network and the structure of the COP9 signalosome and related protein complexes.