On the Study of Deubiquitinases: Using the Right Tools for the Job.

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) have been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent years. Many of their diverse enzymatic mechanisms are well characterized in vitro; however, our understanding of these enzymes at the cellular level lags due to the lack of quality tool reagents. DUBs play a role in seemingly every biological process and are central to many human pathologies, thus rendering them very desirable and challenging therapeutic targets. This review aims to provide researchers entering the field of ubiquitination with knowledge of the pharmacological modulators and tool molecules available to study DUBs. A focus is placed on small molecule inhibitors, ubiquitin variants (UbVs), and activity-based probes (ABPs). Leveraging these tools to uncover DUB biology at the cellular level is of particular importance and may lead to significant breakthroughs. Despite significant drug discovery efforts, only approximately 15 chemical probe-quality small molecule inhibitors have been reported, hitting just 6 of about 100 DUB targets. UbV technology is a promising approach to rapidly expand the library of known DUB inhibitors and may be used as a combinatorial platform for structure-guided drug design.

Impact of oral zinc therapy on the level of sex hormones in male patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis is common. It is demonstrated that the zinc level is significantly lower in the hemodialysis patients. OBJECTIVE: In this clinical trial, we investigate the effect of zinc supplement therapy on the serum levels of sexual hormones in hemodialysis male patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a clinical trial study including 100 of our male patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and zinc plasma level were measured in all of the patients. The patients received zinc supplement (zinc sulfate, 250 mg/day) for 6 weeks, and sex hormones and zinc plasma level were checked again. RESULTS: Serum level of FSH and prolactin did not have any significant changes before and after intervention, but serum level of testosterone, LH, and zinc increased significantly. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that although zinc administration did not have a definite effect on hemodialysis patients with sexual dysfunction, it can cause increase in the serum level of sex hormones which may improve the sexual function of the patients in some aspects.

Concomitant hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal agenesis: a case of Barakat syndrome.

Barakat syndrome, also known as hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome is an extremely rare congenital disorder. Different etiologies are described for the syndrome but the definite pathophysiology remains unclear. Hereby, we present a case of Barakat syndrome who was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and molecular data.