• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Paul J. Galardy, M.D., studies the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Ubiquitin (Ub), a small highly conserved protein, is attached to proteins in order to change their function or localization, or direct them to the proteasome for degradation. The specificity of Ub attachment is regulated by two large enzyme families called ubiquitin ligases and de-ubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), with ligases responsible for attachment and DUBs catalyzing the removal of Ub. Many critical cellular events are under the control of this system, including those of cell division. It is therefore not surprising that a growing list of human cancers is associated with deregulated activity of these enzymes. Dr. Galardy's specific focus is on the involvement of DUBs in the development of cancer.