MCL1 — essential for the survival of stem and progenitor cells of multiple lineages — is unique among pro-survival BCL2 family members in that it is rapidly turned over through the action of ubiquitin ligases. Abnormally high levels of MCL1 are expressed in some cancers, but the mechanism of MCL1 overexpression is not well understood. The deubiquitinase USP9X is now shown to stabilize MCL1 and thereby promote cell survival; this makes it a potential therapeutic target.
- Martin Schwickart
- XiaoDong Huang
- Vishva M. Dixit