Degrons allow E3 ubiquitin ligases to identify their substrates, and thus have a central role in protein degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. This Review discusses the latest insights into the mechanisms underlying degron function, the relevance of degrons in disease and how degrons can be harnessed for therapeutic protein degradation.
- Zhiqian Zhang
- Elijah L. Mena
- Stephen J. Elledge