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Cancer-fighting Smurf

A newly identified role for SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (Smurf2) in the regulation of histone ubiquitination uncovers a broad tumor suppressor activity that helps to maintain genomic stability in mice. A recent study suggests a new mechanism underlying the role of ubiquitination in cancer (pages 227–234).

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Figure 1: Mechanistic insights into the role of Smurf2 as a tumor suppressor.

Katie Vicari

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Correspondence to Charles W M Roberts.

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Wang, X., Roberts, C. Cancer-fighting Smurf. Nat Med 18, 204–205 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.2655

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