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DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

A new target for thalidomide

Nature Chemical Biology volume 14, pages 904–905 (2018)Cite this article

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One mechanism of thalidomide teratogenicity involves binding to the CUL4–CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, which then mediates the degradation of transcription factors. New studies reveal that species-specific variants of the transcription factor SALL4 are differentially ubiquitinated and degraded via the thalidomide-bound complex.

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Fig. 1: Variants of SALL4 determine the species-specific nature of susceptibility to thalidomide teratogenicity.

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  1. Division of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Peter G. Wells

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  1. Peter G. Wells
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Correspondence to Peter G. Wells.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Wells, P.G. A new target for thalidomide. Nat Chem Biol 14, 904–905 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-018-0134-0

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