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Di Giulio V, Canciello A, Carletti E, De Luca A, Giordano A, Morrione A, Berardinelli J, Russo V, Solari D, Cavallo LM, Barboni B. The dual nature of KLHL proteins: From cellular regulators to disease drivers. Eur J Cell Biol 2025; 104:151483. [PMID: 40101609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2025.151483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2025] [Revised: 02/20/2025] [Accepted: 03/11/2025] [Indexed: 03/20/2025] Open
Abstract
The Kelch-like (KLHL) protein family, characterized by its conserved BTB, BACK, and Kelch domains, serves as substrate adaptors for Cullin 3-RING ligases (CRL3), facilitating the ubiquitination and degradation of specific target proteins. Through this mechanism, KLHL proteins regulate numerous physiological processes, including cytoskeletal organization, oxidative stress response, and cell cycle progression. Dysregulation of KLHL proteins-via mutations or abnormal expression-has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and hereditary syndromes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological and pathological roles of KLHL proteins, emphasizing their specific substrates and mechanisms of action. By integrating structural and mechanistic insights with translational research, this review underscores the potential of KLHL proteins as promising therapeutic targets, offering new opportunities to combat a wide spectrum of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verdiana Di Giulio
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Angelo Canciello
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy.
| | - Erminia Carletti
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, and Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. D'Annunzio University Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Antonella De Luca
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, and Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. D'Annunzio University Chieti-Pescara, Chieti 66100, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Biomedical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jacopo Berardinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Domenico Solari
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Cavallo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy
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