USP36 is a deubiquitinase crucial for regulating nucleolar structure and function, essential for both cell and organism viability. It plays a significant role in ribosomal RNA processing and protein synthesis, at least partially through the deubiquitination of DHX33, NPM1, and FBL, thereby modulating their protein stability. Furthermore, USP36 functions as a transcriptional repressor by deubiquitinating histone H2B at the promoters of genes vital for cellular differentiation (e.g., CDKN1A), preventing histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3). Specifically, it deubiquitinates MYC within the nucleolus, preventing its proteasomal degradation. This action is mediated by a specific interaction with FBXW7 isoform 3 (FBW7γ) in the nucleolus, counteracting MYC ubiquitination by the SCF(FBW7) complex. Notably, it does not interact with FBW7 isoform 1 (FBW7α) in the nucleoplasm. USP36 also interacts with and regulates the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase NEDD4L, influencing the expression and function of substrates such as NTRK1, KCNQ2, and KCNQ3. Finally, USP36 deubiquitinates SOD2, regulating its protein stability. Its deubiquitinase activity is essential for controlling selective autophagy activation triggered by ubiquitinated proteins.
Further Research Supporting USP36 Function:
USP36, also known as ubiquitin specific peptidase 36, is a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) belonging to the Peptidase C19 protein family. The canonical human USP36 protein consists of 1123 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of approximately 122.9 kDa .
USP36 has multiple critical cellular functions:
Regulates ribosome biogenesis through deubiquitination of nucleolar proteins
Controls chromatin organization through histone modification
Participates in autophagy pathways
Regulates neuronal signaling through TrkA receptor deubiquitination
Promotes SUMOylation of small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) components
Inhibits apoptosis by deubiquitinating cIAP1 and survivin in certain cancers
Methodologically, researchers studying USP36 function should consider cell-type specific expression patterns, as USP36 is widely expressed across many tissues but may have tissue-specific roles.
USP36 exhibits dynamic subcellular localization that researchers should consider when designing experiments. While earlier studies using HeLa cells indicated primarily nuclear (particularly nucleolar) localization, more recent research demonstrates:
In PC12-6/15 cells, USP36 localizes to nucleoli but also accumulates in non-nuclear compartments
Fractionation experiments reveal that USP36 primarily localizes to non-nuclear compartments in some cell types
USP36 can partially co-localize with TrkA receptors, suggesting functional interactions at the membrane/cytoplasmic interface
When designing immunofluorescence experiments, researchers should:
Include appropriate subcellular markers (nucleolar, cytoplasmic, and membrane)
Perform fractionation experiments to confirm localization patterns in their specific cell type
Consider using confocal microscopy for co-localization studies with potential interaction partners
Based on product information and literature, USP36 antibody (biotin conjugated) supports several research applications:
For optimal results, researchers should:
Titrate the antibody for each specific application and cell type
Include appropriate positive and negative controls
Validate antibody specificity using knockdown or knockout approaches
Biotin conjugation provides several methodological advantages that researchers can leverage:
Enhanced detection sensitivity through the strong biotin-streptavidin interaction system
Flexibility in detection methods (can be used with various streptavidin-conjugated reporters)
Compatibility with multi-color immunofluorescence studies
Reduced background in tissues with high endogenous immunoglobulin levels
Compatibility with tyramide signal amplification (TSA) for ultra-sensitive detection
When using biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody, researchers should:
Block endogenous biotin when working with biotin-rich tissues
Consider using streptavidin-conjugated fluorophores or enzymes appropriate for their detection system
Be aware that the biotin conjugation might affect the antibody's binding characteristics compared to unconjugated versions
Based on manufacturer specifications, researchers should follow these guidelines:
Some manufacturers recommend -80°C storage as an alternative
Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles by making small aliquots
Store in buffer containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4, with 0.03% Proclin-300 as preservative
Stable for one year after shipment when properly stored
For optimal antibody performance:
Bring to room temperature before opening
Centrifuge briefly before use
Return to appropriate storage temperature immediately after use
USP36 has been shown to interact with TrkA and regulate its activation kinetics . To investigate this relationship:
Experimental approach for co-localization studies:
Perform double immunofluorescence using biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody and TrkA antibody
Use high-resolution confocal microscopy to visualize potential co-localization
Apply stimulation with nerve growth factor (NGF) to assess dynamic changes
Interaction studies methodology:
Utilize biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody for pull-down assays with streptavidin beads
Perform co-immunoprecipitation experiments to confirm endogenous interaction
Use proximity ligation assay (PLA) for in situ visualization of protein interactions
Functional analysis:
Combine USP36 knockdown with TrkA ubiquitination assays
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody to monitor USP36 expression levels
Measure TrkA activation kinetics (phosphorylation) following NGF stimulation in USP36-depleted cells
The research by Iribarren et al. demonstrated that "USP36 knockdown affects TrkA activation kinetics and USP36 interacts with TrkA," suggesting direct regulation .
USP36 has been shown to promote SUMOylation of snoRNP components Nop58 and Nhp2 . To investigate this function:
In vitro SUMOylation assays:
Reconstitute SUMOylation reactions using recombinant E1 (SAE1/SAE2), E2 (Ubc9), SUMO2, ATP, and purified substrate
Add recombinant USP36 to assess enhancement of SUMOylation
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody to immunodeplete USP36 from cell extracts and test effect on SUMOylation capacity
Interaction studies:
Cellular SUMOylation assays:
Transfect cells with His-tagged SUMO constructs
Perform Ni-NTA pulldowns under denaturing conditions
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody to confirm USP36 expression levels
Analyze SUMOylation of specific substrates like snoRNP components
Research has shown that "USP36 drastically increased PARP1 SUMOylation in vitro," demonstrating its SUMOylation-promoting activity .
Validation of antibody specificity is critical for reliable results. For USP36 antibody:
Genetic validation approaches:
Use CRISPR/Cas9 to generate USP36 knockout cell lines
Employ siRNA or shRNA to knockdown USP36 expression
Verify disappearance or reduction of signal in Western blot, immunofluorescence, or ELISA assays
Expression validation:
Overexpress tagged USP36 constructs (GFP-USP36 or FLAG-USP36)
Perform parallel detection with tag-specific antibodies and USP36 antibody
Confirm signal co-localization and intensity correlation
Biochemical validation:
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Test in cells from different species (human antibody shows less cross-reactivity with mouse samples)
Evaluate potential cross-reactivity with other USP family members
Consider comparing signal pattern with multiple different USP36 antibodies
For effective co-immunoprecipitation studies with biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody:
Standard Co-IP protocol:
Prepare cell lysates in non-denaturing buffer (150 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris pH 7.5, 1% NP-40)
Pre-clear lysates with protein A/G beads to reduce non-specific binding
Incubate with biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody (2-5 μg per mg of protein)
Capture complexes using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads
Wash extensively (4-5 times) with IP buffer containing reduced detergent
Elute by boiling in SDS-PAGE sample buffer
Modified protocol for detecting transient interactions:
Include crosslinking step with DSP (dithiobis[succinimidyl propionate])
Use proteasome inhibitors (MG132) to stabilize ubiquitinated complexes
Add deubiquitinase inhibitors (PR-619, NEM) to preserve ubiquitin modifications
For studying specific interactions:
Research has shown successful co-immunoprecipitation of USP36 with TrkA: "TrkA and USP36 were pulled down after USP36 or TrkA immunoprecipitation, respectively" .
USP36 has been shown to interact with the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 . To investigate such interactions:
Mapping interaction domains:
Competition assays:
Functional impact assessment:
Reciprocal regulation analysis:
USP36 inhibits apoptosis by deubiquitinating cIAP1 and survivin in cancer . For cancer-related studies:
Cell survival and apoptosis assays:
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody to monitor expression levels in different cancer cell lines
Perform USP36 knockdown followed by apoptosis assays (Annexin V/PI, caspase activity)
Assess impact on chemotherapy resistance in cancer cell models
Substrate-specific deubiquitination analysis:
Implement in vitro deubiquitination assays with purified components
Use linkage-specific ubiquitin antibodies to determine chain types (K11-linked for cIAP1, K48-linked for survivin)
Perform cycloheximide chase assays to assess protein stability following USP36 manipulation
Xenograft tumor models:
Establish stable USP36 knockdown or overexpression cancer cell lines
Monitor tumor growth rates in vivo
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody for immunohistochemistry on tumor sections
Correlate USP36 levels with apoptotic markers and patient outcomes
Mechanistic studies:
USP36 plays an important role in RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis:
Nucleolar function analysis:
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody for immunofluorescence co-staining with nucleolar markers
Perform nucleolar isolation followed by Western blot analysis
Detect USP36 in nucleolar fractions using biotin-conjugated antibody
RNA helicase interaction studies:
snoRNP SUMOylation analysis:
rRNA processing analysis:
Pulse-chase labeling of rRNA with 5-FU
Northern blot analysis of rRNA processing intermediates
Correlate processing defects with USP36 expression levels
Use biotin-conjugated USP36 antibody to confirm knockdown efficiency