DUBsit

DUBsit is an online resource dedicated to the study of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), a class of proteases that remove ubiquitin moieties from target proteins and thereby regulate a wide array of cellular processes. The database was developed by a collaboration of academic laboratories with expertise in protein chemistry, structural biology and medicinal chemistry, and is maintained by the Deubiquitinase Research Consortium headquarters in Zurich.

The primary aim of DUBsit is to provide researchers with comprehensive, curated information on DUB families, individual isoforms, catalytic mechanisms and known small‑molecule inhibitors. The platform aggregates data from peer‑reviewed literature, high‑throughput screening campaigns, and structural repositories such as the Protein Data Bank. For each DUB entry, users can access sequence alignments, domain architecture diagrams, three‑dimensional structures (when available), and curated lists of reported inhibitors with their binding affinities and mechanisms of action. The site also hosts a screening portal that allows investigators to upload experimental assay results and compare them against existing DUB activity datasets.

Beyond data curation, DUBsit offers analytic tools for virtual screening and pharmacophore modeling. A dedicated “Library” section provides downloadable files of curated chemical series with annotated activity – useful for lead‑generation projects. The project’s API facilitates automated queries, enabling integration into laboratory information management systems and bioinformatics pipelines.

The database has been cited in several high‑impact publications that explore the role of DUBs in cancer, neurodegeneration and viral replication. Regular updates are scheduled quarterly, incorporating newly discovered DUBs and novel inhibitors. User support is delivered through an online forum and periodic webinars that cover best practices in DUB assay design and data interpretation. DUBsit represents a focal point for both basic and translational research that seeks to harness the therapeutic potential of the ubiquitin system.