Human development requires intricate cell specification and communication pathways that allow an embryo to generate and appropriately connect more than 200 different cell types. Key to the successful completion of this differentiation programme is the quantitative and reversible regulation of core signalling networks, and post-translational modification with ubiquitin provides embryos with an essential tool to accomplish this task. Instigated by E3 ligases and reversed by deubiquitylases, ubiquitylation controls many processes that are fundamental for development, such as cell division, fate specification and migration. As aberrant function or regulation of ubiquitylation enzymes is at the roots of developmental disorders, cancer, and neurodegeneration, modulating the activity of ubiquitylation enzymes is likely to provide strategies for therapeutic intervention.

人类的发展需要复杂的细胞规范和交流途径，使胚胎能够生成并适当地连接200多种不同的细胞类型。成功完成该分化程序的关键是核心信号网络的定量和可逆调节，而泛素的翻译后修饰为胚胎提供了完成此任务的必不可少的工具。受E3连接酶的激发并由去泛素化酶逆转，泛素化控制着许多对于发育至关重要的过程，例如细胞分裂，命运指定和迁移。由于泛素化酶的异常功能或调节是发育障碍，癌症和神经变性的根源，