Deubiquitinase Usp12 functions noncatalytically to induce autophagy and confer neuroprotection in models of Huntington’s disease

Abstract

Abnormal accumulations of toxic proteins are often found in degenerating neurons. Here, Aron and colleagues show that non-enzymatic function of deubiquitinase Usp12 can mitigate neuronal cell death caused by mutant Huntingtin by inducing neuronal autophagic function.