Roles of ubiquitin-specific protease 13 in normal physiology and tumors (Review)

Ubiquitin-specific protease 13 (USP13) is one of the most important deubiquitinases involved in various diseases. As deubiquitinases are components of the deubiquitination process, a significant post-translational modification, they are potential treatment targets for different diseases. With recent technological developments, the structure of USP13 and its pathological and physiological functions have been investigated. However, USP13 expression and function differ in various diseases, especially in tumors, and the associated mechanisms are complex and remain to be fully investigated. The present review summarized the recent discoveries and the current understanding of the USP13 function in tumors.