The SCF ubiquitin ligase: Insights into a molecular machine

Ubiquitin ligases are well suited to regulate molecular networks that operate on a post-translational timescale. The F-box family of proteins-which are the substrate-recognition components of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box- protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligase-are important players in many mammalian functions. Here we explore a unifying and structurally detailed view of SCF-mediated proteolytic control of cellular processes that has been revealed by recent studies.