1
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Agrata R, Komander D. Ubiquitin-A structural perspective. Mol Cell 2025; 85:323-346. [PMID: 39824171 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2024] [Revised: 11/10/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/20/2025]
Abstract
The modification of proteins and other biomolecules with the small protein ubiquitin has enthralled scientists from many disciplines for decades, creating a broad research field. Ubiquitin research is particularly rich in molecular and mechanistic understanding due to a plethora of (poly)ubiquitin structures alone and in complex with ubiquitin machineries. Furthermore, due to its favorable properties, ubiquitin serves as a model system for many biophysical and computational techniques. Here, we review the current knowledge of ubiquitin signals through a ubiquitin-centric, structural biology lens. We amalgamate the information from 240 structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), combined with single-molecule, molecular dynamics, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, to provide a comprehensive picture of ubiquitin and polyubiquitin structures and dynamics. We close with a discussion of the latest frontiers in ubiquitin research, namely the modification of ubiquitin by other post-translational modifications (PTMs) and the notion that ubiquitin is attached to biomolecules beyond proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Agrata
- Ubiquitin Signalling Division, WEHI, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - David Komander
- Ubiquitin Signalling Division, WEHI, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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2
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Beriashvili D, Folkers GE, Baldus M. Ubiquitin's Conformational Heterogeneity as Discerned by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400508. [PMID: 39140844 PMCID: PMC11664922 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Visualizing a protein's molecular motions has been a long standing topic of research in the biophysics community. Largely this has been done by exploiting nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and arguably no protein's molecular motions have been better characterized by NMR than that of ubiquitin (Ub), a 76 amino acid polypeptide essential in ubiquitination-a key regulatory system within cells. Herein, we discuss ubiquitin's conformational plasticity as visualized, at atomic resolution, by more than 35 years of NMR work. In our discussions we point out the differences between data acquired in vitro, ex vivo, as well as in vivo and stress the need to investigate Ub's conformational plasticity in more biologically representative backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Beriashvili
- NMR SpectroscopyBijvoet Center for Biomolecular ResearchUtrecht UniversityPadaulaan 83584 CHUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Gert E. Folkers
- NMR SpectroscopyBijvoet Center for Biomolecular ResearchUtrecht UniversityPadaulaan 83584 CHUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR SpectroscopyBijvoet Center for Biomolecular ResearchUtrecht UniversityPadaulaan 83584 CHUtrechtThe Netherlands
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3
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Wanka V, Fottner M, Cigler M, Lang K. Genetic Code Expansion Approaches to Decipher the Ubiquitin Code. Chem Rev 2024; 124:11544-11584. [PMID: 39311880 PMCID: PMC11503651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
The covalent attachment of Ub (ubiquitin) to target proteins (ubiquitylation) represents one of the most versatile PTMs (post-translational modifications) in eukaryotic cells. Substrate modifications range from a single Ub moiety being attached to a target protein to complex Ub chains that can also contain Ubls (Ub-like proteins). Ubiquitylation plays pivotal roles in most aspects of eukaryotic biology, and cells dedicate an orchestrated arsenal of enzymes to install, translate, and reverse these modifications. The entirety of this complex system is coined the Ub code. Deciphering the Ub code is challenging due to the difficulty in reconstituting enzymatic machineries and generating defined Ub/Ubl-protein conjugates. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in using GCE (genetic code expansion) techniques to study the Ub code. We highlight strategies to site-specifically ubiquitylate target proteins and discuss their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their various applications. Additionally, we review the potential of small chemical PTMs targeting Ub/Ubls and present GCE-based approaches to study this additional layer of complexity. Furthermore, we explore methods that rely on GCE to develop tools to probe interactors of the Ub system and offer insights into how future GCE-based tools could help unravel the complexity of the Ub code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Wanka
- Laboratory
for Organic Chemistry (LOC), Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences
(D-CHAB), ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Fottner
- Laboratory
for Organic Chemistry (LOC), Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences
(D-CHAB), ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marko Cigler
- Department
of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Kathrin Lang
- Laboratory
for Organic Chemistry (LOC), Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences
(D-CHAB), ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department
of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
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4
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Gill JK, Shaw GS. Using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to Understand the Ubiquitination Landscape. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400193. [PMID: 38632088 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a fluorescence technique that allows quantitative measurement of protein interactions, kinetics and dynamics. This review covers the use of FRET to study the structures and mechanisms of ubiquitination and related proteins. We survey FRET assays that have been developed where donor and acceptor fluorophores are placed on E1, E2 or E3 enzymes and ubiquitin (Ub) to monitor steady-state and real-time transfer of Ub through the ubiquitination cascade. Specialized FRET probes placed on Ub and Ub-like proteins have been developed to monitor Ub removal by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that result in a loss of a FRET signal upon cleavage of the FRET probes. FRET has also been used to understand conformational changes in large complexes such as multimeric E3 ligases and the proteasome, frequently using sophisticated single molecule methods. Overall, FRET is a powerful tool to help unravel the intricacies of the complex ubiquitination system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashanjot Kaur Gill
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A5C1
| | - Gary S Shaw
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A5C1
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5
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Gong Y, Dai L. Decoding Ubiquitin Modifications by Mass Spectrometry. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1466:1-18. [PMID: 39546132 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-7288-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2024]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination is a critical and widely distributed post-translational modification (PTM) involved in the regulation of almost every cellular process and pathway in cells, such as proteostasis, DNA repair, trafficking, and immunity. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics is a robust tool to decode the complexity of ubiquitin networks by disclosing the proteome-wide ubiquitination sites, the length, linkage and topology of ubiquitin chains, the chemical modification of ubiquitin chains, and the crosstalk between ubiquitination and other PTMs. In this chapter, we discuss the application of MS in the interpretation of the ubiquitin code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Gong
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lunzhi Dai
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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6
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Spano D, Catara G. Targeting the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Recent Advances in Cancer Therapy. Cells 2023; 13:29. [PMID: 38201233 PMCID: PMC10778545 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a reversible post-translational modification based on the chemical addition of ubiquitin to proteins with regulatory effects on various signaling pathways. Ubiquitination can alter the molecular functions of tagged substrates with respect to protein turnover, biological activity, subcellular localization or protein-protein interaction. As a result, a wide variety of cellular processes are under ubiquitination-mediated control, contributing to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. It follows that the dysregulation of ubiquitination reactions plays a relevant role in the pathogenic states of human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, immune-related pathologies and cancer. In recent decades, the enzymes of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), including E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs), have attracted attention as novel druggable targets for the development of new anticancer therapeutic approaches. This perspective article summarizes the peculiarities shared by the enzymes involved in the ubiquitination reaction which, when deregulated, can lead to tumorigenesis. Accordingly, an overview of the main pharmacological interventions based on targeting the UPS that are in clinical use or still in clinical trials is provided, also highlighting the limitations of the therapeutic efficacy of these approaches. Therefore, various attempts to circumvent drug resistance and side effects as well as UPS-related emerging technologies in anticancer therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Spano
- Institute for Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology “G. Salvatore”, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Catara
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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7
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Roberts CG, Franklin TG, Pruneda JN. Ubiquitin-targeted bacterial effectors: rule breakers of the ubiquitin system. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114318. [PMID: 37555693 PMCID: PMC10505922 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation through post-translational ubiquitin signaling underlies a large portion of eukaryotic biology. This has not gone unnoticed by invading pathogens, many of which have evolved mechanisms to manipulate or subvert the host ubiquitin system. Bacteria are particularly adept at this and rely heavily upon ubiquitin-targeted virulence factors for invasion and replication. Despite lacking a conventional ubiquitin system of their own, many bacterial ubiquitin regulators loosely follow the structural and mechanistic rules established by eukaryotic ubiquitin machinery. Others completely break these rules and have evolved novel structural folds, exhibit distinct mechanisms of regulation, or catalyze foreign ubiquitin modifications. Studying these interactions can not only reveal important aspects of bacterial pathogenesis but also shed light on unexplored areas of ubiquitin signaling and regulation. In this review, we discuss the methods by which bacteria manipulate host ubiquitin and highlight aspects that follow or break the rules of ubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron G Roberts
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & ImmunologyOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Tyler G Franklin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & ImmunologyOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Jonathan N Pruneda
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & ImmunologyOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
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8
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Kumari S, Kumar P. Identification and characterization of putative biomarkers and therapeutic axis in Glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1236271. [PMID: 37538397 PMCID: PMC10395518 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1236271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-cellular secretory components, including chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors in the tumor microenvironment, are often dysregulated, impacting tumorigenesis in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) microenvironment, where the prognostic significance of the current treatment remains unsatisfactory. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of post-translational modifications (PTM) and their respective enzymes, such as acetylation and ubiquitination in GBM etiology through modulating signaling events. However, the relationship between non-cellular secretory components and post-translational modifications will create a research void in GBM therapeutics. Therefore, we aim to bridge the gap between non-cellular secretory components and PTM modifications through machine learning and computational biology approaches. Herein, we highlighted the importance of BMP1, CTSB, LOX, LOXL1, PLOD1, MMP9, SERPINE1, and SERPING1 in GBM etiology. Further, we demonstrated the positive relationship between the E2 conjugating enzymes (Ube2E1, Ube2H, Ube2J2, Ube2C, Ube2J2, and Ube2S), E3 ligases (VHL and GNB2L1) and substrate (HIF1A). Additionally, we reported the novel HAT1-induced acetylation sites of Ube2S (K211) and Ube2H (K8, K52). Structural and functional characterization of Ube2S (8) and Ube2H (1) have identified their association with protein kinases. Lastly, our results found a putative therapeutic axis HAT1-Ube2S(K211)-GNB2L1-HIF1A and potential predictive biomarkers (CTSB, HAT1, Ube2H, VHL, and GNB2L1) that play a critical role in GBM pathogenesis.
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9
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Abstract
Our understanding of the ubiquitin code has greatly evolved from conventional E1, E2 and E3 enzymes that modify Lys residues on specific substrates with a single type of ubiquitin chain to more complex processes that regulate and mediate ubiquitylation. In this Review, we discuss recently discovered endogenous mechanisms and unprecedented pathways by which pathogens rewrite the ubiquitin code to promote infection. These processes include unconventional ubiquitin modifications involving ester linkages with proteins, lipids and sugars, or ubiquitylation through a phosphoribosyl bridge involving Arg42 of ubiquitin. We also introduce the enzymatic pathways that write and reverse these modifications, such as the papain-like proteases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, structural studies have revealed that the ultimate functions of ubiquitin are mediated not simply by straightforward recognition by ubiquitin-binding domains. Instead, elaborate multivalent interactions between ubiquitylated targets or ubiquitin chains and their readers (for example, the proteasome, the MLL1 complex or DOT1L) can elicit conformational changes that regulate protein degradation or transcription. The newly discovered mechanisms provide opportunities for innovative therapeutic interventions for diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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10
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Electrostatic and steric effects underlie acetylation-induced changes in ubiquitin structure and function. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5435. [PMID: 36114200 PMCID: PMC9481602 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) to proteins is a highly versatile posttranslational modification. Moreover, Ub is not only a modifier but itself is modified by phosphorylation and lysine acetylation. However, the functional consequences of Ub acetylation are poorly understood. By generation and comprehensive characterization of all seven possible mono-acetylated Ub variants, we show that each acetylation site has a particular impact on Ub structure. This is reflected in selective usage of the acetylated variants by different E3 ligases and overlapping but distinct interactomes, linking different acetylated variants to different cellular pathways. Notably, not only electrostatic but also steric effects contribute to acetylation-induced changes in Ub structure and, thus, function. Finally, we provide evidence that p300 acts as a position-specific Ub acetyltransferase and HDAC6 as a general Ub deacetylase. Our findings provide intimate insights into the structural and functional consequences of Ub acetylation and highlight the general importance of Ub acetylation. Ubiquitin is not only a posttranslational modifier but itself is subject to modifications, such as acetylation. Characterization of distinct acetylated ubiquitin variants reveals that each acetylation site has a particular impact on ubiquitin structure and its protein-protein interaction properties.
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11
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Kolobynina KG, Rapp A, Cardoso MC. Chromatin Ubiquitination Guides DNA Double Strand Break Signaling and Repair. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:928113. [PMID: 35865631 PMCID: PMC9294282 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.928113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin is the context for all DNA-based molecular processes taking place in the cell nucleus. The initial chromatin structure at the site of the DNA damage determines both, lesion generation and subsequent activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. In turn, proceeding DDR changes the chromatin at the damaged site and across large fractions of the genome. Ubiquitination, besides phosphorylation and methylation, was characterized as an important chromatin post-translational modification (PTM) occurring at the DNA damage site and persisting during the duration of the DDR. Ubiquitination appears to function as a highly versatile “signal-response” network involving several types of players performing various functions. Here we discuss how ubiquitin modifiers fine-tune the DNA damage recognition and response and how the interaction with other chromatin modifications ensures cell survival.
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12
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Lacoursiere RE, Hadi D, Shaw GS. Acetylation, Phosphorylation, Ubiquitination (Oh My!): Following Post-Translational Modifications on the Ubiquitin Road. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030467. [PMID: 35327659 PMCID: PMC8946176 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is controlled by a series of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes that can ligate ubiquitin to cellular proteins and dictate the turnover of a substrate and the outcome of signalling events such as DNA damage repair and cell cycle. This process is complex due to the combinatorial power of ~35 E2 and ~1000 E3 enzymes involved and the multiple lysine residues on ubiquitin that can be used to assemble polyubiquitin chains. Recently, mass spectrometric methods have identified that most enzymes in the ubiquitination cascade can be further modified through acetylation or phosphorylation under particular cellular conditions and altered modifications have been noted in different cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides a cohesive summary of ubiquitination, acetylation, and phosphorylation sites in ubiquitin, the human E1 enzyme UBA1, all E2 enzymes, and some representative E3 enzymes. The potential impacts these post-translational modifications might have on each protein function are highlighted, as well as the observations from human disease.
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