The NS2 protein generated by the parvovirus minute virus of mice is degraded by the proteasome in a manner independent of ubiquitin chain elongation or activation

The NS2 protein generated by the parvovirus minute virus of mice is very la bile, having a half-life during infection of approximately 90 min. The degr adation of NS2 is blocked by proteasome inhibitors but is likely ubiquitin independent: NS2 does not form detectable higher molecular weight ubiquitin -containing conjugates, and NS2 degradation requires neither ubiquitin chai n elongation nor intracellular ubiquitin activation. we have also identifie d a region in the carboxyl half of NS2 that is required for its proteasome- mediated degradation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.