Asb1, Ankyrin Repeat and SOCS Box Containing 1, is a substrate recognition subunit of a ubiquitin ligase. It is involved in ubiquitination processes, which play crucial roles in regulating protein stability and degradation, thus impacting various biological processes. Genetic models, such as KO mouse models, are valuable for studying its functions [2].

In prostate cancer, Asb1 functions as a tumor suppressor. Its low expression in prostate cancer tissues correlates with poor prognosis. Silencing Asb1 promotes cancer cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration, while overexpression has the opposite effects. Asb1 interacts with CHCHD3, promoting its degradation via K48-linked ubiquitination and inhibiting cancer cells through the CHCHD3/ROS pathway [1].

In male infertility, Asb1-KO mice exhibit severe fertility impairment, excessive oxidative stress, decreased hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels in testes, and sperm DNA damage. Asb1 interacts with ELOB to enhance the K48-linked ubiquitination of sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR), leading to its proteasomal degradation and maintaining H2S homeostasis and redox balance [2].

In ischaemic cardiomyopathy, a hypermethylated profile in the Asb1 gene is related to left ventricular performance, and Asb1 shows down-regulation in messenger RNA levels [3].

In summary, Asb1 is essential in processes like tumor suppression in prostate cancer, maintaining male fertility by regulating H2S homeostasis, and may be involved in the pathophysiology of ischaemic cardiomyopathy. The use of Asb1 KO mouse models has provided key insights into its roles in these disease-related biological processes.