Ubiquitin modification of many cellular proteins targets them for proteasomal degradation, but in addition can also serve non-proteolytic functions. Over the last years, a significant progress has been made in our understanding of how modification of the substrates of the ubiquitin system is regulated. However, little is known on how the ubiquitin system that is comprised of B1500 components is regulated. Here, we discuss how the biggest subfamily within the system, that of the E3 ubiquitin ligases that endow the system with its high specificity towards the numerous substrates, is regulated and in particular via self-regulation mediated by ubiquitin modification. Ligases can be targeted for degradation in a self-catalyzed manner, or through modification mediated by an external ligase(s). In addition, non-proteolytic functions of self-ubiquitination, for example activation of the ligase, of E3s are discussed. Cell Death and Differentiation (2011) 18, 1393-1402 doi:10.1038/cdd.2011; published online 4 March 2011One of the major roles of the covalent modification of cellular proteins by ubiquitin is signaling them for proteasomal degradation ( Figure 1). The first step of the modification is catalyzed by the ubiquitin-activating enzyme, E1, which generates a high-energy thiol ester intermediate that is subsequently transferred to the second enzyme, a ubiquitinconjugating enzyme, E2. The third step ascertains substrate specificity, and is catalyzed by one of the numerous (B650) ubiquitin ligases, E3s. Typically, it results in the formation of an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal Gly of ubiquitin and an e-NH 2 group of an internal Lys of the substrate. Less frequently, it can generate a linear peptide bond with the a-NH 2 group, a thiol ester bond with an internal Cys, or an ester bond with a Thr or Ser. The three-step cascade of reactions is repeated, where additional ubiquitin moieties are attached sequentially to one another in an isopeptide bond involving one of the seven internal Lys residues in the ubiquitin moiety, thus generating a polyubiquitin chain. Lys48-based chains serve as a signal for proteasomal degradation, whereas chains based on other internal Lys residues, or modification by single moiety(ies) can serve non-proteolytic functions.Ligases fall into two main families: RING (really interesting new gene) and HECT (homologous to the E6-AP carboxy terminus) domain-containing E3s. RING ligases serve as scaffolds that facilitate direct transfer of ubiquitin from the E2 to the target protein. HECT E3s contain an active Cys residue to which ubiquitin binds prior to its transfer to the substrate (Figure 1). There are B600 RING finger and B30 HECT ligases in humans. Smaller families of ligases (U-box, plant homology domain, and zinc finger) have also been described.An important problem relates to regulation of the ubiquitin system components, and in particular to that of the ligases that are the specific substrate-recognizing elements. 1,2 Phosphorylation of an E3 can activate the protein, such as the ca...