The role and mechanism of UFMylation, a ubiquitin-like modification, in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection immunity.

Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (FM1) is a ubiquitin-like type I protein widely present in prokaryote and most eukaryote. UFMylaiton, mediated by UFM1, is involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular biochemical processes. Recently, the importance of UFM1 system in endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis regulation has been gradually discovered and emphasized. Endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important link in the progression of tuberculosis, so UFM1 system is expected to become a new target for the development of anti-tuberculosis drugs. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the UFM1 system and UFMylation pathway, and summarize the recent advances in understanding UFM1's role in ER homeostasis regulation and its potential value in TB treatment, with the aim of offering new insight and direction for developing novel therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.