Ubiquitin Carboxyl-Terminal Esterase L3 (UCHL3) Human Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family. Members of this family are proteases that catalyze the removal of ubiquitin from polypeptides and are divided into five classes, depending on the mechanism of catalysis. This protein may hydrolyze the ubiquitinyl-N-epsilon amide bond of ubiquitinated proteins to regenerate ubiquitin for another catalytic cycle. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode different protein isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2012]

UCHL3: Deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that controls levels of cellular ubiquitin through processing of ubiquitin precursors and ubiquitinated proteins. Thiol protease that recognizes and hydrolyzes a peptide bond at the C-terminal glycine of either ubiquitin or NEDD8. Has a 10-fold preference for Arg and Lys at position P3. Deubiquitinates ENAC in apical compartments, thereby regulating apical membrane recycling. Indirectly increases the phosphorylation of IGFIR, AKT and FOXO1 and promotes insulin- signaling and insulin-induced adipogenesis. Required for stress- response retinal, skeletal muscle and germ cell maintenance. May be involved in working memory. Can hydrolyze UBB(+1), a mutated form of ubiquitin which is not effectively degraded by the proteasome and is associated with neurogenerative disorders. Preferentially binds diubiquitin; the interaction does not hydrolyze diubiquitin but, in vitro, inhibits the hydrolyzing activity on other substrates. Highly expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and testis. Inhibited by monoubiquitin and diubiquitin. Belongs to the peptidase C12 family.

Protein type: Protease; EC 3.4.19.12; Ubiquitin conjugating system

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 13q22.2

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; cytoplasm; nucleus

Molecular Function: peptidase activity; ubiquitin binding; protein binding; ubiquitin-specific protease activity

Biological Process: ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process; protein catabolic process