Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2 K (UBE2K) Human Recombinant Protein

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. This protein interacts with RING finger proteins, and it can ubiquitinate huntingtin, the gene product for Huntington's disease. Known functions for this protein include a role in aggregate formation of expanded polyglutamine proteins and the suppression of apoptosis in polyglutamine diseases, a role in the dislocation of newly synthesized MHC class I heavy chains from the endoplasmic reticulum, and involvement in foam cell formation. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Accepts ubiquitin from the E1 complex and catalyzes its covalent attachment to other proteins. In vitro, in the presence or in the absence of BRCA1-BARD1 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex, catalyzes the synthesis of 'Lys-48'-linked polyubiquitin chains. Does not transfer ubiquitin directly to but elongates monoubiquitinated substrate protein. Mediates the selective degradation of short-lived and abnormal proteins, such as the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded lumenal proteins. Ubiquitinates huntingtin. May mediate foam cell formation by the suppression of apoptosis of lipid-bearing macrophages through ubiquitination and subsequence degradation of p53/TP53. Proposed to be involved in ubiquitination and proteolytic processing of NF-kappa-B; in vitro supports ubiquitination of NFKB1. In case of infection by cytomegaloviruses may be involved in the US11-dependent degradation of MHC class I heavy chains following their export from the ER to the cytosol. In case of viral infections may be involved in the HPV E7 protein-dependent degradation of RB1.