USP21 Antibody (Center) Blocking Peptide

This gene encodes a member of the C19 peptidase family, also known as family 2 of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolases. The encoded protein cleaves ubiquitin from ubiquitinated proteins for recycling in intracellular protein degradation. The encoded protein is also able to release NEDD8, a ubiquitin-like protein, from NEDD8-conjugated proteins. This gene has been referred to as USP16 and USP23 but is now known as USP21. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]

USP21: Deubiquitinates histone H2A, a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression, thereby acting as a coactivator. Deubiquitination of histone H2A releaves the repression of di- and trimethylation of histone H3 at 'Lys-4', resulting in regulation of transcriptional initiation. Regulates gene expression via histone H2A deubiquitination. Also capable of removing NEDD8 from NEDD8 conjugates but has no effect on Sentrin-1 conjugates. Belongs to the peptidase C19 family. USP21 subfamily. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Ubiquitin conjugating system; Protease; EC 3.4.19.12; Ubiquitin-specific protease

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 1q22

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; nucleoplasm; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: cysteine-type peptidase activity; metal ion binding; NEDD8-specific protease activity; protein binding; transcription coactivator activity; ubiquitin-specific protease activity

Biological Process: histone deubiquitination; neurite development; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; transcription, DNA-dependent; ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process