Recombinant X. laevis UBC4 protein (Active)

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

UBC4 also known as Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 D2 (Ube2d2) is an important component in the ubiquitination process. It weighs approximately 17.7 kDa and plays a pivotal role in labeling proteins for degradation by the proteasome. UBC4 is involved in catalyzing the transfer of activated ubiquitin from the E1 activating enzyme to a substrate protein. It is expressed in a wide range of tissues showing particularly high levels in testis and skeletal muscle. This wide expression pattern indicates a fundamental role in diverse cellular functions.

Biological function summary

UBC4 serves an important function in the regulation of protein homeostasis. It operates within the ubiquitin-proteasome system an essential cellular machinery that controls protein turnover. Although UBC4 acts independently it frequently associates with E3 ligases to target specific proteins for degradation. The enzyme thereby helps in maintaining cellular protein levels and regulating processes like cell cycle stress response and signal transduction.

Pathways

The ubiquitination mechanism involving UBC4 is critical in the cell cycle and stress response paths. In the cell cycle pathway UBC4 partners with relevant E3 ligases to ensure timely degradation of cyclins and other regulatory proteins facilitating proper cell division. In the stress response pathway UBC4 further collaborates with proteins such as HSP70 and HSP90 addressing damaged or misfolded proteins aiding cellular recovery from various stresses.

UBC4 exhibits significant connections to neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. In neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease the malfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome system contributes to protein aggregation and neuronal death. UBC4's role in these mechanisms makes it a critical factor in understanding the disease progression alongside proteins such as parkin and α-synuclein. In cancers irregularities in ubiquitination pathways involving UBC4 may lead to the persistence of oncoproteins and uncontrolled cellular proliferation highlighting its relevance to p53 and MDM2-associated pathways.