Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 42 (USP42)

Usp42, a novel ubiquitin specific protease gene. It consists of 1,324 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 146kDa and contains the conserved Cys, Asp (I), His and Asn/Asp (II) domains defined as one of characteristics for deubiquitinating enzymes.Usp42 transcript is expressed in NIH3T3 cells, B- and T-lymphocytes, and L1210 cells. Usp42 is expressed mainly in brain, lung, thymus and testis, and at mouse E10.5 the most during embryonic development. Usp42 expression rises from 2 weeks after birth to round-spermatid stage and decreases from condensing-spermatid stage during spermatogenesis. Usp42 can cleave ubiquitin from ubiquitinated substrates in vitro and in vivo.Usp42 is one of typical deubiquitinating enzymes, which may play an important role in mouse embryogenesis and spermatogenesis.