Ubiquitin Like Modifier Activating Enzyme 6 (UBA6)

Modification of proteins with ubiquitin (UBB) or ubiquitin-like proteins controls many signaling networks and requires a ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), a ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2), and a ubiquitin protein ligase (E3). UBE1L2 is an E1 enzyme that initiates the activation and conjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins.

The deduced 1,052-amino acid protein contains an N-terminal adenylation domain with 2 ThiF-homology regions, a catalytic cysteine domain, and a C-terminal ubiquitin-fold domain that functions to recruit E2s. UBE1L2 shares approximately 40% overall sequence identity with UBE1. Database analysis revealed wide expression of UBE1L2 in human tissues and cell lines.