UBE2D3 Human

Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3, also known as UbcH5c, is a member of the ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzyme family. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the ubiquitination process, which is a post-translational modification that regulates various cellular processes, including protein degradation, DNA repair, cell cycle progression, and signal transduction.

Ubiquitination involves the attachment of ubiquitin, a small regulatory protein, to target proteins. This process occurs through a series of enzymatic steps involving three main types of enzymes: E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin ligase). Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3 receives ubiquitin from the E1 enzyme and subsequently interacts with an E3 ligase to transfer ubiquitin to substrate proteins .

Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3 is involved in several critical cellular functions:

1. Protein Degradation: By tagging proteins with ubiquitin, E2D3 marks them for degradation by the proteasome, a protein complex responsible for breaking down unneeded or damaged proteins.
2. DNA Repair: E2D3 participates in the repair of DNA damage by facilitating the ubiquitination of proteins involved in the DNA damage response.
3. Cell Cycle Regulation: E2D3 helps regulate the cell cycle by controlling the degradation of cyclins and other cell cycle-related proteins.
4. Signal Transduction: E2D3 is involved in various signaling pathways, including the NF-κB pathway, which plays a role in immune response and inflammation .

The activity of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3 is regulated by phosphorylation, which affects its stability and folding. Variations in the E2D3 protein sequence have been observed in different species, suggesting that the enzyme has played important roles in vertebrate evolution .

Recombinant human ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3 is widely used in research to study the ubiquitination process and its implications in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infectious diseases. By understanding the mechanisms of ubiquitination, researchers can develop targeted therapies to modulate this process for therapeutic benefit .