ubiquitin

American  

[yoo-bik-wi-tin] / yuˈbɪk wɪ tɪn /

noun

1. a small protein, present in all eukaryotic cells, that participates in the destruction of defective proteins and in the synthesis of new proteins.

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ubiquitin British  

/ juːˈbɪkwɪtɪn /

noun

1. biochem a small polypeptide, found in most eukaryotic cells, that combines with other proteins to make them susceptible to degradation

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Other Word Forms

• ubiquitination noun

Etymology

Origin of ubiquitin

First recorded in 1985–90; ubiquit(ous) + -in ¹

Example Sentences

Much like trying to stuff a large head of broccoli down the disposal, misfolded proteins with ubiquitin tags don't fit into the proteasome.

From Science Daily

Zinc is essential forRpn11 to catalyze the removal of ubiquitin.

From Science Daily

On the other hand, a DUB enzyme removes the ubiquitin tag from a protein, thereby preventing the protein from being recognized and degraded by a proteosome.

From Science Daily

E3 is an enzyme that transfers the ubiquitin molecule to the target protein, which essentially flags the protein for a proteosome to digest it.

From Science Daily

"Normally, PINK1 and Parkin work together to mark damaged mitochondria for removal by adding a chain of molecules called ubiquitin. This mark allows proteins called autophagy adaptors to associate with the mitochondria and bring in the autophagy machinery for autophagosome development."

From Science Daily