ubiquitin

American

[yoo-bik-wi-tin] / yuˈbɪk wɪ tɪn /

noun

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

ubiquitin British

/ juːˈbɪkwɪtɪn /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

ubiquitination

noun

Etymology

Origin of ubiquitin

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 • Apr. 30, 2024

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 • Mar. 22, 2024

Yet, cells are not always able to recognize and mark every harmful protein with ubiquitin accordingly.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

Previous research has indicated that this form of ubiquitin may be linked to the development of Parkinson's disease and breast cancer.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2023

This form of ubiquitin helps cells communicate by sending a molecular message -- communication that remains poorly understood.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023