ubiquitin

American  

[yoo-bik-wi-tin] / juˈbɪk 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

See Examples For:

ubiquitin

This alteration is recognized by a ubiquitin ligase, thus marking the protein for degradation.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

This vital task falls upon specialized enzymes known as ubiquitin ligases, which tag obsolete proteins for degradation, guiding them to the cellular recycling center, the proteasome.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

In 2017, he discovered that a protein called UBR4 assembles a specific ubiquitin signal that was required for the elimination of proteins that tend to aggregate inside cells.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2024

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

From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2023

Researchers isolated enzymes used by E. coli and Salmonella to cause food poisoning and other illnesses, and observed how the enzymes interacted with ubiquitin.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2023