Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2 K (UBE2K) belongs to the E2 Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme family. UBE2K is highly expressed in the brain, with highest levels found in cortex and striatum, and at lower levels in cerebellum and brainstem. UBE2K may mediate foam cell formation by the suppression of apoptosis of lipid-bearing macrophages through ubiquitination and subsequence degradation of p53/TP53. UBE2K is associated with the selective degradation of short-lived and abnormal proteins, such as the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded lumenal proteins. In addition, UBE2K is involved in Alzheimers disease, Huntingtons disease and antigen processing through its interaction with huntingtin, and MHC-heavy chain proteins.
