Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ubiquitinate
verb
/juːˈbɪkwɪtəneɪt/
Definition
To attach ubiquitin to a protein, marking it for degradation or regulating its function within the cell.
Examples
- The enzyme will ubiquitinate the target protein to regulate its activity.
- In the absence of this modification, the protein may accumulate within the cell.
Meaning
Ubiquitination is a process in cellular biology that involves the addition of a small protein called ubiquitin to a larger protein. This modification usually signals that the substrate protein should be directed towards destruction via the proteasome, a complex that breaks down unneeded or damaged proteins.
Synonyms
- tag
- label
- mark for degradation
