Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Quantifying Subcellular Ubiquitin-proteasome Activity in the Rodent Brain
Published on: May 21, 2019
Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1): structure, distribution and roles in brain function and dysfunction
Paul Bishop1, Dan Rocca1, Jeremy M Henley2
1School of Biochemistry, Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
None:
Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is an extremely abundant protein in the brain where, remarkably, it is estimated to make up 1-5% of total neuronal protein. Although it comprises only 223 amino acids it has one of the most complicated 3D knotted structures yet discovered. Beyond its expression in neurons UCH-L1 has only very limited expression in other healthy tissues but it is highly expressed in several forms of cancer. Although UCH-L1 is classed as a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) the direct functions of UCH-L1 remain enigmatic and a wide array of alternative functions has been proposed. UCH-L1 is not essential for neuronal development but it is absolutely required for the maintenance of axonal integrity and UCH-L1 dysfunction is implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Here we review the properties of UCH-L1, and how understanding its complex structure can provide new insights into its roles in neuronal function and pathology.
More Related Videos
07:05Measuring Enzymatic Activity of Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Associated Deubiquitylating Enzymes via an In Vitro Ubiquitin Chain Cleavage Assay
Published on: September 27, 2024
09:45Method for Measuring the Activity of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Cell Lines and Tissue Samples
Published on: May 10, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Lysosomal Hydrolases
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies