protein
Ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A
Gene
UBE3A
Organism
Homo sapiens(9606)
Length
875 aa
Mass
100,688 Da
# UBE3A Summary
UBE3A encodes ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that catalyzes the transfer of ubiquitin from E2 conjugating enzymes to target proteins for proteasomal degradation (UniProt: Q05086). The protein regulates multiple substrates including BMAL1 (circadian clock component), ARC (synaptic plasticity), LAMTOR1 (mTORC1 signaling), and cell cycle regulators, functioning in protein quality control, circadian rhythm regulation, and transcriptional coactivation of progesterone receptor.
UBE3A operates broadly in cellular and neuronal contexts, with particularly important roles in synaptic development and remodeling through substrate-mediated mTORC1 pathway regulation (UniProt: Q05086). Loss of function is associated with Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, motor impairment, ataxia, seizures, and absent or severely limited speech.
UBE3A carries SFARI classification S with syndromic designation (SFARI Cat S), indicating strong genetic evidence for association with autism spectrum disorder specifically within the context of Angelman syndrome pathogenesis.
Generated from the curated entity record below. May contain errors — verify against source links.
Genetic Evidence · ASD
Source: SFARI Gene database · gene.sfari.org
Related Publications
Browse all →Inherited and De Novo Genetic Risk for Autism Impacts Shared Networks.
Ruzzo Elizabeth K et al.Cell2019PMID 31398340Inherited and multiple de novo mutations in autism/developmental delay risk genes suggest a multifactorial model.
Guo Hui et al.Molecular autism2018PMID 30564305Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder.
C Yuen Ryan K et al.Nature neuroscience2017PMID 28263302Identification of common genetic risk variants for autism spectrum disorder.
Grove Jakob et al.Nature genetics2019PMID 30804558Synaptic, transcriptional and chromatin genes disrupted in autism.
De Rubeis Silvia et al.Nature2014PMID 25363760
Function
E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase which accepts ubiquitin from an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in the form of a thioester and transfers it to its substrates (PubMed:10373495, PubMed:16772533, PubMed:19204938, PubMed:19233847, PubMed:19325566, PubMed:19591933, PubMed:22645313, PubMed:24273172, PubMed:24728990, PubMed:30020076). Several substrates have been identified including the BMAL1, ARC, LAMTOR1, RAD23A and RAD23B, MCM7 (which is involved in DNA replication), annexin A1, the PML tumor suppressor, and the cell cycle regulator CDKN1B (PubMed:10373495, PubMed:19204938, PubMed:19325566, PubMed:19591933, PubMed:22645313, PubMed:24728990, PubMed:30020076). Additionally, may function as a cellular quality control ubiquitin ligase by helping the degradation of the cytoplasmic misfolded proteins (PubMed:19233847). Finally, UBE3A also promotes its own degradation in vivo. Plays an important role in the regulation of the circadian clock: involved in the ubiquitination of the core clock component BMAL1, leading to its proteasomal degradation (PubMed:24728990). Acts as transcriptional coactivator of progesterone receptor PGR upon progesterone hormone activation (PubMed:16772533). Acts as a regulator of synaptic development by mediating ubiquitination and degradation of ARC (By similarity). Required for synaptic remodeling in neurons by mediating ubiquitination and degradation of LAMTOR1, thereby limiting mTORC1 signaling and activity-dependent synaptic remodeling (By similarity). Synergizes with WBP2 in enhancing PGR activity (PubMed:16772533)
(Microbial infection) Catalyzes the high-risk human papilloma virus E6-mediated ubiquitination of p53/TP53, contributing to the neoplastic progression of cells infected by these viruses
Disease associations
Angelman syndromeAS
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe motor and intellectual retardation, ataxia, frequent jerky limb movements and flapping of the arms and hands, hypotonia, seizures, absence of speech, frequent smiling and episodes of paroxysmal laughter, open-mouthed expression revealing the tongue.
Sources
Last updated 5/6/2026, 5:25:01 AM