Active, Recombinant Human UBE2W

Background: UBE2W (Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2 W) is a human E2 enzyme distinguished by its ability to catalyze non-canonical ubiquitylation of the α-amino group at protein N-termini. Unlike most E2 enzymes that predominantly direct ubiquitin transfer to lysine side chains, UBE2W preferentially modifies accessible, conformationally flexible N-termini and can initiate substrate mono-ubiquitylation. This initial modification can serve as a substrate for subsequent ubiquitin-chain extension by other E2 enzymes, including UBE2N / UBE2V complexes. UBE2W is therefore a useful reagent for studying non-canonical ubiquitylation, E2 / E3 enzyme specificity, ubiquitin-chain initiation, and the consequences of N-terminal ubiquitylation on protein function and fate.