Ubiquitin-associated protein 1 (UBAP1)

Ubiquitin-associated protein 1 (UBAP1) is a member of the ubiquitin-associated domain (UBA) family and a stable subunit of the ESCRT-I complex, which mediates endosomal sorting and degradation of ubiquitinated membrane proteins[1][2][4][5]. UBAP1 contains a unique C-terminal domain called SOUBA (solenoid of overlapping UBAs), which binds ubiquitin and is essential for ESCRT-I function in endosomal cargo sorting[1]. UBAP1 is required for degradation of certain antiviral proteins at the cell surface and is actively hijacked by viral immunomodulatory proteins[1]. Genetic mutations in UBAP1 disrupt endosomal dynamics, leading to accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and are linked to juvenile-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG80) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration[2][3]. Its role in cellular housekeeping and neurodegeneration makes it an area of interest for understanding disease mechanisms and potential therapeutics. There are no drugs currently approved targeting UBAP1 directly, but it is under investigation as a therapeutic target and disease biomarker[1][2][3].

Other names

UBAP1Ubiquitin-associated protein 1NAG20Nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated gene 20 proteinSPG80UAPUBAPUBAP-1

Drugs or molecules targeting this molecule would likely modulate ubiquitin-binding, endosomal trafficking, and degradation of membrane cargo