Structure and function of ubiquitin-activating enzyme UBA1

Ubiquitin-activating enzyme, also known as UBA1, is an essential enzyme in the process of ubiquitin activation in all eukaryotic cells, and its loss, as well as complete disfunction, leads inevitably to death of an organism. In humans, nuclear (UBA1a) and cytoplasmic (UBA1b) isoforms are known. Ubiquitination, the process at the beginning of which UBA1 stands as a key player, is important for proteasomal degradation of proteins, cell cycle progression, DNA damage repairs, fertilisation, as well as antiviral response of an organism. Its impaired function is the cause of many oncological and neurodegenerative diseases or just recently discovered autoinflammatory syndrome VEXAS. This thesis includes basic and current knowledge about UBA1, its structure, functions in cells and pathologies. Key words: UBA1, ubiquitin, catalytic cysteine, proteasomal degradation, VEXA