NEDD8 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 8) is an ubiquitin-like protein, with approx. 60% identity to ubiquitin. Conjugation of mature NEDD8 (via its exposed C-terminal glycine76 residue) to specific lysine residues on a number of cellular target proteins via isopeptide bonds, allows NEDD8 to play a critical regulatory role in cell proliferation and development.
The NEDD8 conjugation pathway proceeds by a mechanism analogous to that of the ubiquitin conjugation cascade, consisting of a dedicated NEDD8 E1 activating enzyme (a heterodimeric complex consisting of a regulatory subunit APP-BP1 and a catalytic subunit Uba3), E2 conjugating enzymes (Ubc12 and UBE2F) and substrate specific E3 ligases.
An increasing number of substrates for NEDDylation, including the tumor suppressors p53 and VHL, have been identified in addition to members of the well-characterised cullin family of proteins, that play a structural role in ubiquitin E3 ligase complexes such as SCF.
Recombinant protein expressed with N-terminal His-tag. Utility in NEDDylation reactions and NEDD8 binding assays.