ubiquitin

1. A small protein that plays a key role in regulating the degradation of other proteins within cells.

   synonyms:protein tagcellular marker

The term 'ubiquitin' is derived from 'ubiquity', reflecting its widespread presence in eukaryotic cells, combined with the suffix '-in' commonly used in protein nomenclature.

Scientific term, primarily used in biochemistry and cellular biology.

While ubiquitin is essential in scientific discussions, it is not commonly used in everyday language.

Ubiquitin tags proteins for degradation, ensuring that damaged or unneeded proteins are removed from the cell.

Researchers are studying ubiquitin pathways to better understand cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

The discovery of ubiquitin was a breakthrough in molecular biology, paving the way for advancements in genetic research.

Ubiquitin is a fascinating little protein that holds a significant role in the cellular world, acting like a tag that tells cells what to do with other proteins. Originating from the word 'ubiquity', which means 'everywhere', this molecule truly lives up to its name by being present in all eukaryotic cells. Discovered in the 1970s, ubiquitin has since been a key player in our understanding of cellular processes, particularly in protein regulation. While it might not be a term you hear at the coffee shop, in the lab, it’s a superstar!