E3 ubiquitin ligase

E3 ubiquitin ligase is an enzyme that helps regulate proteins within cells by tagging them with a small molecule called ubiquitin. This tagging signals that the protein should be broken down or moved to different parts of the cell. Think of E3 ligase as a quality control agent, identifying specific proteins to be marked for destruction or relocation, maintaining cellular health and balance. It plays a crucial role in processes like cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and immune response by ensuring proteins are properly managed and recycled.