Ub ligases

Ubiquitin ligases (or E3 ligases) are specialized enzymes in cells that tag defective, damaged, or unneeded proteins with a small molecule called ubiquitin. This tagging marks the proteins for destruction by the cell's waste disposal system, the proteasome. By controlling which proteins are degraded, ubiquitin ligases help regulate various processes like cell growth, response to stress, and maintaining healthy cell function. They act as quality control agents, ensuring that faulty or excess proteins are efficiently removed to maintain cellular health.