Function
UBC-13 is involved in protein ubiquitination, although it lacks intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity. Heterodimers of UBC-13 and UEV-1 catalyze the formation of non-canonical Lys-63-linked polyubiquitin chains. This activity plays a role in the sorting of Lys-63-linked polyubiquitinated maternal membrane proteins for degradation via targeting to multivesicular bodies. Additionally, UBC-13 may be involved in the ubiquitination and growth of intracellular polyglutamine protein aggregates. A potential role in AMPA-type glutamate receptor trafficking in neurons has also been suggested.