Background
This gene encodes a protein that functions as a negative regulator of NEDD8, a ubiquitin-like protein that conjugates with cullin family members in order to regulate vital biological events. The protein encoded by this gene regulates the NEDD8 conjugation system post-transcriptionally by recruiting NEDD8 and its conjugates to the proteasome for degradation. This protein interacts with the product of the AIPL1 gene, which is associated with Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited retinopathy, and mutations in that gene can abolish interaction with this protein, which may contribute to the pathogenesis. This protein is also known to accumulate in Lewy bodies in Parkinsons disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, and in glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy, with this abnormal accumulation being specific to alpha-synucleinopathy lesions. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants.