E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays an essential role in the organization of autophagic response and ubiquitination upon lysosomal and phagosomal damages. Plays a role in the stress-induced biogenesis and degradation of protein aggresomes by regulating the p62-KEAP1-NRF2 signaling and particularly by modulating the ubiquitination levels and thus stability of NRF2. Acts as a scaffold protein and facilitates autophagic degradation of protein aggregates by interacting with p62/SQSTM, ATG16L1 and LC3B/MAP1LC3B. In turn, protects the cell against oxidative stress-induced cell death as a consequence of endomembrane damage.
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm
Highest levels found in testis, ovary, small intestine, colon, placenta, heart, skeletal muscle and mammary gland. More highly expressed in the fetus than in the corresponding adult tissues. Expressed in basal keratinocytes.