Function
E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that mediates monoubiquitination of 'Lys-119' of histone H2A (H2AK119Ub), thereby playing a central role in histone code and gene regulation (PubMed:15525528, PubMed:22325148, PubMed:28596365). H2AK119Ub gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression and participates in X chromosome inactivation of female mammals (PubMed:15525528, PubMed:28596365). May be involved in the initiation of both imprinted and random X inactivation (PubMed:15525528). Essential component of a Polycomb group (PcG) multiprotein PRC1-like complex, a complex class required to maintain the transcriptionally repressive state of many genes, including Hox genes, throughout development (PubMed:22325148, PubMed:16710298). PcG PRC1 complex acts via chromatin remodeling and modification of histones, rendering chromatin heritably changed in its expressibility (PubMed:15525528, PubMed:22325148, PubMed:16710298). E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase activity is enhanced by BMI1/PCGF4 (PubMed:16710298). Acts as the main E3 ubiquitin ligase on histone H2A of the PRC1 complex, while RING1 may rather act as a modulator of RNF2/RING2 activity (PubMed:15525528, PubMed:16710298). Plays a role in the transcriptional repression of genes that are required for pluripotency in embryonic stem cells, thereby contributing to differentiation of the ectodermal and endodermal germ layers (PubMed:22226355). Association with the chromosomal DNA is cell-cycle dependent. In resting B- and T-lymphocytes, interaction with AURKB leads to block its activity, thereby maintaining transcription in resting lymphocytes (PubMed:24034696).
Sequence
MSQAVQTNGTQPLSKTWELSLYELQRTPQEAITDGLEIVVSPRSLHSELMCPICLDMLKNTMTTKECLHRFCADCIITALRSGNKECPTCRKKLVSKRSLRPDPNFDALISKIYPSRDEYEAHQERVLARINKHNNQQALSHSIEEGLKIQAMNRLQRGKKQQIENGSGAEDNGDSSHCSNASTHSNQEAGPSNKRTKTSDDSGLELDNNNAAVAIDPVMDGASEIELVFRPHPTLMEKDDSAQTRYIKTSGNATVDHLSKYLAVRLALEELRSKGESNQMNLDTASEKQYTIYIATASGQFTVLNGSFSLELVSEKYWKVNKPMELYYAPTKEHK