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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 15 days ago
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UBQLN3
ubiquilin 3
Chromosome 11 · 11p15.4
NCBI Gene: 50613Ensembl: ENSG00000175520.9HGNC: HGNC:12510UniProt: A0A140VJZ3
15PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
protein bindingpolyubiquitin modification-dependent protein bindingubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic processcytosolneurodegenerative diseasesensory perception of smellinherited hemoglobinopathyfamilial hemolytic anemia
✦AI Summary

UBQLN3 (ubiquilin 3) is a testis-specific protein that plays crucial roles in spermatogenesis and male fertility. The protein contains an N-terminal ubiquitin-like domain, an NP domain, and a C-terminal ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain, positioning it within the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway 1. UBQLN3 expression is restricted to testis tissue and functions specifically during postmeiotic stages of spermatogenesis 12. The gene maps to chromosome 11 and represents part of a mammalian-specific expansion of ubiquilin genes associated with male reproductive functions 12. In disease contexts, UBQLN3 serves as a biomarker for spermatogenic impairment, with significantly reduced expression observed in men with nonobstructive azoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia 34. The protein is subject to post-transcriptional regulation by microRNA-23a/b-3p, where elevated miRNA levels correlate with decreased UBQLN3 expression and poor sperm quality parameters 5. Additionally, UBQLN3 has been identified as having potential prognostic significance in prostate cancer, with differential expression observed in early-stage disease 6. These findings establish UBQLN3 as an important regulator of male reproductive health and a potential therapeutic target for infertility treatment.

Sources cited
1
UBQLN3 contains UBQ, NP, and UBA domains and shows testis-specific expression
PMID: 10831842
2
UBQLN3 is part of mammalian-specific ubiquilin expansion with postmeiotic spermatogenesis roles
PMID: 24674348
3
UBQLN3 is significantly down-regulated in men with nonobstructive azoospermia
PMID: 24012201
4
UBQLN3 identified as hub gene for spermatogenesis and biomarker for male infertility
PMID: 37891374
5
UBQLN3 is targeted by miR-23a/b-3p and reduced in oligoasthenozoospermia
PMID: 33784796
6
UBQLN3 shows differential expression in early-stage prostate cancer
PMID: 40295064
Disease Associationsⓘ20
neurodegenerative diseaseOpen Targets
0.40Weak
sensory perception of smellOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
inherited hemoglobinopathyOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
familial hemolytic anemiaOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
malariaOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
eye diseaseOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
infectionOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
COVID-19Open Targets
0.01Suggestive
vulvovaginal candidiasisOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
Reunion island Larsen syndromeOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
Reunion Island's Larsen syndromeOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
cancerOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
candidiasisOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
complete androgen insensitivity syndromeOpen Targets
0.01Suggestive
Mobius syndromeOpen Targets
0.00Suggestive
esophageal squamous cell carcinomaOpen Targets
0.00Suggestive
hepatocellular carcinomaOpen Targets
0.00Suggestive
infertilityOpen Targets
0.00Suggestive
lung adenocarcinomaOpen Targets
0.00Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
PSMD4Protein interaction79%RNF148Shared pathway50%RNF149Shared pathway50%RNF215Shared pathway50%RNF217Shared pathway50%ARK2NShared pathway50%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Liver
100%
Ovary
100%
Bone Marrow
50%
Brain
50%
Heart
0%
Lung
0%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
UBQLN3PSMD4RNF148RNF149RNF215RNF217ARK2N
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
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PDB1YQB · 2.00 Å · X-ray
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
1.53LoF Tolerant
pLIⓘ
0.34Tolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.36 [0.12–1.53]
RankingsWhere UBQLN3 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #15,729of 20,598
    Most Researched15
  • #15,326of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)1.53
Genes detectedUBQLN3
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
HYPK coordinates degradation of polyneddylated proteins by autophagy.
PMID: 34836490
Autophagy · 2022
1.00
2
Molecular cloning, chromosome mapping and characterization of UBQLN3 a testis-specific gene that contains an ubiquitin-like domain.
PMID: 10831842
Gene · 2000
0.90
3
Identification of hub genes associated with spermatogenesis by bioinformatics analysis.
PMID: 37891374
Sci Rep · 2023
0.80
4
Ubiquitin-proteasome Pathway-linked Gene Signatures as Prognostic Indicators in Prostate Cancer.
PMID: 40295064
Anticancer Res · 2025
0.70
5
Chromosome 17 translocation affects sperm morphology: Two case studies and literature review.
PMID: 36270636
Andrologia · 2022
0.60