FAT10, also designated Ubiquitin D or Diubiquitin, is a 165 amino acid protein encoded in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that consists of two domains which share significant homology with ubiquitin. Each domain contains two cysteines, along with a free C-terminal diglycine motif required for FAT10 conjugate formation. FAT10 is inducible by interferon-g and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF?). The FAT10 protein interacts with MAD2, a component of the spindle checkpoint, and plays a role in antigen presentation, cytokine response, apoptosis and mitosis. It may also regulate cell growth during dendritic cell or B cell activation and development. FAT10 mRNA is expressed mainly in some dendritic cells and lymphoblastoid lines and in other specific cells subsequent to interferon-g induction. The human FAT10 gene, designated UBD, maps to chromosome 6p21.3 and is overexpressed in the tumors of various epithelial cancers.
