Ubiquitin-associated protein 1 is a member of the UBA domain family, whose members include proteins having connections to ubiquitin and the ubiquitination pathway. The ubiquitin associated domain is thought to be a non-covalent ubiquitin binding domain consisting of a compact three helix bundle.

This particular protein originates from a gene locus in a refined region on chromosome 9 undergoing loss of heterozygosity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Taking into account its cytogenetic location, this UBA domain family member is being studies as a putative target for mutation in nasopharyngeal carcinomas.Ubiquitous. Highly expressed in heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas.