USP38

Deubiquitinating enzyme that plays a role in various cellular processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and immune response. Plays a role in the inhibition of type I interferon signaling by mediating the 'Lys-33' to 'Lys-48' ubiquitination transition of TBK1 leading to its degradation. Cleaves the ubiquitin chain from the histone demethylase LSD1/KDM1A and prevents it from degradation by the 26S proteasome, thus maintaining LSD1 protein level in cells. Plays a role in the DNA damage response by regulating the deacetylase activity of HDAC1. Mechanistically, removes the 'Lys-63'-linked ubiquitin chain promoting the deacetylase activity of HDAC1 in response to DNA damage. Also acts as a specific deubiquitinase of histone deacetylase 3/HDAC3 and cleaves its 'Lys-63'-linked ubiquitin chains to lower its histone deacetylase activity. Regulates MYC levels and cell proliferation via antagonizing ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXW7 thereby preventing MYC 'Lys-48'-linked ubiquitination and degradation. Participates in antiviral response by removing both 'Lys-48'-linked and 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitination of Zika virus envelope protein E. Constitutively associated with IL-33R/IL1RL1, deconjugates its 'Lys-27'-linked polyubiquitination resulting in its autophagic degradation..

Function from UniProtKB (Q8NB14), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.