Ubiquitin stability and the lys 63-linked polyubiquitination site are compromised on copper binding.

Appetite for copper: Ubiquitin is a hallmark
of toxic aggregates in neurodegenerative
disorders, where metal ions are
believed to play a crucial role. Copper(II)
ions have been found to bind to ubiquitin
at a specific site involving the N-terminal
nitrogen of Met1 and three oxygen donor
ligands in a tetragonal geometry. The
affinity of this site for copper(II) is comparable
to that of other amyloidogenic
proteins involved in neurodegenerative
disorders.