Mis-regulation of the ubiquitin pathway is therefore implicated in a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiac disease, neurodegenerative disorders and type 2 diabetes (Schwartz & Ciechanover, 2009; Rodríguez et al., 2009; Komatsu & Ichimura, 2010; Vereecke et al., 2009). The gene discussed is UBA52; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.