UNC13B

This gene is expressed in the kidney cortical epithelial cells and is upregulated by hyperglycemia. The encoded protein shares a high level of similarity to the rat homolog, and contains 3 C2 domains and a diacylglycerol-binding C1 domain. Hyperglycemia increases the levels of diacylglycerol, which has been shown to induce apoptosis in cells transfected with this gene and thus contribute to the renal cell complications of hyperglycemia. Studies in other species also indicate a role for this protein in the priming step of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

Unc-13 Homolog B

Function

Plays a role in vesicle maturation during exocytosis as a target of the diacylglycerol second messenger pathway. Is involved in neurotransmitter release by acting in synaptic vesicle priming prior to vesicle fusion and participates in the activity-depending refilling of readily releasable vesicle pool (RRP) (By similarity).
Essential for synaptic vesicle maturation in a subset of excitatory/glutamatergic but not inhibitory/GABA-mediated synapses (By similarity).
In collaboration with UNC13A, facilitates neuronal dense core vesicles fusion as well as controls the location and efficiency of their synaptic release (By similarity).

Biological Process

Biological Process acrosomal vesicle exocytosis Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process cellular response to glucose stimulus Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL1 Publication
Biological Process chemical synaptic transmission Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL
Biological Process dense core granule priming Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process neuromuscular junction development Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process neuronal dense core vesicle exocytosis Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process positive regulation of apoptotic process Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of inhibitory postsynaptic potential Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL
Biological Process positive regulation of protein secretion Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of synaptic vesicle priming Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL
Biological Process presynaptic dense core vesicle exocytosis Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process synaptic transmission, glutamatergic Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process synaptic vesicle docking Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process synaptic vesicle maturation Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process synaptic vesicle priming Source:ParkinsonsUK-UCL

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm
Membrane
Cell membrane
Synapse
Localized to synapses. Translocated to the plasma membrane in response to phorbol ester binding (By similarity).