Encodes PROTEOLYSIS6 (PRT6), a component of the N-end rule pathway that targets protein degradation through the identity of the amino-terminal residue of specific protein substrates. Another component of the N-end rule pathway is arginyl-tRNA:protein arginyltransferase (ATE). Arabidopsis contains two ATE genes: At5g05700/ATE1, At3g11240/ATE2. PRT6 and ATE were shown to regulate seed after-ripening, seedling sugar sensitivity, seedling lipid breakdown, and abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity of germination. The mRNA is cell-to-cell mobile.
At5g02310 is not identical to CER3, a gene involved in establishment of a protective surface wax layer. At5g02310 has therefore been re-designated PROTEOLYSIS 6 (PRT6), in accordance with its ubiquitin ligase function.