E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase HACE1 (HACE1)

E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase involved in Golgi membrane fusion and regulation of small GTPases. Acts as a regulator of Golgi membrane dynamics during the cell cycle: recruited to Golgi membrane by Rab proteins and modulates postmitotic Golgi membrane fusion.

Acts by mediating ubiquitination through mitotic Golgi disassembly, ubiquitination serving as a signal for Golgi reassembly later, after cell division. Specifically interacts with GTP-bound RAC1, mediating ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of active RAC1, thereby playing a role in host defense against pathogens.