RING finger protein unkempt-like is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UNKL gene.
This protein is most commonly known as UNK-like Zinc Finger. According to NCBI.com, other names for this protein include ZC3H5L, C16orf28 and ZC3HDC5L. This gene is homologous to the Drosophila UNK finger, hence the term "UNK-like finger" for humans. The UNKL protein is homologous to the UNK protein since they share a lot of similarities in structure and function. The UNKL protein can also be found in several other vertebrates due to it being part of the vertebrata lineage. According to OMIM.org, "UNKL shares 87% and 40% identity with mouse and Drosophila orthologs, respectively".
The UNKL gene for this protein belongs to a gene group called Ring Finger Proteins (RNF). According to the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, Ring Finger Proteins are a motif containing "a Cys 3 HisCys 4 amino acid...which binds two zinc cations". RING fingers are a common molecule used for the ubiquitination of certain substrates.
The UNKL gene is found on Chromosome 16 in the human genome. Because the UNKL gene is part of the human genome, it can play a role in aiding human development and regulating certain biological pathways. Chromosome 16 is an essential somatic chromosome for human development and production of molecules such as Hemoglobin.
Raymond S. Brown reports the UNKL protein shows "RNA binding activity". Raymond S. Brown claims that this phenomenon is found in proteins "such as the HIV-1 nucleocapsid (CCHC) [2, 3], reovirus σ3 (C2H2) [4] and barley stripe mosaic virus γb protein (C4C/H) [5]".