**Analysis of Mutations on the UBA5 Protein** Ashley Brooks, Harrison Giknavorian, Simon Park, Alex Simaitis, Jordan Snyder **Abstract** Proteins plays a key role in biological processes of humans. These proteins are comprised of amino acids which are coded by the DNA found in all living things. This is the central dogma of biology in which DNA is transcribed by mRNA which is later translated into amino acids that create proteins. The protein UBA5 (Ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 5) is essential to the biochemical processes in humans. This protein activates the UFM1 modifier which begins the UFM1 cascade in Eukaryotes. The UFM1 cascade is responsible for regulation within cells, keeping the cells stable during changing internal and external conditions. When a mutation occurs in UBA5, the functionality of UFM1 can change. Two diseases could potentially arise from mutations in the UBA5 gene, autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia (ARCA) and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Both severely affect the human brain and general functioning of a person. Small changes in even the tiniest genes could have severe effects on the organism. **Continue on to the next section for more information on UBA5...**