UCHL3 may play a role in adipogenesis (van Beekum et al., 2012), which indicates that this duplication might be related to the adaptation of the bowhead whale to
the challenging arctic environment.
These results suggest specific scenarios for the role of proteolysis in the evolution of Mysticetes.
Specifically, given the relationship between immunity and aging (Lo´ pez-Otı´n et al., 2013), some of these findings might open new approaches for the study of this outstanding cetacean.