Has no ubiquitin ligase activity on its own. The UBE2V1-UBE2N heterodimer catalyzes the synthesis of non-canonical poly-ubiquitin chains that are linked through 'Lys-63'. This type of poly-ubiquitination activates IKK and does not seem to involve protein degradation by the proteasome. Plays a role in the activation of NF-kappa-B. Mediates transcriptional activation of target genes. Plays a role in the control of progress through the cell cycle and differentiation. Plays a role in the error-free DNA repair pathway and contributes to the survival of cells after DNA damage (By similarity). Together with RNF135 and UBE2N, may catalyze the viral RNA-dependent 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitination of RIG-I/DDX58 to activate the downstream signaling pathway that leads to interferon beta production (By similarity). Excluded from the nucleolus. Belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family.