Accepts ubiquitin from the E1 complex and catalyzes its covalent attachment to other proteins. In association with the E3 enzyme BRE1 (RNF20 and/or RNF40), it plays a role in transcription regulation by catalyzing the monoubiquitination of histone H2B at 'Lys-120' to form H2BK120ub1. H2BK120ub1 gives a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional activation, elongation by RNA polymerase II, telomeric silencing, and is also a prerequisite for H3K4me and H3K79me formation (By similarity). In vitro catalyzes 'Lys-11'-, as well as 'Lys-48'- and 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitination. Required for postreplication repair of UV-damaged DNA. Associates to the E3 ligase RAD18 to form the UBE2B-RAD18 ubiquitin ligase complex involved in mono-ubiquitination of DNA-associated PCNA on 'Lys-164'. May be involved in neurite outgrowth. S-ubiquitinyl-[E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme]-L-cysteine + [E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme]-L-cysteine = [E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme]-L-cysteine + S-ubiquitinyl-[E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme]-L-cysteine. Protein modification; protein ubiquitination. Interacts with RAD18, UBR2 and WAC. In peripheral neurons, expressed both at the plasma membrane and in nuclei. Expressed at high levels in testes, moderate levels in muscle, heart, and brain, and low levels in liver and kidney. Upon fasting, increased levels were seen in muscle, heart, liver, and kidney. Up-regulated by NGF. Belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family.