C->U-editing enzyme APOBEC-4, also known as Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 4, is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''APOBEC4''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

. It is primarily expressed in testis and found in mammals, chicken, but not fishes.

Function

This gene encodes a member of the AID /

APOBEC image:Apobec.J.Steinfeld.D.png, 300px, upExample of a member of the APOBEC family, APOBEC-2. A cytidine deaminase from ''Homo sapiens''.; ; rendered usinPyMOL APOBEC ("apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide") is a family o ...

family of polynucleotide (deoxy)

cytidine deaminase Cytidine deaminase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''CDA'' gene. This gene encodes an enzyme involved in pyrimidine salvaging. The encoded protein forms a homotetramer that catalyzes the irreversible hydrolytic deamination of cytid ...

s, which convert

cytidine Cytidine (symbol C or Cyd) is a nucleoside molecule that is formed when cytosine is attached to a ribose ring (also known as a ribofuranose) via a β-N1- glycosidic bond. Cytidine is a component of RNA. It is a white water-soluble solid. which ...

uridine Uridine (symbol U or Urd) is a glycosylated pyrimidine analog containing uracil attached to a ribose ring (or more specifically, a ribofuranose) via a β-N1-glycosidic bond. The analog is one of the five standard nucleosides which make up nucle ...

. Other AID/APOBEC family members are involved in mRNA editing, somatic hypermutation and recombination of immunoglobulin genes, and innate immunity to retroviral infection. A recent study on APOBEC4 (A4) revealed an interesting finding that A4 enhanced the replication of HIV-1 through boosting promoter activity, it also increased the expression of other relevant promoter mediated enhanced protein expression. Biochemical analysis of A4 showed the lack of cytidine deaminase activity on single stranded DNA and it binds DNA rather weak.

Function

References

External links

Further reading