RNA-binding protein Musashi homolog 1 also known as Musashi-1 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 ''MSI1''
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 ...
.
Function
This gene encodes 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 ...
containing two conserved tandem RNA recognition motifs and functions as an
RNA binding protein that is involved in post-transcriptional gene editing. It is a
stem cell marker that controls the balance between self-renewal and terminal differentiation.
Clinical significance
Over expression of this gene is associated with the grade of the malignancy and proliferative activity in
glioma
A glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain or the spine. Gliomas comprise about 30 percent of all brain tumors and central nervous system tumours, and 80 percent of all malignant brain tumours.
Signs and symptoms
...
s and
melanomas.
An increased expression of MSI1 protein is observed in
endometriosis and
endometrial carcinoma
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that arises from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus or womb). It is the result of the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The first sign is most o ...
siRNA
Small interfering RNA (siRNA), sometimes known as short interfering RNA or silencing RNA, is a class of double-stranded RNA at first non-coding RNA molecules, typically 20-24 (normally 21) base pairs in length, similar to miRNA, and operating ...
-mediated inhibition of MSI expression in endometrial carcinoma cells induces
apoptosis and inhibits
cell proliferation by affecting the
Notch signaling pathway
MSI1 is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells and is required for normal development of the brain. A mutation in these gene is responsible for autosomal recessive primary
microcephaly
Microcephaly (from New Latin ''microcephalia'', from Ancient Greek μικρός ''mikrós'' "small" and κεφαλή ''kephalé'' "head") is a medical condition involving a smaller-than-normal head. Microcephaly may be present at birth or it ...
. MSI1 also interacts with the
Zika virus
''Zika virus'' (ZIKV; pronounced or ) is a member of the virus family ''Flaviviridae''. It is spread by daytime-active '' Aedes'' mosquitoes, such as '' A. aegypti'' and '' A. albopictus''. Its name comes from the Ziika Forest of Uganda, w ...
genome and may explain why these cells are highly susceptible to Zika virus infection.
See also
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Musashi-2
References
Further reading
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RNA-binding proteins
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