Synphilin-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, respon ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''SNCAIP''
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 ...
.
''SNCAIP'' stands for "synuclein, alpha interacting protein" and can be signified by SNCAP_HUMAN, synphilin 1, synuclein, alpha interacting protein (synphilin), and SYPH1.
Function
This gene encodes a protein containing several
protein-protein interaction domains, including
ankyrin
Ankyrins are a family of proteins that mediate the attachment of integral membrane proteins to the spectrin-actin based membrane cytoskeleton. Ankyrins have binding sites for the beta subunit of spectrin and at least 12 families of integral mem ...
-like repeats, a
coiled-coil domain, and an ATP/GTP-binding motif. The encoded protein interacts with
alpha-synuclein
Alpha-synuclein is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''SNCA'' gene. Alpha-synuclein is a neuronal protein that regulates synaptic vesicle trafficking and subsequent neurotransmitter release.
It is abundant in the brain, while smaller a ...
in
neuronal tissue and may play a role in the formation of
cytoplasmic inclusions and
neurodegeneration
A neurodegenerative disease is caused by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, in the process known as neurodegeneration. Such neuronal damage may ultimately involve cell death. Neurodegenerative diseases include amyotrophic ...
. A mutation in this gene has been associated with
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...
. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms of this gene have been described, but their full-length nature has yet to be determined.
The SNCAIP gene provides instructions for making a protein called synphilin-1 and a slightly different version of this protein called synphilin-1A. These proteins are produced in the brain. They are usually located in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals, found at the tips of nerve cells. In nerve cells, synphilin-1 and synphilin-1A interact with another protein called alpha-synuclein. The functions of synphilin-1 and synphilin-1A, however, are unknown.
Interactions
SNCAIP has been shown to
interact
Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizat ...
with:
*
Alpha-synuclein
Alpha-synuclein is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''SNCA'' gene. Alpha-synuclein is a neuronal protein that regulates synaptic vesicle trafficking and subsequent neurotransmitter release.
It is abundant in the brain, while smaller a ...
and
*
Parkin (ligase)
Parkin is a 465-amino acid residue E3 ubiquitin ligase, a protein that in humans and mice is encoded by the ''PARK2'' gene. Parkin plays a critical role in ubiquitination – the process whereby molecules are covalently labelled with ubiquitin (U ...
.
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
{{Gene-5-stub