Nucleolin

Nucleolin (NCL) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NCL gene. Nucleolin is a major nucleolar phosphoprotein that is associated with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and is involved in the synthesis and maturation of ribosomes.

Function

Nucleolin plays a critical role in the nucleolus, where it is involved in the synthesis and maturation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the assembly of ribosomes. It is also implicated in various cellular processes such as chromatin remodeling, DNA replication, transcription, and cell cycle regulation. Nucleolin is known to interact with nucleic acids and various proteins, influencing gene expression and cell proliferation.

Structure

Nucleolin is a multi-domain protein that contains several RNA-binding domains and a glycine-rich domain. The protein is highly phosphorylated, which is important for its function in the nucleolus. The structure of nucleolin allows it to bind to rRNA and other nucleic acids, facilitating the processing and assembly of ribosomal subunits.

Clinical significance

Nucleolin has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer. It is often overexpressed in tumor cells and is associated with increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Nucleolin is considered a potential target for cancer therapy, and several therapeutic strategies are being explored to inhibit its function in cancer cells.

Interactions

Nucleolin interacts with a variety of proteins and nucleic acids. It binds to rRNA, mRNA, and DNA, and interacts with proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis, chromatin remodeling, and signal transduction. These interactions are crucial for its role in regulating gene expression and cell cycle progression.

External links

• PDB: 1FJE​
• Nucleolin gene information at NCBI

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