Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetase Complex-Interacting Multifunctional Protein 1 (AIMP1) is a multifunctional protein that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. It is also known by several other names, including Endothelial Monocyte-Activating Polypeptide II (EMAP II), Small Inducible Cytokine Subfamily E, Member 1 (SCYE1), and p43. AIMP1 is a non-catalytic component of the multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC), which is essential for protein synthesis.
The AIMP1 gene is located on chromosome 4q24 and encodes a protein that consists of 312 amino acids . The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 34 kDa in its precursor form, which is cleaved to produce an active 20 kDa product . The human and mouse AIMP1 proteins share 86% identity in their amino acid sequences .
AIMP1 is involved in several critical cellular functions, including:
Cytokine Activity: AIMP1 acts as a cytokine that is specifically induced by apoptosis. It is involved in the control of angiogenesis, inflammation, and wound healing . The release of this cytokine renders the tumor-associated vasculature sensitive to tumor necrosis factor .
tRNA Binding: AIMP1 binds to tRNA and stimulates the catalytic activity of cytoplasmic arginyl-tRNA synthetase . This function is crucial for the proper aminoacylation of tRNA, which is essential for protein synthesis.
Inflammatory Responses: Upon proteolytic cleavage in tumor cells, AIMP1 stimulates inflammatory responses . It activates endothelial cells and induces chemotaxis of neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes .
AIMP1 has been associated with several diseases and conditions, including:
AIMP1 is a subject of ongoing research due to its multifunctional roles and clinical significance. It has been identified as an antitumor protein that inhibits angiogenesis and induces antitumor responses . Additionally, AIMP1’s role in inflammatory responses makes it a potential target for therapeutic interventions in various inflammatory diseases.