APOBEC4 Human
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide-Like 4 (APOBEC4) is a member of the APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases. These enzymes are involved in the post-transcriptional modification of RNA and DNA, playing crucial roles in various biological processes, including innate immunity and cancer development.
APOBEC4 is encoded by the APOBEC4 gene, which is located on chromosome 1q25.3 . The APOBEC family consists of several members, including APOBEC1, APOBEC2, and multiple APOBEC3 proteins. APOBEC4, like other members of this family, functions by deaminating cytidine to uridine in single-stranded DNA or RNA, leading to mutations that can have significant biological consequences .
The primary function of APOBEC4 is to edit mRNA by converting cytidine to uridine. This editing process can result in changes to the encoded protein, potentially altering its function. APOBEC4 is also involved in the innate immune response, particularly in the defense against viral infections and retrotransposons .
APOBEC4 has been implicated in various diseases, particularly cancers. The enzyme’s ability to induce mutations in DNA can contribute to the development and progression of tumors. For example, APOBEC4 has been associated with frontometaphyseal dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder characterized by skeletal abnormalities . Additionally, the enzyme’s activity has been linked to the mutagenesis observed in several types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and hepatocellular carcinomas .
Research into APOBEC4 and other members of the APOBEC family is ongoing, with a focus on understanding their roles in disease and exploring potential therapeutic applications. Targeting APOBEC4 activity could provide a novel approach to cancer treatment, either by inhibiting its mutagenic effects or by harnessing its ability to induce mutations in a controlled manner .
