Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a group of RNA-binding proteins that play crucial roles in the processing, metabolism, and transport of pre-mRNA in the nucleus. Among these, the hnRNP A/B family is particularly significant due to its involvement in various cellular processes and its association with several diseases, including cancer .
The hnRNP A/B family consists of four main subtypes: hnRNPA0, hnRNPA1, hnRNPA2/B1, and hnRNPA3. These proteins share a similar structure, typically comprising two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a glycine-rich domain . The RRMs are responsible for binding to RNA, while the glycine-rich domain is involved in protein-protein interactions .
HnRNP A/B proteins are produced by RNA polymerase II and are components of the heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) complexes . They associate with nascent pre-mRNAs, packaging them into hnRNP particles. This arrangement is non-random and sequence-dependent, serving to condense and stabilize the transcripts and minimize tangling and knotting .
These proteins influence various aspects of mRNA metabolism, including splicing, transport, and translation . They are also involved in the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of genomic stability .
HnRNP A/B proteins have been identified as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer . Their dynamic changes in expression are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression . Inhibitors targeting hnRNP A/B are being explored for clinical use, with several compounds showing potential in cancer therapy .