Mago-Nashi Homolog B (MAGOHB) is a protein-coding gene that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. It is a human homolog of the Drosophila mago nashi gene, which is essential for germline development and embryo formation. In humans, MAGOHB is ubiquitously expressed in adult tissues and is involved in several critical pathways, including mRNA splicing, export, translation, and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) .
MAGOHB is part of the exon junction complex (EJC), a multiprotein complex that assembles on mRNA after splicing. The EJC is composed of core components, including EIF4A3, RBM8A, and MAGOH/MAGOHB. These proteins form a stable heterodimer that binds to the cleft of EIF4A3, creating the core of the complex . The EJC marks the position of exon-exon junctions in mature mRNA, influencing downstream processes such as nuclear mRNA export, subcellular mRNA localization, translation efficiency, and NMD .
MAGOHB is essential for normal cellular functioning and embryonic development. It plays a redundant role with its paralog, MAGOH, in the EJC and NMD pathways . The EJC is a dynamic structure that consists of core proteins and several peripheral nuclear and cytoplasmic associated factors that join the complex transiently during EJC assembly or subsequent mRNA metabolism . The presence of EJC proteins regulates splicing efficiency and protects the global transcriptome by masking cryptic splice sites .
Haploinsufficiency of MAGOHB has been associated with various disorders, including microcephaly and cancer . The depletion of core EJC components, such as RBM8A, results in aberrant splicing, particularly for genes related to mitosis like AURKB (Aurora B Kinase) and MDM2 (murine double minute 2) . The emerging molecular role of the EJC is to prevent re-splicing of mRNAs and ensure proper centrosome organization and ciliogenesis .
Recombinant human MAGOHB is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the human MAGOHB gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. This allows for the large-scale production of the protein for research and therapeutic purposes. Recombinant MAGOHB is used in various studies to understand its role in cellular processes and its potential as a target for cancer treatment .