NACA Human

The Nascent Polypeptide-Associated Complex Alpha (NACA) is a crucial protein in humans, encoded by the NACA gene. This protein plays a significant role in the early stages of protein synthesis, ensuring that newly synthesized polypeptides are correctly processed and transported within the cell.

The NACA gene is located on chromosome 12 in humans . The protein encoded by this gene is part of the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC), which is composed of two subunits: alpha (NACA) and beta. The alpha subunit is responsible for binding nascent polypeptide chains as they emerge from the ribosome .

NACA prevents inappropriate interactions between nascent polypeptides and cytosolic proteins by binding to the emerging polypeptide chains . This binding blocks the interaction with the signal recognition particle (SRP), which normally targets nascent secretory peptides to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) . By doing so, NACA ensures that only proteins with signal peptides are directed to the ER, while others remain in the cytosol .

NACA plays a vital role in maintaining protein homeostasis within the cell. It prevents the mislocalization of non-secretory proteins to the ER, which could lead to cellular stress and dysfunction . Additionally, NACA is involved in various cellular processes, including transcription regulation, protein transport, and skeletal muscle development .

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of NACA in preventing the formation of protein aggregates, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s . Understanding the function of NACA and its role in protein quality control can provide insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for these diseases.