UPF2


Description

The UPF2 (UPF2 regulator of nonsense mediated mRNA decay) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 10.

The UPF2 gene encodes a protein that is part of a post-splicing multiprotein complex called the exon junction complex (EJC). This complex plays a role in both mRNA nuclear export and mRNA surveillance. mRNA surveillance detects mRNAs with truncated open reading frames and initiates nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a process that degrades mRNAs containing premature stop codons. When translation ends upstream from the last exon-exon junction, NMD is triggered. UPF2 localizes to the perinuclear area and interacts with translation release factors, as well as proteins homologous to yeast Upf1p and Upf3p. Two splice variants of the UPF2 gene have been identified, both of which encode the same protein. Recent studies have shown that UPF2 influences adult behavior through alterations in hippocampal synaptic spine density and the late long-term potentiation of neurons.

UPF2 plays a crucial role in the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway, a quality control mechanism that eliminates mRNAs containing premature stop codons. It accomplishes this by associating with the nuclear exon junction complex (EJC). UPF3B, a component of the EJC, recruits UPF2 to the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear envelope. Subsequently, UPF2 forms a surveillance complex with UPF1 and UPF3, which is thought to trigger NMD. UPF1, a key component of the surveillance complex, is bound to release factors at the stalled ribosome. In conjunction with UPF3B, UPF2 enhances the ATPase and RNA helicase activities of UPF1. Furthermore, UPF2 binds to spliced mRNA.

UPF2 is also known as HUPF2, RENT2, smg-3.

Associated Diseases



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