NCSTN : nicastrin
Description
The NCSTN (nicastrin) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
The NCSTN gene provides instructions for making a protein called nicastrin. This protein is a subunit of a complex called gamma- (γ-) secretase. Nicastrin plays a critical role in the assembly and stability of this complex. The γ-secretase complex is located in the cell membrane, where it cleaves many different transmembrane proteins. This cleavage is important for several chemical signaling pathways that transmit signals from outside the cell into the nucleus. One of these pathways, Notch signaling, is essential for the normal growth and maturation of hair follicle cells and other skin cells. Notch signaling is also involved in normal immune system function.
Nicastrin is an essential subunit of the gamma-secretase complex, an endoprotease complex that cleaves integral membrane proteins such as Notch receptors and APP (amyloid-beta precursor protein). The gamma-secretase complex plays a role in Notch and Wnt signaling cascades, regulating downstream processes by processing key regulatory proteins and regulating cytosolic CTNNB1 levels. (PubMed:10993067, PubMed:12679784, PubMed:25043039, PubMed:26280335, PubMed:30598546, PubMed:30630874)
NCSTN is also known as ATAG1874.
