This entry represents the RNA recognition motif 1 (RRM1) of DND1, an RNA-binding protein that is essential for maintaining viable germ cells in vertebrates [, ]. It interacts with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and prevents micro-RNA (miRNA) mediated repression of mRNA [, ]. For instance, DND1 binds cell cycle inhibitor, P27 (p27Kip1, CDKN1B), and cell cycle regulator and tumor suppressor, LATS2 (large tumor suppressor, homologue 2 of Drosophila) []. It helps maintain their protein expression through blocking the inhibitory function of microRNAs (miRNA) from these transcripts. DND1 may also impose another level of translational regulation to modulate expression of critical factors in embryonic stem (ES) cells. DND1 interacts specifically with apolipoprotein B editing complex 3 (APOBEC3), a multi-functional protein inhibiting retroviral replication. The DND1-APOBEC3 interaction may play a role in maintaining viability of germ cells and for preventing germ cell tumor development []. DND1 contains two conserved RNA recognition motifs (RRMs).
Dead end protein 1 (DND1) is an RNA-binding protein that is required for the survival of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and suppresses the formation of germ-cell tumors []. DND1 binds a UU(A/U) trinucleotide motif predominantly in the 3' untranslated regions of mRNA, and destabilizes target mRNAs []. It also counteracts the function of several microRNAs (miRNAs), which are inhibitors of gene expression, by binding mRNAs and prohibiting miRNAs from associating with their target sites []. DND1 contains two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a C-terminal double-stranded RNA binding motif (DSRM) that is not sequence specific, but highly specific for dsRNAs of various origin and structure.This entry represents the DSRM of DND1.
