Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1

Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BAI1 gene. It is a member of the BAI family of proteins, which are characterized by the presence of multiple thrombospondin type 1 repeats.

Function[edit | edit source]

BAI1 is a G protein-coupled receptor that has been shown to be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. It is expressed primarily in the brain, where it may play a role in the maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity. BAI1 has also been implicated in the suppression of tumor growth and metastasis.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The BAI1 protein is a seven-transmembrane receptor with a large extracellular domain containing multiple thrombospondin type 1 repeats. The intracellular domain of BAI1 contains a PDZ domain, which allows it to interact with other proteins and play a role in signal transduction.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Mutations in the BAI1 gene have been associated with certain types of cancer, including glioblastoma and breast cancer. In addition, BAI1 has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.

Research[edit | edit source]

Research into the function and potential therapeutic applications of BAI1 is ongoing. Current areas of investigation include the role of BAI1 in angiogenesis and tumor suppression, as well as its potential use as a target for cancer therapy.

File:BAI1 protein structure.jpg

Structure of the BAI1 protein. The extracellular domain is shown in blue, the transmembrane domain in green, and the intracellular domain in red.