Musashi-2

Musashi2 protein in homolog 2 in Homo sapiens

Musashi-2 (MSI2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSI2 gene. It is a member of the Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins, which are known to play critical roles in the regulation of stem cell maintenance and differentiation.

Function

Musashi-2 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the translation of target mRNAs. It is involved in the maintenance of stem cell populations and has been implicated in the regulation of hematopoiesis, the process by which blood cells are formed. MSI2 is known to bind to specific RNA sequences and inhibit their translation, thereby controlling the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.

Clinical Significance

MSI2 has been associated with various types of cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Overexpression of MSI2 is often correlated with poor prognosis in these cancers. It is thought to contribute to the maintenance of cancer stem cells, which are responsible for tumor growth and resistance to therapy.

Structure

The Musashi-2 protein contains two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) that are responsible for its RNA-binding activity. These motifs allow MSI2 to interact with specific RNA sequences and regulate their translation.

Research

Research on Musashi-2 is ongoing, with studies focusing on its role in stem cell biology and its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer. Inhibitors of MSI2 are being investigated as potential treatments for cancers in which MSI2 is overexpressed.

See Also

• Musashi (protein)
• RNA-binding protein
• Stem cell
• Hematopoiesis
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Chronic myeloid leukemia

External Links

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