NCOA4

NCOA4 (Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 4) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NCOA4 gene. This protein is involved in a variety of biological processes, including iron homeostasis and autophagy, a process that cells use to break down and recycle cellular components.

Function

NCOA4 is a cytoplasmic protein that interacts with the androgen receptor (AR). This protein has been shown to be essential for the cellular uptake of iron, acting as a cargo receptor for the ferritin complex, the main intracellular iron storage complex. NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, a specific form of autophagy, is crucial for the maintenance of iron homeostasis.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the NCOA4 gene have been associated with various diseases. For example, mutations in NCOA4 have been linked to autosomal dominant hereditary hemochromatosis, a disorder characterized by excessive iron absorption. Additionally, NCOA4 has been implicated in cancer, as it is involved in the regulation of cell growth and cell differentiation.

See also

• Nuclear receptor coactivator
• Androgen receptor
• Autophagy
• Ferritin
• Hereditary hemochromatosis