Nucleophosmin

Nucleophosmin (NPM1), also known as B23, NPM, or NO38, is a nucleolar protein that is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells. It is involved in several cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.

Function

Nucleophosmin is a multifunctional protein that shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It plays a critical role in the assembly and transport of ribosomal subunits and is involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression. NPM1 is also implicated in the cellular response to stress and DNA damage.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the NPM1 gene are frequently associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in cases with a normal karyotype. These mutations often result in the aberrant cytoplasmic localization of the protein, which is a hallmark of NPM1-mutated AML. The presence of NPM1 mutations is considered a favorable prognostic marker in AML patients.

Interactions

Nucleophosmin interacts with several other proteins, including p53, ARF, and HDM2. These interactions are crucial for its role in tumor suppression and the regulation of apoptosis.

Research

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms by which NPM1 mutations contribute to leukemogenesis and exploring potential therapeutic strategies targeting NPM1-mutated AML.

See Also

• Ribosome biogenesis
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Tumor suppressor gene

External Links

• [NPM1 at UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P06748)
• [NPM1 Gene - GeneCards](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=NPM1)