Tristetraprolin

Tristetraprolin (also known as TTP or ZFP36) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZFP36 gene. It is a member of the TIS11 family of early response genes, which are induced by various mitogens and other signaling molecules.

Function

Tristetraprolin is a zinc finger protein that interacts with AU-rich elements (AREs) found in the 3' untranslated regions of many proto-oncogenes and cytokine mRNAs. It functions in the process of mRNA decay and is thought to play a role in the regulation of immune response and cell growth.

Structure

The ZFP36 gene encodes a protein of 326 amino acids. The protein contains two tandem CCCH zinc finger domains, which are responsible for its binding to AREs. The zinc fingers are separated by a linker region that is highly conserved among TIS11 family members.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the expression of tristetraprolin have been associated with various diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. In cancer, overexpression of tristetraprolin has been linked to tumor progression and poor prognosis. In autoimmune diseases, tristetraprolin is thought to play a role in the dysregulation of cytokine production.

Research

Research on tristetraprolin has focused on its role in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation. Studies have shown that tristetraprolin can bind to and destabilize mRNAs of various cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

See also

• Zinc finger protein
• TIS11 family
• AU-rich element