RNA结合蛋白QKI的中枢调控功能研究进展

Trends of functional investigation of QKI protein in the central nervous system

QKI蛋白(Quaking QKI)属STAR蛋白家族,兼具信号转导特性与RNA激活功能。QKI蛋白是RNA代谢过程中的重要功能分子,在mRNA前体剪接、mRNA稳定性与定位及mRNA翻译等过程中发挥着重要的作用。大量研究发现,QKI蛋白在多种肿瘤、心血管系统发生发展过程中发挥重要的调控功能。在中枢神经系统,QKI蛋白与多发性硬化症、精神分裂症、抑郁症等多种神经精神疾病的发生发展过程也存在关联,但其中枢调控功能与具体机制尚未系统阐明。本文就QKI蛋白在中枢神经系统调控功能,尤其是与神经精神疾病发生发展相关的功能研究及可能机制作一综述。

Quaking（QKI）, belonging to the signal transduction and activator of RNA metabolism（STAR） protein family, could exert both signal transduction and RNA activation regulatory functions. Acting as an important regulatory component of RNA metabolism, QKI produces a vital role in the splicing of mRNA precursor, mRNA stability and localization, mRNA translation and other critical cell processes. Many studies showed that QKI exerts an indispensable role in the pathological process of tumor and cardiovascular system-related diseases. In the central nervous system, increasing evidence indicated the association of QKI with series of neurodevelopment and/or neuropsychiatric diseases, such as depression, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, no direct evidence has showed the function of QKI and the underlying mechanisms in the CNS. The present review mainly focuses on the structure, the regulatory mechanism of QKI, especially highlights the potential functions and the underlying mechanism of QKI related to the neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases.