Puf蛋白的功能及作用机制

Function and Mechanism of Puf Protein

基因调控包括转录调控、转录后调控和翻译调控。基因的转录后调节在快速应对环境变化中起着重要的作用,它通常由各种RNA结合蛋白介导。在大多数真核生物中,Puf(果蝇Pumilio蛋白和秀丽隐杆线虫Fem-3结合因子合称)蛋白是一种高度保守的RNA结合蛋白,并且其在基因的转录后调控过程中起着重要的作用。目前许多Puf蛋白的研究主要集中在果蝇和线虫上,但是对人和原虫Puf蛋白的研究比较少。论文主要对人和原虫Puf蛋白的生物学功能和作用机制进行总结,以期为原虫新药或疫苗的开发提供新思路。

Gene regulation includes transcriptional regulation,post-transcriptional regulation and translational regulation.Post-transcriptional regulation of gene is critical for the rapid response to environmental changes.It is usually mediated by varied RNA-binding proteins.The Puf protein(named by Pumilio in Drosophila melanogaster and fem-3 binding factor in Caenorhabditis elegans)is a highly conserved RNA-binding protein and plays an important role in the process of gene regulation in most eukaryotic organisms.Many researches about Puf proteins are focused on Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans,but there are few studies on Puf proteins in human and protozoan parasites.Therefore,this paper reviewed the biological functions and and mechanisms of Puf protein in human and protozoan parasites and provided a new idea for the development of new drugs or vaccines of protozoan parasites.