background:
Neural crest cell migration to the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches is a critical step in the structural formation of organs that are affected in DiGeorge syndrome. DGCR6 (DiGeorge syndrome critical region 6) is a nuclear protein that plays a role in neural crest cell migration and is located at the DiGeorge syndrome critical region (DGCR) on chromosome 22. Expressed ubiquitously with highest levels in heart, liver and skeletal muscle, DGCR6 shares high homology with the Drosophila gonadal (gdl) protein and with human Laminin ?1, both of which are involved in early tissue development. The gene encoding DGCR6, along with other DGCR genes, is deleted in DiGeorge syndrome; a developmental disorder characterized by improper facial, cardiac and palate formation. Upregulation of DGCR6 is implicated in lung and colon adenocarcinomas, as well as in Burkitt抯 lymphoma and lymphocytes transformed by EBV. Due to a duplication of the ancestral DGCR6 locus, there are two functional, highly homologous copies of the DGCR6 gene (designated DGCR6 and DGCR6L) on chromosome 22.
Function:
DGCR6 shares homology with the Drosophila melanogaster gonadal protein, which participates in gonadal and germ cell development, and with the human laminin gamma-1 chain, which upon polymerization with alpha- and beta-chains forms the laminin molecule. Laminin binds to cells through interaction with a receptor and has functions in cell attachment, migration, and tissue organization during development. This protein could be a candidate for involvement in the DiGeorge syndrome pathology by playing a role in neural crest cell migration into the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, the structures from which derive the organs affected in DiGeorge syndrome.
Subcellular Location:
Nucleus. Note=Predominantly nuclear.
Tissue Specificity:
Found in all tissues examined with highest expression in liver, heart and skeletal muscle. Lower levels in pancreas and placenta. Weak expression in brain.
Similarity:
Belongs to the gonadal family.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q14129.3
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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