background:
The Elav-like genes encode for a family of RNA-binding proteins. Elav, a Drosophila protein and the first described member, is expressed immediately after neuroblastic differentiation into neurons and is necessary for neuronal differentiation and maintenance. Several mammalian Elav-like proteins, designated HuC, HuD and Hel-N1, are also expressed in postmitotic neurons. An additional mammalian homolog, HuR, which is also designated HuA, is ubiquitously expressed and is also overexpressed in a wide variety of tumors. Characteristically, these homologs all contain three RNA recognition motifs (RRM) and they specifically bind to AU-rich elements (ARE) in the 3'-untranslated region of mRNAs transcripts. ARE sites target mRNA for rapid degradation and thereby regulate the expression levels of genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. When Elav-like proteins associate with these ARE sites this degradation is inhibited, leading to an increased stability of the corresponding transcript. Elav proteins function within the nucleus, and they are shuttled between the nucleus and cytoplasm by a nuclear export signal, which is a regulatory feature of the Elav-like proteins as it limits their accessibility to ARE sites.
Function:
May play a role in neuron-specific RNA processing. Protects CDKN1A mRNA from decay by binding to its 3'-UTR (By similarity). Binds to AU-rich sequences (AREs) of target mRNAs, including VEGF and FOS mRNA.
Subunit:
Component of a TAU mRNP complex, at least composed of IGF2BP1, ELAVL4 and G3BP (By similarity).
Tissue Specificity:
Brain.
Post-translational modifications:
Methylation at Arg-243 by CARM1 weakens protective binding to the 3'-UTR of CDKN1A mRNA and down-regulates CDKN1A protein expression, thereby maintaining cells in a proliferative state. Methylation is inhibited by NGF, which facilitates neurite outgrowth.
Similarity:
Belongs to the RRM elav family.
Contains 3 RRM (RNA recognition motif) domains.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P26378.2
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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