The Freud-1/CC2D1A family: transcriptional regulators implicated in mental retardation.
The CC2D1A gene family consists of two homologous genes, Freud-1/CC2D1A and Freud-2/CC2D1B, that share conserved domains, including several DM14 domains that are specific to this protein family, a C-terminal helix-loop-helix domain, and a C2 calcium-dependent phospholipid binding domain. Although the function of Freud-2 is unknown, Freud-1 has been shown to function as a transcriptional repressor of the serotonin-1A receptor gene that binds to a novel DNA element (FRE, 5'-repressor element). The DNA binding and repressor activities of Freud-1 are inhibited by calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Recently, a deletion in the CC2D1A gene has been linked to nonsyndromic mental retardation. This deletion results in the truncation of the helix-loop-helix DNA binding and the C2 domains, crucial for Freud-1 repressor activity, and hence is predicted to generate an inactive or weakly dominant negative protein. The possible mechanisms by which inactivation of Freud-1 could lead to abnormal cortical development and cognitive impairment and the potential roles of Freud-1 gene targets are discussed.
Rogaeva
Anastasia
A
Ottawa Health Research Institute (Neuroscience) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Galaraga
Kimberly
K
Albert
Paul R
PR
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics*
C512283:CC2D1A protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins