Nucleophilins

Nucleophilins are a family of proteins that play crucial roles in various cellular processes, particularly in the nucleus. They are characterized by their ability to bind to nucleic acids, hence the name "nucleophilins." These proteins are involved in a wide range of functions, including DNA repair, transcription, and RNA processing. One of the most well-known nucleophilins is nucleophosmin (NPM), which is essential for the assembly of the nucleolus, a subcompartment of the nucleus involved in ribosome biogenesis. NPM also plays a role in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. Another notable nucleophilin is nucleolin, which is involved in the regulation of gene expression and is often associated with the nucleolus. Nucleophilins are typically small proteins, ranging from 40 to 100 kDa in size, and they often contain specific motifs that facilitate their interaction with nucleic acids. These motifs include the nucleolar localization signal (NLS) and the nucleolar binding domain (NBD). The study of nucleophilins has provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying nuclear processes and has implications for understanding diseases associated with nuclear dysfunction, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.