RNA-binding proteins are proteins that bind to the double or single stranded RNA in cells and participate in forming ribonucleoprotein complexes. RBPs contain various structural motifs, such as RNA recognition motif (RRM), dsRNA binding domain, zinc finger and others. They are cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. However, since most mature RNA is exported from the nucleus relatively quickly, most RBPs in the nucleus exist as complexes of protein and pre-mRNA called heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particles (hnRNPs). RBPs have crucial roles in various cellular processes such as: cellular function, transport and localization. They especially play a major role in post-transcriptional control of RNAs, such as: splicing, polyadenylation, mRNA stabilization, mRNA localization and translation. Eukaryotic cells express diverse RBPs with unique RNA-binding activity and protein–protein interaction. According to the Eukaryotic RBP Database (EuRBPDB), there are 2961 genes encoding RBPs in humans. During evolution, the diversity of RBPs greatly increased with the increase in the number of introns. Diversity enabled eukaryotic cells to utilize RNA exons in various arrangements, giving rise to a unique RNP (ribonucleoprotein) for each RNA. Although RBPs have a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation in gene expression, relatively few RBPs have been studied systematically.It has now become clear that RNA–RBP interactions play important roles in many biological processes among organisms.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HNRNPK gene. It is found in the cell nucleus that binds to pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) as a component of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particles. The simian homolog is known as protein H16. Both proteins bind to single-stranded DNA as well as to RNA and can stimulate the activity of RNA polymerase II, the protein responsible for most gene transcription. The relative affinities of the proteins for DNA and RNA vary with solution conditions and are inversely correlated, so that conditions promoting strong DNA binding result in weak RNA binding.
Poly(rC)-binding protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PCBP1 gene.
Poly(rC)-binding protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PCBP2 gene.
Y box binding protein 1 also known as Y-box transcription factor or nuclease-sensitive element-binding protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the YBX1 gene.
ELAV-like protein 1 or HuR is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ELAVL1 gene.
Centromere protein A, also known as CENPA, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CENPA gene. CENPA is a histone H3 variant which is the critical factor determining the kinetochore position(s) on each chromosome in most eukaryotes including humans.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HNRNPF gene.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HNRNPH1 gene.
MHC class II regulatory factor RFX1 is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the RFX1 gene located on the short arm of chromosome 19.
Cold shock domain-containing protein E1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CSDE1 gene.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B, also known as HNRNPAB, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the HNRNPAB gene. Although this gene is named HNRNPAB in reference to its first cloning as an RNA binding protein with similarity to HNRNP A and HNRNP B, it is not a member of the HNRNP A/B subfamily of HNRNPs, but groups together closely with HNRNPD/AUF1 and HNRNPDL.
Far upstream element-binding protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KHSRP gene.
DNA-binding protein A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CSDA gene.
Quaking homolog, KH domain RNA binding (mouse), also known as QKI, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the QKI gene.
Poly(A) polymerase alpha is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PAPOLA gene.
Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CSRP1 gene.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HNRNPH2 gene.
Poly(rC)-binding protein 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PCBP4 gene.
ATP-binding cassette sub-family F member 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCF1 gene.
