DNA dC->dU-editing enzyme APOBEC-3H, also known as Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3H or APOBEC-related protein 10, is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respon ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''APOBEC3H''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
Function
This gene encodes a member of the apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide (
APOBEC
image:Apobec.J.Steinfeld.D.png, 300px, upExample of a member of the APOBEC family, APOBEC-2. A cytidine deaminase from ''Homo sapiens''.; ; rendered usinPyMOL
APOBEC ("apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide") is a family o ...
) family of proteins. The encoded protein is a
cytidine deaminase
Cytidine deaminase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''CDA'' gene.
This gene encodes an enzyme involved in pyrimidine salvaging. The encoded protein forms a homotetramer that catalyzes the irreversible hydrolytic deamination of cytidi ...
that has antiretroviral activity by generating lethal hypermutations in viral genomes. Polymorphisms and alternative splicing in this gene influence its antiretroviral activity and are associated with increased resistance to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in certain populations. There are only one to two members of this family of genes in nonprimate mammals but at least seven members in primates. APOBEC3H is an antiviral effector. In Old world monkeys APOBEC3H has efficient antiviral activity against primate lentiviruses and it is sensitive to inactivation by the simian immunodeficiency virus Vif protein, and is capable of hypermutating retroviral genomes. The typical human APOBEC3H gene is inherently poorly expressed in primate cells and is ineffective at inhibiting retroviral replication.
Importantly, different people have different strengths and potencies of APOBEC3H. People with version of the gene for APOBEC3H which produce stable variations of the protein can successfully limit HIV-1's ability to replicate.
References
Further reading
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External links
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EC 3.5.4
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