ATRX: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker (G546)

Target Name: ATRX

NCBI ID: G546

ATRX

ATRX: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker

ATRX is a protein that is expressed in various tissues of the body, including the brain, heart, and kidneys. It is a key regulator of cell growth and differentiation, and has been implicated in a number of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. As a result, ATRX has potential as a drug target and biomarker.

The Protein: structure, function and localization

ATRX is a 21 kDa protein that is composed of 156 amino acid residues. It has a characteristic Rossmann-fold structure, which is a type of protein-coding region that is known for its ability to form a hydrogen bond network. This structure is important for ATRX's function as a regulator of protein-protein interactions and for its role in cellular signaling pathways.

ATRX is expressed in a variety of tissues and organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys, and has been shown to localize to specific cellular compartments in these organisms. It is predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of cultured cells and is also found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM).

Diseases associated with ATRX

The expression and localization of ATRX have been implicated in the development and progression of a number of diseases. For example, studies have shown that ATRX is overexpressed in various cancer types, including breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer. This increased expression has been associated with the development of cancer-initiating and metastatic properties.

In addition to its involvement in cancer, ATRX has also been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The overexpression of ATRX has been observed in the brains of individuals with these conditions, and its localization to specific cellular compartments in these organisms may be involved in its pathophysiology.

ATRX has also been implicated in autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The overexpression of ATRX has been observed in the peripheral tissues of individuals with these conditions, and its localization to specific cellular compartments in these organisms may be involved in its pathophysiology.

Potential Therapeutic Applications

The potential therapeutic applications for ATRX are vast, as its involvement in various diseases and its localization to specific cellular compartments make it an attractive target for intervention. One potential approach to treating ATRX-related diseases is to target its expression and localization using small molecules or antibodies that can modulate its levels or localization.

For example, small molecules that can inhibit the activity of ATRX have been shown to have therapeutic potential in a variety of conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. These molecules can either inhibit the activity of ATRX directly or modulate its localization to specific cellular compartments.

Another approach to treating ATRX-related diseases is to target its dysfunction using antibodies that specifically recognize and modulate its activity. This approach has the potential to provide more targeted and effective treatments than traditional small molecules.

Conclusion

ATRX is a protein that has been implicated in a number of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Its localization to specific cellular compartments and its characteristic Rossmann-fold structure make it an attractive target for small molecules and antibodies that can modulate its activity. As a potential drug target and biomarker, ATRX has the potential to provide effective and targeted treatments for a variety of diseases.

Protein Name: ATRX Chromatin Remodeler

Functions: Involved in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. Facilitates DNA replication in multiple cellular environments and is required for efficient replication of a subset of genomic loci. Binds to DNA tandem repeat sequences in both telomeres and euchromatin and in vitro binds DNA quadruplex structures. May help stabilizing G-rich regions into regular chromatin structures by remodeling G4 DNA and incorporating H3.3-containing nucleosomes. Catalytic component of the chromatin remodeling complex ATRX:DAXX which has ATP-dependent DNA translocase activity and catalyzes the replication-independent deposition of histone H3.3 in pericentric DNA repeats outside S-phase and telomeres, and the in vitro remodeling of H3.3-containing nucleosomes. Its heterochromatin targeting is proposed to involve a combinatorial readout of histone H3 modifications (specifically methylation states of H3K9 and H3K4) and association with CBX5. Involved in maintaining telomere structural integrity in embryonic stem cells which probably implies recruitment of CBX5 to telomeres. Reports on the involvement in transcriptional regulation of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) are conflicting; according to a report, it is not sufficient to decrease chromatin condensation at telomeres nor to increase expression of telomeric RNA in fibroblasts (PubMed:24500201). May be involved in telomere maintenance via recombination in ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) cell lines. Acts as negative regulator of chromatin incorporation of transcriptionally repressive histone MACROH2A1, particularily at telomeres and the alpha-globin cluster in erythroleukemic cells. Participates in the allele-specific gene expression at the imprinted IGF2/H19 gene locus. On the maternal allele, required for the chromatin occupancy of SMC1 and CTCTF within the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) and involved in esatblishment of histone tails modifications in the ICR. May be involved in brain development and facial morphogenesis. Binds to zinc-finger coding genes with atypical chromatin signatures and regulates its H3K9me3 levels. Forms a complex with ZNF274, TRIM28 and SETDB1 to facilitate the deposition and maintenance of H3K9me3 at the 3' exons of zinc-finger genes (PubMed:27029610)

The "ATRX Target / Biomarker Review Report" is a customizable review of hundreds up to thousends of related scientific research literature by AI technology, covering specific information about ATRX comprehensively, including but not limited to:
•   general information;
•   protein structure and compound binding;
•   protein biological mechanisms;
•   its importance;
•   the target screening and validation;
•   expression level;
•   disease relevance;
•   drug resistance;
•   related combination drugs;
•   pharmacochemistry experiments;
•   related patent analysis;
•   advantages and risks of development, etc.
The report is helpful for project application, drug molecule design, research progress updates, publication of research papers, patent applications, etc. If you are interested to get a full version of this report, please feel free to contact us at BD@silexon.ai

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