Транскрипционный фактор TCF4: структура, функции и ассоциированные заболевания

На сегодняшний день имеются ограниченные знания об основных характеристиках генов человека, их структуре, функции и механизмах регуляции экспрессии. Биологическая роль около 20 % белковых продуктов генов до сих пор не установлена, а молекулярные функции известной части протеома остаются недостаточно изученными. Данное обстоятельство ограничивает прогресс как фундаментальных, так и прикладных биологических и медицинских наук, в особенности в случае терапии наследственных болезней, патогенез которых обусловлен наличием вариантов в нуклеотидной последовательности отдельных генов. В связи с этим возрастает необходимость проведения исследований, направленных на изучение функций генов, а также молекулярных патогенетических путей, связанных с развитием моногенных заболеваний. Наша статья посвящена гену TCF4, кодирующему широко экспрессируемый фактор транскрипции, важный для развития и функционирования нервной системы. К настоящему времени установлено, что патогенные варианты в этом гене приводят к развитию редкого генетического заболевания, известного как синдром Питта–Хопкинса, а полиморфные варианты в TCF4 ассоциированы с рядом социально значимых заболеваний, представленных различными психическими расстройствами. Молекулярные механизмы патогенеза подобных состояний по-прежнему остаются неизученными, а знания о вышестоящей регуляции TCF4 и его нижестоящих генах-мишенях ограничены. Сложность структурной организации и особенности регуляции экспрессии гена обеспечивают многообразие изоформ TCF4, что затрудняет понимание молекулярных функций белка. В обзоре рассмотрены известные данные о структуре и функциях фактора транскрипции TCF4. Обсуждаются потенциальные гены-мишени и возможные патогенетические механизмы, обусловленные потерей функции этого белка, выявленные в исследованиях на животных и клеточных моделях синдрома Питта–Хопкинса. Рассмотрены преимущества и ограничения потенциальных стратегий терапии указанного синдрома, основанные на компенсации дозы TCF4 или воздействии на молекулярные мишени изучаемого транскрипционного фактора.

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