Ajuba LIM protein (AJUBA)

Ajuba LIM protein is a versatile scaffold and transcriptional corepressor that regulates cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, mitosis, gene transcription, hypoxic response, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. It connects membrane and nuclear events, integrating diverse signaling pathways such as Hippo, JAK/STAT, IL-1, and MAPK. Structurally, AJUBA has three C-terminal LIM domains (double zinc fingers) and a proline-rich N-terminal preLIM domain with nuclear export and protein–protein interaction features. AJUBA's aberrant expression or localization participates in EMT, metastasis, and tumor progression, and alters prognosis in many cancer types. Its molecular complexity and involvement in a variety of essential functions make AJUBA both a critical biological regulator and a challenging, but potentially valuable, therapeutic target.

Other names

LIM domain-containing protein ajubaJUBAJUBA_HUMANMGC15563jubajuba homolog

For hypothetical drugs targeting AJUBA: Inhibition of its scaffolding or adaptor function; Disruption of AJUBA-dependent protein complexes; Modulation of Hippo pathway activity (e.g., affecting YAP1 phosphorylation); Inhibition of its effect on EMT and metastatic gene expression.