Brain-expressed X-linked protein 3 (BEX3)

Brain-expressed X-linked protein 3 (BEX3) is a member of the BEX protein family, comprised of small, intrinsically disordered proteins predominantly expressed in the brain[1][2]. BEX3 is known to interact with several cellular proteins and acts as an intracellular hub for cell signaling, particularly involved in the regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle dynamics, and the expression of the neurotrophin receptor TrkA[1][2]. It can dimerize and shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus, which is mediated by a nuclear export sequence (NES)[2]. In neuronal cells, BEX3 positively regulates TrkA expression and thereby supports nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent cell survival and differentiation, but its overexpression can also promote apoptosis when NGF is absent[2]. BEX3 has been implicated as a molecular player in neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, but it is not known to be directly targeted by any drugs and is not currently an an established biomarker[1][2]. Molecularly, BEX3 is predicted to be largely disordered, with regions capable of forming α-helices and coiled-coil structures, enabling its function as a signaling scaffold and mediator of protein interactions[1].

Other names

BEX3DXS6984ENADENGFRAP1BexHGR74Hero20Brain-expressed X-linked protein 3Nerve growth factor receptor-associated protein 1Ovarian granulosa cell 13.0 kDa protein HGR74p75NTR-associated cell death executor