Crystallin beta-gamma domain containing 3 (CRYBG3)

Crystallin beta-gamma domain containing 3 (CRYBG3) is a protein-coding gene encoding a member of the beta/gamma crystallin family, with roles in protein kinase A anchoring, lens structure, and potential carbohydrate binding. A long noncoding RNA transcript produced from the CRYBG3 locus, lncCRYBG3, has been shown to directly bind G-actin, inhibit its assembly, induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and promote apoptosis in cancer cells, notably NSCLC. This transcript also regulates the mechanotransduction pathway—interfering with YAP/TAZ activity and affecting cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. CRYBG3 is being investigated as a molecular target for cancer therapy, with modulation of its noncoding transcript offering a route to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, although drug development is still experimental. The gene may also play a physiological role in lens development and visual perception, and is expressed in a range of human tissues.

Other names

Crystallin beta-gamma domain containing 3Beta/gamma crystallin domain-containing protein 3CRYBG3vlAKAP (Very large A-kinase anchor protein)DKFZp667G2110Protein kinase A anchoring proteinBeta-gamma crystallin domain containing 35031404N19BC043118LOC100360726Gm9581RGD1305628

RNA-based modulation (overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA CRYBG3)—induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibits proliferation/metastasis in cancer models; mechanism involves direct G-actin binding and impairment of actin cytoskeleton and YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity. Predicted AKAP functions—compartmentalizing PKA signaling.