Enhancer of rudimentary homolog (ERH)

Enhancer of rudimentary homolog (ERH) is a small, highly conserved nuclear protein (about 100–110 amino acids) found in most eukaryotes. It functions as a scaffold in numerous RNA-protein complexes involved in RNA polymerase II transcript processing; its best-characterized roles are as a pre-mRNA splicing factor, especially for genes required for the cell cycle and DNA damage response. ERH is necessary for proper mitosis—it ensures appropriate chromosome alignment by facilitating the splicing and expression of key mitotic regulators like centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E). It is also critical for efficient DNA replication and repair via regulation of ATR mRNA splicing and the broader DNA damage response pathways. Beyond splicing, ERH may participate in transcriptional repression, heterochromatin formation, and RNA biogenesis, including miRNA and piRNA pathways. ERH is overexpressed in several cancers, and its expression is correlated with adverse prognosis and genomic instability. However, no specific therapies targeting ERH are in development, and it is not currently considered a therapeutic target.

Other names

ERHEnhancer of rudimentary homologDROER