La-related protein 7 (LARP7)

La-related protein 7 (LARP7) is an essential RNA-binding protein that acts as a transcriptional regulator primarily by stabilizing the 7SK small nuclear RNA (7SK snRNA) within the 7SK ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex[1][3][4][5]. LARP7 directly binds the 3′ oligo-uridine tail and stem-loop 4 (SL4) of 7SK RNA through its N-terminal La module and C-terminal atypical RNA recognition motif domains, forming a stable core RNP[1][3][4]. This complex sequesters positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), thereby tightly regulating the transition of RNA Polymerase II into productive elongation during gene transcription[1][5]. Loss or mutation of LARP7 disrupts 7SK snRNP stability, leading to abnormal P-TEFb activity, deregulated transcription, and has been linked to human diseases such as various cancers and primordial dwarfism (Alazami syndrome)[1][4][5]. In some organisms, LARP7 family proteins also chaperone non-coding RNAs involved in telomerase assembly and telomere maintenance[2][6]. There are currently no approved drugs directly targeting LARP7, but its fundamental role in gene expression raises caution for druggability due to possible widespread effects on cell viability if perturbed[1][5].

Other names

La ribonucleoprotein 7HDCMA18PhLARP7PIP7SDKFZP564K112La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 7P-TEFb-interaction protein for 7SK stabilityALAZS

Not applicable; currently, there are no drugs known to target LARP7 directly