Membrane cofactor protein (CD46) mRNA (CD46 mRNA)

CD46 mRNA is the transcript encoding Membrane cofactor protein (CD46), a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as a key regulator of the human complement system (UniProt, 2024). The protein product functions as a cofactor for the serine protease Factor I, which cleaves and inactivates C3b and C4b, thereby protecting host cells from autologous complement-mediated lysis (NCBI Gene, 2024). In various cancers, including multiple myeloma and prostate cancer, CD46 mRNA is frequently overexpressed, allowing tumor cells to evade the immune system (PubMed, 2018). Targeting CD46 mRNA using RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is an experimental strategy designed to downregulate CD46 protein expression and sensitize malignant cells to complement-dependent cytotoxicity (PubMed, 2008). Furthermore, CD46 acts as a receptor for several pathogens, such as the measles virus and certain adenoviruses, making its mRNA levels relevant to viral entry and infection susceptibility (StatPearls, 2023). While clinical development has primarily focused on monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates targeting the CD46 protein, the mRNA remains a significant target for gene-silencing research.

Other names

Membrane cofactor protein mRNAMCP mRNATLX mRNAMIC10 mRNATrophoblast leukocyte common antigen mRNA

RNA interference or antisense-mediated degradation of the CD46 transcript to reduce protein expression.