Protein PAT1 homolog 1 (PATL1)

Protein PAT1 homolog 1 (PATL1) is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein that acts as a scaffold supporting the assembly and function of the deadenylation-dependent decapping machinery, central to cytoplasmic mRNA decay. As a core component of processing bodies (P-bodies), PATL1 controls gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by directing selective mRNA translational repression and promoting mRNA degradation. PATL1 exhibits poly(G) and poly(U) RNA binding, enabling its function in coordinating the activities of deadenylases, decapping enzymes (e.g., DCP1/DCP2), and other decay factors like the Lsm1-7 complex. In addition to its cytoplasmic roles, PATL1 is present in the nucleus, where it can affect transcriptional events and contribute to specialized pathways such as hERG K(+) channel biogenesis by regulating mRNA output of the KCNH2 gene. In some contexts, such as viral infection, PATL1 is indispensable for virus (e.g., HCV) replication due to its role in viral mRNA translation and stability. Despite these many roles, PATL1 is not established as a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor or enzyme; it is mainly a regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression.

Other names

Pat1bhPat1bOK/KNS-cl.5FLJ36874PAT1-like protein 1protein associated with topoisomerase II homolog 1

Not applicable; no approved drugs target PATL1. It functions in mRNA decay and translation regulation rather than as a conventional drug target