Twinfilin actin binding protein 2 mRNA 3' untranslated region (TWF2 mRNA 3'UTR)

The TWF2 mRNA 3'UTR is a critical non-coding regulatory segment located at the 3' end of the transcript for Twinfilin actin binding protein 2 (TWF2). This region is essential for the post-transcriptional control of TWF2, an actin-sequestering protein that plays a vital role in modulating the cytoskeleton and cell morphology. The 3'UTR contains highly conserved binding sites for muscle-specific microRNAs, most notably miR-1 and miR-133, which act to suppress TWF2 expression in healthy cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues (PubMed: 17406499). In pathological conditions such as cardiac hypertrophy, the downregulation of miR-1 leads to a loss of inhibitory control over the TWF2 3'UTR, resulting in the overexpression of TWF2 protein and subsequent maladaptive actin remodeling. This regulatory axis has also been implicated in cancer progression, where TWF2 levels influence cell motility and metastasis. Consequently, the TWF2 mRNA 3'UTR is a significant target for experimental RNA-based therapies, such as miRNA mimics, designed to restore normal protein levels and mitigate disease progression in cardiovascular and oncological contexts.

Other names

PTK9L mRNA 3'UTRTwinfilin-2 mRNA 3'UTRA6-related protein mRNA 3'UTR3' untranslated region of TWF2

The 3'UTR serves as a physical binding site for regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Binding of these agents, particularly miR-1, to the TWF2 3'UTR recruits the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which leads to the degradation of the TWF2 mRNA or the inhibition of its translation into protein (Care et al., 2007, Nature Medicine).