Regulation and function of capicua in mammals

Exp Mol Med. 2020 Apr;52(4):531-537. doi: 10.1038/s12276-020-0411-3. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Abstract

Capicua (CIC) is an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor. CIC contains a high-mobility group (HMG) box that recognizes specific DNA sequences to regulate the expression of various target genes. CIC was originally identified in Drosophila melanogaster as a transcriptional repressor that suppresses the receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. This molecule controls normal organ growth and tissue patterning as well as embryogenesis in Drosophila. Recent studies have also demonstrated its extensive functions in mammals. For example, CIC regulates several developmental and physiological processes, including lung development, abdominal wall closure during embryogenesis, brain development and function, neural stem cell homeostasis, T cell differentiation, and enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. CIC is also associated with the progression of various types of cancer and neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type-1, systemic autoimmunity, and liver injury. In this review, I provide a broad overview of our current understanding of the regulation and functions of CIC in mammals and discuss future research directions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Mammals / genetics*
  • Mammals / metabolism*
  • Organogenesis / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CIC protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors