ataxin 2
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
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The ATXN2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called ataxin-2. This protein is found throughout the body, but its function is unknown. Ataxin-2 is found in the fluid inside cells (cytoplasm) and seems to interact with a cell structure called the endoplasmic reticulum. The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein production, processing, and transport. Researchers believe that ataxin-2 may be involved in processing RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA. Ataxin-2 is also thought to play a role in the translation of genetic information to produce proteins.
Normal function
The ATXN2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called ataxin-2. This protein is found throughout the body, but its function is unknown. Ataxin-2 is found in the fluid inside cells (cytoplasm) and seems to interact with a cell structure called the endoplasmic reticulum. The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein production, processing, and transport. Researchers believe that ataxin-2 may be involved in processing RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA. Ataxin-2 is also thought to play a role in the translation of genetic information to produce proteins.
One region of the ATXN2 gene contains a DNA segment known as a CAG trinucleotide repeat. This segment is made up of a series of three DNA building blocks (cytosine, adenine, and guanine) that appear multiple times in a row. Normally, the CAG segment is repeated approximately 22 times within the gene.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
ataxin-2
ATX2
ATX2_HUMAN
SCA2
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Further reading and references
- ataxin 2; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Lastres-Becker I, Rub U, Auburger G. Spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2). Cerebellum. 2008;7(2):115-24. doi: 10.1007/s12311-008-0019-y.
- van de Loo S, Eich F, Nonis D, Auburger G, Nowock J. Ataxin-2 associates with rough endoplasmic reticulum. Exp Neurol. 2009 Jan;215(1):110-8. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.09.020. Epub 2008 Oct 11.
- Velazquez Perez L, Cruz GS, Santos Falcon N, Enrique Almaguer Mederos L, Escalona Batallan K, Rodriguez Labrada R, Paneque Herrera M, Laffita Mesa JM, Rodriguez Diaz JC, Rodriguez RA, Gonzalez Zaldivar Y, Coello Almarales D, Almaguer Gotay D, Jorge Cedeno H. Molecular epidemiology of spinocerebellar ataxias in Cuba: insights into SCA2 founder effect in Holguin. Neurosci Lett. 2009 Apr 24;454(2):157-60. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.03.015. Epub 2009 Mar 11.
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