nicastrin
Last updated 27 Oct 2021
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The NCSTN gene provides instructions for making a protein called nicastrin. This protein is one part (subunit) of a complex called gamma- (γ-) secretase. Nicastrin plays a critical role in the assembly and stability of this complex.
Normal function
The NCSTN gene provides instructions for making a protein called nicastrin. This protein is one part (subunit) of a complex called gamma- (γ-) secretase. Nicastrin plays a critical role in the assembly and stability of this complex.
The γ-secretase complex is located in the membrane that surrounds cells, where it cuts apart (cleaves) many different proteins that span the cell membrane (transmembrane proteins). This cleavage is an important step in several chemical signaling pathways that transmit signals from outside the cell into the nucleus. One of these pathways, known as Notch signaling, is essential for the normal growth and maturation (differentiation) of hair follicle cells and other types of skin cells. Notch signaling is also involved in normal immune system function.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
anterior pharynx-defective 2
APH2
ATAG1874
KIAA0253
NICA_HUMAN
nicastrin precursor
RP11-517F10.1
Further reading and references
- nicastrin; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Liu Y, Gao M, Lv YM, Yang X, Ren YQ, Jiang T, Zhang X, Guo BR, Li M, Zhang Q, Zhang P, Zhou FS, Chen G, Yin XY, Zuo XB, Sun LD, Zheng XD, Zhang SM, Liu JJ, Zhou Y, Li YR, Wang J, Wang J, Yang HM, Yang S, Li RQ, Zhang XJ. Confirmation by exome sequencing of the pathogenic role of NCSTN mutations in acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa). J Invest Dermatol. 2011 Jul;131(7):1570-2. doi: 10.1038/jid.2011.62. Epub 2011 Mar 24. No abstract available.
- Melnik BC, Plewig G. Impaired Notch signalling: the unifying mechanism explaining the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa). Br J Dermatol. 2013 Apr;168(4):876-8. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12068. Epub 2013 Jan 31. No abstract available.
- Pink AE, Simpson MA, Brice GW, Smith CH, Desai N, Mortimer PS, Barker JN, Trembath RC. PSENEN and NCSTN mutations in familial hidradenitis suppurativa (Acne Inversa). J Invest Dermatol. 2011 Jul;131(7):1568-70. doi: 10.1038/jid.2011.42. Epub 2011 Mar 17. No abstract available.
- Pink AE, Simpson MA, Desai N, Dafou D, Hills A, Mortimer P, Smith CH, Trembath RC, Barker JNW. Mutations in the gamma-secretase genes NCSTN, PSENEN, and PSEN1 underlie rare forms of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa). J Invest Dermatol. 2012 Oct;132(10):2459-2461. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.162. Epub 2012 May 24. No abstract available.
- Pink AE, Simpson MA, Desai N, Trembath RC, Barker JNW. gamma-Secretase mutations in hidradenitis suppurativa: new insights into disease pathogenesis. J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Mar;133(3):601-607. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.372. Epub 2012 Oct 25.
- Wang B, Yang W, Wen W, Sun J, Su B, Liu B, Ma D, Lv D, Wen Y, Qu T, Chen M, Sun M, Shen Y, Zhang X. Gamma-secretase gene mutations in familial acne inversa. Science. 2010 Nov 19;330(6007):1065. doi: 10.1126/science.1196284. Epub 2010 Oct 7.
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