Translin: Proteins and Enzymes

Translin, also designated testis brain RNA-binding protein (TB-RBP), is a single-stranded DNA- and RNA-binding protein that binds to the 3' UTR regions (Y and H elements) of stored mRNAs, which suppresses their in vitro translation. The human translin gene maps to chromosome 2q21.1 and encodes a 26 kDa protein that has been highly conserved throughout evolution. Translin forms a ring-shaped structure, which is responsible for DNA binding, and also contains a leucine zipper motif, which is thought to enable translin to form dimers. Translin exports specific mRNAs out of the nucleus, supported by its localization in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of neurons, and regulates their translation. Association with Trax (translin-associated factor X), inhibits the binding of translin to RNA, but enhances its binding to single stranded DNA sequences. Breakpoints in the TLS/FUS and CHOP loci contain consensus recognition motifs of translin, which associates with chromosomal translocations in liposarcomas.