ELAV-like protein 1

{{Short description|Protein found in humans}} {{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=6}} {{Infobox_gene}} '''ELAV-like protein 1''' or '''HuR''' (human antigen R) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ELAVL1'' gene.<ref name="pmid8626503">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma WJ, Cheng S, Campbell C, Wright A, Furneaux H | title = Cloning and characterization of HuR, a ubiquitously expressed Elav-like protein | journal = The Journal of Biological Chemistry | volume = 271 | issue = 14 | pages = 8144–8151 | date = April 1996 | pmid = 8626503 | doi = 10.1074/jbc.271.14.8144 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="pmid9003489">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma WJ, Furneaux H | title = Localization of the human HuR gene to chromosome 19p13.2 | journal = Human Genetics | volume = 99 | issue = 1 | pages = 32–33 | date = January 1997 | pmid = 9003489 | doi = 10.1007/s004390050305 | s2cid = 32509747 }}</ref>

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the ELAVL protein family. This encoded protein contains 3 RNA-binding domains and binds cis-acting AU-rich elements in 3' untranslated regions. One of its best-known functions is to stabilize mRNAs in order to regulate gene expression.<ref>{{cite web | title = Entrez Gene: ELAVL1 ELAV (embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, Drosophila)-like 1 (Hu antigen R)| url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=1994}}</ref> Various post-translational modifications of HuR influence its subcellular localization and stability of binding to mRNAs.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal | vauthors = Doller A, Pfeilschifter J, Eberhardt W | title = Signalling pathways regulating nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of the mRNA-binding protein HuR | journal = Cellular Signalling | volume = 20 | issue = 12 | pages = 2165–2173 | date = December 2008 | pmid = 18585896 | doi = 10.1016/j.cellsig.2008.05.007 }}</ref>

== Structure == Of the RNA-binding ELAV/Hu family of proteins in mammals, HuR is the only ubiquitously expressed one, whereas the other three are primarily found in neuronal tissue.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Antic D, Keene JD | title = Embryonic lethal abnormal visual RNA-binding proteins involved in growth, differentiation, and posttranscriptional gene expression | journal = American Journal of Human Genetics | volume = 61 | issue = 2 | pages = 273–278 | date = August 1997 | pmid = 9311730 | doi = 10.1086/514866 | pmc = 1715898 }}</ref> Having a well-conserved primary structure to its family members, HuR has two adjacent RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) proximal to the N-terminus, followed by a flexible hinge region next to a final RRM at the C-terminus.<ref name="pmid8626503" /> The RRM domains of HuR each contain two alpha helices with several antiparallel beta sheets in their secondary structure, a 20 amino-acid long N-terminus before RRM1 and RRM2, and a 12 amino acid linker connecting them.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cléry A, Blatter M, Allain FH | title = RNA recognition motifs: boring? Not quite | journal = Current Opinion in Structural Biology | volume = 18 | issue = 3 | pages = 290–298 | date = June 2008 | pmid = 18515081 | doi = 10.1016/j.sbi.2008.04.002 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang H, Zeng F, Liu Q, Liu H, Liu Z, Niu L, Teng M, Li X | title = The structure of the ARE-binding domains of Hu antigen R (HuR) undergoes conformational changes during RNA binding | journal = Acta Crystallographica. Section D, Biological Crystallography | volume = 69 | issue = Pt 3 | pages = 373–380 | date = March 2013 | pmid = 23519412 | doi = 10.1107/S0907444912047828 }}</ref> The hinge region connecting RRM1,2 to RRM3 is 60 amino acids long.<ref name=":1" />

=== RNA Binding === The RRM1 domain appears to be the principal RNA-binding portion with RRM2 contributing some more contacts.<ref name=":1" /> According to crystal structure studies, RRM1,2 domains correspond to a "moderately specific" predicted consensus sequence.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pabis M, Popowicz GM, Stehle R, Fernández-Ramos D, Asami S, Warner L, García-Mauriño SM, Schlundt A, Martínez-Chantar ML, Díaz-Moreno I, Sattler M | title = HuR biological function involves RRM3-mediated dimerization and RNA binding by all three RRMs | journal = Nucleic Acids Research | volume = 47 | issue = 2 | pages = 1011–1029 | date = January 2019 | pmid = 30418581 | pmc = 6344896 | doi = 10.1093/nar/gky1138 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang X, Tanaka Hall TM | title = Structural basis for recognition of AU-rich element RNA by the HuD protein | journal = Nature Structural Biology | volume = 8 | issue = 2 | pages = 141–145 | date = February 2001 | pmid = 11175903 | doi = 10.1038/84131 }}</ref> Additionally, RRM3 contributes to dimerization and oligomerization of HuR, supporting binding to AU-rich elements of RNA by the other domains, but RRM3 itself has moderate binding strength to RNA.<ref name=":2" /> RRM3 has been shown to bind to long poly-A tails and AU-rich RNAs.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma WJ, Chung S, Furneaux H | title = The Elav-like proteins bind to AU-rich elements and to the poly(A) tail of mRNA | journal = Nucleic Acids Research | volume = 25 | issue = 18 | pages = 3564–3569 | date = September 1997 | doi = 10.1093/nar/25.18.3564 | pmid = 9278474 | pmc = 146929 }}</ref>

== Function == This RNA-binding protein has been found to be involved in a number of valuable cellular processes in mammals, including embryonic development, stress responses, and the immune system.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Katsanou V, Milatos S, Yiakouvaki A, Sgantzis N, Kotsoni A, Alexiou M, Harokopos V, Aidinis V, Hemberger M, Kontoyiannis DL | title = The RNA-binding protein Elavl1/HuR is essential for placental branching morphogenesis and embryonic development | journal = Molecular and Cellular Biology | volume = 29 | issue = 10 | pages = 2762–2776 | date = May 2009 | pmid = 19307312 | pmc = 2682039 | doi = 10.1128/MCB.01393-08 }}</ref> Post-translational modifications of HuR, including phosphorylation, NEDDylation, methylation, and ubiquitination each modulate the localization and expression of the protein in unique ways. Modifications such as methylation and ubiquitination alter the affinity of HuR to RNA.<ref name=":02"/> As an important regulator of post-transcriptional regulation, HuR destabilization from the mRNA is associated with degradation of the transcript.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Brennan CM, Steitz JA | title = HuR and mRNA stability | journal = Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences | volume = 58 | issue = 2 | pages = 266–277 | date = February 2001 | pmid = 11289308 | doi = 10.1007/PL00000854 | pmc = 11146503 }}</ref>

Phosphorylation of HuR can occur by cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), impacting its localization within the cell in a cell cycle-dependent fashion.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kim HH, Abdelmohsen K, Lal A, Pullmann R, Yang X, Galban S, Srikantan S, Martindale JL, Blethrow J, Shokat KM, Gorospe M | title = Nuclear HuR accumulation through phosphorylation by Cdk1 | journal = Genes & Development | volume = 22 | issue = 13 | pages = 1804–1815 | date = July 2008 | pmid = 18593881 | doi = 10.1101/gad.1645808 | pmc = 2492667 }}</ref> Additionally, checkpoint kinase 2 plays a significant role in phosphorylating HuR during genotoxic stress, promoting dissociation of HuR from its target mRNA transcript.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Yu TX, Wang PY, Rao JN, Zou T, Liu L, Xiao L, Gorospe M, Wang JY | title = Chk2-dependent HuR phosphorylation regulates occludin mRNA translation and epithelial barrier function | journal = Nucleic Acids Research | volume = 39 | issue = 19 | pages = 8472–8487 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 21745814 | pmc = 3201881 | doi = 10.1093/nar/gkr567 }}</ref>

Additionally, the ubiquitination of HuR by an E3 ligase in many cases results in proteasomal degradation. For instance, the esophageal tumor suppressor ECRG2, ubiquitinates HuR during DNA damage, promoting its degradation.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lucchesi C, Sheikh MS, Huang Y | title = Negative regulation of RNA-binding protein HuR by tumor-suppressor ECRG2 | journal = Oncogene | volume = 35 | issue = 20 | pages = 2565–2573 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 26434587 | doi = 10.1038/onc.2015.339 }}</ref> However, in other cases, ubiquitination promotes dissociation of HuR from its transcript, such as ubiquitination of certain lysine residues of the RRM3 domain leading to detachment from the mRNA transcript of ''P21'' and other tumor suppressors.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhou HL, Geng C, Luo G, Lou H | title = The p97-UBXD8 complex destabilizes mRNA by promoting release of ubiquitinated HuR from mRNP | journal = Genes & Development | volume = 27 | issue = 9 | pages = 1046–1058 | date = May 2013 | pmid = 23618873 | doi = 10.1101/gad.215681.113 | pmc = 3656322 }}</ref>

Moreover, as is frequent in other mammalian proteins, HuR is methylated at arginine residues.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bedford MT, Clarke SG | title = Protein arginine methylation in mammals: who, what, and why | journal = Molecular Cell | volume = 33 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–13 | date = January 2009 | pmid = 19150423 | pmc = 3372459 | doi = 10.1016/j.molcel.2008.12.013 }}</ref> For instance, protein arginine methyltransferase enzymes (PRMTs) methylate HuR to promote mRNA stabilization of certain target transcripts, such as ''SIRT1'' in HeLa cells.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Calvanese V, Lara E, Suárez-Alvarez B, Abu Dawud R, Vázquez-Chantada M, Martínez-Chantar ML, Embade N, López-Nieva P, Horrillo A, Hmadcha A, Soria B, Piazzolla D, Herranz D, Serrano M, Mato JM, Andrews PW, López-Larrea C, Esteller M, Fraga MF | title = Sirtuin 1 regulation of developmental genes during differentiation of stem cells | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 107 | issue = 31 | pages = 13736–13741 | date = August 2010 | pmid = 20631301 | pmc = 2922228 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.1001399107 | bibcode = 2010PNAS..10713736C | doi-access = free }}</ref>

HuR has been shown to inhibit biogenesis of miR-7.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Choudhury NR, de Lima Alves F, de Andrés-Aguayo L, Graf T, Cáceres JF, Rappsilber J, Michlewski G | title = Tissue-specific control of brain-enriched miR-7 biogenesis | journal = Genes & Development | volume = 27 | issue = 1 | pages = 24–38 | date = January 2013 | pmid = 23307866 | doi = 10.1101/gad.199190.112 | pmc = 3553281 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lebedeva S, Jens M, Theil K, Schwanhäusser B, Selbach M, Landthaler M, Rajewsky N | title = Transcriptome-wide analysis of regulatory interactions of the RNA-binding protein HuR | journal = Molecular Cell | volume = 43 | issue = 3 | pages = 340–352 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 21723171 | doi = 10.1016/j.molcel.2011.06.008 }}</ref> Small molecules have been shown to target HuR/RNA interactions with a functional outcome on the downstream targets.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhu S, Choudhury NR, Rooney S, Pham NT, Koszela J, Kelly D, Spanos C, Rappsilber J, Auer M, Michlewski G | title = RNA pull-down confocal nanoscanning (RP-CONA) detects quercetin as pri-miR-7/HuR interaction inhibitor that decreases α-synuclein levels | journal = Nucleic Acids Research | volume = 49 | issue = 11 | pages = 6456–6473 | date = June 2021 | pmid = 34107032 | pmc = 8216281 | doi = 10.1093/nar/gkab484 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Idlin N, Krishnamoorthy S, Wolczyk M, Fakhri M, Lechowski M, Stec N, Milek J, Mandal PK, Cendrowski J, Spanos C, Dziembowska M, Mleczko-Sanecka K, Rappsilber J, Michlewski G | title = Effects of genetic ablation and pharmacological inhibition of HuR on gene expression, iron metabolism, and hormone levels | journal = BMC Biology | volume = 23 | issue = 1 | article-number = 24 | date = January 2025 | pmid = 39849491 | doi = 10.1186/s12915-025-02131-z | doi-access = free | pmc = 11756078 }}</ref>

== Cancer == Although HuR has a vital role in transcriptosomal regulation, there is an apparent up-regulation of HuR in several types of cancer that correlates with a malignant or metastatic status that has increased the relevance of HuR as a potential therapeutic target for a number of cancer studies. The abundance of HuR suggests a tumorigenic promotion of angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, and anti-apoptotic properties in cancer cells, purportedly due to the impact of mRNA stabilization and its ubiquitous presence in human tissue.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Abdelmohsen K, Gorospe M | title = Posttranscriptional regulation of cancer traits by HuR | journal = Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = 214–229 | date = 2010 | pmid = 21935886 | pmc = 3808850 | doi = 10.1002/wrna.4 }}</ref>

== Inhibitors == * CMLD-2 * KH-3 * SRI-42127

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe/pdbe-kb/proteins/Q15717 PDBe-KB] provides an overview of all the structure information available in the PDB for Human ELAV-like protein 1

{{NLM content|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=1994}}