| Modification Notes |
GW bodies (GWBs) function as storage centers and degradation sites for mRNAs. GWBs are crucial intracellular structures for miRNA function. Dis-assembly or disruption of GWBs has been shown to impair siRNA and miRNA silencing activity. GW182 is a cytoplasmic marker protein for GWBs. GW182 autoantigen, also designated EMSY interactor protein, plays a role in the maintenance and stability of the GWB structures. GW182 is a ubiquitously expressed protein that binds to mRNA. The GW182 protein may interact with endogenous argonaute-2 (Ago2), which is also enriched in GWBs. The GW182 protein is detected in patients with ataxia, Sjoegren’s syndrome (SS) and sensor neuropathy disease, who develop autoantibodies against GWB structure proteins. |