LARP6 Activators

The La-related protein 6 (LARP6) is a human protein encoded by the LARP6 gene. This protein is a member of the La-related protein (LARP) family, which is characterized by the presence of the La module, a domain structure consisting of a La motif followed by one or two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs).LARP6 is unique within the LARP family due to its specific binding to the 5' stem-loop structure of collagen mRNAs. Collagen is the major component of connective tissues in animals and is crucial for the structural integrity of various tissues such as skin, bone, and cartilage. The interaction of LARP6 with collagen mRNAs plays a critical role in the regulation of collagen biosynthesis, crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of connective tissues.

In the context of disease, dysregulated collagen biosynthesis can lead to fibrotic diseases and cancer. LARP6 has been implicated in fibrosis, a pathological condition characterized by excessive deposition of collagen leading to organ dysfunction. Furthermore, overexpression of LARP6 has been reported in certain types of cancer, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis. Understanding the role of LARP6 in collagen biosynthesis and disease involves various techniques like RNA immunoprecipitation to study its interaction with collagen mRNAs, gene knockdown or overexpression to study the effects on collagen synthesis, and investigation of its expression in disease tissue samples.