Anti-GEMIN2

This gene encodes one of the proteins found in the SMN complex, which consists of several gemin proteins and the protein known as the survival of motor neuron protein. The SMN complex is localized to a subnuclear compartment called gems (gemini of coiled bodies) and is required for assembly of spliceosomal snRNPs and for pre-mRNA splicing. This protein interacts directly with the survival of motor neuron protein and it is required for formation of the SMN complex. A knockout mouse targeting the mouse homolog of this gene exhibited disrupted snRNP assembly and motor neuron degeneration. Protein function: The SMN complex plays a catalyst role in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), the building blocks of the spliceosome. Thereby, plays an important role in the splicing of cellular pre-mRNAs. Most spliceosomal snRNPs contain a common set of Sm proteins SNRPB, SNRPD1, SNRPD2, SNRPD3, SNRPE, SNRPF and SNRPG that assemble in a heptameric protein ring on the Sm site of the small nuclear RNA to form the core snRNP. In the cytosol, the Sm proteins SNRPD1, SNRPD2, SNRPE, SNRPF and SNRPG are trapped in an inactive 6S pICln-Sm complex by the chaperone CLNS1A that controls the assembly of the core snRNP. Dissociation by the SMN complex of CLNS1A from the trapped Sm proteins and their transfer to an SMN-Sm complex triggers the assembly of core snRNPs and their transport to the nucleus. [The UniProt Consortium]