Reviewed June 2008
What is the official name of the CUL7 gene?
The official name of this gene is “cullin 7.”
CUL7 is the gene's official symbol. The CUL7 gene is also known by other names, listed below.
What is the normal function of the CUL7 gene?
The CUL7 gene provides instructions for making a protein called cullin-7. This protein plays a role in the cell machinery that breaks down (degrades) unwanted proteins, called the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Cullin-7 helps to assemble a complex known as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. This complex tags damaged and excess proteins with molecules called ubiquitin. Ubiquitin serves as a signal to specialized cell structures known as proteasomes, which attach (bind) to the tagged proteins and degrade them. The ubiquitin-proteasome system acts as the cell's quality control system by disposing of damaged, misshapen, and excess proteins. This system also regulates the level of proteins involved in several critical cell activities such as the timing of cell division and growth.
How are changes in the CUL7 gene related to health conditions?
-
3-M syndrome - caused by mutations in the CUL7 gene
-
At least 25 mutations in the CUL7 gene have been identified in people with 3-M syndrome. Some of these mutations substitute one protein building block (amino acid) for another amino acid in the cullin-7 protein. Others result in a cullin-7 protein that is abnormally short and nonfunctional.
Individuals in the Yakut population of Siberia with a variant of 3-M syndrome all have a particular mutation in both copies of the CUL7 gene in each cell. This mutation replaces the amino acid glutamine with a premature stop signal in the instructions for making the cullin-7 protein (written as Gln1553Ter or Q1553X).
Mutations in the CUL7 gene disrupt the ability of the cullin-7 protein to bring together the components of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, interfering with the process of tagging other proteins with ubiquitin (ubiquitination). It is not known how impaired ubiquitination results in growth retardation and the other signs and symptoms of 3-M syndrome.
Where is the CUL7 gene located?
Cytogenetic Location: 6p21.1
Molecular Location on chromosome 6: base pairs 43,113,332 to 43,129,631
The CUL7 gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 6 at position 21.1.
More precisely, the CUL7 gene is located from base pair 43,113,332 to base pair 43,129,631 on chromosome 6.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook.
Where can I find additional information about CUL7?
You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about CUL7 helpful.
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.
- PubMed
- Recent literature
- OMIM
- Genetic disorder catalog
-
What other names do people use for the CUL7 gene or gene products?
- CUL7_HUMAN
- dJ20C7.5
- KIAA0076
Where can I find general information about genes?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
What glossary definitions help with understanding CUL7?
acids ;
amino acid ;
cell ;
cell division ;
degrade ;
gene ;
ligase ;
molecule ;
mutation ;
population ;
proteasome ;
protein ;
sign ;
symptom ;
syndrome ;
ubiquitin
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference
Glossary.
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for
professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about
a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified
healthcare professional.
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.