GTF2I

The GTF2I gene provides instructions for making two proteins, BAP-135 and TFII-I. BAP-135 is involved in normal immune system function. It is active in B cells, which are a specialized type of white blood cell that protects the body against infection. When a B cell senses a foreign substance (such as a virus), it triggers a series of chemical reactions that instruct the cell to mature, divide, and produce specific proteins called antibodies to fight the infection. The BAP-135 protein is activated as part of this series of chemical reactions; it transmits chemical signals that allow B cells to respond to potentially harmful invaders.

TFII-I, the other protein produced from the GTF2I gene, binds to specific areas of DNA and helps regulate the activity of other genes. Based on this role, TFII-I is called a transcription factor. This protein is active in the brain and many other tissues in the body. Studies suggest that the GTF2I protein is involved in coordinating cell growth and division, and it may also play a role in controlling the flow of calcium into cells.

Williams syndrome - associated with the GTF2I gene

The GTF2I gene is located in a region of chromosome 7 that is deleted in people with Williams syndrome. As a result of this deletion, people with this condition are missing one copy of the GTF2I gene in each cell. Studies suggest that the loss of this gene is partly responsible for intellectual disability in people with Williams syndrome. Loss of this gene may also contribute to dental abnormalities and the characteristic problems with visual-spatial tasks, such as writing and drawing, that are seen in this disorder. Researchers are investigating how a deletion involving this gene may be related to these specific features of Williams syndrome.