CELF3 (CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 3), also known as BRUNOL3 or ETR-1, is a member of the CELF family of RNA-binding proteins that play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This gene encodes a protein involved in alternative splicing, mRNA stability, translation control, and RNA editing. CELF3 has been increasingly recognized for its roles in neurodevelopment, synaptic function, and neurodegenerative diseases including [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis), and epilepsy.
Gene Overview
| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | Symbol | CELF3 | | Full Name | CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 3 | | Previous Names | BRUNOL3, ETR-1 | | Chromosomal Location | 11q13.2 | | NCBI Gene ID | 55568 | | Ensembl ID | ENSG00000146540 | | UniProt ID | Q8N6W3 | | Protein Length | 481 amino acids | | Protein Class | RNA-binding protein, splicing factor |
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CELF3 — CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 3
Overview
CELF3 (CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 3), also known as BRUNOL3 or ETR-1, is a member of the CELF family of RNA-binding proteins that play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This gene encodes a protein involved in alternative splicing, mRNA stability, translation control, and RNA editing. CELF3 has been increasingly recognized for its roles in neurodevelopment, synaptic function, and neurodegenerative diseases including [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis), and epilepsy.
Gene Overview
| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | Symbol | CELF3 | | Full Name | CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 3 | | Previous Names | BRUNOL3, ETR-1 | | Chromosomal Location | 11q13.2 | | NCBI Gene ID | 55568 | | Ensembl ID | ENSG00000146540 | | UniProt ID | Q8N6W3 | | Protein Length | 481 amino acids | | Protein Class | RNA-binding protein, splicing factor |
CELF3 belongs to the CELF/BrunoL family of RNA-binding proteins, which play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation[@barallo2020][@liu2017]. The human CELF family consists of six members (CELF1-6) with diverse functions in:
Alternative splicing: Regulation of exon inclusion/skipping
mRNA stability: Control of transcript degradation
Translation: Modulation of protein synthesis
RNA editing: A-to-I editing regulation
MicroRNA processing: Involvement in miRNA biogenesis
The CELF family is evolutionarily conserved and exhibits tissue-specific expression patterns, with CELF3 showing particularly high expression in the brain.
Protein Structure
CELF3 encodes a protein containing multiple functional domains[@good2018]:
RNA Recognition Motifs (RRMs)
RRM1-3: Located in the N-terminal region, mediate RNA binding
Each RRM contains the RNP1 and RNP2 consensus sequences
RRMs work cooperatively for high-affinity RNA binding
CELF Domain
Located in the C-terminal region
Involved in protein-protein interactions
Mediates dimerization with other CELF proteins
Nuclear Localization Signals (NLS)
Contains potential nuclear localization signals
Primarily nuclear localization in neurons
May shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm
Expression Pattern
CELF3 is predominantly expressed in the brain, with specific patterns[@nakagawa2020][@tang2023]:
Brain Regional Distribution
Cerebral cortex: Highest expression in layers II-III and V
Hippocampus: Dense expression in CA1-CA3 pyramidal neurons
Cerebellum: Purkinje cells and granule cell layer
Spinal cord: Motor neurons and interneurons
Thalamus: Relay neurons
Hypothalamus: Paraventricular nucleus
Cell Type Specificity
Neurons: High expression in excitatory and inhibitory neurons
Astrocytes: Lower expression
Oligodendrocytes: Moderate expression
Microglia: Low expression
Development and Aging
Embryonic brain: Early expression during neural development
Adult brain: Sustained high expression
Aging: Altered expression with age-related changes[@tang2023]
Biological Functions
RNA Processing
CELF3 regulates alternative splicing of pre-mRNA in neurons[@park2020], particularly affecting: