<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Ring Finger Protein 186</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td>| [@gutbrain]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td>RNF186</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Ring Finger Protein 186</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>9q32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>[RNF186](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>[Q96MC7](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q96MC7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease</td>
</tr>
</table>
Ring Finger Protein 186 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
.infobox .infobox-gene [@eranchored]
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Ring Finger Protein 186</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td>| [@gutbrain]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td>RNF186</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Ring Finger Protein 186</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>9q32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>[RNF186](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>[Q96MC7](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q96MC7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease</td>
</tr>
</table>
Ring Finger Protein 186 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
.infobox .infobox-gene [@eranchored]
RNF186 (Ring Finger Protein 186) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-anchored E3 ubiquitin ligase that has emerged as a protein of interest at the intersection of neurodegeneration and [gut-brain axis](/entities/gut-brain-axis) biology. Originally characterized for its expression in intestinal epithelial cells, RNF186 is also expressed in neuronal tissues where it participates in protein quality control, ER-associated degradation (ERAD), and cellular stress responses. The protein has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and inflammatory conditions affecting the gut-brain axis, making it a unique target for understanding how peripheral inflammation may influence neurodegenerative processes.
RNF186 possesses a characteristic RING finger domain at its C-terminus, which confers E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Unlike cytosolic E3 ligases, RNF186 is anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane through its N-terminal transmembrane domain, positioning it at a critical interface between the ER lumen and cytosol. This localization is particularly relevant for:
RNF186 participates in ERAD, a quality control pathway that targets misfolded or unassembled proteins for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Substrates translocated to the cytosol from the ER lumen can be recognized by RNF186 and tagged with ubiquitin chains, facilitating their extraction and degradation.
As an ER-resident E3 ligase, RNF186 monitors the folding status of membrane proteins synthesized in the ER. Proteins failing to achieve proper conformation are retained and eventually targeted for degradation through RNF186-mediated ubiquitination.
Recent research suggests RNF186 may modulate innate immune responses, particularly in gut epithelial cells. This function has implications for understanding how intestinal inflammation might influence brain health through the gut-brain-[microbiome](/entities/microbiome) axis.
While comprehensive substrate identification for RNF186 is ongoing, several potential substrates have been identified:
RNF186 demonstrates a distinctive expression pattern:
RNF186 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease through several mechanisms:
Evidence links RNF186 to Parkinson's disease:
RNF186 was originally studied in the context of inflammatory bowel disease:
RNF186 represents a unique therapeutic target bridging gut and brain:
Key questions remaining about RNF186 include:
The study of Ring Finger Protein 186 has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.