📗 Cite This Artifact
FANCC Gene
FANCC Gene
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">FANCC — Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>FANCC</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>9q22.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2176" target="_blank">2176</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000144567" target="_blank">ENSG00000144567</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/603234" target="_blank">603234</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q00597" target="_blank">Q00597</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>Fanconi anemia complementation group</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~64 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Ubiquitous, high in bone marrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
FANCC — Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein
Overview
...
FANCC Gene
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">FANCC — Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>FANCC</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>9q22.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2176" target="_blank">2176</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000144567" target="_blank">ENSG00000144567</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/603234" target="_blank">603234</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q00597" target="_blank">Q00597</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>Fanconi anemia complementation group</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~64 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Ubiquitous, high in bone marrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
FANCC — Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein
Overview
FANCC (Fanconi Anemia Group C Protein) is a core component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway, a crucial mechanism for maintaining genomic stability through the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs)[@kottemann2013] [1][2]. Originally characterized in the context of Fanconi anemia—a rare inherited bone marrow failure syndrome—FANCC has emerged as an important player in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD)[@agrawal2022] [3][4].
The Fanconi anemia pathway coordinates a network of proteins that detect DNA damage, stall DNA replication, and facilitate repair through homologous recombination and translesion synthesis [5]. FANCC functions as part of the FA core complex, which includes FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCD1 (BRCA2), FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, and FANCL. This complex monoubiquitinates FANCD2, a key downstream effector that coordinates DNA repair activities.
Beyond its well-established role in hematopoiesis and cancer predisposition, recent research has revealed unexpected functions for FANCC in neuronal biology, mitochondrial function, and cellular stress responses that are highly relevant to neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis [6][7]. The convergence of DNA damage accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired stress responses in neurodegeneration provides a compelling framework for understanding FANCC's contribution to these processes.
Gene Structure and Protein Architecture
The FANCC gene spans approximately 20 kb on chromosome 9q22.33 and consists of 14 coding exons [8]. The protein product comprises 558 amino acids with a molecular weight of approximately 64 kDa. Unlike many DNA repair proteins that contain recognizable functional domains, FANCC is relatively unstructured but contains several critical functional motifs:
The expression pattern of FANCC is ubiquitous, with highest levels in bone marrow, thymus, and testis [10]. Within the brain, FANCC is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, with particularly high expression in regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration such as the hippocampus and substantia nigra.
Biological Functions
DNA Interstrand Crosslink Repair
The primary function of FANCC is in the Fanconi anemia pathway for ICL repair [11]. This pathway is essential for maintaining genomic stability, particularly in proliferating cells that undergo DNA replication. The process involves:
FANCC serves as a critical scaffold within the FA core complex, facilitating protein-protein interactions and ensuring proper pathway activation [12]. Loss of FANCC function disrupts the entire pathway, leading to profound DNA repair defects.
Regulation of Apoptosis
FANCC interacts with pro-apoptotic signaling pathways to regulate cell survival [13]. In response to genotoxic stress, FANCC can:
These anti-apoptotic functions are particularly important in cells with high proliferative potential, such as hematopoietic stem cells, where FANCC deficiency leads to progressive bone marrow failure.
Mitochondrial Function
Emerging evidence indicates that FANCC localizes to mitochondria and regulates mitochondrial homeostasis [14]. This function is distinct from its nuclear role in DNA repair and appears to be particularly important in post-mitotic cells like neurons:
Cellular Stress Response
FANCC participates in broader cellular stress response networks beyond DNA repair [15]:
Role in Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's Disease
Multiple lines of evidence connect FANCC to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis [16][17]:
DNA damage accumulation: AD brains show extensive evidence of DNA damage, including increased γH2AX foci and PARP activation. The DNA damage burden correlates with disease severity and cognitive decline. FANCC deficiency would be expected to exacerbate this damage accumulation.
FANCC deficiency accelerates cognitive decline: A landmark study published in Nature Neuroscience demonstrated that FANCC deficiency in mouse models of AD leads to significantly faster cognitive decline [18]. The mechanism involves:
- Enhanced DNA damage in neurons, particularly in the hippocampus
- Accelerated amyloid plaque formation through impaired DNA repair
- Increased tau pathology through dysregulated cell cycle re-entry
- Impaired adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone
- Reduced complex I activity and ATP production
- Increased mitochondrial ROS production
- Impaired calcium handling
- Enhanced mitochondrial permeability transition
Parkinson's Disease
FANCC plays a particularly important role in dopaminergic neuron survival [19][20]:
α-Synuclein aggregation: FANCC deficiency promotes α-synuclein aggregation through multiple mechanisms:
- Impaired DNA repair in the substantia nigra leads to cellular stress
- Mitochondrial dysfunction increases oxidative stress
- Impaired autophagy and lysosomal function
- Severely impair ATP production
- Increase ROS production
- Promote death of dopaminergic neurons
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
FANCC has been implicated in ALS through its role in DNA repair and stress response [22]:
Multiple Sclerosis
While primarily an autoimmune demyelinating disease, MS involves DNA damage in neurons and oligodendrocytes. FANCC may play a protective role in:
Signaling Pathways
ATM/ATR DNA Damage Response
FANCC is activated following DNA damage through the ATM/ATR checkpoint kinases [23]:
p53 Signaling
FANCC interacts with p53 to influence cell fate decisions following DNA damage [24]:
Mitochondrial Pathways
FANCC influences mitochondrial biology through multiple mechanisms [25]:
Therapeutic Implications
Small Molecule Activators
The identification of small molecules that activate FANCC function could provide therapeutic benefits in neurodegeneration [26]:
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy approaches to restore FANCC function represent an alternative strategy:
Target Validation
Key questions remain about FANCC as a therapeutic target:
Research Tools and Resources
Mouse Models
Several mouse models exist for studying FANCC function:
Antibodies and Reagents
Commercially available reagents include:
Differential Expression in Disease
| Condition | FANCC Expression Change | Tissue/Cell Type |
|-----------|------------------------|------------------|
| Alzheimer's disease | Decreased in hippocampus | Brain |
| Parkinson's disease | Decreased in substantia nigra | Brain |
| ALS | Decreased in spinal cord | Spinal cord |
| Multiple sclerosis | Variable in lesions | Brain |
| Fanconi anemia | Biallelic mutations | Blood cells |
Related Proteins and Pathways
- [FANCA](/proteins/fanca) — Core complex component, interacts with FANCC
- [FANCD2](/proteins/fand2) — Downstream effector, monoubiquitinated by FA core complex
- [BRCA2](/genes/brca2) — FANCD1, DNA repair through homologous recombination
- [ATM](/genes/atm) — DNA damage response kinase
- [ATR](/genes/atr) — Replication stress response kinase
- [XRCC1](/proteins/xrcc1) — Base excision repair scaffold
- [POLH](/proteins/polh) — Translesion synthesis polymerase
Related Conditions
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimer-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinson-disease)
- [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis)
- [Fanconi Anemia](/diseases/fanconi-anemia)
- [Multiple Sclerosis](/diseases/multiple-sclerosis)
External Links
- [NCBI Gene](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2176)
- [UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q00597)
- [Ensembl](https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000144567)
- [OMIM](https://omim.org/entry/603234)
- [GeneCards](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=FANCC)
- [HGNC](https://www.genenames.org/data/gene-symbol-report/#!/hgnc_id/HGNC:3586)
References
Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving FANCC Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
▸Metadataorigin_type: v1_polymorphic_backfill
| slug | genes-fancc |
| kg_node_id | FANCC |
| entity_type | gene |
| origin_type | v1_polymorphic_backfill |
| source_table | wiki_pages |
| wiki_page_id | wp-a5992dd219e4 |
| __merged_from | {'merged_at': '2026-05-13', 'unprefixed_id': 'genes-fancc'} |
| _schema_version | 1 |
No provenance edges found
Use ?embed=1 to load the artifact without SciDEX chrome — suitable for iframing into wiki pages or external sites.
<iframe src="http://scidex.ai/artifact/wiki-genes-fancc?embed=1" width="100%" height="600" style="border:0;border-radius:8px"></iframe>
[FANCC Gene](http://scidex.ai/artifact/wiki-genes-fancc)
http://scidex.ai/artifact/wiki-genes-fancc