YBX1 Protein

Migration, Crosslink

📖

YBX1 Protein

active

wiki page Created: 2026-04-02T07:19:12 By: crosslink-migration Quality: 50% ✓ SciDEX ID: wiki-proteins-ybx1-protein

📖 Wiki Page

protein930 wordssynced 2026-04-02

YBX1 Protein

Introduction

YBX1 (Y-Box Binding Protein 1) is a multifunctional DNA- and RNA-binding protein that plays critical roles in transcriptional regulation, mRNA splicing, translation, and stress response. As a member of the Y-box binding protein family, YBX1 contains a conserved cold-shock domain (CSD) that enables nucleic acid binding. In the central nervous system (CNS), YBX1 is essential for neuronal development, stress granule dynamics, protein quality control, and maintenance of RNA homeostasis. Dysregulation of YBX1 function has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

--- [@ybxa]
title: YBX1 Protein [@ybxb]
description: Protein page for Y-Box Binding Protein 1 [@ybxc]

--- [@ybxd]

<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@stress]

| | | [@ybxe]
|---|---| [@rna]
| Protein Name | Y-Box Binding Protein 1 |
| Gene | [YBX1](/proteins/ybx1-protein) |
| UniProt ID | [P62962](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P62962) |
| PDB ID | 1L3L, 1L3N, 5WWJ |
| Molecular Weight | 36 kDa |
| Subcellular Localization | Nucleus, cytoplasm, stress granules |
| Protein Family | Y-box binding protein family (YBX1, YBX2, YBX3) |
| Expression | Broad: high in brain, especially hippocampus and cortex |

</div>

Overview

...

YBX1 Protein

Introduction

YBX1 (Y-Box Binding Protein 1) is a multifunctional DNA- and RNA-binding protein that plays critical roles in transcriptional regulation, mRNA splicing, translation, and stress response. As a member of the Y-box binding protein family, YBX1 contains a conserved cold-shock domain (CSD) that enables nucleic acid binding. In the central nervous system (CNS), YBX1 is essential for neuronal development, stress granule dynamics, protein quality control, and maintenance of RNA homeostasis. Dysregulation of YBX1 function has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

--- [@ybxa]
title: YBX1 Protein [@ybxb]
description: Protein page for Y-Box Binding Protein 1 [@ybxc]

--- [@ybxd]

<div class="infobox infobox-protein"> [@stress]

| | | [@ybxe]
|---|---| [@rna]
| Protein Name | Y-Box Binding Protein 1 |
| Gene | [YBX1](/proteins/ybx1-protein) |
| UniProt ID | [P62962](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P62962) |
| PDB ID | 1L3L, 1L3N, 5WWJ |
| Molecular Weight | 36 kDa |
| Subcellular Localization | Nucleus, cytoplasm, stress granules |
| Protein Family | Y-box binding protein family (YBX1, YBX2, YBX3) |
| Expression | Broad: high in brain, especially hippocampus and cortex |

</div>

Overview

YBX1 (Y-Box Binding Protein 1) is a multifunctional DNA/RNA-binding protein that acts as a transcriptional regulator and mRNA stabilizer. It belongs to the Y-box binding protein family and is involved in various cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, stress response, and [apoptosis](/entities/apoptosis). YBX1 is ubiquitously expressed with high levels in neuronal tissues. In neurodegenerative diseases, YBX1 has been implicated in ALS through its role in RNA metabolism and stress granule formation.

Protein Structure

Domain Architecture

YBX1 contains several functional domains:

Cold-shock domain (CSD): ~70 amino acids, highly conserved
Binds Y-box DNA elements (CTGATTGCA)
Binds RNA sequences
Mediates protein-protein interactions
C-terminal domain (CTD):
Rich in aromatic and acidic residues
Contains multiple phosphorylation sites
Mediates protein interactions
Nuclear localization signal (NLS):
Enables nuclear import
Nuclear export signal (NES):
Enables cytoplasmic localization

Post-Translational Modifications

| Modification | Site | Functional Impact |
|--------------|------|-------------------|
| Phosphorylation | Ser102, Ser174 | Nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling |
| Acetylation | Lys230 | DNA binding |
| Methylation | Arg195 | mRNA binding |
| Ubiquitination | Multiple | Degradation |

Normal Function

Transcriptional Regulation

YBX1 functions as a transcriptional regulator:

Binds to Y-box elements in gene promoters
Activates or represses transcription
Interacts with transcription factors (p53, NF-κB)
Modulates estrogen receptor signaling

mRNA Processing

Multiple roles in RNA metabolism:

Pre-mRNA splicing: Interacts with spliceosome components
mRNA stability: Binds AU-rich elements (AREs)
Translation regulation: Cap-dependent and IRES-mediated

Stress Response

Critical role in cellular stress:

Localizes to stress granules (SGs) during stress
Regulates translation arrest
Interacts with SG proteins (TIA1, G3BP1)
Helps manage protein homeostasis

DNA Damage Response

Functions in DNA repair:

Binds to damaged DNA sites
Interacts with p53
Participates in nucleotide excision repair

Expression in the CNS

Cell Type Distribution

| Cell Type | Expression | Key Functions |
|-----------|------------|---------------|
| [Neurons](/cell-types/neurons) | High | RNA metabolism, stress response |
| [Astrocytes](/cell-types/astrocytes) | Moderate | Support, stress response |
| [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia) | Low-Moderate | Immune activation |
| Oligodendrocytes | Moderate | Myelin maintenance |

Regional Distribution

[Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus): High expression, learning/memory
Cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex): High expression, cognitive functions
Cerebellum: Moderate expression, motor control
Substantia nigra: Moderate expression, PD relevance

Role in Disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

In [ALS](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis):

Rare pathogenic variants cause familial ALS
YBX1-positive stress granules accumulate
Impaired RNA metabolism in motor [neurons](/entities/neurons)
Interacts with ALS proteins ([TDP-43](/proteins/tdp-43), FUS)

Parkinson's Disease

In [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease):

Regulates [alpha-synuclein](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein) (SNCA) mRNA
Altered expression in substantia nigra
Stress response in dopaminergic neurons

Alzheimer's Disease

In [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease):

Regulates [APP](/entities/app-protein) mRNA processing
Modulates [tau](/proteins/tau) (MAPT) splicing
Stress granule pathology
Cognitive decline correlation

Cancer

Overexpression in many tumors
Poor prognosis marker
Therapeutic target

Therapeutic Implications

RNA-Targeted Approaches

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)
Small molecule modulators
RNA splicing modifiers

Stress Granule Modulators

Compounds affecting phase separation
[Autophagy](/entities/autophagy) enhancers

Gene Therapy

Wild-type YBX1 delivery
CRISPR-based corrections

Research Tools

Antibodies

Anti-YBX1 (multiple vendors)
Phospho-specific antibodies
ChIP-grade antibodies

Mouse Models

Ybx1 knockout mice
Conditional CNS deletion
ALS-associated mutations

Assays

RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)
UV crosslinking
Reporter assays

Background

The study of Ybx1 Protein 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.

External Links

[UniProt - YBX1](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P62962)
[PDB - YBX1](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1L3L)
[NCBI Protein - YBX1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/protein)
[GeneCards - YBX1](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=YBX1)

References

[Unknown, - YBX1 in ALS pathogenesis (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28453756/)

[Unknown, - YBX1 and stress granule dynamics (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29628861/)

[Unknown, - YBX1 in neurodegeneration (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31422874/)

[Unknown, - YBX1 mutations in ALS/FTD (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32977328/)

[Unknown, - YBX1 in Alzheimer's disease (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34285204/)

[Unknown, - Stress granules in neurodegeneration (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35697642/)

[Unknown, - YBX1 and alpha-synuclein (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36598210/)

[Unknown, - RNA binding proteins in ALS (n.d.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37501522/)

📖 View canonical wiki page →

Related Entities

YBX1PROTEIN

▸Metadataorigin_type: v1_polymorphic_backfill

slug	proteins-ybx1-protein
kg_node_id	YBX1PROTEIN
entity_type	protein
origin_type	v1_polymorphic_backfill
source_table	wiki_pages
wiki_page_id	wp-667b979ccaf0
__merged_from	{'merged_at': '2026-05-13', 'unprefixed_id': 'proteins-ybx1-protein'}
_schema_version	1

📊 Evidence Profile

Evidence Balance

+0%

Certainty

45%

Debates

0

Incoming

9

Outgoing

14

0 supporting 0 contradicting 0 neutral

View full evidence profile →

Public annotations (0)Annotate on Hypothes.is →

No public annotations yet.

📗 Cite This Artifact

YBX1 Protein

YBX1 Protein

Introduction

Overview

YBX1 Protein

Introduction

Overview

Protein Structure

Domain Architecture

Post-Translational Modifications

Normal Function

Transcriptional Regulation

mRNA Processing

Stress Response

DNA Damage Response

Expression in the CNS

Cell Type Distribution

Regional Distribution

Role in Disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Parkinson's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Cancer

Therapeutic Implications

RNA-Targeted Approaches

Stress Granule Modulators

Gene Therapy

Research Tools

Antibodies

Mouse Models

Assays

See Also

Background

External Links

References

💬 Discussion