Gem Associated Protein 4 (GEMIN4)

Gem Associated Protein 4 is part of a large complex localized to the cytoplasm, nucleoli, and to discrete nuclear bodies called Gemini bodies (gems). The complex functions in spliceosomal snRNP assembly in the cytoplasm, and regenerates spliceosomes required for pre-mRNA splicing in the nucleus. The encoded protein directly interacts with a DEAD box protein and several spliceosome core proteins. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described, but their biological validity has not been determined. Sequence analysis of the digested protein led to identification of an EST clone which was used to screen a human leukemia cDNA library. The GEMIN4 cDNA encodes a deduced 1,058-amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of about 120 kD.