Coilin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the COIL gene.
Function
Coilin protein is one of the main molecular components of Cajal bodies. Cajal bodies are non-membrane bound
nuclear bodies of varying number and composition that are involved in the post-transcriptional modification of small nuclear and
snRNA. In addition to its structural role, coilin acts as glue to connect the CB to the
nucleolus. The
N-terminus of the coilin protein directs its self-oligomerization while the
C-terminus influences the number of nuclear bodies assembled per cell. Differential
methylation and
phosphorylation of coilin likely influences its localization among nuclear bodies and the composition and assembly of Cajal bodies. This gene has
on chromosome 4 and chromosome 14.
To study CBs, coilin can be combined with GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) to form Coilin-GFP fusion protein. The hybrid protein can then be used to locate CBs underneath a microscope, usually near the nucleolus of the cell. Other proteins that make up the CB include and nucleolar .
Coilin has been shown to interact with ataxin 1,[
]
Further reading
