Open Access

Biological functions and clinic significance of SAF‑A (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Daiquan Zhang
    • Li Li
    • Mengni Li
    • Xinmei Cao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 10, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1776
  • Article Number: 88
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

As one member of the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family, scaffold attachment factor A (SAF‑A) or hnRNP U, is an abundant nuclear protein. With RNA and DNA binding activities, SAF‑A has multiple functions. The present review focused on the biological structure and different roles of SAF‑A and SAF‑A‑related diseases. It was found that SAF‑A maintains the higher‑order chromatin organization via RNA and DNA, and regulates transcription at the initiation and elongation stages. In addition to regulating pre‑mRNA splicing, mRNA transportation and stabilization, SAF‑A participates in double‑strand breaks and mitosis repair. Therefore, the aberrant expression and mutation of SAF‑A results in tumors and impaired neurodevelopment. Moreover, SAF‑A may play a role in the anti‑virus system. In conclusion, due to its essential biological functions, SAF‑A may be a valuable clinical prediction factor or therapeutic target. Since the role of SAF‑A in tumors and viral infections may be controversial, more animal experiments and clinical assays are needed.
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June-2024
Volume 20 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Zhang D, Li L, Li M and Cao X: Biological functions and clinic significance of SAF‑A (Review). Biomed Rep 20: 88, 2024.
APA
Zhang, D., Li, L., Li, M., & Cao, X. (2024). Biological functions and clinic significance of SAF‑A (Review). Biomedical Reports, 20, 88. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1776
MLA
Zhang, D., Li, L., Li, M., Cao, X."Biological functions and clinic significance of SAF‑A (Review)". Biomedical Reports 20.6 (2024): 88.
Chicago
Zhang, D., Li, L., Li, M., Cao, X."Biological functions and clinic significance of SAF‑A (Review)". Biomedical Reports 20, no. 6 (2024): 88. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1776