Msh2 Protein Muts Homolog 2 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
| Protein Name | MutS Homolog 2 |
|---|---|
| Gene | [MSH2](/genes/msh2) |
| UniProt ID | P43246 |
| PDB ID | 2O7B, 3J95 |
| Molecular Weight | 104.7 kDa |
| Subcellular Localization | Nucleus |
| Protein Family | MutS family (ABC ATPase) |
MSH2 (MutS Homolog 2) is a key DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein essential for maintaining genomic integrity. As a core component of the MutSα (MSH2-MSH6) and MutSβ (MSH2-MSH3) heterodimers, MSH2 recognizes base-base mismatches and insertion/deletion loops that arise during DNA replication. In the brain, MSH2 plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability in long-lived neurons that cannot rely on cell division to dilute accumulated DNA damage.
MSH2 contains several functional domains:
MSH2 forms heterodimers with MSH6 (MutSα) or MSH2-MSH3 (MutSβ) to recognize:
Upon binding to mismatched DNA, MSH2 undergoes conformational changes that initiate the mismatch repair cascade.
Germline MSH2 mutations cause Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer):
Somatic MSH2 inactivation occurs in sporadic cancers through:
While primarily a cancer predisposition gene, MSH2 may affect neurodegeneration:
MSH2 serves as a model for:
The study of Msh2 Protein Muts Homolog 2 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.
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