RNA-binding Motif Protein 45 (Rbm45)/Developmentally Regulated RNA-binding Protein-1 (Drbp1): Association with Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders are caused by the progressive loss of the structure and/or function of neurons, often through cell death, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Cytoplasmic aggregation of proteins into inclusion bodies is a pathological characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and Alzheimer’s disorder (AD). These inclusion bodies have been shown to contain RNA-binding proteins participating in RNA-dependent and RNA–independent protein:protein interactions.

RNA-binding motif protein 45 (RBM45), also known as developmentally regulated RNA-binding protein-1 (Drbp1), was first identified as a novel RNA binding protein in rat that functions in neural development. Advancing research has indicated a connection between the presence of human RBM45 protein cytosolic aggregates and degenerative neurological diseases. This review considers the structure, function, and distribution of RBM45 along with a look into potential future research on this multifunctional RNA-binding protein.