The ATXN1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called ataxin-1. This protein is found throughout the body, but its function is unknown. Within cells, ataxin-1 is located in the nucleus. Researchers believe that ataxin-1 may be involved in regulating various aspects of producing proteins, including the first stage of protein production (transcription) and processing RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA.
One region of the ATXN1 gene contains a DNA segment known as a CAG trinucleotide repeat. This segment is made up of a series of three DNA building blocks (cytosine, adenine, and guanine) that appear multiple times in a row. Normally, the CAG segment is repeated 4 to 39 times within the gene.
Other Names
ataxin-1; ATX1; ATX1_HUMAN; SCA1
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 6310
- OMIM: 601556
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
