The PIGA gene provides instructions for making a protein called phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (shortened to PIG-A). The PIG-A protein takes part in a series of steps that produce a molecule called glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Specifically, the PIG-A protein is one piece of a group of proteins (a complex) that performs the first step of the series, which produces an intermediate molecule called N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphatidylinositol, or GlcNAc-PI.
The GPI anchor, the ultimate product of the series of steps, attaches many different proteins to the cell membrane. These proteins are known as GPI-anchored proteins. Anchored proteins have a variety of roles, including sticking cells to one another, relaying signals into cells, and protecting cells from destruction.
Other Names
GLCNAC-PI synthesis protein; GPI anchor biosynthesis; GPI3; phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class A; phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class A (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria); phosphatidylinositol glycan, class A (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria); phosphatidylinositol N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase subunit A; phosphatidylinositol-glycan biosynthesis, class A protein; PIG-A; PIGA_HUMAN
Related Genetics Topics
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 5277
- OMIM: 311770
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
