UNG is a DNA repair enzyme that removes uracil from DNA, preventing mutations from cytosine deamination and dUTP incorporation. This page provides information about UNG structure, function, and role in maintaining genomic integrity in neurons.
| Property |
Value |
| Protein Name |
UNG (Uracil-DNA Glycosylase) |
| Gene |
UNG |
| UniProt ID |
P13051 |
| PDB IDs |
1AKZ, 1EMH, 2D7H |
| Molecular Weight |
313 aa (~36 kDa) |
| Subcellular Localization |
Nucleus, mitochondria |
| Protein Family |
UNG family, uracil-DNA glycosylase superfamily |
UNG contains:
- DNA binding domain — Recognizes uracil in DNA
- Catalytic domain — Hydrolyzes N-glycosidic bond
- Nuclear localization signals — Importin-mediated nuclear import
- Mitochondrial targeting sequence — For mitochondrial isoform
UNG maintains genome integrity by:
- Base excision repair (BER) — Removes uracil from DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA repair — Protects mtDNA from mutations
- Mutagenesis prevention — Prevents C→T transitions
- Cell cycle regulation — Coordinates with replication
- UNG activity is reduced in AD brains
- Increased uracil in DNA leads to mutagenesis
- Contributes to neuronal loss
- Mitochondrial DNA repair impairment
- Accumulated mtDNA mutations in dopaminergic neurons
- Altered DNA repair capacity
- Contributes to disease progression
- Declining UNG activity with age
- Increased mutation burden in aging neurons
- Kunkel & Bebenek, Uracil-DNA glycosylase (2000)
- CFLAR - NCBI Gene — Gene database
- CASK - NCBI Gene — Gene database
- ERCC3 - NCBI Gene — Gene database
- ROBO1 - NCBI Gene — Gene database
- FOSB - NCBI Gene — Gene database
- UNG - NCBI Gene — Gene database