FNTA
FNTA encodes the shared alpha subunit of protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I, enzymes that attach isoprenoid groups to proteins carrying a C-terminal CAAX box. It is also known as FPTA, PGGT1A and PTAR2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of FNTA research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
FNTA is an essential subunit of both the farnesyltransferase and the geranylgeranyltransferase complex. These enzymes contribute to the transfer of a farnesyl or geranylgeranyl moiety, donated by farnesyl or geranylgeranyl diphosphate, to a cysteine at the fourth position from the C-terminus of substrate proteins. The target sequence is Cys-aliphatic-aliphatic-X, known as the CAAX box, and the modification forms a thioether linkage on the cysteine residue.
CAAX farnesyltransferase and CAAX geranylgeranyltransferase are heterodimers. They share the same alpha subunit, encoded by the FNTA gene, but each has a different beta subunit. The FNTA protein belongs to the protein prenyltransferase subunit alpha family, and HGNC places it in the prenyltransferase alpha subunit repeat containing group, alongside the farnesyltransferase CAAX box subunits and the protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I subunits. Alternative splicing of the gene gives multiple transcript variants, and related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 11 and 13. Mouse and rat both have an orthologous Fnta gene.
The alpha subunit has been recorded under several names, including farnesyltransferase, CAAX box, alpha, as well as the aliases FPTA, PGGT1A and PTAR2, reflecting its role in two enzyme complexes. UniProt also notes that FNTA may positively regulate neuromuscular junction development downstream of MUSK, through its function in RAC1 prenylation and activation.
FNTA is a shared component of the enzymes that attach farnesyl or geranylgeranyl groups to CAAX box proteins, making it a focus for prenylation research.
Because one alpha subunit pairs with different beta subunits, FNTA is useful for studying how heterodimeric prenyltransferase complexes are assembled.
FNTA may positively regulate neuromuscular junction development downstream of MUSK through RAC1 prenylation and activation.
Alternative splicing and related pseudogenes on chromosomes 11 and 13 make FNTA a case study in transcript variation and gene family annotation.
FNTA is the alpha subunit shared by farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase type I. It contributes to transferring a farnesyl or geranylgeranyl group from its diphosphate donor to the cysteine of a C-terminal Cys-aliphatic-aliphatic-X (CAAX) motif in substrate proteins.
FNTA stands for farnesyltransferase, CAAX box, subunit alpha. Aliases and previous symbols include FPTA, PGGT1A and PTAR2, and an earlier name was farnesyltransferase, CAAX box, alpha. Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants. The UniProt entry is named protein farnesyltransferase/geranylgeranyltransferase type-1 subunit alpha.
Mouse and rat each carry an orthologue named Fnta. In humans, related pseudogenes lie on chromosomes 11 and 13. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before using it with a particular species.
Prenyltransferase partners, substrates and neuromuscular junction signalling proteins linked to FNTA.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P49354; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.