APOBEC1

Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide 1 also known as C->U-editing enzyme APOBEC-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the APOBEC1 gene.

This gene encodes a member of the APOBEC protein family and the cytidine deaminase enzyme family. The encoded protein forms a multiple-protein RNA editing holoenzyme with APOBEC1 complementation factor (A1CF). This holoenzyme is involved in the editing of cytosine-to-uracil (C-to-U) nucleotide bases in apolipoprotein B and neurofibromin 1 mRNAs.

APOBEC-1 (A1) has been linked with cholesterol control, cancer development and inhibition of viral replication. Its function relies on introducing a stop codon into apolipoprotein B (ApoB) mRNA, which alters lipid metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. The editing mechanism is highly specific. A1’s deamination of the cytosine base yields uracil, which creates a stop codon in the mRNA.

A1 has been linked with both positive and negative health effects. In rodents, it has wide tissue distribution where as in humans, it is only expressed in the small intestine.