C17ORF103 (Chromosome 17 Open Reading Frame 103) is a protein-coding gene located on human chromosome 17p11.2. It encodes a 12.9 kDa protein belonging to the NATD1 family, with alternative names including NATD1 (N-acetyltransferase domain-containing protein 1), GTLF3B, and GTL3B . This gene is implicated in tumor suppression and neurofibromatosis pathways, as it is physically close to tumor suppressor genes like BRCA1 and p53 on chromosome 17 .
C17ORF103 is associated with:
Tumor Suppression: Proximity to BRCA1 (breast cancer susceptibility) and p53 (DNA repair regulation) suggests a role in genomic stability .
Neurofibromatosis: Linked to dysregulated Schwann cell growth in neural and epidermal lesions .
Hematopoiesis: Expressed during blood cell development, as indicated by the alias "Transcript Expressed During Hematopoiesis 2" .
C17ORF103 is commercially available as a recombinant protein for research purposes.
Supplier | Expression Host | Size (aa) | Purity | Tag | Molecular Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boster Bio | HEK293T | 113 | >80% | C-Myc/DDK | 12.9 kDa |
Abcam | E. coli | 113 | >95% | None | 15.4 kDa (His-tagged) |
Novatein Biosciences | E. coli | 113 | >95% | N-terminal His-tag | 15.4 kDa |
SDS-PAGE: Used to confirm protein purity (>95% for E. coli-derived versions) .
Western Blotting: Validated for antibody binding (e.g., Coomassie blue staining confirms HEK293T-derived protein integrity) .
Enzyme Assays: Potential utility in studying N-acetyltransferase activity, though direct evidence is limited .
Functional Elucidation: Limited studies directly linking C17ORF103 to enzymatic activity (e.g., N-acetylation).
Disease Associations: Further work is needed to clarify its role in neurofibromatosis and cancer.
Structural Data: No 3D crystal structures or cryo-EM maps are publicly available, hindering mechanistic insights .
C17ORF103 (Chromosome 17 Open Reading Frame 103) is a member of the GTLF3B family encoded by a gene located on human chromosome 17p11.2. This chromosomal region is particularly significant as it houses important tumor suppressor genes including BRCA1 and p53, which are crucial for cellular genetic integrity and DNA repair mechanisms. The protein is also known by several synonyms including Transcript Expressed During Hematopoiesis 2, Gene Trap Locus F3b, GTLF3B, and Protein GTLF3B .
For short-term use (2-4 weeks), C17ORF103 should be stored at 4°C. For longer periods, the protein should be stored frozen at -20°C. For long-term storage, it is recommended to add a carrier protein such as 0.1% HSA (Human Serum Albumin) or BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) to enhance stability. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided as they can compromise protein integrity and functionality. The standard formulation contains 20mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0), 0.1M NaCl, 1mM DTT and 20% glycerol, which helps maintain protein stability .
To investigate the relationship between C17ORF103 and tumor suppressor genes like p53 and BRCA1, a multiple time-series design (Design 14 in Campbell & Stanley's classification) is highly recommended. This quasi-experimental approach allows researchers to:
Establish baseline expression patterns of C17ORF103, p53, and BRCA1
Introduce targeted manipulation of C17ORF103 expression
Monitor changes in expression, interaction, and activity of all three proteins over time
Compare with control groups without manipulation
This design is particularly valuable when investigating proteins in the same chromosomal region (17p11.2) that may share regulatory mechanisms or functional pathways. The time-series approach helps establish temporal relationships and potential causality between C17ORF103 and tumor suppressor activities .
For identifying C17ORF103 binding partners, a sequential approach using complementary techniques yields the most comprehensive results:
Initial screening: Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay using the 113-amino acid core sequence of C17ORF103 as bait
Validation: Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) with the recombinant His-tagged C17ORF103
Interaction mapping: GST pull-down assays with truncated versions of C17ORF103
In situ confirmation: Proximity ligation assay (PLA) in relevant cell types
Given C17ORF103's potential role in tumor suppression pathways and relationship to p53 and BRCA1, particular attention should be paid to proteins involved in DNA damage response and repair mechanisms. The His-tag present in the recombinant protein (MGSSHHHHHH SSGLVPRGSH) can be leveraged for efficient pulldown experiments using nickel affinity chromatography .
To assess the functional impact of C17ORF103 mutations, researchers should implement a factorial experimental design that examines multiple variables simultaneously:
Mutation Type | Cellular Context | Readout Measurements |
---|---|---|
Wild-type control | Normal cells | Cell proliferation |
Missense mutations | Cancer cell lines | Apoptosis markers |
Truncation mutations | Schwann cells | DNA damage response |
Regulatory region mutations | Patient-derived cells | p53/BRCA1 activity |
This approach allows for analysis of both main effects and interaction effects between different types of mutations and cellular contexts. Statistical analysis should include multivariate ANOVA to identify significant relationships. For highest validity, the equivalent materials design (Design 9) should be employed where different mutation constructs are tested against identical cellular backgrounds in parallel .
Detection of low-abundance C17ORF103 in tissue samples requires specialized approaches:
Sample preparation: Optimize protein extraction using a buffer containing 20mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 0.1M NaCl, 1mM DTT and 20% glycerol, similar to the formulation used for the recombinant protein
Enrichment strategies: Immunoprecipitation using high-affinity antibodies or His-tag pulldown from samples with tagged protein
Detection methods:
Nano-LC-MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)
Proximity extension assay (PEA)
Single molecule array (Simoa) digital ELISA
When comparing detection methods, research has demonstrated the following sensitivity limits:
Detection Method | Lower Limit of Detection | Sample Volume Required | Advantages |
---|---|---|---|
Western Blot | ~10 ng | 20-30 μL | Widely accessible |
Standard ELISA | ~1 ng | 50-100 μL | Quantitative |
Nano-LC-MS/MS | ~50 pg | 10-20 μL | Specific identification |
Digital ELISA (Simoa) | ~5 pg | 25 μL | Highest sensitivity |
These approaches are particularly important when studying C17ORF103 in clinical samples where protein abundance may be limited .
When investigating relationships between C17ORF103 and tumor suppressors p53 and BRCA1, researchers must carefully control for potential confounding variables through both experimental design and statistical approaches:
Experimental controls:
Use isogenic cell lines differing only in C17ORF103 status
Employ inducible expression systems with careful time-course analysis
Include cells with known p53/BRCA1 status variations
Statistical approaches:
Implement regression-discontinuity analysis (Design 16) to identify threshold effects
Use multivariate regression models with interaction terms
Apply propensity score matching when analyzing non-randomized samples
Validation strategies:
Cross-validate findings across multiple cell types
Confirm protein-level changes with transcriptional analysis
Triangulate results using in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data
This systematic approach helps distinguish the specific effects of C17ORF103 from the broader impact of chromosome 17p11.2 dysregulation, where both p53 and BRCA1 may be simultaneously affected .
For analyzing C17ORF103 expression patterns across diverse tissue types, a combination of parametric and non-parametric approaches is recommended:
For normally distributed data:
One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey tests for multiple tissue comparisons
Mixed-effects models when incorporating both fixed factors (tissue type) and random factors (individual samples)
For non-normally distributed data:
Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's test for multiple comparisons
Permutation-based methods for small sample sizes
For complex patterns analysis:
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify tissue-specific expression patterns
Hierarchical clustering to identify tissues with similar C17ORF103 expression profiles
When reporting results, include both the statistical significance (p-value) and effect size measurements (Cohen's d or partial η²) to provide complete information about the magnitude of tissue-specific differences .
To address contradictory findings across different experimental models of C17ORF103 function, researchers should implement a systematic meta-analytical approach:
Standardize experimental parameters:
Use consistent protein preparations (>95% purity by SDS-PAGE)
Maintain uniform buffer conditions (20mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.1M NaCl, 1mM DTT, 20% glycerol)
Employ standardized assay conditions across laboratories
Implement factorial design:
Test multiple hypotheses simultaneously
Examine interaction effects between experimental variables
Use the Solomon Four-Group Design to control for pretesting effects
Conduct comparative analysis:
Create standardized effect size measurements across studies
Implement forest plots to visualize consistency/inconsistency
Use funnel plots to check for potential publication bias
Moderator analysis:
Identify variables that explain differences between experimental models
Test for interaction effects between protein characteristics and cellular contexts
Conduct sensitivity analyses by systematically excluding specific studies
This structured approach helps determine whether contradictions represent true biological variability in C17ORF103 function or stem from methodological differences between experimental systems .
Given C17ORF103's relationship to neurofibromatosis, characterized by dysregulated Schwann cell growth, several promising research approaches emerge:
Cellular models:
CRISPR-engineered Schwann cell lines with C17ORF103 modifications
Patient-derived Schwann cells with varying neurofibromatosis severity
3D organoid models incorporating multiple neural cell types
Signaling pathway analysis:
Phosphoproteomic profiling before and after C17ORF103 manipulation
Network analysis linking C17ORF103 to established NF1/NF2 pathways
Investigation of crosstalk with Merlin-Hippo signaling
In vivo approaches:
Conditional C17ORF103 knockout in Schwann cell lineage in mouse models
Xenograft models with C17ORF103-modified Schwann cells
Therapeutic testing using compounds targeting identified pathways
These approaches should implement a time-series experimental design (Design 7) to capture temporal dynamics of Schwann cell growth regulation and the progression of pathological changes following C17ORF103 disruption .
Development of targeted therapeutics based on C17ORF103 function requires a systematic research pipeline:
Target validation phase:
Confirm essential functions through knockout/knockdown studies
Identify synthetic lethal interactions in disease contexts
Map binding pockets and interaction surfaces
Therapeutic development strategies:
Small molecule screening targeting functional domains
Protein-protein interaction disruptors if functioning as part of a complex
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for controlled degradation
Evaluation methodology:
Implement factorial design with multiple concentrations and cell types
Use the equivalent time-samples design (Design 8) for pharmacodynamic studies
Apply the multiple time-series design (Design 14) for long-term efficacy studies
When conducting these studies, researchers should pay particular attention to the relationship between C17ORF103 and the tumor suppressor pathways linked to p53 and BRCA1, as these connections may provide therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancers with chromosome 17p11.2 aberrations .
Translating C17ORF103 research from laboratory to clinic requires careful consideration of:
Model validity assessment:
Evaluate how well in vitro findings reproduce in complex in vivo systems
Compare protein interactions identified in recombinant systems vs. native contexts
Assess clinical relevance of identified C17ORF103 mechanisms
Biomarker development pipeline:
Standardize C17ORF103 detection methods for clinical samples
Establish reference ranges across diverse populations
Determine specificity/sensitivity for relevant pathological conditions
Translational study design:
Implement the recurrent institutional cycle design (Design 15) for clinical validation
Use regression-discontinuity analysis (Design 16) to identify clinically relevant thresholds
Apply nonequivalent control group design (Design 10) when randomization isn't feasible
Clinical correlation strategy:
Collect C17ORF103 data alongside standard clinical parameters
Analyze prognostic/predictive value through longitudinal studies
Integrate findings with broader -omics data through systems biology approaches
This translational framework helps maintain scientific rigor while navigating the complex path from fundamental C17ORF103 biology to clinical applications in neurofibromatosis and potentially cancer contexts .
The C17ORF103 gene is part of the open reading frame (ORF) family, which includes genes that encode proteins with diverse functions. The human recombinant C17ORF103 protein is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 136 amino acids. The protein has a molecular mass of approximately 15.4 kDa . Additionally, the recombinant protein is often fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification .
The production of recombinant C17ORF103 involves cloning the gene into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism, such as E. coli. The host organism expresses the protein, which can then be harvested and purified. The purification process typically involves chromatographic techniques, which take advantage of the His-tag to isolate the protein from other cellular components .
While the specific functions of C17ORF103 are still being studied, proteins encoded by open reading frames on chromosome 17 are known to play roles in various cellular processes, including signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. The study of recombinant forms of these proteins helps researchers understand their functions and potential implications in health and disease.
Recombinant C17ORF103 is used in various research applications, including: