Ccdc117, a gene with currently no well-known common aliases, encodes a nuclear/mitotic spindle associated protein. It interacts with the MIP18/MMS19 cytoplasmic iron-sulfur (FeS) cluster assembly (CIA) complex, which is involved in DNA repair and replication. Thus, Ccdc117 is important in regulating DNA metabolism and cell proliferation, playing a significant role in biological processes like embryonic development [1].

In the context of heart development, Nkx2-5, a cardiac transcription factor, positively and directly regulates Ccdc117 in Second Heart Field (SHF) cells. Loss of cellular Ccdc117 expression leads to reduced proliferation rates, a delay at the G1-S transition, decreased DNA synthesis rates, and unresolved DNA damage. This indicates that Nkx2-5 may regulate cell cycle events in the developing heart through Ccdc117's interaction with the CIA pathway during SHF expansion [1]. In early mouse embryonic development, miR-29b can directly target Ccdc117, and its inhibition may cause overexpression of Ccdc117, potentially triggering downstream signaling networks that affect genes essential for embryonic development [2]. In murine RAW 264.7 cells, Ccdc117 is among the differentially expressed genes following pseudorabies virus infection, which may contribute to understanding the gene regulation and immune response post-infection [3]. In Beninese indigenous cattle breeds, Ccdc117 is inferred as a potential candidate gene associated with feed efficiency, based on a multi-breed GWAS for morphometric traits [4].

In conclusion, Ccdc117 is crucial for DNA metabolism and cell proliferation. Studies, especially those using mouse models, have revealed its role in heart development, early embryonic development, immune response to virus infection, and in traits related to feed efficiency in cattle. These findings enhance our understanding of the biological functions of Ccdc117 and its implications in various biological processes and disease-related areas.

References:

1. Horton, Anthony J, Brooker, John, Streitfeld, William S, Foley, Ann C, Lee, Kyu-Ho. 2019. Nkx2-5 Second Heart Field Target Gene Ccdc117 Regulates DNA Metabolism and Proliferation. In Scientific reports, 9, 1738. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-39078-5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30742009/

2. Wang, Ying, Zhou, Tao, Wan, Jinyuan, Ling, Xiufeng, Zhang, Junqiang. . Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals a regulatory network of microRNA-29b during mouse early embryonic development. In Oncotarget, 7, 53772-53782. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.10741. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27449102/

3. Tong, Chao, Fu, Peng-Fei, Ming, Sheng-Li, Zhu, He-Shui, Wang, Jiang. 2022. Acute transcriptomic changes in murine RAW 264.7 cells following pseudorabies virus infection. In Archives of virology, 167, 2623-2631. doi:10.1007/s00705-022-05598-1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36269412/

4. Vanvanhossou, Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich, Scheper, Carsten, Dossa, Luc Hippolyte, Brügemann, Kerstin, König, Sven. 2020. A multi-breed GWAS for morphometric traits in four Beninese indigenous cattle breeds reveals loci associated with conformation, carcass and adaptive traits. In BMC genomics, 21, 783. doi:10.1186/s12864-020-07170-0. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33176675/