Dcp1a, the mRNA decapping factor, is crucial in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. It is involved in mRNA cap removal before degradation, a key step in controlling the fate of mRNAs, and is associated with P-bodies, cytoplasmic foci related to mRNA degradation and translational repression [2,7].

Genetic models have provided significant insights into Dcp1a's function. In mice, Dcp1a-deficient embryos generated using the Nuclease technology system exhibit embryonic lethality around embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5), along with growth retardation and cardiac developmental defects, indicating its essential role in embryonic growth [2]. In mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), DCP1A, phosphorylated by MEK, is required for self-renewal and differentiation, with its dephosphorylation promoting P-body formation and RNA storage [3]. In muscle stem cells, Dcp1a knockdown leads to increased cell proliferation during the activation stage, while knockdown of both Dcp1a and Fmrp compromises differentiation, suggesting its role in regulating muscle stem cell quiescence and activation [6]. In the context of viral infection, porcine deltacoronavirus nsp5 cleaves DCP1A, reducing its antiviral activity, and this may be a common immune-evasion mechanism among coronaviruses [4]. In cancer, high DCP1A expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer is associated with poor prognosis, advanced tumor stage, and chemotherapy resistance [1,5].

In summary, Dcp1a is essential for embryonic growth, regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, muscle stem cell function, and antiviral defense. Its dysregulation is implicated in cancer development and progression. Mouse models, including gene knockout models, have been instrumental in revealing these functions, providing valuable insights into normal biological processes and disease mechanisms related to Dcp1a.

References:

1. Wu, Hao, Zhang, Jinrui, Bai, Yi, Zhang, Yamin, Shen, Zhongyang. 2021. DCP1A is an unfavorable prognostic-related enhancer RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. In Aging, 13, 23020-23035. doi:10.18632/aging.203593. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34609335/

2. Ibayashi, Megumi, Aizawa, Ryutaro, Tsukamoto, Satoshi. 2021. mRNA decapping factor Dcp1a is essential for embryonic growth in mice. In Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 555, 128-133. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33813271/

3. Yu, Jiayu, Zhao, Nannan, Wang, Yuying, Zhang, Kai, Chen, Lingyi. 2024. DCP1A, a MEK substrate, regulates the self-renewal and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. In Cell reports, 43, 115058. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2024.115058. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39671288/

4. Zhu, Xinyu, Chen, Jiyao, Tian, Liyuan, Fang, Liurong, Xiao, Shaobo. 2020. Porcine Deltacoronavirus nsp5 Cleaves DCP1A To Decrease Its Antiviral Activity. In Journal of virology, 94, . doi:10.1128/JVI.02162-19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32461317/

5. Ruan, Tuo, Zhang, Yazhi, Liu, Weizhen, Tao, Kaixiong, Wu, Chuanqing. 2020. Expression of DCP1a in gastric cancer and its biological function and mechanism in chemotherapy resistance in gastric cancer cells. In Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver, 52, 1351-1358. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2020.06.031. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32646734/

6. Roy, Nainita, Sundar, Swetha, Pillai, Malini, Zammit, Peter S, Dhawan, Jyotsna. 2021. mRNP granule proteins Fmrp and Dcp1a differentially regulate mRNP complexes to contribute to control of muscle stem cell quiescence and activation. In Skeletal muscle, 11, 18. doi:10.1186/s13395-021-00270-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34238354/

7. Blumenthal, Jacob, Behar, Leah, Elliott, Evan, Ginzburg, Irith. 2008. Dcp1a phosphorylation along neuronal development and stress. In FEBS letters, 583, 197-201. doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2008.12.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19084008/