Pcbp1, also known as poly(rC) binding protein 1, is an RNA and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein. It is involved in multiple biological processes. It plays a role in alternative splicing, for example, mediating the alternative splicing of Aars2, which is crucial for heart development [2]. It also participates in pathways related to cell proliferation, ferroptosis, and immune regulation [3,4]. Genetically engineered models are valuable for studying its functions.

In cardiomyocyte-specific Pcbp1 knockout mice, there are defects in heart development reminiscent of human congenital cardiac defects, such as non-compaction cardiomyopathy and disruption of cardiomyocyte maturation. This shows Pcbp1's critical role in heart development [2]. In breast tumorigenesis, knockdown of Pcbp1 in a xenograft orthotopic model promotes tumorigenesis, and activation of the WNT signaling can inhibit this effect. It also affects the composition of the tumor microenvironment, with more regulatory T cells and less cytotoxic T cells in Pcbp1-knockdown mice [4]. In bladder cancer, knockdown of Pcbp1 increases erastin-mediated ferroptosis, while overexpression decreases it, indicating its role in protecting bladder cancer cells from mitochondria injury and ferroptosis [3].

In conclusion, Pcbp1 is essential for proper iron absorption [1], heart development [2], and has roles in cancer-related processes like tumorigenesis and ferroptosis regulation [3,4]. The use of Pcbp1 knockout mouse models has provided insights into its functions in heart development and breast tumorigenesis, highlighting its importance in understanding these biological processes and associated diseases.