InterPro domain: IPR006628

The purine-rich element binding (Pur) protein family protein consists PURalpha/beta/gamma in humans. Pur-alpha is a highly conserved, sequence-specific DNA- and RNA-binding protein involved in diverse cellular and viral functions including transcription, replication, and cell growth. Pur-alpha has a modular structure with alternating three basic aromatic class I and two acidic leucine-rich class II repeats in the central region of the protein [ 1 ].

In addition to its involved in basic cellular function, Pur-alpha, has been implicated in the development of blood cells and cells of the central nervous system; it has also been implicated in the inhibition of oncogenic transformation and along with Pur-beta in myelodysplastic syndrome progressing to acute myelogenous leukemia. Pur-alpha can influence viral interaction through functional associations, for example with the Tat protein and TAR RNA of HIV-1, and with large T-antigen and DNA regulatory regions of JC virus. JC virus causes opportunistic infections in the brains of certain HIV-1-infected individuals [ 2 ].

1. Sequence of cDNA comprising the human pur gene and sequence-specific single-stranded-DNA-binding properties of the encoded protein. Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 5673-82
2. The Pur protein family: clues to function from recent studies on cancer and AIDS. Anticancer Res. 23, 2093-100