InterPro domain: IPR033956

Translin (also known as TB-RBP for Testis Brain RNA-binding protein, a mouse orthologue), is a paralogue of its binding partner protein TRAX (translin-associated factor-X) [ 1 ] and together they form oligomeric complexes known as C3PO proteins (for component 3 promoter of RNA-induced silencing complex or RISC) [ 2 ]. DNA damage has been proposed to stimulate transport of Translin into nuclei. It binds to RNA and single-stranded DNA, and its selectivity is modulated by interactions with GTP and TRAX. Translin may also regulate dendritic trafficking of BDNF RNAs as well as function as a key activator of siRNA-mediated silencing in Drosophila [ 3 ]. Translin and Trax participate in a variety of nucleic acid metabolism pathways in addition to RNAi and have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities, including mRNA processing, cell growth regulation, spermatogenesis, neuronal development/function, genome stability regulation and carcinogenesis [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]; however, their precise role in some of the processes remains unclear.

1. Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a Translin-like protein, TRAX. FEBS Lett. 401, 109-12
2. Multimeric assembly and biochemical characterization of the Trax-translin endonuclease complex. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 18, 658-64
3. Low-resolution structure of Drosophila translin. FEBS Open Bio 2, 37-46
4. Biological roles of translin and translin-associated factor-X: RNA metabolism comes to the fore. Biochem. J. 429, 225-34
5. The Translin/Trax RNA binding complex: clues to function in the nervous system. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1779, 479-85
6. Translin and Trax differentially regulate telomere-associated transcript homeostasis. Oncotarget