protein
Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1
Gene
FMR1
Organism
Homo sapiens(9606)
Length
632 aa
Mass
71,174 Da
# FMR1 Protein Summary
Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein of 632 amino acids that regulates neuronal development and synaptic plasticity (UniProt: Q06787). It controls alternative mRNA splicing, mRNA stability, dendritic transport, and postsynaptic protein synthesis through formation of phase-separated ribonucleoprotein granules. FMR1 binds specific mRNA sequences (ACU[GU] and [AU]GGA motifs) and G-quadruplex structures, modulating both translation repression and activation of target dendritic mRNAs in response to metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling.
FMR1 functions broadly in the nervous system, stabilizing key synaptic proteins including PSD-95 and regulating ion channel activity and microtubule dynamics. It also participates in mRNA nuclear export, DNA damage response signaling, and miRNA-mediated translational control. Beyond neurology, FMR1 mutations cause fragile X syndrome and fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome, and are associated with premature ovarian failure.
FMR1 is classified by SFARI as a Category S (syndromic) gene with strong evidence for autism association (SFARI Cat S). Loss of FMR1 function in fragile X syndrome represents one of the most common monogenic causes of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, making this protein central to understanding syndromic autism pathogenesis.
Generated from the curated entity record below. May contain errors — verify against source links.
Proteomics Evidence · AD
↑ Up in ADP3
not detected
P2
+0.414
S2
not detected
S3
not detected
Mean log₂FC across detected fractions: +0.4136 (1 of 4 fractions detected)
Human post-mortem AD brain vs age-matched controls, TMT-labeled, 4 subcellular fractions (P2, P3, S2, S3), DDA proteomics.
Genetic Evidence · ASD
Source: SFARI Gene database · gene.sfari.org
This protein is implicated in both ASD and Alzheimer's Disease. View all cross-disease proteins →
Related Publications
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Dujardin Simon et al.Nature medicine2020PMID 32572268Deep Multilayer Brain Proteomics Identifies Molecular Networks in Alzheimer's Disease Progression.
Bai Bing et al.Neuron2020PMID 31926610A Multi-network Approach Identifies Protein-Specific Co-expression in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease.
Seyfried Nicholas T et al.Cell systems2017PMID 27989508Large-scale deep multi-layer analysis of Alzheimer's disease brain reveals strong proteomic disease-related changes not observed at the RNA level.
Johnson Erik C B et al.Nature neuroscience2022PMID 35115731Organization and regulation of gene transcription.
Cramer PatrickNature2019PMID 31462772Inherited and De Novo Genetic Risk for Autism Impacts Shared Networks.
Ruzzo Elizabeth K et al.Cell2019PMID 31398340Inherited and multiple de novo mutations in autism/developmental delay risk genes suggest a multifactorial model.
Guo Hui et al.Molecular autism2018PMID 30564305Whole genome sequencing resource identifies 18 new candidate genes for autism spectrum disorder.
C Yuen Ryan K et al.Nature neuroscience2017PMID 28263302Identification of common genetic risk variants for autism spectrum disorder.
Grove Jakob et al.Nature genetics2019PMID 30804558Synaptic, transcriptional and chromatin genes disrupted in autism.
De Rubeis Silvia et al.Nature2014PMID 25363760
Function
Multifunctional polyribosome-associated RNA-binding protein that plays a central role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity through the regulation of alternative mRNA splicing, mRNA stability, mRNA dendritic transport and postsynaptic local protein synthesis of target mRNAs (PubMed:12417522, PubMed:16631377, PubMed:18653529, PubMed:19166269, PubMed:23235829, PubMed:25464849). Acts as an mRNA regulator by mediating formation of some phase-separated membraneless compartment: undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation upon binding to target mRNAs, leading to assemble mRNAs into cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules that concentrate mRNAs with associated regulatory factors (PubMed:12417522, PubMed:30765518, PubMed:31439799). Plays a role in the alternative splicing of its own mRNA (PubMed:18653529). Stabilizes the scaffolding postsynaptic density protein DLG4/PSD-95 and the myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNAs in hippocampal neurons and glial cells, respectively; this stabilization is further increased in response to metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) stimulation (By similarity). Plays a role in selective delivery of a subset of dendritic mRNAs to synaptic sites in response to mGluR activation in a kinesin-dependent manner (By similarity). Undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation following phosphorylation and interaction with CAPRIN1, promoting formation of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules that concentrate mRNAs with factors that inhibit translation and mediate deadenylation of target mRNAs (PubMed:31439799). Acts as a repressor of mRNA translation in synaptic regions by mediating formation of neuronal ribonucleoprotein granules and promoting recruitmtent of EIF4EBP2 (PubMed:30765518). Plays a role as a repressor of mRNA translation during the transport of dendritic mRNAs to postsynaptic dendritic spines (PubMed:11157796, PubMed:11532944, PubMed:12594214, PubMed:23235829). Component of the CYFIP1-EIF4E-FMR1 complex which blocks cap-dependent mRNA translation initiation (By similarity). Represses mRNA translation by stalling ribosomal translocation during elongation (By similarity). Reports are contradictory with regards to its ability to mediate translation inhibition of MBP mRNA in oligodendrocytes (PubMed:23891804). Also involved in the recruitment of the RNA helicase MOV10 to a subset of mRNAs and hence regulates microRNA (miRNA)-mediated translational repression by AGO2 (PubMed:14703574, PubMed:17057366, PubMed:25464849). Facilitates the assembly of miRNAs on specific target mRNAs (PubMed:17057366). Also plays a role as an activator of mRNA translation of a subset of dendritic mRNAs at synapses (PubMed:19097999, PubMed:19166269). In response to mGluR stimulation, FMR1-target mRNAs are rapidly derepressed, allowing for local translation at synapses (By similarity). Binds to a large subset of dendritic mRNAs that encode a myriad of proteins involved in pre- and postsynaptic functions (PubMed:11157796, PubMed:11719189, PubMed:12594214, PubMed:17417632, PubMed:23235829, PubMed:24448548, PubMed:7692601). Binds to 5'-ACU[GU]-3' and/or 5'-[AU]GGA-3' RNA consensus sequences within mRNA targets, mainly at coding sequence (CDS) and 3'-untranslated region (UTR) and less frequently at 5'-UTR (PubMed:23235829). Binds to intramolecular G-quadruplex structures in the 5'- or 3'-UTRs of mRNA targets (PubMed:11719189, PubMed:18579868, PubMed:25464849, PubMed:25692235). Binds to G-quadruplex structures in the 3'-UTR of its own mRNA (PubMed:11532944, PubMed:12594214, PubMed:15282548, PubMed:18653529, PubMed:7692601). Also binds to RNA ligands harboring a kissing complex (kc) structure; this binding may mediate the association of FMR1 with polyribosomes (PubMed:15805463). Binds mRNAs containing U-rich target sequences (PubMed:12927206). Binds to a triple stem-loop RNA structure, called Sod1 stem loop interacting with FMRP (SoSLIP), in the 5'-UTR region of superoxide dismutase SOD1 mRNA (PubMed:19166269). Binds to the dendritic, small non-coding brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BC1); which may increase the association of the CYFIP1-EIF4E-FMR1 complex to FMR1 target mRNAs at synapses (By similarity). Plays a role in mRNA nuclear export (PubMed:31753916). Specifically recognizes and binds a subset of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-containing mRNAs, promoting their nuclear export in a XPO1/CRM1-dependent manner (PubMed:31753916). Together with export factor NXF2, is involved in the regulation of the NXF1 mRNA stability in neurons (By similarity). Associates with export factor NXF1 mRNA-containing ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) in a NXF2-dependent manner (By similarity). Binds to a subset of miRNAs in the brain (PubMed:14703574, PubMed:17057366). May associate with nascent transcripts in a nuclear protein NXF1-dependent manner (PubMed:18936162). In vitro, binds to RNA homomer; preferentially on poly(G) and to a lesser extent on poly(U), but not on poly(A) or poly(C) (PubMed:12950170, PubMed:15381419, PubMed:7688265, PubMed:7781595, PubMed:8156595). Moreover, plays a role in the modulation of the sodium-activated potassium channel KCNT1 gating activity (PubMed:20512134). Negatively regulates the voltage-dependent calcium channel current density in soma and presynaptic terminals of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and hence regulates synaptic vesicle exocytosis (By similarity). Modulates the voltage-dependent calcium channel CACNA1B expression at the plasma membrane by targeting the channels for proteasomal degradation (By similarity). Plays a role in regulation of MAP1B-dependent microtubule dynamics during neuronal development (By similarity). Has been shown to play a translation-independent role in the modulation of presynaptic action potential (AP) duration and neurotransmitter release via large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels in hippocampal and cortical excitatory neurons (PubMed:25561520). May be involved in the control of DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms through the regulation of ATR-dependent signaling pathways such as histone H2AX/H2A.x and BRCA1 phosphorylations (PubMed:24813610). Forms a cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) network by packaging long mRNAs, serving as a scaffold that recruits proteins and signaling molecules. This network facilitates signaling reactions by maintaining proximity between kinases and substrates (PubMed:39106863)
Binds to RNA homomer; preferentially on poly(G) and to a lesser extent on poly(U), but not on poly(A) or poly(C) (PubMed:24204304). May bind to RNA in Cajal bodies (PubMed:24204304)
Binds to RNA homomer; preferentially on poly(G) and to a lesser extent on poly(U), but not on poly(A) or poly(C) (PubMed:24204304). May bind to RNA in Cajal bodies (PubMed:24204304)
(Microbial infection) Acts as a positive regulator of influenza A virus (IAV) replication. Required for the assembly and nuclear export of the viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) components
Disease associations
Fragile X syndromeFXS
An X-linked dominant disease characterized by moderate to severe intellectual disability, macroorchidism (enlargement of the testicles), large ears, prominent jaw, and high-pitched, jocular speech. The defect in most patients results from an amplification of a CGG repeat region in the FMR1 gene and abnormal methylation.
Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndromeFXTAS
An X-linked neurodegenerative disorder characterized by late-onset, progressive cerebellar ataxia and intention tremor followed by cognitive decline.
Premature ovarian failure 1POF1
An ovarian disorder defined as the cessation of ovarian function under the age of 40 years. It is characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, in the presence of elevated levels of serum gonadotropins and low estradiol.
Sources
Last updated 5/8/2026, 1:06:20 AM
