LARP1

La-related protein 1 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the LARP1 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
All LARP proteins, including human LARP, contain 2 conserved regions. The first conserved region shares homology with La proteins (called the La motif, see SSB) whereas the second conserved region (called the LARP1 motif) is restricted to LARP proteins. Mouse Larp1 is expressed in is_associated_with::dorsal root ganglia and is_associated_with::spinal cord, as well as in developing organs characterized by is_associated_with::epithelial-is_associated_with::mesenchymal interactions.

LARP-1 appears to bind mRNA in vitro via both the La motif and the LARP1 domain. LARP-1 also appears to down-regulate the Ras-MAPK pathway. LARP-1 protein colocalizes with P bodies, which function in RNA degradation. We suggest that LARP-1 functions in is_associated_with::P-bodies to attenuate the abundance of conserved Ras-MAPK mRNAs. The cluster of LARP-1 homologs may function to control the expression of key developmental regulators.