Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Functional and pathological relevance of HERC family proteins: a decade later
Susana Sánchez-Tena1, Monica Cubillos-Rojas1, Taiane Schneider1
1Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques II, Campus de Bellvitge, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
The HERC gene family, crucial for cell functions like neurodevelopment and DNA repair, has six human members. This review details their roles and implications in diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The HERC gene family encodes proteins with HECT and RCC1-like domains (RLD).
- Six human HERC members exist, categorized into large (HERC1, HERC2) and small (HERC3-6) based on mass and domain structure.
- HERC proteins are implicated in neurodevelopment, DNA repair, cell growth, and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of HERC protein functionality.
- To integrate current knowledge on HERC functions.
- To detail the implications of HERC dysfunction in human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in HERC research.
- Analysis of HERC protein domain structures and classifications.
- Synthesis of functional data and disease associations.
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of HERC protein structures and classifications.
- Comprehensive summary of HERC roles in fundamental cellular processes.
- Exploration of HERC involvement in cancer and neurological disorders.
Conclusions:
- HERC proteins are vital for numerous cellular functions.
- Dysregulation of HERC genes is linked to significant human diseases.
- An updated understanding of HERC family is crucial for future research and therapeutic development.
Abstract:
The HERC gene family encodes proteins with two characteristic domains in their sequence: the HECT domain and the RCC1-like domain (RLD). In humans, the HERC family comprises six members that can be divided into two groups based on their molecular mass and domain structure. Whereas large HERCs (HERC1 and HERC2) contain one HECT and more than one RLD, small HERCs (HERC3-6) possess single HECT and RLD domains. Accumulating evidence shows the HERC family proteins to be key components of a wide range of cellular functions, including neurodevelopment, DNA damage repair, cell growth and immune response. Considering the significant recent advances made regarding HERC functionality, an updated review summarizing the progress is greatly needed at 10 years since the last HERC review. We provide an integrated view of HERC function and go into detail about its implications for several human diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER
Structure of Cadherins
Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

