Gem Associated Protein 5 (GEMIN5)

GEMIN5 is part of a large macromolecular complex localized to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus that plays a role in the cytoplasmic assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Other members of this complex include SMN, GEMIN2 (SIP1), GEMIN3 (DDX20), and GEMIN4.

The deduced 1,508-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of 169 kD and contains up to 13 WD repeats in its N terminus and a coiled-coil motif near the C terminus. GEMIN5 migrates as a 170-kD protein by Western blot analysis of SMN macromolecular complexes. Immunofluorescence microscopy of HeLa cells revealed strong general staining throughout the cytoplasm and weaker but significant staining of nuclear foci and colocalization of GEMIN5 with SMN in gems.