Details for: FER1L6

Gene ID: 654463

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: FER1L6

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000214814

Description: fer-1 like family member 6

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • secretory cell CL0000151
    CSI 5.22
    rCSI 5.45%
    PRS 98.8
  • nasal mucosa goblet cell CL0002480
    CSI 4.27
    rCSI 4.96%
    PRS 98.44
  • goblet cell CL0000160
    CSI 3.79
    rCSI 3.58%
    PRS 98.6
  • intestine goblet cell CL0019031
    CSI 3.58
    rCSI 3.18%
    PRS 98.47
  • small intestine goblet cell CL1000495
    CSI 3.28
    rCSI 7.18%
    PRS 99.19
  • conjunctival epithelial cell CL1000432
    CSI 3.28
    rCSI 5%
    PRS 98.58
  • multi-ciliated epithelial cell CL0005012
    CSI 3.22
    rCSI 3.21%
    PRS 97.51
  • BEST4+ enteroycte CL4030026
    CSI 3.11
    rCSI 3.86%
    PRS 98.63
  • epithelial cell of proximal tubule CL0002306
    CSI 2.59
    rCSI 6.32%
    PRS 96.9
  • squamous epithelial cell CL0000076
    CSI 2.54
    rCSI 6.03%
    PRS 96.88
  • foveolar cell of stomach CL0002179
    CSI 2.23
    rCSI 4.75%
    PRS 98.92
  • tracheal goblet cell CL1000329
    CSI 2.18
    rCSI 4.77%
    PRS 99.22
  • L6b glutamatergic cortical neuron CL4023038
    CSI 1.17
    rCSI 3.65%
    PRS 96.48
  • near-projecting glutamatergic cortical neuron CL4023012
    CSI 1.15
    rCSI 4.35%
    PRS 95.91

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) (fer-1 like family member 6) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8q24.13, initially described as part of the human chromosome 8 sequencing project ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04406)). Functional annotations suggest it is a membrane-associated protein involved in metal ion binding, positive regulation of gene expression, and the cellular response to bacteria. **Overall**, expression data reveals that [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) is a highly significant gene in various mucosal and secretory epithelial cell types, particularly [secretory cell](/details-cell/CL0000151), [nasal mucosa goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0002480), and [intestine goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0019031), pointing to a specialized role in barrier tissues and secretion. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) strongly indicates a primary function within epithelial tissues responsible for secretion and forming mucosal barriers. **Overall**, it demonstrates the highest significance in [secretory cell](/details-cell/CL0000151) (CSI: 5.22) and various subtypes of [goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0000160), including those from the nasal mucosa, intestine, and trachea. This pattern is further supported by its high significance in other barrier cells such as [conjunctival epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL1000432), [multi-ciliated epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0005012), and [squamous epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000076). Its prominence in specialized absorptive or secretory cells like [BEST4+ enteroycte](/details-cell/CL4030026) and [foveolar cell of stomach](/details-cell/CL0002179) reinforces its association with the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Interestingly, [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) also shows modest but notable significance in specific neuronal subtypes, including [L6b glutamatergic cortical neuron](/details-cell/CL4023038) and [near-projecting glutamatergic cortical neuron](/details-cell/CL4023012). This suggests a potential secondary, though less prominent, role in the central nervous system that is distinct from its primary function in epithelial biology. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The known functional annotations for [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) align closely with its observed cellular expression pattern. Its involvement in the biological process of 'Response to bacterium' ([GO:0009617](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0009617)) is highly consistent with its expression in mucosal goblet and epithelial cells, which constitute the first line of defense against pathogens. The gene's role in 'Positive regulation of gene expression' ([GO:0010628](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0010628)) suggests it may act as a transcriptional co-regulator or part of a signaling cascade that controls the expression of genes involved in secretion (e.g., mucins) or host defense. At the molecular level, [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) is annotated with 'Metal ion binding' ([GO:0046872](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0046872)) and is localized to the 'Membrane' ([GO:0016020](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0016020)). This combination suggests it could function as a membrane-bound receptor, an enzyme, or an adapter protein whose activity is dependent on metal cofactors and is involved in transducing extracellular signals into changes in gene expression within barrier epithelial cells. ## Research Directions The specific expression of [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) in mucosal barrier cells, coupled with its annotated role in bacterial response, positions it as a potentially important player in host-pathogen interactions and mucosal homeostasis. ### Proposed Hypotheses 1. **[FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) is a sensor or mediator in the innate immune pathway of goblet cells, regulating the expression and/or secretion of mucins and antimicrobial peptides in response to bacterial stimuli.** This hypothesis directly links its high expression in [goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0000160) with its annotated function in bacterial response. 2. **As a positive regulator of gene expression, [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) is a key factor in the terminal differentiation and functional maintenance of secretory epithelial lineages.** Its consistent high significance across multiple types of secretory cells suggests a fundamental role in establishing or preserving the secretory phenotype. ### Experimental Approach To test the first hypothesis, the role of [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) in the mucosal response to bacteria could be investigated using an *in vitro* model. CRISPR-Cas9 could be used to generate a [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) knockout in human intestinal or airway organoids. These knockout and wild-type control organoids would then be challenged with bacterial products (e.g., lipopolysaccharide) or live non-pathogenic bacteria. The impact of [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) deletion could be assessed by measuring changes in the expression of key mucin genes (e.g., *MUC2*, *MUC5AC*) and antimicrobial peptides (e.g., defensins) via quantitative PCR and RNA-sequencing. Functional readouts could include quantifying mucus secretion using microscopy and staining techniques. ### Therapeutic Potential Given its high expression at mucosal surfaces and its potential role in host defense, [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) could be a compelling therapeutic target. Its localization to the cell membrane makes it particularly accessible to biologic drugs. If [FER1L6](/details-gene/654463) is confirmed as a critical component of the protective barrier, developing small-molecule agonists to enhance its activity could represent a strategy for boosting mucosal immunity in the context of chronic infections or inflammatory bowel disease. Conversely, if its hyperactivity is linked to pathological mucus hypersecretion in diseases like asthma or cystic fibrosis, targeted inhibition with a monoclonal antibody could be a viable therapeutic approach.

Genular Protein ID: 4108240378

Symbol: FR1L6_HUMAN

Name: Fer-1-like protein 6

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q2WGJ9

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CDD 5 CTD 1 ChEBI 13 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 3 Ensembl 1 GO 4 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 GlyConnect 1 GlyCosmos 1 GlyGen 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 11 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PRO 1 PROSITE 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 5 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 3 SMART 3 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 16421571

Title: DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 8.

PubMed ID: 16421571

DOI: 10.1038/nature04406

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 1857
  • Mass: 209308
  • Checksum: 9A86F3E7E924B16B
  • Sequence:
    • MFGLKVKKKR NKAEKGLILA NKAAKDSQGD TEALQEEPSH QEGPRGDLVH DDASIFPVPS 
ASPKRRSKLL TKIHDGEVRS QNYQIAITIT EARQLVGENI DPVVTIEIGD EKKQSTVKEG 
TNSPFYNEYF VFDFIGPQVH LFDKIIKISV FHHKLIGSVL IGSFKVDLGT VYNQPGHQFC 
NKWALLTDPG DIRTGTKGYL KCDISVMGKG DVLKTSPKTS DTEEPIEKNL LIPNGFPLER 
PWARFYVRLY KAEGLPKMNS SIMANVTKAF VGDSKDLVDP FVEVSFAGQM GRTTVQKNCA 
DPVWHEQVIF KEMFPPLCRR VKIQVWDEGS MNDVALATHF IDLKKISNEQ DGDKGFLPTF 
GPAWINLYGS PRNHSLMDDY QEMNEGFGEG VSFRGRILVE IAVEILSGRA QESKFSKALK 
ELKLPSKDKD SKSSKGKDKA DKTEDGKSQQ ASNKTNSTEV EVESFDVPPE IVPEKNEEFL 
LFGAFFEATM IDRKIGDKPI SFEVSIGNFG NLIDGGSHHG SKKSAESAEE DLLPLLHEGQ 
GDVAHDVPIP MASTTHPEKP LVTEGNRNYN YLPFEAKKPC VYFISSWGDQ TFRLHWSNML 
EKMADFLEES IEEVRELIKI SQEAPEEKMK TVLSDFISRS SAFISEAEKK PKMLNQTTLD 
KKRLTLCWQE LEAMCKEAKG IIQQQKKKLS VDEMIHEAQN FVEKIRFLVD EPQHTIPDVF 
IWMLSNNRRV AYARIASKDL LYSPVAGQMG KHCGKIKTHF LKPPGKRPAG WSVQAKVDVY 
LWLGSIKHAS AILDNLPVGY EAEMSSKGAG TNHPPSNLLY QEQHVFQLRA HMYQARGLIA 
ADSNGLSDPF AKVTFLSHCQ TTKIISQTLS PTWNQMLLFN DLVLHGDVKE LAESPPLVVV 
ELYDSDAVGK PEYLGATVAA PVVKLADQDY EPPRLCYHPI FCGNLSGGDL LAVFELLQVP 
PSGLQGLPPV EPPDITQIYP VPANIRPVLS KYRVEVLFWG VREMKKVQLL SVDRPQALIE 
CGGQGVKSCV IQSYKNNPNF SIQADAFEVE LPENELLHPP LSICVVDWRA FGRSTLVGTY 
TINYLKQFLC KLREPLAPIT QVDGTQPGHD ISDSLTATES SGAHSSSQDP PADHIYVDVE 
PPPTVVPDSA QAQPAILVDV PDSSPMLEPE HTPVAQEPPK DGKPKDPRKP SRRSTKRRKR 
TIADESAENV IDWWSKYYAS LKKAQKAKER NPKGKKGNTE AKPDEVVVDI EDGPKKKKDK 
MLKKKPKDDG IPNLAILQIY DGDLESEFNN FEDWVKTFEL FRGKSTEDDH GLDGDRVIGK 
FKGSFCIYKS PQDSSSEDSG QLRIQQGIPP NHPVTVLIRV YIVAAFNLSP ADPDGKSDPY 
IVIKLGKTEI KDRDKYIPKQ LNPVFGRSFE IQATFPKESL LSILIYDHDM IGTDDLIGET 
KIDLENRFYS KHRAICGLQS QYEIEGYNAW RDTSKPTEIL TKLCKDNKLD GPYFHPGKIQ 
IGNQVFSGKT IFTEEDTDET VESYEHLALK VLHSWEDIPE VGCRLVPEHI ETRPLYHKDK 
PGMEQGRLQM WVDMFPKDMP QPGPPVDISP RRPKGYELRV TIWNTEDVIL EDENIFTGQK 
SSDIYVKGWL KGLEDDKQET DVHYNSLTGE GNFNWRFLFP FQYLPAEKQM VITKRENIFS 
LEKMECKTPA VLVLQVWDFE RLSSDDFLGT LEMNLNSFPR AAKSAKACDL AKFENASEET 
KISIFQQKRV RGWWPFSKSK ELTGKVEAEF HLVTAEEAEK NPVGKARKEP EPLAKPNRPD 
TSFSWFMSPF KCLYYLIWKN YKKYIIIAFI LIILIIFLVL FIYTLPGAIS RRIVVGS