Details for: TMSB4Y

Gene ID: 9087

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: TMSB4Y

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000154620

Description: thymosin beta 4 Y-linked

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

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Associated with

Significant Cells

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

  • neural progenitor cell CL0011020
    CSI 2.39
    rCSI 10.49%
    PRS 98.69

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.
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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 [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) is the protein-coding gene for the Y-linked thymosin beta-4. Located on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome, this gene is a paralog of the widely expressed X-linked gene, *TMSB4X*. Functionally, [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) is an actin-sequestering protein that plays a crucial role in regulating actin dynamics, including filament organization and cell migration. Expression data indicates a notable role for this gene within the developing nervous system, with significant expression observed in [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020). Its male-specific expression pattern suggests it may contribute to sex-specific biological processes. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) highlights a specialized function within specific cellular contexts. **Overall**, the gene shows its most significant expression in [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020) (CSI: 2.39), suggesting a potential role in male-specific aspects of neurodevelopment. As a gene located on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome, its expression is inherently restricted to males, a fact consistent with studies on the functional coherence of this chromosome ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5338.675); [Link](https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01722)). The focused expression in progenitor cells of the nervous system suggests its primary function may be tied to developmental processes rather than the maintenance of terminally differentiated cell types. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The functional annotations for [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) center on the regulation of the cytoskeleton. The protein is a key player in [actin filament organization](/details-cell/GO:0007015) through its molecular function as an [actin monomer binding](/details-cell/GO:0003785) protein. By [sequestering of actin monomers](/details-cell/GO:0042989), it directly participates in the [regulation of actin polymerization or depolymerization](/details-cell/GO:0008064). These activities are fundamental to a wide range of cellular behaviors, particularly the [regulation of cell migration](/details-cell/GO:0030334). This functional profile is highly consistent with its expression in [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020). The processes of neural development, including progenitor proliferation, migration, and differentiation into mature neurons, are critically dependent on dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton within the [cytoplasm](/details-cell/GO:0005737) and at the leading edge of migrating cells. Therefore, [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) likely contributes to these essential neurodevelopmental events in males. ## Research Directions The male-specific expression of [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) and its specific activity in [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020) raise important questions about its role in sex-specific neurodevelopment and function. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) contributes to sex-specific differences in human brain development by modulating the migration or proliferation rate of male [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020). 2. The expression of [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) in male neural progenitors provides a functional redundancy or a subtle modulatory effect that complements the activity of its X-linked homolog, *TMSB4X*, potentially buffering these critical cells against X-inactivation dosage issues or X-linked mutations. **Key Experimental Approach:** To test the hypothesis that [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) modulates the migratory capacity of male neural progenitors, a loss-of-function study could be performed. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a male donor could be differentiated into [neural progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0011020). Using CRISPR-Cas9, a stable knockout of [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) would be generated in a parallel culture. The migratory properties of the knockout and wild-type progenitor cells could then be quantitatively compared using a transwell migration assay or live-cell imaging to track cell movement over time. Changes in cytoskeletal architecture could be visualized with phalloidin staining for F-actin, and RNA-sequencing could identify downstream changes in gene expression networks related to cell motility and differentiation. **Therapeutic Potential:** As a naturally occurring, male-specific gene involved in a fundamental cellular process, [TMSB4Y](/details-gene/9087) is unlikely to be a direct therapeutic target for common diseases. Its function is primarily developmental and homeostatic. However, if aberrant expression were to be identified in a male-specific pathology, such as certain types of brain tumors or neurodevelopmental disorders, its strict male-limited expression would make it a highly specific biomarker. In a therapeutic context, its role in cell migration could potentially be targeted for inhibition in male-specific cancers that rely on this process for metastasis, although this remains highly speculative.

Genular Protein ID: 4172981316

Symbol: TYB4Y_HUMAN

Name: Thymosin beta-4, Y-chromosomal

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

O14604 Q0VDA2

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CTD 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 5 Ensembl 1 GO 7 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GeneWiki 1 GenomeRNAi 1 GlyGen 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 2 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PIRSF 1 PRO 1 PROSITE 1 PathwayCommons 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 1 RefSeq 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SignaLink 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 9381176

Title: Functional coherence of the human Y chromosome.

PubMed ID: 9381176

DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5338.675

PubMed ID: 12815422

Title: The male-specific region of the human Y chromosome is a mosaic of discrete sequence classes.

PubMed ID: 12815422

DOI: 10.1038/nature01722

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 44
  • Mass: 5013
  • Checksum: 7B336158483A9BE2
  • Sequence:
    • MSDKPGMAEI EKFDKSKLKK TETQEKNPLS SKETIEQERQ AGES