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20 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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RTRAF
RNA transcription, translation and transport factor
Chromosome 14 · 14q22.1
NCBI Gene: 51637Ensembl: ENSG00000087302.10HGNC: HGNC:23169UniProt: Q549M8
194PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Transcription Factor
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
RNA polymerase II complex bindingRNA bindingprotein bindingidentical protein bindingceliac diseasecolorectal cancermultinodular goiterHypercholesterolemia
✦AI Summary

RTRAF (RNA transcription, translation and transport factor), also known as C14orf166, is a 28 kDa nuclear and cytoplasmic protein that functions as a core component of the human tRNA ligase complex 1. Its primary role involves RNA metabolism, including tRNA splicing and RNA transport 1. RTRAF associates with DDX1, HSPC117, and FAM98B to form a transcription-dependent RNA transport complex that shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm, suggesting a prominent role in regulating nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA fate 2. The protein interacts with RNA polymerase II and positively modulates its transcriptional activity 3. In viral infection, RTRAF binds to influenza A virus polymerase PA subunit through its carboxy-terminal region, facilitating viral replication 3. Clinically, RTRAF is significantly upregulated in multiple cancer types including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and breast cancer 456. High RTRAF expression correlates with advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis, functioning as an independent prognostic indicator 45. RTRAF promotes cancer cell proliferation by regulating G1/S transition through suppression of cell cycle inhibitors P21 and P27 6. Additionally, RTRAF dysregulation has been implicated in endocrine disruptor-induced male infertility 7.

Sources cited
1
RTRAF is a core subunit of the human tRNA ligase complex and functions in tRNA splicing and RNA metabolism
PMID: 34854379
2
RTRAF associates with DDX1, HSPC117, and FAM98B in a shuttling RNA transport complex involved in nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA metabolism
PMID: 24608264
3
RTRAF positively modulates RNA polymerase II activity and binds influenza A virus PA subunit to promote viral replication
PMID: 37265372
4
RTRAF is upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and serves as an independent prognostic indicator for poor survival
PMID: 28000881
5
RTRAF overexpression in non-small-cell lung cancer correlates with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis
PMID: 30126850
6
RTRAF promotes breast cancer cell proliferation by regulating G1/S transition through P21/P27 suppression and Cyclin D1 upregulation
PMID: 26883017
7
RTRAF dysregulation is associated with endocrine disruptor-induced male infertility through altered microRNA signaling
PMID: 30698749
Disease Associationsⓘ20
celiac diseaseOpen Targets
0.32Weak
colorectal cancerOpen Targets
0.31Weak
multinodular goiterOpen Targets
0.31Weak
HypercholesterolemiaOpen Targets
0.30Weak
Tietze syndromeOpen Targets
0.29Weak
benign colon neoplasmOpen Targets
0.18Weak
placenta praeviaOpen Targets
0.10Weak
chondromalaciaOpen Targets
0.10Suggestive
polyp of colonOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
breast cancerOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
non-small cell lung carcinomaOpen Targets
0.08Suggestive
esophageal squamous cell carcinomaOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
cervical cancerOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
urinary bladder carcinomaOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
parasitic infectionOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
hemorrhageOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
Young adult-onset ParkinsonismOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
essential tremorOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
ovarian neoplasmOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
dystonia 27Open Targets
0.05Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
DDX1Protein interaction100%FAM98AProtein interaction100%RTCBProtein interaction100%NINProtein interaction93%TAF15Protein interaction76%FAM98CProtein interaction75%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Heart
100%
Bone Marrow
68%
Ovary
63%
Brain
59%
Lung
51%
Liver
45%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
RTRAFDDX1FAM98ARTCBNINTAF15FAM98C
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB7P3A · 2.00 Å · X-ray
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.65LoF Tolerant
pLIⓘ
0.71Intermediate
Observed/Expected LoF0.34 [0.19–0.65]
RankingsWhere RTRAF stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #2,207of 20,598
    Most Researched194 · top quartile
  • #4,634of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.65
Genes detectedRTRAF
Sources retrieved20 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
20▼
1
Combined proteomic and miRNome analyses of mouse testis exposed to an endocrine disruptors chemicals mixture reveals altered toxicological pathways involved in male infertility.
PMID: 30698749
Mol Hum Reprod · 2019
1.00
2
Molecular architecture of the human tRNA ligase complex.
PMID: 34854379
Elife · 2021
0.90
3
Role of C14orf166 in viral infection and RNA metabolism and its relationship with cancer (Review).
PMID: 33786620
Mol Med Rep · 2021
0.80
4
An in silico prediction of interaction models of influenza A virus PA and human C14orf166 protein from yeast-two-hybrid screening data.
PMID: 37265372
Proteins · 2023
0.70
5
Expression and clinical significance of C14orf166 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
PMID: 28000881
Mol Med Rep · 2017
0.60