APOBEC3A

APOBEC3A, short for apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A, is also known as ARCD1. This protein belongs to the APOBEC family and functions as a DNA cytosine deaminase. It plays a crucial role in innate immunity by introducing mutations in viral DNA, thus inhibiting viral replication. It is involved in the immune - related signal pathways against retroviruses.
Aberrant expression of APOBEC3A is associated with various diseases, such as certain cancers as it can cause genomic instability. In drug development, researchers are exploring inhibitors targeting APOBEC3A to prevent its excessive DNA - mutating activity, aiming to reduce tumorigenesis and improve treatment outcomes.