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The official name of this gene is “proteasome subunit beta 8.”
PSMB8 is the gene's official symbol. The PSMB8 gene is also known by other names, listed below.
The PSMB8 gene provides instructions for making one part (subunit) of cell structures called immunoproteasomes. Immunoproteasomes are specialized versions of proteasomes, which are large complexes that recognize and break down (degrade) unneeded, excess, or abnormal proteins within cells. This activity is necessary for many essential cell functions. While proteasomes are found in many types of cells, immunoproteasomes are located primarily in immune system cells. These structures play an important role in regulating the immune system's response to foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. One of the primary functions of immunoproteasomes is to help the immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders, so the immune system can respond appropriately to infection.
Immunoproteasomes may also have other functions in immune system cells and possibly in other types of cells. They appear to be involved in some of the same fundamental cell activities as regular proteasomes, such as regulating the amount of various proteins in cells (protein homeostasis), cell growth and division, the process by which cells mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation), chemical signaling within cells, and the activity of genes. Studies suggest that, through unknown mechanisms, the subunit produced from the PSMB8 gene in particular may be involved in the maturation of fat cells (adipocytes).
The PSMB8 gene belongs to a family of genes called PSM (proteasome (prosome, macropain) subunits).
A gene family is a group of genes that share important characteristics. Classifying individual genes into families helps researchers describe how genes are related to each other. For more information, see What are gene families? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genefamilies) in the Handbook.
At least one mutation in the PSMB8 gene has been found to cause Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome, a condition that has been described only in the Japanese population. The identified mutation changes a single protein building block (amino acid) in the protein produced from the PSMB8 gene, replacing the amino acid glycine with the amino acid valine at protein position 201 (written as Gly201Val or G201V). This mutation greatly reduces the production of this protein, which impairs the normal assembly of immunoproteasomes and causes the immune system to malfunction. For unknown reasons, the malfunctioning immune system triggers abnormal inflammation that can damage tissues throughout the body.
Abnormal inflammation likely underlies many of the signs and symptoms of Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome, including the development of red, swollen lumps (nodular erythema) on the skin, recurrent fevers, joint problems, and an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly). It is less clear how mutations in the PSMB8 gene lead to other characteristic features of the condition, including muscle weakness and wasting and a loss of fatty tissue (lipodystrophy), mainly in the upper body. Because the protein produced from the PSMB8 gene may be involved in the maturation of adipocytes, studies suggest that a shortage of this protein may interfere with the normal development and function of these cells.
Mutations in the PSMB8 gene have also been found in two conditions with signs and symptoms that overlap with those of Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome: one called joint contractures, muscular atrophy, microcytic anemia, and panniculitis-induced lipodystrophy (JMP) syndrome; and the other called chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (CANDLE) syndrome. All three conditions are characterized by skin abnormalities and lipodystrophy. Although they are often considered separate disorders, some researchers believe they may represent different forms of a single condition.
One PSMB8 gene mutation has been identified in families with JMP syndrome and in families with CANDLE syndrome. This mutation replaces the amino acid threonine with the amino acid methionine at protein position 75 (written as Thr75Met or T75M). Another mutation has been found only in people with CANDLE syndrome; it replaces the amino acid cysteine with a signal to stop protein production prematurely (written as Cys135Ter or C135X). Each of these mutations greatly reduces protein production from the PSMB8 gene. It is unclear how mutations in this gene lead to the overlapping but distinct patterns of signs and symptoms in Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome, JMP syndrome, and CANDLE syndrome. Researchers speculate that mutations in different areas of the gene may have different effects on protein function.
Cytogenetic Location: 6p21.3
Molecular Location on chromosome 6: base pairs 32,840,717 to 32,844,935
The PSMB8 gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 6 at position 21.3.
More precisely, the PSMB8 gene is located from base pair 32,840,717 to base pair 32,844,935 on chromosome 6.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genelocation) in the Handbook.
You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about PSMB8 helpful.
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.
See How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.
adipocytes ; amino acid ; anemia ; atrophy ; atypical ; bacteria ; catalytic ; cell ; chronic ; class ; cysteine ; degrade ; differentiation ; erythema ; fat cells ; fatty tissue ; gene ; glycine ; hepatosplenomegaly ; homeostasis ; immune system ; infection ; inflammation ; joint ; lipodystrophy ; methionine ; MHC ; microcytic anemia ; mutation ; panniculitis ; population ; protease ; proteasome ; protein ; subunit ; syndrome ; threonine ; tissue ; ubiquitin ; valine ; wasting
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.