BLCAP is a highly conversed gene with two exons and an intron encoding a 10kDa protein, which was originally identified from invasive bladder carcinoma in 2002. BLCAP is subject to adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. A-to-I RNA editing is an important post-transcription modification of RNA sequence, generating a diversity of RNA products different from the original DNA sequence. The adenosine deaminase acting on double-stranded RNA (ADAR) family of enzymes catalyze the conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in the double stranded RNA, and inosine is finally recognized as guanosine (G) in the process of mRNA translation. May regulate cell proliferation and coordinate apoptosis and cell cycle progression via a novel mechanism independent of both p53/TP53 and NF-kappa-B.
