hnRNP C

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (hnRNP C, HNRNPC) is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein that associates with nascent pre-mRNA and functions as a core component of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles, thereby regulating pre-mRNA maturation and RNA metabolism^[1][2]. hnRNP C recognizes specific RNA substrates, including uridine-rich sequences, and participates in RNA splicing, transcript processing, and mRNA stability control, linking RNA binding to post-transcriptional gene regulation^[2][3]. Mechanistically, hnRNP C contributes to alternative splicing programs by controlling splice-site selection and RNA accessibility, and its activity has been implicated in broad RNA-processing networks relevant to cellular homeostasis^[2]. In disease contexts, dysregulated hnRNP C expression has been associated with multiple human cancers, where altered RNA-processing functions may contribute to tumor-related molecular phenotypes^[4][5]. Additional studies have linked hnRNP C-regulated alternative splicing events to genes involved in neurodegenerative disease pathways, supporting its value as a model factor for investigating RNA-splicing mechanisms in disease biology. Compared with related hnRNP family members, hnRNP C is distinguished by the production of two major isoforms, hnRNP C1 and hnRNP C2, generated through alternative splicing and sharing conserved RNA-recognition functions while differing in protein composition^[5][6]. Currently, no widely established selective hnRNP C agonists or inhibitors have been reported for routine experimental use, and research applications primarily rely on genetic or molecular approaches to investigate its functions in RNA processing and disease mechanisms^[4].