This gene encodes WW domain-containing binding protein 4. The WW domain represents a small and compact globular structure that interacts with proline-rich ligands. This encoded protein is a general spliceosomal protein that may play a role in cross-intron bridging of U1 and U2 snRNPs in the spliceosomal complex A.[6]
Bi-allelic variants in WBP4 are responsible of spliceosomopathies leading to developmental disorders. Symptoms include hypotonia, global developmental delay, severe intellectual disability, brain, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal abnormalities.[7] Note that mutations on RNU4-2 [ia] gene induce also spliceosomopathies leading to intellectual disability.[8]
^Eden Engal, Kaisa Teele Oja, Reza Maroofian, Katrin Õunap, Maayan Salton, Hagar Mor-Shaked et al., "Bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in WBP4, encoding a spliceosome protein, result in a variable neurodevelopmental syndrome", AJHG (2023). doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.10.013
^Greene, D., Thys, C., Berry, I.R. et al., "Mutations in the U4 snRNA gene RNU4-2 cause one of the most prevalent monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders". Nat Med (2024). doi:10.1038/s41591-024-03085-5
