Functions of the fragile X protein

Fragile X syndrome is caused by the absence of the FMR1 protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein that can bind 4% of mRNA species. Several of those mRNAs have now been identified. FMRP binds to its own mRNA to a sequence containing a G quartet structure – a structure also found in some of the other mRNAs. This interesting new finding, which has used clues from a Drosophila fragile xmodel, are discussed here.