WD repeat domain 18 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the WDR18 gene.

Function

This gene encodes a member of the WD repeat protein family. WD repeats are minimally conserved regions of approximately 40 amino acids typically bracketed by gly-his and trp-asp (GH-WD), which may facilitate formation of heterotrimeric or multiprotein complexes. Members of this family are involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, signal transduction, apoptosis, and gene regulation. WDR18 forms a nucleolar complex with LAS1L, PELP1, TEX10 called the rixosome which is involved in RNA degradation. The rixosome is a nucleolar complex that cofractionates with the 60S preribosomal subunit. Recruitment of the rixosome by the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 has been proposed to lead to its functioning in establishing repressive chromatin structures by assisting in degrading nascent RNA.

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.