ANG gene

The ANG gene (ANG stands for angiogenin) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 14q11.2. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein.

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the RNase A superfamily, but exhibits relatively weak ribonucleolytic activity. This protein is an effective mediator of new blood vessel formation and is therefore commonly referred to as angiogenin in addition to the name RNase5. The encoded protein induces angiogenesis after binding to actin on the surface of endothelial cells. Angiogenin also accumulates in the nucleolus, where it stimulates ribosomal transcription. Under stress conditions, this protein migrates to the cytosol, where it hydrolyzes cellular tRNAs and affects protein synthesis. A signal peptide is cleaved from the precursor protein to generate a mature protein containing a nuclear localization signal, a cell binding motif, and a catalytic domain.

This protein was shown to be both neurotrophic and neuroprotective, and the mature protein exhibited antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi, including S. pneumoniae and C. albicans. Due to its effect on rRNA production and angiogenesis, this gene plays an important role in cell growth and tumor progression.

Mutations in this gene are associated with the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Diseases associated with ANG include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. An important paralog of this gene is RNASE4.

1. Pizzo E et al (2013) Ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor 1 regulates stress-induced subcellular localization of angiogenin to control growth and survival. J Cell Sci 126:4308-4019.
2. Sarangdhar MA et al (2021) Angiogenin (ANG)-ribonuclease inhibitor (RNH1) system in protein synthesis and disease. Int J Mol Sci 22:1287.