Journal Article

The FAM111A Gene: Genetic, Epigenetic, and Pharmacological Targets and Mechanistic Insights with Clinical Relevance

Stathori, Galateia, Karachaliou, Feneli, Kafkaloudi, Panagiota, Papageorgiou, Louis, Beloukas, Apostolos, Hatziagapiou, Kyriaki, Thireou, Trias, Koniari, Eleni, Chrousos, George P., Chaniotis, Dimitrios, Krumbholz, Bettina

2026

Overview

Background/Objectives: FAM111A is a trypsin-like serine protease that has emerged as a regulator of DNA replication, and is directly related to genome stability, protein homeostasis, antiviral defense and cancer progression. Pathogenic variants in FAM111A are correlated with genetic syndromes such as Kenny–Caffey syndrome type 2 (KCS2) and gracile bone dysplasia/osteocraniostenosis (GCLEB/OCS). This study focuses on the evolutionary, genetic, and structural analysis of FAM111A, in order to identify key regions and candidate pharmacological targets that are related to this enzyme’s function. Methods: The methodology of this in silico study includes separate analyses at the sequence, structural and functional levels. Initially, data mining was carried out using NCBI/Protein (2025), and then data filtering was performed in order to identify representative FAM111A sequences for several species. Sequence analysis was then executed through multiple alignments and phylogenetic analyses. Through this, conserved domains and motifs were identified. For structural analysis, human pathogenic mutations and protein structures were identified through searches in biological databases including PDB and ClinVar, and then all data were analyzed in order to identify candidate pharmacological targets related to FAM111A function. Results: Approximately 1850 FAM111A protein sequences were retrieved for several species, and after filtering processes a dataset of 85 representative sequences was generated. Evolutionary analysis indicates that FAM111A originated in early metazoans, with progressive domain specialization leading to mammal-restricted acquisition of regulatory elements, including the PIP-box PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) interacting peptide and UBL (ubiquitin-like) domains. The ubiquitin-like/DNA binding domain and catalytic serine protease domain (SPD) are the most conserved, containing seven highly conserved motifs. The structural analysis was based on two protein structures and 34 critical mutations that accumulate in two distinct regions. Finally, by combining the results, six pharmacological targets and 100 inhibitors are proposed. Conclusions: Advancing the structural and function characterization of FAM111A, coupled with pharmacological target identification and evolutionary insights, will be critical to validate this underexplored protease as a therapeutic genetic target in genetic disorders, cancer, and antiviral responses.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Amino acids / catalytic triad / Cell cycle / conserved protein motifs / Datasets / Drug targeting / Endocrine system / Enzymes / Epigenetic inheritance / FAM111A / Gene expression / Genetic aspects / Health aspects / Kenny–Caffey syndrome type 2 / Mutation / Peptides / Pharmacogenetics / Pharmacology, Experimental / Proteases / Proteins / serine endopeptidases / serine protease domain / Signal transduction