GAIT element

The GAIT element is a cis-acting RNA element in the 3'-UTR of the ceruloplasmin(Cp) gene called gamma interferon inhibitor of translation (GAIT). The GAIT element forms a stem-loop secondary structure. The GAIT element is involved in selective translational silencing of the Cp transcript. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a multifunctional, copper-containing glycoprotein produced by the liver and secreted into the plasma. As an acute-phase protein, its plasma concentration can double during multiple inflammatory conditions. Plasma Cp has been reported to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, carotid restenosis after endarterectomy, and myocardial infarction. Translational silencing of Cp, and possibly other transcripts, mediated by the GAIT element may contribute to the resolution of the local inflammatory response following cytokine activation of macrophages.