The COX20 gene encodes for a protein required for the assembly of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). Complex IV is the terminal complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain which is required for catalyzing the oxidation of cytochrome c by molecular oxygen. COX20 is known to act as a chaperone protein during the early stages of COX2 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit II) maturation which leads to the stabilization of the protein. By presenting COX2 to the metallochaperonesSCO1 and SCO2, they help facilitate the incorporation of the mature COX2 into the complex IV holoenzyme assembly. However, it has been known that COX20 has no influence on transcription or translation of COX2 or any other genes. The knockdown of the protein COX20 has been shown to result in reduced respiratory capacity and the accumulation of respiratory chain intermediates.
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Ostergaard E, Weraarpachai W, Ravn K, Born AP, Jønson L, Duno M, Wibrand F, Shoubridge EA, Vissing J (March 2015). "Mutations in COA3 cause isolated complex IV deficiency associated with neuropathy, exercise intolerance, obesity, and short stature". Journal of Medical Genetics. 52 (3): 203–7. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102914. PMID25604084. S2CID43018915.
↑Doss S, Lohmann K, Seibler P, Arns B, Klopstock T, Zühlke C, Freimann K, Winkler S, Lohnau T, Drungowski M, Nürnberg P, Wiegers K, Lohmann E, Naz S, Kasten M, Bohner G, Ramirez A, Endres M, Klein C (January 2014). "Recessive dystonia-ataxia syndrome in a Turkish family caused by a COX20 (FAM36A) mutation". J. Neurol. 261 (1): 207–12. doi:10.1007/s00415-013-7177-7. PMID24202787. S2CID1276704.