Protein CASC3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CASC3 gene.

The product of this gene is a core component of the exon junction complex (EJC), a protein complex that is deposited on spliced mRNAs at exon-exon junctions and functions in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). The encoded protein binds RNA and interacts with two other EJC core components. It is predominantly located in the cytoplasm, but shuttles into the nucleus where it localizes to nuclear speckles. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]. Publication Note: This RefSeq record includes a subset of the publications that are available for this gene. Please see the Gene record to access additional publications.
Function: Component of a splicing-dependent multiprotein exon junction complex (EJC) deposited at splice junction on mRNAs. The EJC is a dynamic structure consisting of a few core proteins and several more peripheral nuclear and cytoplasmic associated factors that join the complex only transiently either during EJC assembly or during subsequent mRNA metabolism. Core components of the EJC, that remains bound to spliced mRNAs throughout all stages of mRNA metabolism, functions to mark the position of the exon-exon junction in the mature mRNA and thereby influences downstream processes of gene expression including mRNA splicing, nuclear mRNA export, subcellular mRNA localization, translation efficiency and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Stimulates the ATPase and RNA-helicase activities of EIF4A3. Plays a role in the stress response by participating in cytoplasmic stress granules assembly and by favouring cell recovery following stress. Component of the dendritic ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) in hippocampal neurons (By similarity). May play a role in mRNA transport (By similarity). Binds spliced mRNA in sequence-independent manner, 20-24 nucleotides upstream of mRNA exon-exon junctions. Binds poly(G) and poly(U) RNA homopolymer.