E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM63, also known as "MuRF1" (Muscle Ring-Finger Protein-1), is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the TRIM63 gene. This gene encodes a member of the RING zinc finger protein family found in striated muscle and iris. The product of this gene is localized to the Z-line and M-line lattices of myofibrils, where titin's N-terminal and C-terminal regions respectively bind to the sarcomere. In vitro binding studies have shown that this protein also binds directly to titin near the region of titin containing kinase activity. Another member of this protein family binds to microtubules. Since these family members can form heterodimers, this suggests that these proteins may serve as a link between titin kinase and microtubule-dependent signal pathways in muscle. The protein encoded by the Trim63 gene is also called MuRF1. MuRF1 is the name most commonly used in the literature, and it stands for "Muscle RING Finger 1." Structurally, there are two closely related MuRFs, MuRF2 and MuRF3. These also have TRIM codes: MuRF2 is TRIM55; MuRF3 is TRIM54. Interactions Trim63/MuRF1 has been shown to be an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Its major substrate is Myosin Heavy Chain (MHC, or Myosin-2, or MYH2), meaning it induces the proteasome-mediated degradatin of MHC, by causing MHC to be ubiquitinated. MuRF1 is upregulated during skeletal muscle atrophy – and thus the degradation of myosin heavy chain, which is a major component of the sarcomere, is an important mechanism in the breakdown of skeletal muscle under atrophy conditions MuRF1 has been shown to be upregulated during denervation, administration of glucocorticoids, immobilization, and casting (when a cast is applied to a limb, in order to immobilize it). All of these settings cause skeletal muscle atrophy. TRIM63/MuRF1 has been shown to interact with Titin, GMEB1 and SUMO2. Regulation during skeletal muscle atrophy During settings of skeletal muscle atrophy, the levels of Trim63/MuRF1 mRNA increase. , leading to breakdown of the sarcomere. This was found to be due to regulation of gene expression of Trim63/MuRF1 by the FOXO (or Forkhead) family of transcription factors. ; see also FOX proteins. Foxo1 or Foxo3 may regulate MuRF1. These factors are normally kept out of the nucleus by phosphorylation induced by a kinase called Akt. When Akt is inactivated, or less active, Foxo1 or Foxo3 can then transport to the nucleus, and induce expression of MuRF1. Clinical significance Recently, it has been suggested that TRIM63/MuRF1 is