Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
The putative tumour suppressor Fus-2 is an N-acetyltransferase
P Zegerman1, A J Bannister, T Kouzarides
1Wellcome/CRC Institute, Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK.
Abstract:
Acetyltransferases are essential enzymes for a wide variety of cellular processes and mutations in acetyltransferase genes have been associated with the development of certain cancers. For this reason, we conducted a computerized sequence homology search for novel acetyltransferases. Here, we show that the putative tumour suppressor protein Fus-2 has homology to the catalytic domain of acetyltransferases. We demonstrate that Fus-2 can acetylate the N-terminus of proteins using a ping-pong mechanism and that it has a specificity for substrates. Consistent with other N-acetyltransferases, Fus-2 localizes to the cytoplasm, as shown by GFP-tag experiments. Since the Fus-2 gene maps to the chromosomal region 3p21.3, which contains at least one tumour suppressor gene, the N-acetyltransferase functions of Fus-2 may be relevant to its potential role in cancer.
Insights
Researchers identified the tumor suppressor protein Fus-2 as a novel N-acetyltransferase. This enzyme acetylates protein N-termini and may play a role in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Acetyltransferases are crucial enzymes involved in cellular processes.
- Mutations in acetyltransferase genes are linked to cancer development.
- Novel acetyltransferases are sought for understanding cellular functions and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel acetyltransferases using sequence homology searches.
- To characterize the enzymatic activity and cellular localization of the putative tumor suppressor protein Fus-2.
- To investigate the potential role of Fus-2's N-acetyltransferase function in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Computerized sequence homology search for novel acetyltransferases.
- Biochemical assays to demonstrate Fus-2's N-acetyltransferase activity and substrate specificity.
- GFP-tagging experiments to determine Fus-2's subcellular localization.
Main Results:
- Fus-2 exhibits homology to the catalytic domain of acetyltransferases.
- Fus-2 demonstrates N-acetyltransferase activity on protein N-termini via a ping-pong mechanism.
- Fus-2 displays substrate specificity and localizes to the cytoplasm.
- The Fus-2 gene is located in a chromosomal region associated with tumor suppressor genes.
Conclusions:
- Fus-2 functions as an N-acetyltransferase with specific substrate preferences.
- Fus-2's cytoplasmic localization is consistent with known N-acetyltransferases.
- The N-acetyltransferase activity of Fus-2 may contribute to its role as a tumor suppressor in the 3p21.3 chromosomal region.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...