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BASP1 is a transcriptional cosuppressor for the Wilms' tumor suppressor protein WT1

Brian Carpenter1, Kathryn J Hill, Marika Charalambous

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, G.186 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.

Molecular and Cellular Biology
|January 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Brain acid-soluble protein 1 (BASP1) acts as a crucial cosuppressor for the Wilms' tumor suppressor protein (WT1). This discovery reveals a new regulatory mechanism in kidney development and WT1 transcriptional activity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Wilms' tumor suppressor protein (WT1) is a critical transcriptional regulator in kidney development.
  • WT1's transcriptional activation is modulated by an N-terminal suppression region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the factors involved in WT1-mediated transcriptional repression.
  • To elucidate the role of novel interacting proteins in WT1 function.

Main Methods:

  • Functional assays to test for cosuppressor activity.
  • Co-immunoprecipitation to assess protein-protein interactions.
  • Transfection assays to evaluate regulatory effects.
  • Immunohistochemistry to determine protein localization in embryonic and adult kidneys.

Main Results:

  • Brain acid-soluble protein 1 (BASP1) was identified as a WT1 transcriptional cosuppressor.
  • WT1 and BASP1 form nuclear complexes in cells expressing both proteins.
  • BASP1 expression is required for WT1 cosuppressor activity; its elimination enhances WT1 activation.
  • BASP1 is localized in developing nephrons and adult podocytes, mirroring WT1 expression patterns.

Conclusions:

  • BASP1 is a key WT1-associated factor that regulates WT1 transcriptional activity.
  • BASP1 plays a significant role in the biological functions of WT1, particularly in kidney development.

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