Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Inducible and Reversible Dominant-negative (DN) Protein Inhibition
Published on: January 7, 2019
PAM14, a novel MRG- and Rb-associated protein, is not required for development and T-cell function in mice
Kaoru Tominaga1, D Mitchell Magee, Martin M Matzuk
1Sam and Ann Barshop Center for Longevity and Aging Studies, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78245-3207, USA. tominaga@uthscsa.edu
Abstract:
PAM14 has been found to associate in complexes with the MORF4/MRG family of proteins as well as Rb, the tumor suppressor protein. This suggested that it might be involved in cell growth, immortalization, and/or senescence. To elucidate the in vivo function of PAM14, we characterized the expression pattern of mouse Pam14 and generated PAM14-deficient (Pam14(-/-)) mice. Pam14 was widely expressed in all mouse tissues and as early as 7 days during embryonic development. Despite this ubiquitous expression in wild-type mice, Pam14(-/-) mice were healthy and fertile. Response to mitogenic stimulation and production of interleukin-2 were the same in stimulated splenic T cells from Pam14(-/-) mice as in control littermates. Cell growth rates of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from all three genotypes were the same, and immortalized cells were obtained from all cell cultures during continuous culture. There was also no difference in expression of growth-related genes in response to serum stimulation in the null versus control MEFs. These data demonstrate that PAM14 is not essential for normal mouse development and cell cycle control. PAM14 likely acts as an adaptor protein in nucleoprotein complexes and is probably compensated for by another functionally redundant protein(s).
Insights
The protein PAM14, despite widespread expression, is not essential for mouse development or cell cycle control. Its function in cell growth, immortalization, and senescence appears to be compensated for by other proteins.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- PAM14 protein complexes with MORF4/MRG proteins and the tumor suppressor Rb.
- This association suggests potential roles in cell growth, immortalization, and senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo function of PAM14.
- To characterize the expression pattern of mouse Pam14.
- To generate and analyze PAM14-deficient (Pam14(-/-)) mice.
Main Methods:
- Characterized Pam14 expression in wild-type mice.
- Generated Pam14(-/-) mice.
- Assessed T cell responses (mitogenic stimulation, IL-2 production).
- Analyzed cell growth rates of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Pam14 exhibits ubiquitous expression across mouse tissues during embryonic development.
- Pam14(-/-) mice are healthy and fertile with normal T cell responses and MEF growth rates.
- No differences observed in immortalization capacity or growth-related gene expression between null and control MEFs.
Conclusions:
- PAM14 is not essential for normal mouse development or cell cycle control.
- PAM14 likely functions as an adaptor protein.
- Functional redundancy from other proteins may compensate for PAM14 deficiency.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:23Negative Regulator Molecules