Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

Grow-ING, Age-ING and Die-ING: ING proteins link cancer, senescence and apoptosis

Michael Russell1, Philip Berardi, Wei Gong

  • 1Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1.

Experimental Cell Research
|March 7, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The INhibitor of Growth (ING) proteins regulate gene expression and apoptosis by interacting with nuclear proteins. Their altered expression in cancer and aging suggests a role in linking cellular transformation and senescence via epigenetic mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • INhibitor of Growth (ING) proteins are key regulators of gene expression and apoptosis.
  • These proteins translocate to the nucleus and nucleolus upon stress, interacting with various nuclear proteins.
  • ING proteins are implicated in cellular processes including stress response, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and senescence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on ING proteins.
  • To focus on protein-protein interactions involving ING family members.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which these interactions contribute to tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and senescence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings in the ING protein field.
  • Analysis of protein-protein interactions involving ING family members.
  • Examination of the role of ING proteins in epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

Main Results:

  • ING proteins interact with nuclear proteins like PCNA, p53, and histone modifiers (HATs and HDACs).
  • These interactions modulate chromatin compaction, affecting the expression of stress response, apoptosis, and cell cycle genes.
  • Altered ING protein expression and localization are observed in human cancers and during cellular aging.

Conclusions:

  • ING proteins act as tumor suppressors linking cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and senescence.
  • Their functions are mediated through epigenetic regulation of gene expression via protein interactions.
  • ING proteins are crucial in understanding cellular transformation and aging processes.

More Related Videos

Evaluating the Effect of SASP Factors on the Proliferation of Cancer Cells Using a Comparative Analysis of Three Distinct Methodologies08:57

Evaluating the Effect of SASP Factors on the Proliferation of Cancer Cells Using a Comparative Analysis of Three Distinct Methodologies

Published on: September 19, 2025

Senescence Detection Using Reflected Light in Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction10:08

Senescence Detection Using Reflected Light in Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction

Published on: June 5, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...