Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

13:15
Experimental Approaches to Study Mitochondrial Localization and Function of a Nuclear Cell Cycle Kinase, Cdk1
Published on: February 25, 2016
trnp: A conserved mammalian gene encoding a nuclear protein that accelerates cell-cycle progression
Marina Volpe1, Sally Shpungin, Chany Barbi
1Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
DNA and Cell Biology
|June 24, 2006
Summary
We discovered a new protein, TMF regulated nuclear protein (TRNP), that boosts cell proliferation by advancing cell-cycle progression. This novel protein is regulated by TMF/ARA160, impacting mammalian cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The TMF/ARA160 protein contains a "BC box" motif.
- Mammalian genes encode conserved proteins with essential cellular functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel protein interacting with TMF/ARA160.
- To investigate the function of this novel protein in mammalian cell proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Yeast two-hybrid screening to identify interacting proteins.
- Mammalian cell culture to study protein localization and expression.
- Cell cycle analysis to assess proliferation rates.
Main Results:
- A novel protein, TMF regulated nuclear protein (TRNP), was identified and characterized.
- TRNP accumulates in the insoluble nuclear fraction of mammalian cells.
- Enforced TRNP expression significantly increased cell proliferation by enhancing G0/G1 to S phase progression.
- TMF/ARA160 mediated proteasomal degradation of TRNP, similar to Stat3.
Conclusions:
- The trnp gene encodes a novel, conserved mammalian nuclear protein.
- TRNP accelerates cell-cycle progression and enhances cell proliferation.
- TRNP function is regulated by TMF/ARA160 through proteasomal degradation.
Related Concept Videos
Negative Regulator Molecules
Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
Positive Regulator Molecules
Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Positive Regulator Molecules
To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...

