Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress
10:57

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Published on: October 13, 2019

The multifunctional FUS, EWS and TAF15 proto-oncoproteins show cell type-specific expression patterns and involvement

Mattias K Andersson1, Anders Ståhlberg, Yvonne Arvidsson

  • 1Lundberg Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. mattias.andersson@llcr.med.gu.se

BMC Cell Biology
|July 16, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The FET (FUS, EWS, TAF15) proteins show varied expression across human tissues and cell types. Their localization to stress granules suggests roles in translational control and cancer, challenging previous assumptions of housekeeping functions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The FET (FUS, EWS, TAF15) proteins are multifunctional RNA-binding proteins involved in gene expression, genomic integrity, and RNA processing.
  • These proteins were initially identified in human sarcoma and leukemia fusion oncogenes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression patterns and cellular localization of FET proteins in various human tissues and cell types.
  • To understand the functional implications of FET protein localization, particularly under stress conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of FET protein expression across multiple human tissues.
  • Examination of FET protein localization in different cell types, including differentiating and terminally differentiated cells.
  • Induction of stress conditions (heat shock, oxidative stress) to observe FET protein translocation to stress granules.
  • Investigation of FUS protein translocation mechanism using its RNA-binding domain.
  • Detection of FET proteins in spreading initiation centers of adhering cells.

Main Results:

  • FET proteins (FUS, EWS, TAF15) exhibit distinct and overlapping expression patterns in human tissues, primarily in the nucleus.
  • FUS and TAF15 are also found in the cytoplasm, while cytoplasmic EWS is rarer and observed in secretory cells.
  • FET expression decreases during cellular differentiation and is absent in terminally differentiated cells.
  • FET proteins translocate to stress granules under heat shock and oxidative stress; FUS translocation depends on its RNA-binding domain.
  • FUS and TAF15 are present in spreading initiation centers, indicating roles in cell adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • FET proteins display cell-specific expression and functions, diverging from previously inferred housekeeping roles.
  • Localization to stress granules suggests FET proteins are involved in translational regulation during cellular stress.
  • The involvement of FET proteins in stress response, translational control, and adhesion may explain their frequent association with human cancers.

More Related Videos

All-optical Mechanobiology Interrogation of Yes-associated Protein in Human Cancer and Normal Cells using a Multi-functional System09:55

All-optical Mechanobiology Interrogation of Yes-associated Protein in Human Cancer and Normal Cells using a Multi-functional System

Published on: December 20, 2021

Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis09:58

Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis

Published on: June 27, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts01:57

Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts

Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM01:25

Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM

Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...