Identification of novel partner proteins of PCBP1

PCBP1 is a family member of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) that belong to RNA-binding proteins and bear three KH domains. The protein plays a pivotal role in post-transcriptional regulation for RNA metabolism and RNA function in gene expression. We hypothesized and were going to identify that the regulatory function of PCBP1 is performed through different complexes of proteins that include PCBP1.

To test our hypothesis, approaches of protein walking with a yeast two-hybrid system (Y2H), pulling down in yeasts, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent microscopy assay were employed in this study. The PCBP1 was used as the initial "walker" to search for its interaction partner(s).

Candidate proteins including MYL6, PECAM1, CSH1, RAB7, p57KIP2, ACTG1, RBMS1 and PSG4-like were identified with selection mediums and preceding methods.

With these candidate protein molecules, some protein complexes associating with PCBP1 are proposed, which may help in a better understanding of physiological functions of PCBP1 and proved evidence that PCBP1 is involved in variant biological pathways.