Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

In Vitro Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination Assays of Nucleosomal Histones
11:36

In Vitro Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination Assays of Nucleosomal Histones

Published on: July 25, 2019

THAP5 is a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor that is regulated in melanoma cells during DNA damage-induced cell

Meenakshi P Balakrishnan1, Lucia Cilenti, Camilla Ambivero

  • 1Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|November 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

THAP5, a human zinc finger protein, acts as a transcriptional repressor and promotes apoptosis. Its levels increase upon DNA damage in melanoma cells, suggesting a role in cell death pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • THAP5 is a human zinc finger protein interacting with the mitochondrial protease Omi/HtrA2.
  • Previous studies suggested THAP5 involvement in cell cycle regulation and cardiac cell death.
  • Its precise biological function remained largely unknown prior to this study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the properties and function of THAP5 in human melanoma cells.
  • To determine THAP5's role in response to DNA-damaging agents.
  • To elucidate THAP5's molecular mechanisms, including DNA binding and transcriptional activity.

Main Methods:

  • Expression analysis of THAP5 in melanocytes and melanoma cell lines.
  • Induction studies using UV irradiation and cisplatin treatment.
  • Assessment of THAP5's subcellular localization, DNA-binding ability, and transcriptional regulatory function.

Main Results:

  • THAP5 is expressed in human melanocytes and melanoma cells.
  • THAP5 protein levels significantly increase following UV or cisplatin treatment.
  • THAP5 functions as a nuclear DNA-binding transcriptional repressor and promotes apoptosis in melanoma cells.

Conclusions:

  • THAP5 is a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor with a pro-apoptotic function.
  • THAP5 is induced in melanoma cells under DNA-damaging conditions, contributing to cell death.
  • These findings highlight THAP5's potential role in melanoma pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

Live-imaging of Breast Epithelial Cell Migration After the Transient Depletion of TIP6008:13

Live-imaging of Breast Epithelial Cell Migration After the Transient Depletion of TIP60

Published on: December 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

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...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

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 Cycle02:36

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 Cycle02:36

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...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...