Proliferating cell unclear antigen-associated factor (PAF15): a novel oncogene
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Updated: May 2, 2026

Oncogene Expression Analysis with Alterations in pH in a Pancreatic Ductal Cell Line
Published on: April 11, 2025
Chanlu Xie1, Mu Yao2, Qihan Dong3
1School of Science and Health, The University of Western Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-Associated Factor (PAF15) is a small protein containing a PCNA interacting motif and sequences for association with ubiquitin enzymes. In interaction with PCNA, PAF15 plays a key role in recruiting DNA replicative polymerase by double monoubiquitination at Lys(15) and Lys(24). Under DNA damage conditions, PAF15 regulates the switch from DNA replicative polymerase to translesion synthesis polymerase in order to bypass the replication-blocking lesions. Overexpression of PAF15 promotes the repair of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage and prevents cell death, whereas attenuation of PAF15 decreases DNA replication and cell survival. Ectopic expression of PAF15 in mouse fibroblasts increases colony formation and tumourigenicity. PAF15 is aberrantly increased in various human malignancies with poor prognosis. Collectively, PAF15 may contribute to carcinogenesis and represents one of the potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer.
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