APOBEC3G governs the generation of truncated AATF protein to ensure oncogenic transformation

The oncogenic potential of Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) was recently appreciated by the finding that revealed its ability to downregulate Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) gene translation through its affinity for 3'UTR of KLF4 mRNA. Keeping in view the fact that KLF4 is known to repress apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor (AATF) gene expression, the present study employed stem cells as archetype model to explore the effect of APOBEC3G over-expression upon AATF gene expression within these cells as well as on the genes involved in oncogenic transformation. Such a study revealed that APOBEC3G had the ability to bind AATF mRNA within its third exon to facilitate the generation of truncated 23 kDa AATF translation product which, in turn, had the inherent capacity to be the crucial mediator of APOBEC3G induced oncogenic transformation within such cells.