Isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a Translin-like protein, TRAX

Translin is a DNA binding protein which specifically binds to consensus sequences at breakpoint junctions of chromosomal translocations in many cases of lymphoid malignancies. To investigate its functional significance at such recombination hotspots, we examined whether Translin interacts with other proteins using a yeast two-hybrid system and identified an associated 33 kd protein partner, TRAX, with extensive amino acid homology. The TRAX protein was established to contain bipartite nuclear targeting sequences in its N-terminal region, suggesting a possible role in the selective nuclear transport of Translin protein lacking any nuclear targeting motifs.