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A novel p53-inducible gene, PAG608, encodes a nuclear zinc finger protein whose overexpression promotes apoptosis

D Israeli1, E Tessler, Y Haupt

  • 1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

The EMBO Journal
|July 16, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified PAG608, a novel gene induced by DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner. This p53 target gene encodes a nuclear protein that promotes apoptosis and may mediate p53’s tumor suppressor functions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The p53 tumor suppressor protein regulates cellular responses to DNA damage.
  • p53 exerts its functions by transactivating specific target genes.
  • Identifying novel p53 target genes is crucial for understanding p53-mediated biological effects, including apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel p53 target genes involved in p53-mediated apoptosis.
  • To characterize a newly discovered p53-inducible gene, PAG608.

Main Methods:

  • Differential display method was used to identify novel p53 target genes.
  • PAG608 gene expression was analyzed in response to DNA damage.
  • PAG608 protein localization and functional effects were assessed in transfected human tumor cells.

Main Results:

  • A novel p53-inducible gene, PAG608, was identified.
  • PAG608 transcripts are upregulated by DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner.
  • PAG608 encodes a nuclear zinc finger protein that localizes to nucleoli and promotes apoptosis upon overexpression.

Conclusions:

  • PAG608 is a novel p53 target gene induced by DNA damage.
  • PAG608 may contribute to p53-mediated apoptosis and its tumor suppressor activities.

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