A novel PHD-finger motif protein, p47ING3, modulates p53-mediated transcription, cell cycle control, and apoptosis

A candidate tumor suppressor gene, p33ING1 , was previously identified by using the genetic suppressor element methodology. p33ING1 cooperates with p53 and plays a significant role in p53-mediated cellular processes. Recently, we have identified p33ING2, which shows a sequence homology similar to p33ING1 and modulates p53 function. In the present study, we identified and characterized another ‘ING family’ gene. The estimated molecular weight of the encoded protein is 46.8 kDa, thus, we named it p47ING3. The p47ING3 gene is located at chromosome 7q31.3 and consists of 12 exons that encode 418 amino acids. A computational domain search revealed a C-terminal PHD-finger motif. Such motifs are common in proteins involved in chromatin remodeling. p47ING3 is highly expressed in some normal human tissues or organs, including the spleen, testis, skelet al muscle, and heart. p47ING3 expression levels varied among cancer cell lines. p47ING3 overexpression resulted in a decreased population of cells in S phase, a diminished colony-forming efficiency, and induced apoptosis in RKO cells, but not in RKO-E6 cells with inactivated p53. p47ING3 activates p53-transactivated promoters, including promoters of p21/waf1 and bax . Thus, we have isolated a novel ING family gene, p47ING3, which modulates p53-mediated transcription, cell cycle control, and apoptosis.