title: Characterization of human N8 protein.
abstract: We have shown before that the N8 mRNA is expressed at higher levels in lung tumor and lung tumor-derived cell lines than normal lung cells. In this paper, we have characterized the N8 protein, and studied its properties. The N8 gene encodes a major 24 kDa protein and its expression correlates well with the N8 mRNA expression pattern observed in different cell lines. N8 protein is capable of forming a homodimer or multimeter in vitro. It is a phosphorylated cytoplasmic protein and phosphorylation occurs mainly at serine residues. N8 protein is expressed at higher levels in epithelial cells than in mesenchymal cells. N8 protein expression is induced in a fibroblast cell line expressing adenoviral Ela protein, which acquired epithelial-like characteristics. Furthermore, ectopic expression of N8 protein in NIH3T3 cells converts them into a spheroid form. These spheroids also have some of the characteristic features of epithelial cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the N8 protein may be associated with the development or maintenance of epithelial cell phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: X K
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Halverson
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Byeon
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Schweinfest
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000737:chemistry; D016350:Leucine Zippers; D051379:Mice; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011817:Rabbits; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C114751:TPD52 protein, human; D012694:Serine