title: Overexpression of the novel human gene, nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor 1, induces apoptosis.
abstract: Apoptosis is a genetically determined cell suicidal program that plays critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human gene, nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor 1 (NAIF1), overexpression of which induces apoptosis in cells. Human NAIF1 is located on chromosome 9q34.11 and encodes 327 amino acids with a homeodomain-like region and two nuclear localization signals at its N-terminal region. NAIF1 is conserved across diverse species, including human, mouse, crab-eating macaque, dog, chicken and frog, and shares no obvious homology to any known genes or proteins. Northern blot analysis revealed wide expression of NAIF1 mRNA throughout human tissues. NAIF1 was predominantly localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of NAIF1 inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, NAIF1 transfection caused both decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 activation. In summary, NAIF1 is a nuclear protein that induces apoptosis when overexpressed.
authors.affiliation: Lab of Medical Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Health Science Center, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Bingfeng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Taiping
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xinyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Quansheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yingmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Dalong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yaxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lou
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002899:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C511414:NAIF1 protein, human; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D009687:Nuclear Proteins