p68 and p72 RNA HELICASES

The homologous p68 and p72 RNA helicases exert important functions in RNA splicing and the rearrangement of RNA structures. However, we and others have also shown a role for these homologous RNA helicases in gene transcription, in particular as interaction partners and modulators of the cofactors and acetyltransferases, CBP and p300. We found that p68 and p72 RNA helicases are overexpressed in several human tumors, strongly suggesting that p68 and p72 are diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. Importantly, knock-down of p68 and p72 in cancer cells results in suppressed tumor formation in a xenograft model. These data suggest that p68 and p72 are important promoters of tumorigenesis.

We are attempting to mechanistically understand how p68 and p72 contribute to cancer formation. To this end, we have identified several cancer-associated interaction partners and study how they are modulated by p68 and p72. In addition, we explore the physiological functions of p68 and p72 utilizing mouse model systems.