The Inhibitor of Growth (ING) family comprises a group of tumor suppressor proteins that play crucial roles in regulating cell growth, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. Among these, Inhibitor of Growth Family, Member 1 (ING1) is particularly significant due to its involvement in various cellular processes and its potential implications in cancer development and progression .
ING1 is a nuclear protein that interacts with the tumor suppressor protein TP53 (p53) and is a component of the p53 signaling pathway . This interaction is vital for the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis. ING1 contains several domains that allow it to bind to chromatin structures and exert its effects as a reader of histone modification marks . These domains include:
ING1 acts as a tumor suppressor by inducing cell growth arrest and apoptosis . Its expression is often reduced or rearranged in various cancers, highlighting its importance in maintaining normal cellular functions. The loss of ING1 function can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor development .
ING1 exerts its tumor suppressor functions through several mechanisms:
The study of ING1 and its role in cancer has significant clinical implications. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which ING1 functions can lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Additionally, the detection of ING1 expression levels could serve as a diagnostic marker for certain types of cancer .