The Inhibitor of Growth (ING) family comprises tumor suppressor genes that play crucial roles in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. The family includes five members: ING1, ING2, ING3, ING4, and ING5. These proteins are highly conserved across species and are involved in various cellular processes through their interactions with chromatin and other proteins.
The ING2 gene encodes the Inhibitor of Growth Family, Member 2 protein, also known as p33ING2 . This protein is involved in several critical cellular functions, including DNA repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation. ING2 is known to interact with histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) complexes, modulating their activity and influencing chromatin structure and gene expression .
ING2 contains several functional domains that enable its interaction with chromatin and other proteins:
ING2 plays a pivotal role in various biological processes:
As a tumor suppressor, ING2 is often downregulated or mutated in various cancers. Its loss of function can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor development. Research has shown that restoring ING2 function in cancer cells can inhibit their growth and induce apoptosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target .